Life of Muhammad and Islamic Foundations

These flashcards cover important terms and figures related to the life of Muhammad and foundational concepts in Islam.

Qur’an

The holy book of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Kaaba (Ka‘bah)

A cube-shaped sacred structure in Mecca that Muslims face during prayer, considered the holiest site in Islam.

Umma

The global community of all Muslims, united by shared faith regardless of nationality or ethnicity.

Hijra

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Mecca (Makkah)

Islam’s holiest city, birthplace of Muhammad and home to the Kaaba, which Muslims aim to visit for Hajj.

Medina (Madinah)

The city where Muhammad established the first Muslim community after the Hijra and where his tomb is located.

Hajj

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that every financially and physically able Muslim must perform at least once.

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam, whose followers believe leadership should be chosen by consensus starting with Abu Bakr.

Shi’a (Shia)

The second-largest branch of Islam, whose followers believe leadership should remain within Muhammad’s family.

Allah

The Arabic word for God, worshipped as the one and only deity in Islam.

Gabriel (Jibril)

The angel believed to have delivered God's revelations to Muhammad, including the Qur’an.

Muhammad

The final prophet of Islam, regarded as the 'Seal of the Prophets,' through whom God revealed the Qur’an.

Abu Talib

Muhammad’s uncle and guardian who protected him in Mecca, though he did not convert to Islam.

Khadija

Muhammad’s first wife and the first person to accept Islam, known for being a respected and wealthy merchant.

Abu Bakr

A close companion of Muhammad and the first caliph of the Muslim community after Muhammad’s death.

Ali

Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, the fourth caliph in Sunni tradition and the first imam in Shi’a tradition.

Fatima

Daughter of Muhammad and wife of Ali, highly revered especially in Shi’a Islam.

Aisha

One of Muhammad's wives, significant for being an important transmitter of hadith and the daughter of Abu Bakr.