Kelsey Philibert

Mecca: A city in Saudi Arabia considered the holiest site in Islam, birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, and the site of the Ka'ba. It is the primary destination for Muslims undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage.

Ka’ba: A cube-shaped building at the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca, regarded as the holiest site in Islam. It is the focal point for Muslim prayer and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Medina (previously Yathrib): A city in Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad and his followers emigrated in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar (Hijra). It was also the site of the first Islamic state.

Pact of Medina: An agreement made by the Prophet Muhammad in Medina, establishing a multi-religious Islamic community and outlining the rights and responsibilities of all parties.

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

Battle of Badr: A significant battle in 624 CE between the early Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh of Mecca, resulting in a major victory for the Muslims.

Battle of Uhud: A battle in 625 CE between the Muslims and the Quraysh, in which the Muslims were defeated. It had significant religious and strategic implications for the early Islamic community.

Qira’ut: Refers to the various methods of reciting the Quran, with each method having unique phonetic and rhythmic characteristics.

Dar al-Islam: An Islamic term that refers to lands under Islamic rule where Muslims can practice their religion freely.

Dar al-Harb: An Islamic term that refers to regions or lands not under Islamic rule, where Islamic law does not prevail.

Jihad: A term in Islam that encompasses both the inner spiritual struggle to maintain faith and the external struggle to defend or promote Islam. It can refer to both non-violent and violent efforts, depending on context.

Mohammed’s Final Sermon: A sermon delivered by the Prophet Muhammad during his final pilgrimage, outlining key principles of Islam, including justice, equality, and the sanctity of life.

Umma: The global community of Muslims bound by their common faith.

Abu Bakr: The first Caliph of Islam, succeeding the Prophet Muhammad, and one of his closest companions. He played a significant role in the early consolidation of the Islamic community.

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

Hadith: : Collections of sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, used alongside the Quran as a source of Islamic law and guidance.

5 Pillars of Islam: The five foundational acts of worship in Islam: Shahada (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Sunni and Shiites: The two main branches of Islam. Sunni Islam is the majority branch, while Shiite Islam represents a significant minority, with differences in beliefs and practices, primarily around succession after the Prophet Muhammad's death.

Zakat: A form of almsgiving or charity in Islam, constituting one of the Five Pillars. It requires Muslims to give a portion of their wealth to those in need.

Abbasid Caliphate: A major Islamic caliphate that ruled from 750 to 1258 CE, known for its cultural and scientific achievements, particularly during the Islamic Golden Age.

Baghdad: The capital city of modern Iraq and the former capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, renowned for its contributions to knowledge, science, and culture during the Islamic Golden Age.

Translation Movement: A major intellectual movement during the Abbasid era, where Greek, Persian, Indian, and other texts were translated into Arabic, significantly contributing to science and philosophy.

Algebra: : A field of mathematics with roots in Islamic scholarship, notably developed by the mathematician al-Khwarizmi during the Abbasid era.

Astrolabe: An ancient astronomical instrument used for solving problems related to time and the position of celestial bodies, refined and used extensively in the Islamic world.

Ulama: Scholars and learned individuals in Islam, responsible for interpreting religious texts, guiding the community, and making religious and legal rulings.