Modern World History Chapter 1

Caliph

title meaning ‘natural successor to the prophet’ ; given to Abu Bakr after Muhammad died (was Muhammad’s father-in-law)

Qur’an

the Islamic holy book

Shahada

The 5-Pillars of Islam : one god named Allah & Muhammad is his prophet

Salah

The 5-Pillars of Islam : pray 5 times a day facing Mecca

Zakat

The 5-Pillars of Islam : almsgiving - giving to the poor

Sawm

The 5-Pillars of Islam : fasting during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan

Haji

The 5-Pillars of Islam : mandatory trip by all muslims to Mecca at least once in a lifetime (if possible)

Jihad

a struggle to defend the faith, a ‘holy war’ against non-believers

Sultanate

land ruled by a sultan

Janissary

the elite force of the Ottoman army

Middle Ages

Medieval (middle) 5th-15th centuries

Feudalism

a political / social system in Europe based on the relation between lord & vassal. Plots of land were exchanged for service (and loyalty)

Serf

agricultural workers who belonged to the manor “scum of the Earth”

-Obligated to their lord and subject to dues and many rules

Capital

money for investment

Guild

an association similar to a modern day union’s groups would regulate conditions such as wages, hours, prices for selling goods, and quality of products being produced

Crusade

expedition to regain the Holy Land ; there were 9 total, only the 1st was successful

Vernacular

people’s everyday speech , varied from place to place and had roots in Latin

Chaucer

author of Canterbury Tales , a story about a group on a Pilgrimage to St. Thomas Beckett’s shrine at Canterbury Cathedral

Islam

submission to [the will of] Allah

Muslim

one who submits to Allah