Islamic History and Religion Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Islamic history and religion.

Bedouins

Desert dwellers or wanderers, became the first Muslims.

Revelations

Revealed teachings from God.

Caliphate

The Muslim government led by the caliphs.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims are required to fast.

Prosperous

Wealthy or successful.

Proclaimed

Announced officially in public.

Islam

The religion Muslims follow.

Monotheism

The belief in a single god.

Polytheism

The belief in many gods.

Qu’ran

The holy book of Islam.

Muhammad

The creator of Islam, seen as the prophet of God.

Muslim

A follower of the Islamic religion.

Prophet

A person who speaks or interprets the words of God.

Allah

The Arabic word for God.

Caliph

A Muslim ruler.

Kaaba

Box-like building that held over 300 religious idols.

Holy Land

Modern day Israel & Palestine.

Saladin

Took back Jerusalem in 1187 during the 2nd Crusade.

Five Pillars of Islam

Faith, Prayer (5x a day), Pilgrimage to Mecca, Charitable Donations, Fasting (Ramadan).

Jihad

Means 'to strive'; something Muslims fulfill.

Mosque

A Muslim place of worship.

Sunnah

The example that Muhammad set for Muslims about how to live.

Muezzin

The crier that chants the call to prayer.

Allahu akbar!

Means 'God is great'; how the imam starts the prayer.

Hadith

Reports or habits about the prophet.

Crusades

The Holy Wars in which Christians were trying to take back the Holy Land.

Seljuk Turks

Conquered the Holy Land and drove Christians out of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem

Where Muhammad ascended to heaven during his Night Journey.

Pope Urban II

Joined Council in Clermont and crafted a plan to reclaim Jerusalem.

First Crusade

Christians successfully fought against the Seljuk Turks to reclaim Jerusalem.

Second Crusade

Muslims and a French Army banded together to reconquer Edessa.

Third Crusade

Led by King Richard I; resulted in a peace treaty with Saladin.

Sunni

90% of the Muslim population, believes the leader should be chosen.

Shi’ite

Muslim sect that believes the leader must be a direct descendant of Muhammad.

Minaret

Tower where the call to prayer is made.

Black Death Symptoms

Fever, swollen lymph nodes, rotting fingertips, coughing blood.