Define the following key terms: Allah, Islam, Muslim, Hijrah, mosque, hajj, qur’an, sunna, shari’a

10.1 Homework Questions

1. 
   Define the following key terms: Allah, Islam, Muslim, Hijrah, mosque, hajj, qur’an, sunna, shari’a
   

Allah: The one God of Islam

Islam: submission to the will of Allah

Muslim: one who has submitted

Hijrah: Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Yathrib (later Medina); moved bc followers were being attacked; made many converts in Medina

Mosque: Islamic house of worship

Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca, all Muslims must do this once in their lifetime if possible

Qur’an: Holy book of the Muslims

Sunna: Muhammad’s example; best model for proper living

Shari’a: system of law that combined qur’an and sunna; it regulates family life, moral conduct, and business and community life of Muslims

2. 
   Who were the Bedouins? Describe them.
   

Bedouins were Arab nomads, they were organized in tribes and clans to provide support in difficult desert conditions; their ideals of courage, loyalty to family, warrior skills became part of Islamic way of life

3. 
   Describe the role of trade in the Middle East
   

Arabia was connected to major land and ocean trade routes bc it is the crossroads of 3 continents (bridge between Africa, Asia, and Europe); trade routes connected them to Persian Empire, silk road (Asia); merchants carried spices but also ideas and information

4. 
   Why was Mecca an important city?
   

Mecca was a city in Western Arabia that was popular for religious pilgrims; there was an ancient shrine there called ka’aba, where over 360 idols were contained; Muhammad was born here

5. 
   What are a few things Muslims aren’t allowed to do?
   

No alcohol, no pork; Friday afternoons set aside for communal worship

6. 
   How do Muslims view Jews and Christians? How are they supposed to treat them? Why?
   

Allah is the same God worshipped in Christianity and Judaism; they view Jesus as prophet but not son of God, and qur’an is final book; All 3 believe in Heaven and Hell; Muslims call them “people of the book” and shari’a law requires Muslims to be tolerant

7. 
   How did the beliefs and practices of Islam create unity and strength among Muslims in the 600s?
   

By having the same religion people were unified, same beliefs; also must know Arabic bc of qur’an so ppl spoke same language; Islam is also a way of life so it unified Muslims

8. 
   Grab 5 Pillars of Islam activity-can work with your group but each person must turn in own worksheet. Directions: Label each pillar. Inside each pillar describe it in your own words. At the bottom draw a simple picture to depict the pillar. Add color if time. Worth 20 points.
   
9. 
   Who was Muhammad? What did he do? Why is he so important to Islam?
   

Muhammad was born in to powerful clan, orphaned at a young age and raised by grandfather and uncle; littler schooling, worked in caravan trade; very interested in religion. At age 40 while he was meditating in a cave the angel Gabriel spoke to him, brought him words of Allah; Muhammad is believed to be the last prophet, taught Allah was one and only God; he preached publicly in Mecca but met some hostility, so moved to Medina; there he was a political, religious, and military leader. Won many converts; In 630 he marched on Mecca, which surrendered; Muhammad died 2 years lter but succedded in unifying Arabian peninsula under Islam