Vocab

Muhammad

Founder of Islam; received revelations from Allah; unified Arabian tribes under Islam.

Umm

Muslim community; loyalty based on faith rather than tribe.

Caliph

Political & religious leader of the Islamic community.

Dar al-Islam

“House of Islam,” territory under Muslim rule.

Umayyad Caliphate

First major caliphate after Rashidun; capital in Damascus; expanded Islam widely.

Sunni

Leader can be any capable Muslim.

Shia

Leader must be descendant of Ali (Muhammad’s cousin/son-in-law)

Modern Day Sunni/Shia Rivalry

Saudi Arabia (Sunni) vs Iran (Shia).

Mawali

Non-Arab Muslims; treated more equally under Abbasids.

Dhows

Improved Indian Ocean trade.

Sakks

Early checks → expanded trade.

Mahmud of Ghanzi

Destroyed Hindu/Buddhist temples → spread Islam militarily.

Delhi Sultanate

Politically unstable; spread religion more effectively in cities.

Bhakti Cults

Hindu devotional movements, challenged caste system.

Sufis

Emphasized personal devotion; peaceful conversion.

Kabir

Syncretic poet; tried to reconcile Hinduism & Islam.

Vijayanagar

Hindu kingdom; example of coexistence & resistance.

Srivijaya Empire

Buddhist; controlled trade; Islam replaced Buddhism over time.

Ibn Battuta

Traveler documenting Islamic culture in Africa.

Hausa States

City-states, decentralized; less centralized than Mali/Songhai.