AP World ISLAM

Muhammad

The final prophet of Islam; received revelations (the Quran) and unified Arabia.

Seal of the Prophets

The title for Muhammad as the last prophet sent by God.

Dar al-Islam

"House of Islam"—territories where Islamic law and practice prevail.

Abbasid Caliphate

Period of massive intellectual exchange; integrated Indian math (numerals) and Greek philosophy.

The Kaaba

The holiest shrine in Islam, located in Mecca; the direction of daily prayer.

Medina

The city to which Muhammad migrated during the Hijra in 622 CE; it served as the first capital of the Islamic community (Ummah) and houses the Prophet's Mosque.

Mecca

The holiest city in Islam, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia; it is the birthplace of Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the focal point of daily prayer and the Hajj pilgrimage.The holiest city in Islam, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia; it is the birthplace of Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the focal point of daily prayer and the Hajj pilgrimage.

Indian Influences

Primarily mathematical and scientific. The most significant contribution was the Hindu-Arabic numeral system (including the concept of zero), which revolutionized trade and algebra. Indian medicinal texts and astronomical tables (Siddhantas) were also translated into Arabic.

Greek Influences

Islamic scholars preserved and expanded upon Hellenistic philosophy (notably Aristotle and Plato) and science. Works on medicine by Galen and geography by Ptolemy formed the backbone of Islamic academic inquiry, leading to the development of the "Falsafa" philosophical tradition.

Persian Influences

Persian culture deeply shaped Islamic administration and literature. The Abbasids modeled their bureaucracy and court etiquette after the Sassanid Empire. Persian became the primary language for poetry and high literature, exemplified by the "Epic of Kings" (Shahnameh).

Camel

Acted as the "technological catalyst" for trans-Saharan trade, as these animals could travel long distances without water.

Gold-Salt Trade

This was the economic engine of the region. West African kingdoms traded their abundant gold for salt (essential for food preservation) brought by Berber merchants from the Sahara.

Kingdom of Ghana (c. 700–1240)

The first great West African empire. It grew wealthy by taxing the gold-salt trade. While its kings maintained traditional religions, they employed Muslim advisors, facilitating the slow spread of Islam.

Mali Empire (c. 1230–1670)

Founded by Sundiata Keita, Mali surpassed Ghana in size and wealth. Its most famous ruler, Mansa Musa, made a legendary pilgrimage to Mecca, distributing so much gold that he crashed the Egyptian economy. Mali became a center of Islamic learning, particularly in the city of Timbuktu.

Indian Ocean Trade & East Africa

Unlike the land-based trans-Saharan routes, the Indian Ocean trade relied on the monsoon winds to connect Africa, Arabia, India, and China.

Swahili Coast

A string of commercial city-states (like Kilwa, Mombasa, and Zanzibar) emerged along the East African coast. The culture was a blend of Bantu (African) and Arabic influences, resulting in the Swahili language.

Islamic States in East Africa

These city-states were ruled by Muslim sultans. Islam provided a "common language" and legal framework that simplified trade with merchants from across the ocean

Exports

East Africa provided high-value goods like ivory, gold, and slaves in exchange for Chinese silk, Indian cotton, and Persian porcelain.