Islam Final Exam Review

Flashcards for Final Exam Review - Islam Material

Jāhiliyyah (Age of Ignorance)

The Arabian Peninsula before Islam, characterized by diverse tribal cultures, oral poetry, and shifting religious affiliations.

Arabian Polytheism

The dominant religious practice in pre-Islamic Arabia, involving the worship of tribal deities, nature spirits, and idols.

Kaaba

Located in Mecca, this structure housed hundreds of idols and served as a neutral pilgrimage site for many tribes before Islam.

Hanifs

A group of monotheists in pre-Islamic Arabia who rejected polytheism but did not formally align with Judaism or Christianity.

Quraysh

The tribe located in Mecca that dominated trade routes and the pilgrimage economy due to their control of the Kaaba.

Yathrib (Medina)

A politically fragmented oasis town (later renamed Medina) with Arab and Jewish tribes in constant rivalry, providing a strategic foothold for Muhammad.

Zamzam Spring

A spring in Mecca that made the city a logical place for early settlement and long-distance trade to converge.

Tawhid

The belief in the absolute oneness of God, a core tenet of Islam.

Hijrah

Migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) in 622 CE, marking year one of the Islamic calendar.

Ummah

The first united religious-political community in Medina, based on submission to one God and loyalty to shared values, rather than tribal descent.

Shahada

Profession of Faith: 'There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.'

Salat

Daily Prayer: Muslims pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca.

Zakat

Almsgiving: A required charitable contribution, typically 2.5% of one’s wealth, meant to purify wealth and uplift the poor.

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan: Muslims fast from dawn to sunset during the lunar month of Ramadan.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca: Required once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able.

Qur'an

The direct and unaltered word of God, revealed in classical Arabic to Muhammad over 23 years.

Sunnah

The example set by the Prophet Muhammad in word, deed, and silent approval.

Hadith

Narrated reports that preserve the Sunnah.

Caliph

The successor to Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community.

Sunni Islam

The branch of Islam that believed in the legitimacy of the first four 'Rightly Guided Caliphs' and emphasized consensus and community tradition.

Shi'a Islam

The branch of Islam that believed leadership should come through the Prophet’s bloodline, beginning with Ali and his descendants (the Imams).

Twelvers

Largest Shi’a branch. Believe in a line of 12 Imams, the last of whom is in occultation (hiddenness) and will return as the Mahdi.

Zaydis (Fivers)

Shi'a Muslims who are viewd as more moderate politically and closer in some practices to Sunnis but still uphold Ali’s primacy.

Sufism

The mystical dimension of Islam, emphasizing inner purification and spiritual closeness to God.