Topic 4 SS Test

What is the climate like in Arabia?

Arabia has a hot and arid desert climate with very little rainfall, characterized by extreme temperatures.

Who were the Bedouins?

The Bedouins were nomadic Arab tribes living in the desert, moving with their herds and playing a crucial role in Arabian culture and trade.

What is the significance of the city of Mecca?

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam, the birthplace of Muhammad, and home to the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam.

What is the Hijaz?

The Hijaz is a mountainous region in western Arabia that includes the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and was an important trade and religious center.

What did Muhammad experience that led him to preach about one God?

Muhammad received revelations from the Angel Gabriel in a cave on Mount Hira that led him to preach monotheism.

What happened between the city of Medina and the city of Mecca?

In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers fled from Mecca to Medina in an event known as the Hijra and later returned to take control of Mecca after several conflicts.

What is the significance of the Kaaba?

The Kaaba is Islam’s most sacred structure located in Mecca, believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael, and is the focal point of Islamic prayer.

What is the Islamic holy book and in what language was it written?

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, and it was written in Arabic.

What is the Sunnah?

The Sunnah is the record of Muhammad’s teachings, actions, and sayings, serving as a guide for how Muslims should live.

What are Islam’s beliefs about God?

Islam is strictly monotheistic, believing in one God, Allah, who is merciful, all-powerful, and the creator of everything.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

When do Muslims fast (during what month)?

Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan.

What is the hajj?

The hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims must undertake at least once in their lifetime if they are able.

Who was Avicenna and what did he write about?

Avicenna (Ibn Sina) was a Persian scholar who wrote about philosophy, medicine, and science, famously known for his work 'The Canon of Medicine'.

Explain Sharia law and give examples.

Sharia law is Islamic law derived from the Quran and Sunnah, covering religious, moral, and legal matters like prayer, fasting, and criminal justice.

How did Islam spread?

Islam spread through trade, conquests, and missionary activities, influencing regions across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Explain the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Sunni Muslims believe leadership should be chosen by consensus, while Shia Muslims believe it should come from Muhammad’s direct descendants.

What is a caliph?

A caliph is a political and religious leader of the Muslim community, considered a successor to Muhammad.

Who were the Umayyads and the Abbasids?

The Umayyads were the first Islamic dynasty, expanding the empire, while the Abbasids overthrew them and ushered in a Golden Age of learning and culture.

Know about the non-Arab Muslim Empires: Ottoman and Safavid empires.

The Ottoman Empire was a powerful Turkish empire lasting from the 13th to the 20th century, and the Safavid Empire was a Persian dynasty that established Shia Islam in Iran.

What is Sikhism?

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak, emphasizing devotion to one God and equality among all people.

When did the Islamic Empire reach its greatest size (under what Dynasty)?

The Islamic Empire reached its greatest size under the Umayyad Dynasty in the 8th century.

What did rulers of non-Arab Muslim states call themselves?

Rulers of non-Arab Muslim states often called themselves Sultans or Shahs.

Know about all the Muslim achievements during the Golden Age.

Muslim scholars made significant advances in medicine, mathematics, astronomy, literature, and architecture, creating the number zero and dicovering the decimal system

Who were the Mughals?

The Mughals were a Muslim dynasty that ruled much of India from the 16th to the 19th century, known for architectural achievements like the Taj Mahal.

Who is Rumi?

Rumi was a Persian poet and Sufi mystic known for his deeply spiritual and philosophical poetry.