The Rise of Islam Chapter 10 Section 1

The Rise of Islam Chapter 10 Section 1 – Homework Review

Add: Mecca Holy City of Islam, in Arabia, where Muhammad was born & is the site of the Kaaba. It is in the direction of Mecca that all Muslims must pray x 5 per day. Why? It is the symbol of Muhammad’s triumph over the pagan gods at the Kaaba in 630 A. D. (remember the video)

Allah The Arabic word for God.

Muhammad The last and greatest of the prophets according to Muslim teachings. The founder of Islam & seal of the prophets – Muhammad’s version of worshipping God is the final version.

Islam A religion, ~1. 7 billion followers today. Monotheistic – belief in one God. Islam = Submission to the will of God (Allah).

Muslim A person who believes in the Islamic Faith. Muslim = one who submits.

Add: Ka’aba (Kaaba) The Holiest Shrine in all of Islam - in Mecca where Muhammad defeated the pagan gods. Symbolic of Muhammad’s victory. Where all Muslims today must make a pilgrimage (a holy journey – the Hajj) – when a pilgrim arrives they must circle the Kaaba 7 times – to reenact the triumph of Muhammad over the pagan idols in the Kaaba.

Hijrah (Hejrah) The journey of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina (Yathrib) The start of the Muslim year 1 (622 A. D. ) This is when Muhammad really starts to gather a strong following.

Mosque A Muslim Church. All Muslims are called to go to Mosque on Friday evening.

Hajj Pilgrimage: Every Muslim who is able needs to make a holy journey to Mecca once in their life. One of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Qur’an (Koran) The Muslim Holy book (think Bible). Believed to be the exact literal word of God (Allah) as revealed through Muhammad. Written in Arabic = unity for believers (had to learn Arabic to read the holy scriptures).

Sunna Following Muhammad’s example for proper living.

Shari’a (Shariah) a body of Islamic Laws that all Muslims must follow. Regulates family life, moral conduct, business, and community life. It combines rules & beliefs from the Koran and Sunna that provides a guideline for proper living.

3. Why was Mecca an important city in Western Arabia? It was an oasis & caravan stop / trading center with the Kaaba (a religious shrine to many gods) at its heart. (an oasis is an area that has water in a desert). No weapons/fighting allowed near the Kaaba.

4. The Five Pillars of Islam: 1. Faith: There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet. 2. Prayer: All Muslims must pray 5 x a day facing Mecca. 3. Fasting: during the holy month of Ramadan, all healthy Muslims must give up food during daylight hours. 4. Alms: Give 10% of income to the poor. 5. Hajj: The holy pilgrimage to Mecca, once in a lifetime.

5. Why did Muslims consider Christians and Jews “people of the book”? The “book” refers to the Bible. Muslims accept that the God of the Jews and Christians is the same God as Allah but believe their faith is the proper way to worship. The people of the book were to be allowed to peacefully co-exist with the Muslims but Christians and Jews did have to pay a belief tax to keep their faith.

6. How did the beliefs and practices of Islam create unity and strength among Muslims in the 600 s? All believers are equal before Allah. The Koran is written in Arabic – had to learn Arabic to read it (which is required of all good Muslims) promoting a common language and education. Praying together x 5 a day, going to Mosque on Friday, and traveling on a Hajj, among other beliefs created unity a sense of community among believers.

7. In what ways are the teachings of Muslims similar to Jews and Christians? Monotheism. Heaven & Hell: God will judge to good and bad. Holy sites / pilgrimage sites – like Jerusalem today is holy for all 3 religions. The Dome of the Rock – Muhammad’s ascends to heaven. The Temple Mound – Abraham and the Jewish Temple Jesus’s footsteps / teachings