Unit 1 chpt 3- India & Indian Ocean Basin

Arabian Peninsula

A desert region in the Middle East where Islam began; includes modern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, etc.

Bedouin

Nomadic Arab people who lived in the desert and had a strong warrior and clan-based culture before Islam.

Hijra

Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This marks the start of the Islamic calendar.

Umma

The global community of all Muslims; united by faith, not tribe or ethnicity.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are expected to take at least once in their life if they can afford it.

Sharia

Islamic law based on the Qur’an and Hadith; covers daily life, morality, and religion.

Hadith

A collection of sayings and actions of Muhammad; second most important text after the Qur’an.

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam; believes the leader of Islam should be chosen by the community.

Shia

A branch of Islam that believes the leader (caliph) should be a descendant of Muhammad, especially through Ali.

Ulama 

Islamic scholars and teachers who interpret the Qur’an and Sharia law.

Qadis

Islamic judges who apply Sharia law in court cases.

Umayyad Dynasty

The first major Islamic empire (661–750 CE); ruled from Damascus, expanded rapidly across Africa and into Spain.

Damascus

The capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, located in present-day Syria.

Abbasid Dynasty

Took over from the Umayyads in 750 CE and ruled from Baghdad; a Golden Age of learning, culture, and trade.

Harun al-Rashid

A famous Abbasid caliph during the Islamic Golden Age; known for wealth and support of the arts and science.

Al-Andalus

Muslim-ruled Spain, especially during the Umayyad and later periods (711–1492); a center of learning and cultural blending.

Ibn Rushd

A Muslim philosopher from Spain (Al-Andalus), known in the West as Averroes. He wrote about Aristotle and influenced European thought.