1. ISLAMIC EMPIRE GLOSSARY

2. Arabia: Region where Islam began. A arid peninsula, then inhabited by nomads & traders using camel caravans Arabs: People of the Arabian Peninsula Arabic: Language of Arabs, becomes holy language of Islam. خخ د ذ ر ز سدذرزس شش ص ض ط ظ عصضطظع غغ ف ق ك لفقكل مم ن ه‍ و ينه‍وي

3. Mecca: Early trade city & place of religious pilgrimage (sacred stone shrine), birthplace of Muhammad.

4. Muhammad: Founder of Islam. Upset with wickedness of world, tried to find better way, visions become the basis for Islam. Considered the greatest & last prophet of God. Khadya: Wife of Muhammad, 1st to convert.

5. Gabriel: Angel sent by God to reveal messages to Muhammad. Allah: Arabic name for God

6. Islam: Religion started by Muhammad, means surrender to Allah’s will. Muslim: A person who believes in & follows Islam

7. Qur’an: Holy book of Islam, contains Gabriel’s revelations from Allah to Muhammad. 114 Suras (chapters)

8. Medina: City to which Muhammad fled before returning to conquer Mecca in 630 Hegira: The journey to Medina by Muhammad as they fled Mecca in 622. Marks year 1 in Muslim calendar.

9. Kaaba: Shrine in Mecca reclaimed by Muhammad as holy Islamic site. Muslims believe the Black Stone was given to Abraham by God. Now located in the Great Mosque.

10. Jerusalem- Dome of the Rock: City where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven. A mosque called the Dome of the Rock was built on the spot he ascended.

11. People of the Book: What Muslims called Jews and Christians. Gave them tolerance & religious freedom, believe in same God & recognize many of the same prophets.

12. Five Pillars of Islam: 5 basis belief/duties of Islam Profession of Faith: 1st & most important. There is no god but Allah (god), and Muhammad is his prophet Prayer: 5 times a day facing Mecca Alms: offering/charity to help the needy Fasting: No food or water between sunrise and sunset during holy month of Ramadan. Pilgrimage- the hajj: Once in a lifetime, a Muslim expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca

13. Hajj - The Pilgrimage

14. Caliph: Successor to Muhammad as political & religious leader. Abu Bakr was the 1st elected one. Calligraphy: Artistic writing of Arabic used along with geometric abstract patterns to decorate objects or mosques- no living creatures allowed in Islamic religious art. Golden Age of Islam: 800-1100, Islamic Empire at cultural heights – keep alive/advance knowledge & learning while Europe in “dark age”