Survey of World History MODULE 6 - "Islam"

Bedouin Tribes

Arabic nomads making use of caravan trade routes.

Caravan Trade items

Animal hides, incense, oil (olives), raisins, spices.

Shieks

Arabian tribal leaders. Tended to be the biggest, strongest, most charismatic men in Bedouin groups. Usually made up of two leaders, one at home and another on the move.

Majlis

Tribal diplomatic council. Responsible for electing tribal leaders and locating landmarks (rivers, routes, places of interest).

Mecca

Small town turned wealthy trading center. Religious home of numerous idols and gods before Muhammad arrived with Islam. Now one of the most important Islamic religious sites, home of the Kaaba.

Allah

The sole god of Islam.

Kaaba

“House of Allah”, believed to be built by Abraham and the woman who bore his child. Had a long history of pagan use before becoming a major Islamic site. Houses the Black Stone.

Islamic story of Abraham

Abraham tries to have a child with his wife, but she is too old to bear a baby. The two agree on another woman bearing his child, and a while later, this woman and Abraham travel out and end up building a crucial Islamic structure.

Black Stone

A sacred meteorite worshipped by the Muslims. Kept in a crucial Islamic structure. Revered as a symbol of Allah’s covenant to his people.

Muhammad (description)

One of the most impactful of Allah’s holy prophets, visited by an angel in a cave and received the revelations that birth Islam.

Quraysh

Extremely wealthy tribe that Muhammad was born into. Were the people responsible for managing the Kaaba.

Muhammad’s childhood

Orphaned at age 6 and 8, raised by his uncle in a specific, wealthy tribe.

Family death at Muhammad’s age of 6

Parents pass away.

Family death at Muhammad’s age of 8

Grandfather passes away.

Abu Talib

Muhammad’s uncle who raised him in a specific, wealthy tribe.

Muhammad’s sub-adulthood.

Becomes caravan manager, respected for his honesty, acts as a social leader that keeps peace in a world of aggressive bidding. Meets his wife.

Khadija

Muhammad’s first wife; a 40yo woman who was widowed twice + had her own kids. Too was a caravan manager who hired Muhammad. Built a friendship with him before love was formed. Uniquely, proposed to Muhammad rather than the other way around.

Muhammad’s family

Made up of 6 children, 2 of which were boys and the other 4 girls. Sadly, both the boys die at a young age.

Decadence & Commercialism

Things that bothered Muhammad right before the revelations.

Gabriel

The angel that brought revelations to Muhammad on Allah’s behalf.

1st prophet of Islam

Adam (prophet).

2nd prophet of Islam

Noah (prophet).

3rd prophet of Islam

Abraham (prophet).

4th prophet of Islam

Moses (prophet).

5th prophet of Islam

Jesus (prophet).

6th prophet of Islam

Muhammad (prophet).

Allah’s prophets

6 total; includes Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Muhammad, Noah, and Adam.

Islamic Jesus (description)

Just a prophet, no Godly nature, not the son of God. Believed to had escaped crucifixion via replacement on the cross, who took his place. Settled down with a family following escape.

Islam

The religion Muhammad spread following his revelations. Had two holy books alongside law code.

Islam translation

“Submission (to god)”.

Quran

Holy book of Islam. Details important events to the Islamic religion.

Hadith

Another important book to Islam. Contains numerous of Muhammad’s sayings, primarily regarding judicial subjects.

5 Pillars of Islam

Law code of Islam. Pillars include Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving, and Pilgrimage.

Requirements of Faith (5 Pillars)

Belief in the sole god of Islam, Allah.

Requirements of Prayer (5 Pillars)

Initiate an intimate conversation to Allah five times a day, must be facing Mecca. Must be done with certain exceptions (primarily regarding a complete inability to do so).

Requirements of Fasting (5 Pillars)

Follows the lunar calendar; a complete abandonment of all desirable things during the applicable month.

Requirements of Almsgiving (5 Pillars)

Participate in charity, donations, and other givings.

Requirements of Pilgrimage (5 Pillars)

Muslims are all to travel to Mecca at least one in their lifetime with certain exceptions (primarily regarding a complete inability to do so).

Hijrah

First town Muhammad prophesized to. Hated for his message and seen as a threat. Forced to live in hiding, and sadly, his wife and uncle dies, forcing an exile into the next town.

Year of Sorrow

The year Muhammad’s first wife dies.

Start of Lunar Calender

Occurs in Hijrah, also symbolizes Mecca’s shift from polytheism to monotheism.

Hijrah’s additional meaning

The opposite of Haji (pilgrimage).

Medina

The second town Muhammad prophesizes to alongside where he was exiled to. Much more accepting of Muhammad’s message.

Umma

The Islamic community within Medina.

Quba

The first Mosque ever built. Was allowed to be used for any religion, acting as a semi-community center.

Location of first Mosque

Within Medina.

Constitution of Medina

Written by Muhammad to unite the religions of Medina (primarily Judaism and Christianity with Islam).

Caliph

Refers to the current primary leader of Islam.

First Caliph

Muhammad (Caliph).

Abu Bakr’s backstory

Muhammad’s companion on the Hijrah. Following Muhammad’s death, became a Caliph.

Abu Bakr

Caliph that succeeded Muhammad. Spreads Islam to rest of the peninsula and the North, creates Islamic Empire. Starts the concept of Jihad.

Second Caliph

Abu Bakr (Caliph).

Jihad

Translates to “struggle”, the everlasting spiritual fight for Islam (primarily to spread it).

Jizya

Abu Bakr’s lowering of taxes. Also accompanied his toleration and economic benefits.

Umar

Caliph that succeeded Abu Bakr. Conquers Syria, Jerusalem, and Persia.

Third Caliph

Umar (Caliph).

Umar’s backstory

Once hated Muhammad, and intended to kill him one night before being stopped by his family. After beating them while praying and witnessing their unwavering dedication to keep on praying, he converts, returns to Muhammad’s doorstep, and pledges his life.

Death of Umar

Assassinated by a Persian Soldier.

Uthman

Caliph succeeding Umar. Used position to set up a family dynasty, which creates widespread resentment of him within the Islamic community.

Uthman’s backstory

Marries one of Muhammad’s daughters. After their marriage ended, he married another of his daughters.

Death of Uthman

Was assassinated by an enemy, who desecrated his corpse afterwards.

Fourth Caliph

Uthman (Caliph).

Ali

Caliph succeeding Uthman. He was the son of Abu Talib.

Ali’s backstory

Believed to be born in the Kaaba. Was Muhammad’s cousin.

Death of Ali

Assassinated by Uthman.

Fifth Caliph

Ali (Caliph).

Muawiya

Caliph that succeeded Ali. A part of the Umayyads, a family dynasty.

First Caliph of the Umayyads

Muawiya (Caliph)

Muhammad married the daughters of…

Abu Bakr, Umar, and Ali.

Hussein

Muhammad’s grandson (of Ali & Fatima). Rises up against the Umayyads. His death results in the split of Islam into two groups.

Karbala

The battle Hussein initiated to take down the Umayyads.

Sunni & Shia

Two groups Islam was split into. Differed on the opinion on who the next official Caliph should be.

Sunni

The Islamic group that believes the next Caliph should be the most qualified Islamic figure.

Shia

The Islamic group that believes the next Caliph should be of Muhammad’s blood.

Ashura

Muslim holiday with numerous meanings. Believed to be the day Noah landed the Arc, God split the seas for Moses, Muhammad entered Medina, and the day Hussain died.

Umayyads

Dynasty of the Sunni people. Expands across North Africa, and attempts to take both Spain & France. Their conquest angers the lands they go into.

Tours

Battle between the Umayyads and the people of France alongside the Christian people. Umayyads are held off successfully.

Abbasids

Dynasty of the Shia people. They overthrow the “Sunni” dynasty and attempt to bring the Sunni and Shia together, but fail. Regardless, they open Gov’t offices to all Muslims and move the Islamic capital.

Baghdad

Islamic capital set by the Abbasids.

Ma’man

Islamic leader that pushes to maintain the patron of learning.

Greco-Roman classics

Writings Ma’man maintained. Included algebra, architecture, astronomy, and literature.

Ibn Sina

Persian polymath, physician, and philosopher of the Islamic golden age. Wrote the Canon of Medicine.

Canon of Medicine

Medical encyclopedia written by Ibn Sina. Synthesized the Greek, Roman, Indian, and Chinese medical knowledge alongside his own findings. Included findings regarding infectious diseases, diabetes, psychotherapy, surgery, pharmacology, alongside advances like cataract.

Seljuk Turks

Newer middle easterns that capture Baghdad, end up adopting Islam. Controls the middle east until the end of World War 1.

Sultans

Leaders of the Seljuk Turks.

Manzikert

Battle waged by the Seljuk Turks to take Anatolia.