Unit 1.1 Terms

Flashcards of terms from the lecture notes.

State-building

The process of establishing or developing a state or nation.

Muhammad

The prophet and founder of Islam.

Islam

Adherents of Islam.

Muslims

Followers of the religion of Islam.

Qur’an

The holy book of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of God.

Hadith

A collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad that, with accounts of his daily practice (the Sunna), constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Koran.

Five Pillars of Islam

The core beliefs and practices of Islam: Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim is expected to make at least once in their lifetime.

Dar al Islam

The 'House of Islam,' referring to the regions of the world where Islam has influence.

Umma

The community of Muslims.

Dhimmi

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

Jizya

A per capita yearly tax historically levied in Islamic states on certain non-Muslim subjects permanently residing in Muslim lands under Islamic law.

Caliph

The chief Muslim civil and religious ruler, regarded as the successor of Muhammad.

Ali

The fourth caliph of Islam, considered by Shia Muslims to be the rightful successor to Muhammad.

Sunni

One of the two main branches of Islam, the other being Shia.

Shia

One of the two main branches of Islam which rejects the first three Sunni caliphs and regards Ali, the fourth caliph, as Muhammad's first true successor.

Umayyad Caliphate

The second of the four major Islamic caliphates established after the death of Muhammad.

Abbasid Caliphate

The third of the Islamic caliphates to succeed the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Baghdad

The capital city of the Abbasid Caliphate and a major center of Islamic learning.

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age known for its translated texts and scientific advancements.

Islamic Golden Age

A period of cultural, intellectual, and scientific flourishing in the history of Islam.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

A Persian polymath, astronomer, biologist, chemist, mathematician, philosopher and physician.

Aisha al-Bajuniyya

A Sufi master and poet.

Sufis

A mystical branch of Islam focused on direct experience of God.

Decentralization

The distribution of power away from a central authority.

Emirs

Governors or rulers of regions or provinces in the Islamic world.

Emirates

Territories ruled by Emirs.

Turkic Peoples

A group of people living in Central Asia

Successor States to the Abbasids

Independent states that emerged after the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Al-Andalus

The region of Spain under Muslim control from the 8th to 15th centuries.

Córdoba

A major city in Al-Andalus known for its cultural and intellectual achievements.

Convivencia

A period of coexistence and cultural exchange between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Al-Andalus.

Sultan

A Muslim sovereign.

Seljuk Turks

A Turkic group that played a significant role in the Islamic world.

Mamluk Egypt

A military class composed of slaves in Egypt.

Rajput Kingdoms

Hindu kingdoms in India that faced challenges from Muslim invaders.

Sultanate of Delhi

A Muslim sultanate established in Delhi.

Bhakti Movement

A Hindu devotional movement that emphasized love and devotion to a personal god.

Srivijaya Empire

A powerful maritime empire that controlled trade in Southeast Asia.

Mandala system

A system of political organization in ancient India.

‘Ushr

Land Tax