Chapter 2

Mecca

a city in Saudi Arabia where Muhammad was born

Ka’bah

a stone building in Mecca that was used for pagan rituals.

Ramadan

the holy month of Islam

Qur’an

sacred Islamic book that records Muhammad’s visions

Allah

Arabid word meaning “the god”

Medina

an small oasis where Muhammad and a small group of his followers moved to

Hegira

Muhammad and his follower’s move to Medina is referred to by this name. The word means “flight”. This event also marked the beginning of Islam.

Islam

A word that means “submission”. It’s a religion started by Muhammad that’s core beliefs is based upon the Five Pillars. It also uses the Qur’an as its holy book.

Battle of Badr

a battle against Muhammad and the people of Mecca. Muhammad and his followers were attacking the people of Mecca’s caravans (a group of travelers). Muhammad and his followers won, even though they were outnumbered. Muhammad saw this as approval from Allah.

Muslims

follwers of Islam

calpih

an Arab word meaning “to succeed”. It’s an Islamic leader.

Wars of Apostasy

Conflicts between Muhammad’s followers and the new leader’s followers, Abu Bakr, that started because some followers wanted to stop practicing Islam when Muhammad died.

apostasy

abandonment of one’s beliefs

Shiite

a group of Islam followers that believed that Muhammad intended Ali, his cousin, to be his successor. They insist that he retained Muhammad’s political and spiritual authority.

Sunni

a group of Islam followers that refer to their leader as imam rather than caliph. They believe that Muhammad did not appoint a successor. Instead, any worthy Muslim could be selected to lead Islam. They refer to their political leader as caliph and their spiritual leader as imam.

The 2 groups that Islam split into.

Sunni and Shiite

jihad

Arab word that means “to strive hard”. Muslims believe this is a mental struggle for each believer to become a good Muslim. But, some Muslims use this term to mean “holy war” against non-Muslims.

5 Pillars of Islam

1. Reciting the creed 2. Daily practice of Prayer 3. Almsgiving 4. Traveling to Mecca at once in their lifetime 5. Fasting during the month of Ramadan

The Islamic creed

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah.”

Almsgiving

A requirement of every Muslim to give at least two and one-half percent of their income to the needy.

Umayyad Caliphate

a Muslim dynasty that moved the capital of the Muslim Empire to Damascas

Damascas

A city in Syria where the Umayyad Caliphate moved the capital to.

Abassid Caliphate

When the Umayyah Caliphate was defeated, the Islamic empire became now known as this. Then capital was moved from Damascas to Baghdad.

Baghdad

A city in Iraq where the Muslim capital was when the Abassid Caliphate was in charge.

Constantinople

the capital of the Byzantine Empire

Greek fire

the Byzantine’s secret weapon that was a chemical mixture that burned upon impact and spread when douched with water.

Charles Martel

“the Hammer”. Ruler of the Franks (French), who led an army that defeated the Muslim forces in Europe. This ended the Muslim threat.

How did Muhammad and his followers gain wealth while in Medina?

by raiding passing caravans

How did Aby Bakr maintain political and religious unity?

by military force

How did Uthmann resolve the problem of various versions of the Qur’an?

He chose one and ordered the others to be destroyed.

Which biblical writings do the Muslims include in their list of holy books?

writings of Moses, David (Psalms), and the “Gospel given to Jesus”.

In carrying out jihad, what did Muhammad command his followers to do?

to kill or subdue all unbelievers

What does the Qur’an teach about the doctrine of the Trinity?

The Qur’an denies it.

What does the Qur’an teach about the deity of Christ?

The Qur’an denies it and declares it to be offensive.

Why were Islamic forces easily able to conquer Sassanid and Byzantine territories?

Those territories had fought for two centuries and had drained their financial and military sources. W

What reasons do Muslims give for claiming that the Bible cannot be trusted?

They claim it has become corrupted over the centuries.

Who does Islam believe you gain salvation?

through good works

What term describes the worships of many gods?

polytheism

What book is based ont he teachings of Muhammad and means “recitations”?

Qur’an

What does the term ‘Islam’ mean?

submission

What are the Sunni and the Shiite two main groups of?

Islam

What term did the Muslims use to describe those who do not accept Islam?

infidel

Name the 2 large empires that lost territory or were destroyed by a Muslim invasion.

Byzantine and Sassanid

What Muslim dynasty moved the capital of the Muslim Empire to Damascas?

Umayyad

Were non-Muslims initially required to convert to Islam?

No

What circumstances led to non-Muslims being forces to convert to Islam?

Crusades and other threats to Islam

How were the Muslim armies able to defeat the Sassanid and Byzantine forces so quicky?

Two centuries of fighting had left these empires weak and vulnerable.

What Greek invention that aided naval travel did the Muslims improve?

astrolabe

What Muslim scholar is regarded as the Father of Modern Medicine?

Avicenna

What farming improvement did the Muslims make to increase productivity?

irrigation

What natural resources did the Muslims harness to produce power?

water, steam, air and oil

Differences between the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties

The Umayyad was primarily focused on military expansion and the Abassis was focused on culture and scholarship.

What empire stopped the Muslim advance into Asia Minor?

Byzantine

Why were the Muslims unable to conquer Constantinople?

It had a defensible position and thick walls, and the Byzantines had Greek fire.

What title did Charles, ruler of the Franks, recieve after defeating the Muslim forces?

Charles Martel

What did Charles Martel’s title mean?

“the Hammer”