Islam to Marco Polo Study Guide

• What is Islam?

  A monotheistic religion founded in the 7th century CE
• Who is Muhammad in Islam?

  The prophet and founder of Islam
• What does the word 'Allah' mean?

  The Arabic word for God in Islam
• What is the Quran?

  The holy book of Islam
• Who were the Bedouins?

  Nomadic Arab tribes in the desert
• What is a Caliph?

  A successor to Muhammad in Islam
• What are Hadith?

  Collections of sayings and actions of Muhammad
• What does Sunnah refer to?

  The example set by Muhammad for Muslims
• What does Jihad primarily refer to?

  The spiritual struggle to live a good life
• What is Mecca known for?

  The holiest city in Islam
• What is the Ka’ba?

  A sacred cube-shaped shrine in Mecca
• What is Medina's significance in Islam?

  Where Muhammad fled during the Hijra
• What does Hijra refer to?

  Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina
• What is Umma?

  The community of Muslims united by faith
• What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

  The core duties of a Muslim: faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage
• What is Sharia?

  Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith
• Who was Abu Bakr?

  The first caliph and companion of Muhammad
• What distinguishes Shia from Sunni Islam?

  Shia believes only Muhammad's descendants can be caliphs
• What was the Umayyad Dynasty?

  The first major Islamic caliphate
• What is Jizya?

  A tax imposed on non-Muslims in Islamic states
• What was the Abbasid Dynasty known for?

  Overthrowing the Umayyads and cultural richness
• Who are Ulama?

  Islamic scholars interpreting religious law
• What are Qadis?

  Islamic judges applying Sharia law
• Who was Harun al-Rashid?

  A famous Abbasid caliph during the Golden Age
• What is the Rubaiyat?

  A collection of Persian poetry by Omar Khayyam
• Who was Ibn Rushd (Averroes)?

  A philosopher who preserved Aristotle’s works
• What was the Golden Age of Islam?

  A period of great advancements in science and culture
• Who was Al-Khwarizmi?

  A mathematician who developed algebra
• What caused the decline of feudalism in Europe?

  The Black Death and rise of towns
• What were the effects of the decline of feudalism?

  Decline of serfdom and rise of a middle class
• What was the Bubonic Plague (Black Death)?

  A deadly disease that spread across Europe
• What were the Crusades?

  Religious wars to capture the Holy Land
• What is the Holy Land?

  The region considered sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims
• Who was Pope Urban II?

  The pope who called for the First Crusade
• Who was King Henry II?

  An English king who developed common law
• Who was John I?

  King of England who signed the Magna Carta
• What is the Magna Carta?

  A document limiting the power of the monarchy
• What was the Hundred Years' War?

  A long conflict between England and France
• What was the Battle of Crecy?

  An English victory showcasing the longbow's effectiveness
• Who was Joan of Arc?

  A French peasant girl who led France to victory