Download ARABIAN PENINSULA and ISLAM – KEY -

ARABIAN PENINSULA and ISLAM – KEY --Review for Quiz 1
1. Which continents surround the Arabian Peninsula?
Asia, Africa and Europe
2. Locate the Arabian Peninsula and describe its diverse geography.
Most important: deserts, mountains, coastal plains and oases influence life
there.
Deserts: harsh climate, powerful winds – Arab nomads moved through the
desert with their camels, sheep and goats, which provided them with food
and hair, wool and hides for clothing, blankets and tents.
Oases: areas of water in the desert which also provide plant life and shade—
Nomads moved from oasis to oasis. Some people settled there
towns
developed around the oasis
became trading centers
Coastal plains: better land for farming – people could build dams and wells to
irrigate ( give water to) the land—ports on the coastal plain increased trade
with other lands
Mountains: limit movement and make communication difficult, however,
some people settled there and created terraces (steps) to farm the land and
grow fruit trees
3. Describe Bedouin culture.




Nomads constantly traveling in camel caravans in search of water and
land for vegetation for animals
Became strong and resourceful in order to survive in those conditions
Had a social hierarchy or class system:
Leader—Shaykh
Warriors and their families
Slaves
Were excellent warriors
4. Who was Muhammad? How did he become the voice of Islam?
Muhammad was a trader in the Arabian Peninsula. The angel Gabriel appeared to
him in a cave and called him the “Prophet” or the messenger of God.
5. Describe the reason for Muhammad’s hejira (flight/escape) to Medina in 622
CE. What makes this important?
Arabs asked Muhammad to go to Medina to bring peace to warring tribes.
**Very important because Muhammad’s followers went there with him.
People were bound together by faith, not blood.
6. Why did Muhammad return to Mecca in 630?
624 - Fighting broke out between Muslims and Meccans. The Meccans broke
their agreement that would allow Muslims to make their pilgrimage to Mecca.
In 630, Muhammad returned with an army to capture the city of Mecca.
7. What did he do when he returned to the city?
In Mecca, Muhammad destroyed all the idols at the Ka’ba and rededicated it to
one god, Allah.
8. Why was this action so important?
This was the true beginning of Islam. Also, this event marked the change from
polytheism to monotheism in this part of the world.
9. Name and describe the 5 Pillars of Islam. (Study the Teachings of Islam page
from Mrs. Gil)
(#10 not on test)
11. Define monotheism and polytheism. Why were Muhammad’s ideas not
accepted by many people?
monotheism – belief in one god
polytheism – belief in many gods
Many people…
 did not like Muslim idea of sharing wealth
 did not want to give up polytheistic beliefs
 did not accept breakdown of their heritage (their culture and
customs)