world religion final

Muhammad

Founder of Islam and final prophet who received revelations from Allah recorded in the Qur’an (d. 632 CE)

Allah

Arabic word for “God” and the one monotheistic deity in Islam

Mecca

Holiest city in Islam and birthplace of Muhammad; location of the Kaaba

Kaaba

Sacred cube-shaped shrine in Mecca believed to be built by Abraham and Ishmael

Medina

City where Muhammad migrated during the Hijra and where the first Muslim community was established

Hijra

Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE marking the start of the Islamic calendar

Jerusalem (Dome of the Rock/al-Aqsa)

Holy city in Islam associated with Muhammad’s Night Journey

Qur’an

Holy book of Islam believed to be the literal word of God revealed to Muhammad

Jesus in Islam

Considered a prophet and messenger of God but not divine or the son of God

Five Pillars of Islam

The five core acts of worship required of Muslims

Testimony (Shahada)

Declaration that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet

Prayer (Salah)

Ritual prayer performed five times a day facing Mecca

Charity (Zakat)

Giving to the poor and those in need as an act of worship

Fasting (Ramadan)

Abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset during the holy month

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca required once in a lifetime if able

Sunni Islam

Largest branch of Islam that follows the Sunnah and believes leaders should be chosen by the community

Sunnah

Traditions and practices of Muhammad used as a guide for Muslims

Caliph

Political and religious leader of the Muslim community after Muhammad

Abu Bakr

First caliph and close companion of Muhammad

Hadith

Recorded sayings and actions of Muhammad

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Qur’an and Hadith

Shia Islam

Branch of Islam that believes leadership should remain within Muhammad’s family

Twelvers

Largest Shia group that believes in a line of twelve Imams

Ali

Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad and first Imam in Shia Islam

Husayn

Grandson of Muhammad whose death is central to Shia identity

Imam

Prayer leader in Sunni Islam; divinely guided leader in Shia Islam

Mosque (Masjid)

Place of worship for Muslims

Hijab

Head covering worn by some Muslim women as a sign of modesty

Ulama

Religious scholars who interpret Islamic texts

Eid al-Fitr

Festival marking the end of Ramadan

Sufism

Mystical branch of Islam focused on personal experience of God

Dhikr

Repetitive chanting or remembrance of God in Sufi practice

Baraka

Spiritual blessing or divine grace

Jalal-ud-Din Rumi

Famous Sufi poet and mystic

Shaykh (Pir)

Spiritual leader or teacher in Sufism

Wahhabism

Conservative Sunni reform movement emphasizing strict monotheism

Islamism

Political ideology seeking to organize society according to Islamic principles

Malcolm X

African American Muslim leader and civil rights activist

Sunni vs Shia Islam

Sunnis believe leaders should be chosen by the community while Shias believe leadership should stay within Muhammad’s family

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormonism)

Christian-based NRM founded in the 19th century with additional scriptures like the Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith Jr.

Founder of Mormonism who claimed to receive divine revelations

Baptism by Proxy

Practice of being baptized on behalf of deceased individuals

Brigham Young

Mormon leader who led followers to Utah and established Salt Lake City

Bahai Faith

Monotheistic religion emphasizing unity of all religions and humanity

Bahaullah

Founder of the Bahai Faith believed to be a messenger of God