Monotheism and Medeival Islam

Ur (Mesopotamia)

This is where Judaism originated (modern-day Iraq)

Abraham

He made a covenant with God and is considered the first Jew

Covenant

A solemn agreement

"The Chosen People"

Jews believe that they are the ___________ as a result of their covenant with God

Noah

Was instructed by God to build an ark before the coming of the great flood

Moses

Hero who led the Hebrews out of their captivity in Egypt; received the Ten Commandments from God

David

Hebrew warrior who killed Goliath with a sling and rock

Goliath

Philistine champion killed by David

The Torah

Jewish holy text; means "Instruction"

Monotheism

Belief in one god

Omniscient

All-knowing

Omnipotent

All-powerful

Messiah

Savior

Rabbi

Jewish religious leader; "Teacher"

Synagogue/Temple

Where Jews gather for group worship

2000 B.C.E.

Judaism originated around this time

Jesus

Christians consider him to be the Son of God/messiah

Martyr

Someone who suffers or dies for their beliefs

Old Testament

The Torah and other books of Jewish history with God

New Testament

The four gospels of Jesus's life along with other books about his followers

The "Trinity"

Christian belief in the divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Church

Where Christians gather for group worship

Resurrection

The act of rising from the dead; central to Christians' belief in Jesus's divinity

Catholics

Christians who accept the authority of the Pope

Protestants

Christians who DO NOT accept the authority of the Pope; believe the Bible is the sole religious authority

The Arabian Peninsula

This is where Islam originated

622 C.E.

The year when Islam originated

Muhammad

Considered by Muslims to be God's last and greatest prophet

Muslim

Someone who practices the religion of Islam

Abu Bakr

Early convert to Islam and the first caliph

Caliph

Successor to Mohammed; Islamic leader

Fatima

Daughter of Mohammed and only one of his children who provided him with descendants

The Qur'an (Koran)

Holy text of Islam

Sharia

Islamic law based on interpretation of the Qur'an

Allah

Arabic word for God

Mosque

Where Muslims gather for group worship

Five Pillars of Islam

Provide the framework for Muslim life; five things that all Muslims must do

Shi'a

Sect of Islam (20%); they believe only a blood relative of Mohammed can be caliph

Sunni

Sect of Islam (80%); they believe the most qualified should be caliph

Mecca

Considered the holiest city in all of Islam; where the Kaaba is located

Shahada

The 1st of the Five Pillars. It is a declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God."

Salat

Five Daily Prayers (Islam)

Sawm

Fasting during the month of Ramadan

Zakat

Tax for charity; obligatory for all Muslims

Hajj

A pilgrimage to Mecca, performed as a duty by Muslims

Sufi

The branch of Islam that believes in a more mystical connection with Allah

Umayyad Caliphate

First hereditary dynasty of Muslim caliphs (661 to 750). Ruled from their capital in Damascus.

Abbasid Caliphate

750-1258 CE: Began caliphate by revolting against the Umayyads. Ruled from Baghdad and created a strong government bureaucracy.

House of Wisdom

Combination library, academy, and translation center in Baghdad established in the 800s during the period of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Cordoba

Capital of Muslim Spain; it became a center of flourishing Islamic artwork, architecture, and intellectualism.

Umma

The community of all Muslims