ISLAM: Deserts, Towns, Trade, and Dynasties

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Dar al-Islam, including early Islamic history, beliefs, practices, leadership, dynastic changes, economic aspects, and cultural achievements.

Dar al-Islam

The 'House of Islam' or Islamic World, referring to regions under Islamic rule or influence.

Mecca

A significant pilgrimage site in Arabia, home to the Ka’aba, and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.

Ka’aba

An ancient shrine in Mecca associated with Hebrew prophet Abraham and monotheism, later a central worship site in Islam.

Allah

The Arabic word for God, the one God in Islam, also believed in by Christians and Jews.

Muhammad

The prophet and founder of Islam, born around 570 AD into a powerful Meccan clan, who received revelations from Angel Gabriel.

Islam

The religion founded by Muhammad, meaning 'submission to the will of Allah'.

Muslim

A follower of Islam, meaning 'One who has submitted' to the will of Allah.

Angel Gabriel

The angel who delivered Allah's messages and revelations to the Prophet Muhammad.

Hijrah

The Muslim migration from Mecca to Yathrib (renamed Medina) in 622 AD, due to persecution.

Medina

The city formerly known as Yathrib, where Muhammad and his followers migrated during the Hijrah, becoming a significant center for Islam.

Five Pillars of Islam

The fundamental practices of Islam: Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving, and Pilgrimage (Hajj).

Faith (Shahada)

The declaration of faith in Islam: 'No god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger'.

Prayer (Salat)

The ritual prayer performed by Muslims five times a day, facing towards the Ka’aba in Mecca.

Fasting (Sawm)

Abstaining from food and drink from dawn till dusk during the holy month of Ramadan.

Almsgiving (Zakat)

The practice of giving to the poor and needy, a religious obligation for Muslims.

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that all able-bodied Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

Imam

A leader who leads prayers at the Friday sermon or a recognized religious scholar within Islam.

Qur’an (Quran)

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to Muhammad through Gabriel.

Sunna

The traditional procedures and practices of the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a model for proper living for Muslims.

Sharia

The body of Islamic law derived from the Quran and the Sunna, providing guidance for all aspects of life.

Dome of the Rock

An Islamic monument in Jerusalem, believed to be the site of Muhammad's ascent to heaven and of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac.

Caliph

A title for a Muslim leader, meaning 'successor' or 'deputy' to the Prophet Muhammad.

Abu-Bakr

The first caliph elected to lead the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad.

Rightly Guided Caliphs

The first four caliphs who ruled after Muhammad's death (Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali), seen as models of Islamic leadership.

Jihad

An armed struggle against unbelievers who threaten Islam, or a personal struggle against vice and ignorance of Islam.

Ali

Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, whose assassination as caliph ended the elective system for choosing a caliph.

Umayyads

A wealthy Meccan clan who took power after Ali's assassination, establishing a dynasty and moving the capital, which led to division in the Muslim community.

Shi’a

The 'Party of Ali,' a major sect of Islam whose members believe that the caliph should be a descendant of Muhammad.

Sunni

A major sect of Islam whose members follow Muhammad’s example (Sunna) and accept the legitimacy of the first four caliphs.

Umayyad Dynasty

An Islamic dynasty (661-750 CE) that brought stability to the Islamic community, with its capital in Damascus, and expanded into Europe (Spain).

Jizya

A head tax imposed on non-Muslims in conquered territories during the Umayyad dynasty, prompting many conversions.

Abbasid Dynasty

An Islamic dynasty (750-1258 CE) founded by Abu al-Abbas, who defeated the Umayyads and established a new caliphate with Baghdad as its capital.

Abu al-Abbas

The founder of the Abbasid Dynasty, who allied with Shia and non-Arab Muslims to overthrow the Umayyads.

Al-Andalus

Islamic Spain, established by Muslim Berber conquerors from North Africa (711-750 CE), which formed its own caliphate separate from the Abbasids.

Baghdad

The capital city of the Abbasid Dynasty, established by Al-Mansur, which became a leading center of commerce, culture, and learning.

House of Wisdom

A famous intellectual center in Baghdad during the Abbasid era, functioning as a library, academy, and translation center for Islamic scholars.

Mongols

A nomadic people who overran the Abbasids and conquered Baghdad in 1258, marking the end of the Abbasid Dynasty.

Caravanserai

An enclosed inn or resting place along Persian trade routes, providing shelter for caravans and travelers.

Dhow

A type of sailing vessel with lateen sails, commonly used for maritime trade in the Indian Ocean by Muslim traders.

Lateen

A triangular sail, highly effective for catching monsoon winds, used on dhows and other vessels in maritime trade.

Sakk (check)

A form of banking instrument that developed in the Islamic world, facilitating trade on a larger scale.

Dowry

Property or money brought by a bride to her husband upon marriage; Islam allowed brides to claim and control their dowry.

Polygyny

The practice of having multiple wives, which was permitted in Islamic society under certain conditions.

Madrasas

Islamic schools established to promote religious education and the uniform understanding of Islamic law.

Sufi missionaries

Muslims who spread Islam through asceticism (self-denial) and mysticism (direct spiritual experience), sometimes causing tension with orthodox theologians.

Asceticism

The practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, often for religious reasons, embraced by some Sufis.

Mysticism

A doctrine of obtaining direct, intimate union with God or spiritual truths through contemplation or ecstasy, central to Sufism.

Algebra

A major branch of mathematics, whose foundations were significantly developed by Muslim scholars.

Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

A renowned Islamic polymath (980-1037) who authored the 'Canon of Medicine,' a highly influential medical textbook in Europe.

Nasir al-Din Tusi

An Islamic scholar (1201-1274) credited with significant contributions to mathematics, including the development of trigonometry.

Ibn Rushd (Averroes)

An Islamic philosopher (1126-1198) who revived interest and knowledge of Greek philosophers, particularly Aristotle, in both the Islamic world and Europe.

Arabic numerals

Known as 'Hindi numbers' originally from India, adopted by Muslims and transmitted to Europe, forming our modern numbering system (0-9).

Alhambra

A palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain, built during Berber control, known as an outstanding example of Islamic art and architecture.

Islamic art characteristics

Features an emphasis on calligraphy of Quranic verses, intricate geometric shapes, and abstract designs, as pictorial representations of Muhammad or Allah are generally avoided.

Calligraphy

The art of beautiful handwriting, a highly esteemed art form in Islamic culture, used extensively in art, architecture, and manuscripts.