Comparative World Religions Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, figures, terms, and practices of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism based on the Grade 9 Honors Global Studies assessment.

Hijrah

The migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to escape persecution, marking Year 1 (1 AH) of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Tawhid

The central theological concept in Islam representing the uncompromising belief in the absolute oneness and indivisibility of God (Allah).

Covenant

A solemn, binding legal and spiritual agreement forged between God and human beings.

Tekton

The Greek term describing Jesus' working-class trade as an artisan skilled in stone, wood, and metal.

Ibn Sina (Avicenna)

The Islamic Golden Age scholar who authored the famous Canon of Medicine and pioneered hospital quarantine practices.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible, comprising three core constituent divisions: Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim.

Ichthys (The Fish)

A secret acronym and symbol used by early Christians to safely identify one another during periods of Roman persecution.

People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab)

Protected non-Muslim monotheistic communities—specifically Jews and Christians—under Islamic law who paid a special tax (Jizya) in exchange for religious autonomy.

Jizya

A special tax paid by non-Muslim monotheistic communities (People of the Book) under Islamic governance in exchange for religious autonomy.

King David

The ancient ruler who unified Israel around 1000 BCE and established Jerusalem as its spiritual and political center.

Qur'an

The supreme primary source of belief and law in Islam, regarded as the verbatim word of God dictated in Arabic.

Orthodox Judaism

A branch of Judaism that maintains strict adherence to traditional Jewish Law (Halakha) and views the Torah as the literal, immutable word of God.

Lent

A 40-day liturgical season preceding Easter that focuses on fasting, repentance, and prayer.

Ethical Monotheism

A Jewish concept asserting that a single, supreme God demands morality, justice, and ethical human conduct rather than amoral ritual compliance.

Diaspora

The dispersion, scattering, and exile of Jewish people living outside their ancestral homeland, which shifted practice from centralized Temple sacrifices to local synagogue worship.

Ihram

Identical simple white garments worn by all pilgrims during the Hajj to eliminate status distinctions of wealth, race, and nationality before God.

Conservative Judaism

A branch of modern Judaism that adapts modern egalitarian principles while preserving traditional ritual law and Sabbath observance.

Pax Romana

The period of Roman peace whose infrastructure—paved roads, safe sea routes, and a common Greek language—facilitated the rapid spread of early Christian missionaries.

Crucifixion

A common execution method under Roman rule reserved primarily for slaves, rebels, non-citizens, and political enemies of Rome as a public terror tactic.

Dual Nature

The Christian doctrine asserting that Jesus is simultaneously fully human and fully divine, allowing him to act as mediator between God and humanity.

Star of David (Magen David)

A six-pointed hexagram that historically symbolizes King David and represents Jewish identity on the modern flag of Israel.

Menorah

A seven- or nine-branched candelabra used in Jewish tradition.

Zakat

The Islamic practice requiring capable Muslims to redistribute $2.5\%$ of their wealth to support widows, orphans, debtors, and the needy.

Golden Rule

An ethical framework promoting proactive ethics, requiring positive actions such as feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and loving one's enemies.

House of Wisdom

An Abbasid institution in Baghdad where scholars preserved, translated, and bridged classical Greek philosophy (including Aristotle's works) with faith.

Halal

Permissible actions and foods under Islamic dietary law.

Haram

Forbidden items and actions under Islamic dietary law, such as alcohol, pork, and blood.

Hadith

Verified records of Prophet Muhammad's sayings and traditions, authenticated through chains of transmission (Isnad).

Isnad

The authenticated chain of transmission used to verify the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad recorded in the Hadith.

Reform Judaism

A branch of modern Judaism that views Jewish law as an evolving document open to modern reinterpretation rather than strictly binding and immutable.