Places and key concepts

Mecca (Makkah)

Birthplace of Muhammad and site of the Kaaba; holiest city in Islam.

Medina (Madinah)/Yathrib

City where Muhammad migrated (Hijra) and established the Muslim community.

Jerusalem

Site of Muhammad’s “Night Journey”; third holiest city in Islam.

Damascus–Umayyad Capital

Capital of the Umayyad Caliphate.

Baghdad–Abbasid Capital

Capital of the Abbasid Caliphate; major center of learning and culture.

“House of Wisdom” in Baghdad

Intellectual center during the Abbasid Caliphate where scholars translated and preserved knowledge.

Hijra(h) (Hegira)

Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE; marks the start of the Islamic calendar.

“Night Journey” and Jerusalem

Event where Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven from Jerusalem, guided by Angel Gabriel.

Mosques

Muslim places of worship.

Minarets

Towers on mosques used for the call to prayer.

Muezzins

Individuals who call Muslims to prayer from the minaret.

Umayyad Dynasty

The first Islamic dynasty after the 'Rightly Guided Caliphs'; ruled from Damascus.

Abbasid Dynasty

Overthrew the Umayyads; moved the capital to Baghdad; marked by a golden age of Islamic culture.

Shiite (Shia)

Branch of Islam that believes leadership should remain within the Prophet’s family, especially through Ali.

Sunni

Largest branch of Islam; believes leadership should be chosen by consensus.

“12 Imams”

Spiritual and political successors to Muhammad according to Shia Islam.

12th Imam/“Hidden Imam”/Al Mahdi

The final imam in Shia belief who is in occultation and will return to bring justice.

Arabic—language of the Prophet/the Quran

Sacred language of Islam; the Quran is recited and memorized in Arabic.

Battle of Tours (732)

Frankish victory that stopped Muslim expansion into Western Europe.