Module 10 Study Guide: Key Concepts of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

The foundational acts of worship and practice in Islam, which include Faith, Prayer, Pilgrimage, Alms, and Fasting.

Zakat

The mandatory tax for charity, set at 2.5%.

Fasting

A month-long fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan.

Faith

The declaration that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.

Prayer

Daily prayers performed five times a day at scheduled times, facing Mecca.

Hajj

The Arabic word for the pilgrimage to Mecca, which is mandatory at least once in a lifetime if able.

Allah

The Arabic word for God.

Ramadan

The name of the month during which fasting occurs.

Hijrah

The forced migration to Yathrib (Medina) from Mecca by Muhammad and his followers.

Rightly Guided Caliphs

The first leaders of the Muslim community after Muhammad's death, including Abu Bakr.

Jizyah

A tax (10%) paid by non-Muslims in the Muslim Empire.

Ummah

The community of believers in Islam.

Sufi

A sect of Islam that lives simple lives, similar to monks and nuns.

Sunni

A sect of Islam that believes the caliph should follow the example of Muhammad (the Sunna).

Shi'a

A sect of Islam that believes the caliph must be a blood relative of Muhammad.

Umayyad Family

A dynasty that ruled the Islamic Empire, known for living luxuriously and moving the capital from Mecca to Damascus.

Abbasids

The dynasty that overthrew the Umayyad family.

Muezzin

The caller to prayer in Islam.

Minaret

The tower from which the call to prayer is announced.

Economic Disruption

The impact on trade in Mecca due to Muhammad's preaching of monotheism.

Test of the Faithful

The significance of the Hijrah in solidifying the community of believers.

Abbasid

The family that moved the capital to Baghdad.

Sakks

Checks used in the banking system.

Bureaucracy

A system of government with many departments and officials.

Arabic as a unifying language

The use of Arabic to unify the diverse cultures within the empire.

Crusades

European Christian Knights' attacks on the Islamic Empire.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

House of Wisdom

A center for learning in Baghdad that attracted the best minds of the day.

Calligraphy

Beautiful writing, an Islamic art form featuring verses from the Qur'an.

Arabesque

Geometric, floral patterns that are repeating, used in Islamic art.

Al-Razi

A physician known for his work on smallpox and medical texts.

Astrolabe

A star map that helps determine location and direction.

Armillary Sphere

A calendar device used to track the lunar calendar.

Algebra

A branch of mathematics developed by Al-Khwarizmi.

Scientific Method

A method of inquiry that uses experiments to test information.

Quarantine

A practice used in medicine to prevent the spread of disease.

Cataract surgery

A medical procedure developed by Muslim scholars for treating eye conditions.

Optics

The study of light and vision, advanced by Al-Haytham.

Sanitation

The practice of maintaining health through cleanliness, important in Muslim cities.

Geometric patterns

Art forms that can be carved into stone or wood, or made into mosaics.

Cultural diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

Patriarchy

A social system where men hold primary power and authority.