Islam

• What is the second-largest religion in the world?

  Islam
• What does the word "Islam" mean?


  Submission or surrender
• What is the significance of the term "Allah" in Islam?

  It is the Arabic word for God
• Where did Islam originate?


  In Mecca, modern-day Saudi Arabia
• Who is considered the final prophet in Islam?

  Prophet Muhammad
• What is the major holy text of Islam?

  The Quran
• What is the Hadith in Islam?


  Another important book alongside the Quran
• What is the concept of "jihad" in Islam?


  Struggle, including internal and external efforts to defend faith
• What significant event happened in 610 related to Muhammad?


  He received revelations from the angel Gabriel
• What does the Hijra mark in Islamic history?


  The beginning of the Islamic calendar
• What regions did Arab Muslims conquer during the reign of the first four caliphs?


  Large regions in the Middle East, including Syria, Palestine, Iran, and Iraq
• What led to the schism in Islam after Muhammad's death?


  Debate over who should replace him as leader
• What is the Wahhabi sect known for?


  Extremely strict interpretation of Islam
• What is Sufism in Islam?


  A mystical denomination seeking a personal relationship with God
• What is the Quran considered among Muslims?


  The most important holy book
• How many chapters does the Quran contain?


  114 chapters, called surahs
• What does the Islamic calendar celebrate?

  The journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina
• What is Ramadan in Islam?


  A period of fasting and prayer
• What is Sharia Law?


  Islam's legal system directing how Muslims should live
• What is the significance of the mihrab in a mosque?


  It indicates the direction to Mecca for prayer
• What are the two major Muslim holidays?

  Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr
• What does Eid al-Adha celebrate?


  The Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah
• What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

  1. Shahada: Declaration of faith
  2. Salat: Prayer five times a day
  3. Zakat: Giving to those in need
  4. Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan
  5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca
• What are some important Islamic holy places?

  • Kaaba shrine in Mecca
  • Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem
  • Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina
• What are the smaller denominations within Sunni and Shiite Islam?

  • Wahhabi: Strict Sunni sect
  • Alawite: Shiite sect in Syria
  • Nation of Islam: Primarily Black Sunni sect
  • Sufism: Mystical denomination
  • Kharijites: Radical fundamentalism sect
• What are the main features of a mosque?


  • Large open space for prayer
  • Mihrab indicating direction to Mecca
  • Public gathering and social center
• Imam

  • He is the religious leader in Islam, who traces a hereditary succession from Muhammad
• Sunni

  • Compromise the majority of Islam and they believe that succession from the Prophet Muhammad is not dependent on hereditary descent
• Muslim

  • Those who submit themselves to Allah
• He is the "Seal of Prophets"

  • Muhammad
• The Arabic for God

  • Allah
• Ayahs

  • the verses in the Qur'an
• Meccan surahs

  • shorter chapters in the Qur'an
• Medinan

  • longer chapter in the Qur'an
• Tafsir

  • The proper interpretation of Qur'an and the intellectual explanation of the Qur'an