Understanding Islam Questions Review

Understanding IslamQuestions Review

Question 1

Question 1: IdentificationsMuslim: person who follows Islam

Ka’aba: Islam’s holiest shrine – located in Mecca – Arabic for cube

Qu’ran: secret text, holy book of Islam

Mecca: birth place of Islam, holiest city, Saudi Arabia

Mosque: Muslim house of worship

3

Question 1: IdentificationsAllah: Arabic for God same as J and C

Medina: first Islamic community, 2nd Holy city, Muhammad gains political and religious power

Hejira: 622 – Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina; marks first expansion of Islam

Jerusalem: 3rd Holiest city to Islam – Dome of the Rock

Question 2What does Islam mean?

Islam literally means “to submit,” in this case, to God’s will

Question 3Identify and Explain the Five Pillars of Islam

1. Declaration of Faith (Shahada)

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet.”

2. Prayers (Salah) 5 X/day: face Mecca

3. Charity (Sawm): give to the old & poor

4. Fasting (Zakat): during Ramadan

5 .Pilgrimage (Hajj): must complete a pilgrimage to Mecca

Question 4Describe Muhammad’s Early LifeMuhammad was born in 570 A.D., orphaned at a

young age, and was raised by his uncle, who was a bedouin tribesman.

Became a merchantMarried the wealthy widow, KhadijahWas always very uncomfortable with polytheism.The Angel Gabriel first appears to Muhammad when

he is 40 years old. He begins to recite Quran

Question 5Why is Muhammad important to Islam?

Muhammad is the founder of the religion of Islam.

Muhammad was also the last Prophet of God

Question 6What do Muslims believe about the Old and New Testaments? Identify People of the Book.

Muslims refer to Jews and Christians as People of the Book, because they viewed the Holy Bible (Old and New Testaments) as sacred texts.Believed that Jews and Christians, over time, had corrupted and misinterpreted the teachings of the Bible.

Question 7What two books form the basis of Islamic Law? Identify Shariah.

The Quran and the Hadith form the basis of Islamic Law. The Arabic term for this is Shariah.

Hadith = sayings and teachings of Muhammad which did not come directly from God.

Question 8Identify and explain two basic beliefs of Islam.

The two basic beliefs of Islam are expressed in the First Pillar, or Declaration of Faith.“There is no God but Allah.”“Muhammad is His Prophet.”

Question 9What three rites of passage are celebrated as part of life itself and God’s will at work in the world?

BirthMarriageDeath

Question 10Identify three reasons for the spread of Islam. Identify: Jihad1. The Arab armies were united in their beliefs2. Weakness of Byzantine and Sassanid Empires3. Many people welcomed the Arabs as liberators4. Imposition of the jizya, or non-believer tax

Question 10Jihad = inner struggle to fulfill one’s duty to

GodAND

outward physical struggle in the defense of Islam

Question 11During which Islamic Dynasty did Islam divide into its two main branches? What issue divided Islam? Identify: caliphIslam split into two branches during the Umayyad Dynasty.Islam was divided over the issue of who should succeed Muhammad as caliph.

Caliph = religious and secular leader in Islam

Question 12What are the two main branches of Islam: Where can they be found?Two main branches of Islam:Sunni: caliph can be anyone qualifiedShi’ite = caliph must be a direct descendant of Muhammad

Question 12

Question 13What are the basic Muslim beliefs about food and drink? Identify: Halal

Halal refers to food that is considered “permissible.”Any meat which is slaughtered for consumption must be done so in the correct way, invoking the name of God.The eating of pork is strictly forbidden by Muslims.The Quran also outlaws alcohol.

Question 14What takes place during the month of Ramadan? Identify: Night of Power, Eid ul-FitrRamadan = ninth month of Muslim calendarCelebrates when the Angel Gabriel first appeared to Muhammad in the cave outside of Mecca.Is a time of fasting and prayer for Muslims, lasting 30 days: no food or drink from sun-up to sundown.Night of Power = holiest night of the year in IslamEid ul-Fitr = celebratory feast that marks the end of Ramadan

Question 15Why were the first 100 years of the Abbassid Dynasty considered a first Golden Age of Muslim Rule?Was much more inclusive of other peoples:

Persians, Indians, TurksThis led to greater political stabilityControlled trade routes between China and India

with Europe and the Middle EastThis led to great wealth

Question 16Explain the Muslim view of education.Muslims valued education.They preserved Classical (ancient Greek and

Roman) knowledge of science, mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and medicine.

Built schools and libraries to keep and expand this knowledge.

Question 17What advances in learning have come from Muslims and the Arab world?Muslim scholars preserved much Classical

KnowledgeMade advances in medicine, mathematics, and

architectureImprovements in navigationBeautiful poetry

Question 18What commercial practices have the Arabs developed? How did those practices improve trade?Controlled trade routes between China and India

with Europe and the Middle EastCommerce thrived:

letters of credit, receipts for payment, bills of lading, built inns for travelers along trade routes

These practices made conducting business over long distances safer and more reliable