Vocab of The Origin & Spread of Islam

Arabian Peninsula

Also called Arabia, is the homeland of the Arab people and where Islam began.

Peninsula

A body of land surrounded by water in three sides. (Ex. Cape Cod, Florida)

Oasis

Scattered springs in the desert that provides water and fertile soil.

Caravans

Groups of merchants and animals traveling together across the desert.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural elements from one society to another.

Siege

A war tactic where a place is surrounded and attacked over and over until the people surrender.

Islam

The religion of Muslim

A monotheistic faith revealed by Allah by the prophet Muhammad.

Muslim

A follower of the Islamic religion.

Muhammad

A man born around 570 C.E.

The prophet who received Allah’s truths.

Allah

God of Islam; name in Arabic.

Qur’an (Koran)

The holy book of the Muslims

Mosque

A Muslim house of worship (building)

Imam

Religious leader of Islam (like a priest)

Sunnah

The example that Muhammad set for Muslims about how to live through his word and actions.

Hadith

Written accounts that provided evidence of Muhammad’s Sunnah

Makkah (Mecca)

1st holiest city to the Muslims

City where Muhammad was born

Medina (“City of the Prophet“)

2nd holiest city

Where Muhammad established a Muslim community after his escape from Mecca

Muhammad’s body is here in the Prophet’s Mosque (Green dome)

Jerusalem

3rd holiest city

Where Muhammad ascend to heaven to meet with the prophets and Allah (Called The Night Journey)

Ka’bah

A small shrine built by Abraham in Mecca

Muslims holiest site

Believed to be the house of God

Direction to which Muslims pray & where they make their pilgrimage to

Khadijah

Muhammad’s wife

Abu Talib

Muhammad’s Uncle

Abu Bakr

 Muhammad’s close friend who he flees from Mecca to Medina with

Jibril (Gabriel)

Angel who revealed the word of Allah to Muhammad

Five Pillars of Islam

The most basic acts of worship for Muslims

(declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca)

Ramadan

The 9th month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims are required to fast

Hajj

Pilgrimage or journey to Mecca; to be performed once in a Muslim’s lifetime to honor Abraham’s journey to see Hagar and son Ishmael

Shari’ah

The code of Islamic laws

Jihad

The spiritual struggle within oneself against sin and enemies of Islam

Caliph

The main Muslim civil and religious rulers after Muhammad 

First four caliphs were close friends or relatives of Muhammad

Caliphate

Area ruled by the caliph

Umayyads

Leaders of Muslim empire after the first four caliphs

Based in city of Damascus in Syria

Sunni

Muslims who accept the rule of the Umayyad caliphs

(Majority of Muslims today)

Shia

Muslims who believe the descendents of Ali should rule

(Majority in Iran/Iraq)