Chapter 1 Part 2: Early Islamic Expansion and Language Spread (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the chapter portion on the early Islamic expansion, leadership (caliphs), and the spread of language and culture.

Prophet Muhammad

Founder of Islam; began the Islamic expansion from Medina after 622 CE.

Medina

City in the Arabian Peninsula that became the base of the early Muslim community and launch point for expansion.

Mecca

Sacred city in Arabia; initially opposed Islam but later central to Islamic faith.

Rashidun Caliphate

The first four caliphs after Muhammad—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali—who led the rapid early expansion.

Abu Bakr

First Rashidun caliph who united Arabian Islamic rule and expanded the empire beyond Arabia.

Umar

Second Rashidun caliph who expanded Islamic territory into Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iran, and beyond.

Uthman

Third Rashidun caliph who oversaw the compilation of the Quran into a single standard version and expanded into further regions.

Ali

Fourth Rashidun caliph; his reign saw internal conflicts that weakened the empire.

Caliph

A political-religious leader of the Muslim community and state after Muhammad.

Quran

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

Quran compilation

The process under Uthman to produce one standard text of the Quran for uniform reading.

Muawiya

Leader who established the Umayyad Caliphate and continued expansion after the Rashidun period.

Umayyad Caliphate

Dynasty that followed the Rashidun, expanding Islamic rule across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe.

Kufa

Early Islamic city in Iraq; important center for mosques and learning.

Basra

Early Islamic city in Iraq; important center for commerce and culture.

Egypt

Region and province reached by Islamic expansion; key for trade and administration via the Nile.

Syria

Territory extending Islamic rule west of Mesopotamia; a major area of expansion.

Iraq

Region that came under early Islamic control during expansion; a core area for administration.

Iran

Region within the expanding Islamic empire; became part of the broader territorial expansion.

Arabic language

Semitic language that spread with Islam and became dominant in administration and culture.

Aramaic language

Semitic language spoken in parts of the Near East; used as a lingua franca in certain periods.

Kaaba

Sacred Meccan site; in pre-Islamic times associated with poetry, later central to Islam.

Rosetta Stone

Ancient artifact that helped scholars decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs and study languages.

Dirham

Currency used in Islamic regions and empires.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, guiding personal and communal conduct.