Key Events and Concepts of Early Islam

Abbasid Caliphate

A major Islamic dynasty; came after umayyad

Abraham

A patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, regarded as a prophet.

Abu Bakr

The first caliph after Muhammad's death, known for his close association with the Prophet; father in law

Ali (and his assassination)

a caliph and cousin of Muhammad, assassinated in 661 C.E.

-shia thought should have succeeded mohammed bc blood

-paved the way for them to found umayyad

-timeline in slides

-further divided shia and sunni

Allah

The Arabic word for God in Islam.

Bedouin

Nomadic Arab tribespeople, traditionally herders and traders.

Burqa

A full-body covering worn by some Muslim women in public.

Caliph

The chief Muslim civil and religious leader, regarded as the successor to Muhammad. ONLY SUNNI. APPOINTED/ELECTED. CAN MAKE MSITAKES relatively secular. still guiding muslim communitya nd upholding laws

Dome of the Rock

An Islamic shrine in Jerusalem, significant in Islamic tradition.

Diwan

A council or administrative body in Islamic governance.

Dhimmis

Non-Muslims living in an Islamic state with legal protection.

emirs

Military commanders or governors in the Islamic state.

Five Pillars

The five basic acts of worship in Islam: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.

Imam

A leader of prayer in a mosque or a religious leader in Islam. ONLY SHIA. SEEN AS DIVINELY APPOINTED!!!! INFALLIBLE (cannot make mistakes because god chose them so they are perfect)

Jihad

A struggle or effort in the way of God, often interpreted as a holy war.

Ka'ba

A sacred cube-shaped structure in Mecca, central to Islamic worship.

Khadijah

Muhammad's first wife and the first person to convert to Islam.

Medina

The city where Muhammad migrated and established the first Islamic state.

Mecca

The birthplace of Muhammad and the holiest city in Islam.

Muhammad

The founder of Islam, regarded as the last prophet in Islam.

Mu'awiya

The first Umayyad caliph, known for establishing the Umayyad dynasty. SEIZED POWER POST ALI ASSASINATION

qadis

Judges in Islamic law.

Qibla

The direction Muslims face during prayer, towards the Ka'ba in Mecca.

Qur'an

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

Quraysh

a prominent Arabian tribe who controlled Mecca in the 7th century CE, before the rise of Islam. They were known as wealthy merchants

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by fasting.

Salat (Salah)

The ritual prayer performed five times a day in Islam.

Shar'ia

Islamic law derived from the Qur'an and Hadith.

Sunna

The practices and traditions of Muhammad, serving as a model for Muslims.

Shi'a

A branch of Islam that believes in the leadership of Ali and his descendants.

Sufism

A mystical Islamic belief system focused on personal experience of God; love of god; ascetics monk

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam, best fit caliph, not blood related

Shahada

The Islamic declaration of faith, stating there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.

Ulama

Scholars and experts in Islamic law and theology.

Umayyad

The first dynasty of caliphs in Islam,

Umma

The collective community of Muslims worldwide.

Zakat

The practice of charitable giving in Islam, one of the Five Pillars.

Hijra

The migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E.

Hijab

A headscarf worn by some Muslim women as a sign of modesty.

Niqab

A face veil worn by some Muslim women, covering the face except for the eyes.

Gabriel

The angel who delivered revelations to Muhammad.

Hadith

Recorded sayings and actions of Muhammad, used as a source of Islamic law.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca, required of all Muslims at least once in their lifetime.

five pillars of islam

shahada: Declaration of faith

salah: prayer

zakat: charity

sawm: fasting

hajj: pilgrimage

570 C.E.

The year Muhammad was born in Mecca.

610 C.E.

The year Muhammad received his first revelation from Gabriel.

622 C.E.

The year of Muhammad's migration to Medina, marking the start of the Islamic calendar.

632 C.E.

The year Muhammad died, leading to the election of Abu Bakr as caliph.

711 C.E.

The year Muslims entered Spain and India, expanding Islamic control.

1000 C.E.

The year Islam continued to spread through Africa, including Nigeria.