Islamic Empire

Islam

A monotheistic religion that began in the 7th century C.E. after Judaism and Christianity, but is different because it focuses on the prophet Muhammad and his teachings.

Muslim

A person who submits to God and follows the teachings of Muhammad.

Muhammad

The prophet of the religion of Islam; believed to have the final revelation or message from God.

Mecca

The town where Muhammad was said to have first received a message from God.

Medina

The city that Muhammad fled to, spreading the word of his messages from God.

Arabic

The language of Muhammad that unified the area; still spoken today in many parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Nomads

People who wander from place to place.

Hajj (Pilgrimage)

A religious journey to the Kaaba, that all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime.

Quran/ Koran

The holy book of Islam, which contains the messages or revelations from God that were told to Muhammad.

Five Pillars of Islam

Practices that all Muslims must follow in order to reach salvation:

Mosque

Muslim house of worship.

Caliph

Muslim ruler, who rules through the law of the Quran.

Sunni Muslim

Muslims who believe that you do not need to be a descendant of Muhammad to be a leader (caliph).

Shiite Muslim

Muslims who believe that a person must be a descendant of Muhammad to be a leader (caliph).

Souk

A marketplace or bazaar in the Islamic world.

Oasis

A fertile place in a desert where there is water and vegetation.

Sunnah

Refers to the way Muhammad lived, which provides a model for the duties and the way of life expected of Muslims.

Jihad

A "holy struggle" or "holy war" by a Muslim for a moral, spiritual or political goal.

Abu Bakr

First caliph of Islam after the death of Muhammad.

Hijra

The Migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in A.D. 622, marking the founding of Islam.