Life of Muhammad Quiz

When was the first revelation?

610 CE

When was the Miraj?

621 CE

When was the Hijra?

622 CE

Qur’an

The collected revelations delivered by the prophet Muhammad, recorded by his followers. It is written in Arabic.

Kaaba

Stone building at center of Mecca.

• Located where Abraham abandoned Ishmael and Hagar in the desert and later found them alive and well; he built a shrine in God’s honor here, this becomes the Kaaba

• Used by pre-Islamic pagan tribes as a site of pilgrimage and worship

• 360 stone idols, each tribe has its own associated god

Umma

One community united under Islam, faith in Allah and the Quran.

When Muhammad and his followers migrate to Medina, he and the preexisting tribal leaders create a constitution that states if Medina is attacked, all residents (regardless of tribe or origin) are required to take up arms in its protection.

In its time, people can be a part of the Ummah without being Muslim- it just means that the nation is united by their shared interests.

Hijra

The journey of Muhammad and his followers in 622 CE, from Mecca to the city of Yathrib (later renamed Medina). Established first sovereign Muslim community and a shift from oppression to freedom.

Mecca

City Muhammad was born in. A major trading and cultural hub which attracts pilgrims with the Kaaba and is in the middle of many intersecting trade routes. It is tribal and people are not united under law, religion, or rule of government. Its market economy was turning the Meccans cruel, selfish and hedonistic.

Medina

First sovereign muslim nation, with Muhammad acting as head of state. It was renamed from Yathrib when Muhammad and his followers arrived. Before them, it was a peaceful agrarian settlement surrounded by tribal warfare. The people of Yathrib form a pact with Muhammad and his people to help and protect each other.

Hajj

Annual migration made to the Kaaba by Muslims and required at least once in a lifetime by the 5 pillars of Islam. Reinforces Ummah.

Allah

Islamic word for God; there is only one true god, and it is Allah.

Gabriel

Angel in Abrahamic canon, serves as an intermediary between God and humans. He appears to Muhammad during his first revelation, telling him to “Recite!”, and fills the sky as Muhammad flees. During the Night Journey (Mi’raj), Gabriel wakes Muhammad and together, they ride a magical steed (a Buraq) to Jerusalem and ascend through the 7 layers of heaven.

Abu Talib

Muhammad’s uncle who raised him after his parents’ death. When Muhammad begins being persecuted, Abu Thalib asks him to stop but agrees to serve as his protector when he refuses. He loses his fortune while the Muslims are being aggressively sanctioned and forced into famine, and eventually dies this way.

Khadija

Muhammad’s wife. She is a wealthy businesswoman who hires Muhammad to transport goods to Syria for her, and she eventually asks him to marry her, which he agrees to. She is much older than him. Together, they have 4 daughters but no surviving sons. After his first revelation, she comforts and reassures him. While the Muslims are being starved, she dies.

Abu Bakr

Muhammad’s closest companion, the first male convert to Islam who converted several others. He accompanied Muhammad on his journey to Medina and is the father of Aisha, one of Muhammad’s later wives.

Ali

Cousin and son-in-law (he marries Fatima, Muhammad’s daughter), the sole supporter of Muhammad when he tells his extended family about the revelations. When Muhammad flees to Medina, Ali sleeps in his bed to distract and throw the Meccans off his path. Son of Abu Thalib.

Fatima

Muhammad and Khadija’s fourth and youngest daughter, who goes on to marry Ali.

Aisha

Third wife of Muhammad, married to him in Medina after Khadija’s death. Her father is Abu Bakr. She was known for her intelligence and wit, she questioned the prophet’s actions and judgement, and is believed to have been the transmitter of many verses by Muhammad.