Islam terminology quiz

Muhammad

The last prophet of god and the religious and political leader who founded Islam

Islam

An Abrahamic faith that was founded by Muhammad

Muslim

A follower of Islam who submits their life to Allah

Makkah/Mecca

Muhammad’s birthplace and the holiest city of Islam that holds the Ka’aba

Abu Talib

Muhammad’s uncle and leader of a tribe in the Quraysh

Ka’aba

The most sacred site in Islam which was built by Abraham and where all Muslims pray to

Quraysh

The most powerful tribe in Makkah into which Muhammad was born

Khadijah

Muhammad’s first wife

Night journey

A vision Muhammad had where he was taken from Mekkah to Jerusalem and then up to heaven in a single night

Medina

The second most holy city in Islam called Medina which means city of the prophet. Previously called Yothrib

Ascention/Mi’raj

The ascention during the night journey that took Muhammad from Jerusalem up to Heaven

Hijra

Muhammad’s journey from Makkah to Medina that he made with all of the Muslims at the time

Jerusalem

The third holiest city in Islam which Muhammad traveled to during his night journey

Hadith

Every saying, tradition, and teaching of Muhammad that were written down by scholars, because he was illiterate, who followed him

Sira

The entire life of Muhammad, every action, word spoken, and routine he had, written down by scholars because he was illiterate, to serve as the epitome of Muslim behavior.

Sunnah

A combination of the Hadith and Sira that serve as a guide to Muslims when the Quran does not tell them everything they need to know or leaves room for interpretation

Quran

The Muslim religious text that all Muslim follow and that is full of prayer, historical stories, and moral guidance

Shahada

The first pillar of Islam which is a profession of faith and is said during every prayer

Salah

The second pillar of Islam is prayer five times a day and what connects a Muslim to god where they request grace and pardon

Sawm

The third pillar of Islam which is fasting during the lunar month of Ramadan and a spiritual exercise that allows a Muslim to practice self-control

Zakat

The fourth pillar of Islam which stresses one of the messages that Muhammad preached saying that all wealth should be shared and that Muslims should take Charity as a lifestyle, not a requirement

Hajj

The fifth pillar of Islam that is the surrendering of one’s worldly activities and ego, giving complete devotion to God and journeying to Makkah at least once in a Muslim’s life

The five pillars of Islam

The five main guidelines a Muslim should follow to live a faithful life

Jihad

A defensive fight against the enemies of Islam or against one’s own flaws

Shariah

The Islamic law based on the Quran and the Sunnah’s teachings

Caliph

The Muslim religious and civil chief who is the prophet’s chosen one to rule over the Muslims

Harbi

An unsubjugated unbeliever who lives outside of Muslim territory

Dhimmi

An unbeliever who submits to Muslim rule, accepts, Muslim protection, and pays poll tax to the Muslim state. Lives in a conquered land

Musta’min

A Dhimmi who stays in a Muslim temporarily, typically a merchant, and is allowed safe conduct, is exempted from poll tax, and is allowed to freely practice their religion

Dar-al-Islam

Territory controlled by the Caliphate

Dar-al-Harb

Territory that not controlled by the Caliphate but is still near it

Jizya/poll tax

The tax that Dhimmi must pay in order to be protected and allowed to live in Dar-al-Islam