Download Rise and Spread of Islam Review Answer Key 570

Rise and Spread of Islam Review Answer Key
570 - 632
Birth of
Muhammad
Founder of Islam
Muhammad unites a large portion of the Arabian Peninsula
Considered the prophet of God by Muslims
He was also a diplomat, merchant, philosopher, orator, legislator,
reformer, and military general
There is more detail about Muhammad in question 29.
Spread of Islam
Islam spread in 130 years to create an empire bigger than Rome
at its highest point.
622 - 750
The Rise of Islam occurred for four main reasons
The Will of Allah – Muslims were united in their belief of Islam
and inspired to spread the word.
Divide and Conquer – The Byzantine and Persian Empires were
weakened from fighting each other.
Fair Treatment – Muslim rulers teated conquered people fairly.
Non-Muslims could practice religion freely.
The Mighty Sword – Arabs were strong fighters
28. Explain the importance of Mecca as a religious center
Originally a polytheistic religious center before the rise of Islam. The building called the Kaaba was
and still is the religious center in Mecca.
There was no fighting allowed in Mecca which helped the trade prosper.
After the creation of Islam Mecca becomes the center of the religious world for Muslims
29. Who was Muhammad? Who did he talk to that gave him his revelation?
Born in roughly 570 in the city of Mecca. He was a successful merchant that eventually
married his employer, Khadija.
Muhammad was discontented with life in Mecca and retreated to a cave. According to
Islamic beliefs this is when he received his first revelation from God. The Angel Gabriel
talked to him and those talks became the Koran.
Three years later he began to preach but was kicked out of Mecca because his word
threatened the people of Mecca. Muhammad made a journey called the Hijra to Medina to
spread the word. Muhammad’s preachings found followers in Medina.
Eventually a war erupted between Muhammad’s supporters and Meccans. Muhammad
returned to Mecca with his followers and conquered Mecca. 7 years after being kicked out of
Mecca Muhammad returned and destroyed all pagan idols or gods in and around the Kaaba.
30. What is the importance of the Kaaba?
The Kaaba predates Islam. It was originally a pagan site with hundreds of idols surrounding it.
In 630, Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca as conquerors, and he destroyed the 360
idols in and around the Kaaba. It becomes the center of the religious world for Muslims. Their
biggest holy site.
31. What factors helped unify the Arabic people through the religion of Islam?
Shariah Law
The common belief in Islam and the desire to spread the word of God (Allah)
Fair treatment of people that were not Muslims
Islam eliminated inter-clan fighting because everyone worshipped the same God.
32. What is a Caliph and who are the original four Caliphs? What makes them so important?
Head of the religious state, military commander, and chief judge. There is no separation of Church
and State. So a Caliph is head of the religious sphere and non-religious sphere.
•
Those Caliphs who truly followed in the Muhammad's foot steps are called 'The RightlyGuided Caliphs'
• Abu Bakr
• Umar
• Uthman
• Ali.
•
All four were among the earliest and closest companions of Muhammad
Contributions made by Muslims and the Pillars of Islam
33. Describe the five pillars of Islam
•
Faith (Shahadah)
• To show belief in one God and in Muhammad
• Emphasis on monotheism
• One God
• Muhammad is God’s messenger
• God is the center of life
• Must also pledge submission to God
•
Prayer (Salat)
• “Prayer is proof” of Islam. - Muhammad
• Prayer 5 times per day: Dawn, noon, midday, sunset, night
• Must perform washings prior to prayer: Hands, face, arms, and feet
• Imam: Prayer Leader
• Always face Mecca, can pray from anywhere
• Muslims do gather on Fridays for congregational prayer
•
Charity or Zakat
• Zakat means “purification”
• Muslims must share 2.5% of their earnings with poorer neighbors
• During the Middle Ages the zakat helped ensure everyone had drinking water.
•
•
Helps build orphanages and hospitals
•
Gave some children a chance to go to school by paying fees
Fasting
• Fast for an entire month (Ramadan), teaches self control
• According to Islam, Ramadan is the month God reveals his message to Muhammad.
• Fast from dawn to the setting of the sun. Pregnant women, travelers, the sick, elderly
and young do not have to fast.
• Encourages generosity, equality, and charity within the community
• End of the month brings celebration where people attend prayers, wear new clothes,
decorate homes, prepare special foods, exchange gifts and give to the poor.
•
Pilgrimage to Mecca
• All who can make the pilgrimage to Mecca are expected to do so.
• Pilgrimage is made in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
• Move through sacred sites over 5 days. To connect with Abraham and Muhammad.
• On 5th day move to the Great Mosque and the Kaaba.
33. What is the significance of the Sunnah and the Koran. Which book is considered more
important?
o
Koran – The Holy book for the religion of Islam.

Varied Spelling Quran or Qur’an

Contains passages that Muhammad received from the angel Gabriel
–
Sunnah – body of traditional social and legal custom and practice of the Islamic
Community
•
Example that Muhammad set during his lifetime
•
2nd in religious authority only to the Koran
34. How might the contributions of Muslims aid their abilities to trade. *Hint, check the geography
and navigation section of your notes from the Contributions of Muslims.
Muslims organized the world by climate zones. It is easier to prepare for a place when you know
what the climate is like within a specific region.
Muslim scientists calculated the circumference within 9 miles of the correct value. Understnading
the exact size of the earth also helps plan trips because you can get a better estimate for how long
each trip will take.
Muslims created extremely accurate maps. The Book of Roads and Provinces gave a description of
all common trade routes.
The Muslims helped perfect the compass and astrolabe. Both instruments helped a person pin point
exactly where they were located on the earth.
35. How did Muslims make contributions to the medical fields? Where did they learn a lot of
information about the medical fields from?
Muslims learned a lot of information from the ancient Greeks, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians.
Muslim doctors established the first world hospital (1 -2 in almost all towns)
Hospitals served as a ateching center for doctors in training
Separate wards for men and women
Gave patients remedies such as herbs, plants, and minerals
Muslims also created pharmacists
Doctors performed surgeries, amputations, eye surgery, and removing tumors
Discovered that infections are caused by bacteria.
36. What is Shariah Law? What did Shariah Law help unify? What does it help guide?
System or code of laws
Helps followers to interpret the Koran and to apply it to everyday life
a. Concerns Muslims duties toward God.
b. Guides Muslims personal behavior
c. Places actions into one of five categories
i. Forbidden
ii. Discouraged
iii. Allowed
iv. Recommended
v. Obligatory
d. Some matters are specific and some are very general.
e. Fewer Muslim countries follow Shariah law today but the Shariah Law develops in
response to modern ways of life.