Answers-to-Questions-on-Is...doc

Answers to ?Rise of Islam? Pages 252-255 Identify: Mecca: located in Saudi Arabia, it was a bustling market town at the crossroads of two trade routes. It was also a thriving pilgrimage center, because of the Kaaba. Today it is the holiest city in Islam. Bedouins: Nomadic herders that traveled the Arabian peninsula in search of pasturelands. Competition over lands led to warfare. Bedouins were later used in the Armies to that helped to spread Islam. Kaaba: Means cube in Arabic. It is the most sacred place in Islam, located in Mecca and believed by Muslims to be built by the prophet Abraham. Khadija: Muhammad?s wife. She was the first convert to the new faith, Islam. Quran: Means to recite in Arabic. It is the sacred text of Islam and teaches that God is all-powerful and compassionate. Written in Arabic. People of the Book: This is the Muslim term for Jews and Christians. They believe the Quran is the third and final revelation from God to the people the other two being the Torah and the Bible. Thus Jews and Christians were seen as spiritually superior to polytheistic idol worshippers and afforded a higher level of tolerance in Muslim societies. Sharia: A body of law applying the teachings of the Quran to everyday life. This system of law regulates all aspect of life in a Muslim society: moral conduct, family life, business practices, government and community. Define: Oasis: a fertile area in the desert watered by a natural spring Hijra: Occurred in 622, when Muhammad was forced to flee Mecca for Yathrib or Medina. This marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Monotheistic: the belief in one god Mosque: a house of worship for Muslims Hajj: The fifth pillar of Islam, requiring a Muslim to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime. Jihad: Means struggle in God?s service- interpreted different ways by Muslims. Some think of it as a spiritual struggle to overcome our own immorality, others interpret it to mean they must defend Islam. This often ends in violence and warfare. How did Muhammad become the prophet of Islam? He received visions from God through the Angel Gabriel telling him to preach against false gods and to urge people to worship Allah. a. What are the Five Pillars of Islam? Declaration of Faith, Prayer 5 times a day, charity to the poor, observance of Ramadan and a pilgrimage to Mecca. b. How do they help unite Muslims? The five Pillars bind Muslims together through common beliefs and practices. How do the Quran and Sharia guide the lives of Muslims? The Quran is the final word on all matters. It addresses many ethical matters and explains proper behavior for Muslims. The Sharia is a body of law that applies the teachings and concepts of the Quran to the daily life of Muslims and regulates many aspects of Muslim society. In what ways are the religious teachings of Islam similar to those of Judaism and Christianity? Islam like Judaism and Christianity is monotheistic and teaches rules for moral behavior. Islam also teaches that the Torah and Bible are revelations form God. Islam accepts Moses and Jesus as prophets sent from God. Like Christianity, Islam believes in a day of Judgment and a Heaven (paradise)/Hell.