The Origin & Spread of Islam

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Arabian Peninsula

also called Arabia, is the homeland of the Arab people and where Islam began

peninsula

a body of land surrounded by water on three sides (ex. Cape Cod, Florida)

Oasis

scattered springs in the desert that provide water and fertile soil

Caravans

groups of merchants and animals traveling together across the desert

Cultural Diffusion

the spread of cultural element from one society to another

siege

a military action in which a place is surrounded and attacked over and over until the people surrender

Islam

the religion of the Muslims; a monotheistic faith as revealed through the prophet Muhammad * word Islam means “submission to the will of God”.

Muslim

a follower of the Islamic faith

Muhammed

a man born in 570 C.E who taught the faith of Islam; was a prophet

Allah

God of Islam; Allah is God’s name in Arabic

Qur’an (Koran)

the holy book of Muslims

Mosque

a Muslim house of worship

Imam

religious leader of Islam

Sunnah

the example that Muhammad set for the Muslims about how to live through his words and actions

Hadith

written account that provided evidence of Muhammad’s

Makkah (Mecca)

1st holiest city to the Muslims; city where Muhammad was born

Medina (“City of the Prophet”)

2nd holiest city; where Muhammad established a Muslim community after his escape from Mecca; Muhammad’s body is entombed here in the Prophet’s Mosque (green dome)

Jerusalem

3rd holiest city to Islam; where Islamic prophets worshipped; where Muhammad ascended to heaven to meet with the prophet and Allah (called the night journey)

Ka’bah

a small shrine built by Abraham located in the city of Mecca; Muslims holiest site; believed to be a metaphorical house of God (direction to which Muslims pray & where they make their pilgrimage to)

Muhammad’s family

Khadijah, Abu Talib, Abu Bakr, Jibril (Gabriel), Ali ibn Abi Talib

Five Pillars of Islam

the most basic acts of worship for Muslims (declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca)

Ramadan

the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims are required to fast

Hajj

pilgrimage or journey to Mecca; to be performed once in a Muslims lifetime to honor Abraham’s journey to see Hagar and son Ishmael

Shari’ah

the code of Islamic law based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah

Jihad

the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin; a struggle or fight against enemies of Islam

Caliph

the main Muslim civil and religious ruler, successors of Muhammad - their goal was to protect and spread Islam * First four caliphs were close friends or relatives of Muhammad

Caliphate

area ruled by the Caliph

Umayyads

leaders of Muslim empire after the first four caliphs; based in city of Damascus in Syria

Sunni

Muslims who accept the rule of the Umayyad caliphs (majority of Muslims today)

Shia

Muslims who believe the descendents of Ali should rule (majority in Iran/Iraq)