1. Islam

2. The Middle East Arabia is mostly desert.
The city of Mecca was a trading center and is the place where Islam began.

3. The founder of Islam is Muhammad.
He lived in Mecca and had a vision where an angel appeared and told him that he was a prophet.
He wrote down the messages he received and this became the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.
Islam spread in Arabia after being rejected at first.

4. Islamic Beliefs
Muslims believe in two sacred books.
The Qur’an guides Muslims’ lives.
The Sunnah tells Muslims of important duties expected of them.
Did you know?
Islam is a monotheistic religion, just like Judaism and Christianity. That means it is based on a belief in only one God.

5. Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam
Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam. They follow these five rules as they live their daily lives.
day.

6. Expansion of Islam
After Muhammad’s death, other Muslim leaders worked to spread Islam.
When their armies conquered lands, Islam slowly spread through the Middle East and into Africa, Asia, and Spain.

7. Muslim Cultural Achievements Scholars translated many ancient writings in astronomy, geography, math, and science from Greeks and Romans into Arabic. Then they improved upon what they learned.
Astronomy
Muslim scientists made remarkable advances in astronomy.
Geography
Muslim geographers made more accurate maps than were available before. They also developed better ways of calculating distances.
Astrolabe
Arab scholars improved upon this invention to figure out their location on the earth.
Medicine
Muslim doctors developed better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat many diseases.

8. _ More Muslim Contributions Literature
Poetry and short stories influenced by Islam were popular in the Muslim world.
Math
Muslim scholars laid the foundation for Algebra by combining two systems of mathematics from Indian and Greek systems.
Philosophy
Muslim philosophy led to the development of Sufism. Sufis celebrated their love of God through music and dance.
More
Muslim
Contributions
Art
Muslim artists did not include people or animals in art, so they turned calligraphy, or decorative writing, into an art form. They used calligraphy to make sayings from the Qur’an into great works of art that they could use to decorate mosques.

9. Practice Test Question
Muslim scholars and artists did all of the following except
Preserve ancient Greek writings.
Create unique Islamic works of art.
Preserve written Roman laws.
Make important advances in astronomy and geography.
The correct answer is C.

10. Practice Test Question
What is one way Islam is like Judaism and Christianity?
It is also a monotheistic religion.
It was also founded by Muhammad.
It also arose in the desert country of Arabia.
It also uses the New and Old Testaments.
The correct answer is A.

11. Practice Test Question
Which statement does NOT describe the geography of Arabia?
There is little water or rainfall.
It is mostly a hot, dry, desert.
Mountains border the coasts.
Rivers and lakes exist in the north.
The correct answer is D.

12. Practice Test Question
Which of the following is NOT one of Muhammad’s teachings?
There is only one God, Allah.
The rich should help the poor.
All people are equal.
It is right to worship many gods.
The correct answer is D.

13. Practice Test Question
Fertile areas in deserts are called
Trade centers.
Dunes.
Oases.
Sand lakes.
The correct answer is C.