Download Describe the physical features and climate of the Arabian Peninsula

1. Describe the physical features and climate of the Arabian Peninsula. Be able to locate its
main features on a map
a. The Arabian Peninsula is mostly desert with a very hot and dry climate.
2. How did Arabs adapt to life in the desert? Consider how these terms apply: nomad,
Bedouin, and oasis
a. The geography and climate greatly impacted the lives of those who lived
there. Bedouins were a nomadic group that traveled from oasis to oasis in
order to survive. The climate affected their diet as they relied on dried fruit
and nuts.
3. Who was Muhammad? Describe his early life. How did he become a prophet?
a. Muhammad is the founder and prophet of Islam. He was orphaned at a
young age, but eventually became a successful merchant. He was visited by
the angel Gabriel and told to preach and spread Islam.
4. What messages did Muhammad preach?
a. Muhammad preached to worship the one, true god- Allah, that it was more
important to lead a good life than be wealthy, and to give to the poor.
5. Name 4 things that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have in common.
a. They are all monotheistic, they all believe in prophets, they all look to a holy
book for guidance, and they all believe in being charitable.
6. What is the Qur’an? What is the Sunnah? Why are they important to Muslims?
a. The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam and the Sunnah are customs based on
Muhammad’s words and deeds. Both guide Muslims on how to lead a good,
faithful life.
7. Describe each of the Five Pillars of Faith. How do they influence the daily lives of
Muslims?
a. The Five Pillars of Islam are Belief, Charity, Prayer, Fasting, and
Pilgrimage. They help keep Muslims faithful to the ways of Islam.
8. Explain the ways in which Islamic law guides Muslim life?
a. Islamic law guides Muslim on what they can eat, what activities they can
participate in, and even how they should be married and run a business.
9. Briefly describe Medieval Muslim cities
a. Muslim cities, like Damascus and Baghdad, grew because of the extensive
trade routes that criss-crossed the Middle East. Many Muslim cities looked
the same with both a mosque and bazaar.
10.Why were Muslim traders so successful?
a. Muslim traders were successful because they used a common language,
Arabic, they used a common currency, and they began to use banking
practices.
11.Name a contribution Muslims made to mathematics?
a. Algebra and the Arabic Numerals
12.Name a contribution Muslims made to Science?
a. Chemistry and they perfected the Astrolabe
13.Name a contribution Muslims made to literature?
a. The Quran, Thousand and One Nights, and the Rubaiyat
14.Name a contribution Muslims made to medicine?
a. They discovered that blood circulates and that disease is spread from person to
person.
15.How did Muslims help preserve learning?
a. Muslim scholars rewrote and studied the Greeks, Persian, and Indian works
in Arabic, which helped preserve the ideas and philosophies.