Islam (Great Courses)

Question 1

In how many countries is Islam found?

Answer 1

56

Question 2

What percentage of Muslims are Arab?

Answer 2

20%

Question 3

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

Answer 3

Declaration of faith (shahadah), prayer (salat), tithe (zakat), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)

Question 4

What is the declaration of faith?

Answer 4

“There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God”

Question 5

What are the requirements for prayer?

Answer 5

Five times a day, facing Mecca, reciting from the Qur’an in Arabic

Question 6

What are the requirements for tithing?

Answer 6

Giving 2.5% of one’s wealth, not just income

Question 7

What are the requirements for fasting during Ramadan?

Answer 7

No food, drink, or sex from dawn to sunset

Question 8

What are the requirements for the pilgrimage to Mecca?

Answer 8

Once in a lifetime for those who are able

Question 9

What is the unofficial sixth pillar of Islam?

Answer 9

Jihad

Question 10

What does jihad imply?

Answer 10

Inner struggle and the defense of Islam

Question 11

What years did Muhammad live?

Answer 11

570-632 CE

Question 12

What are the qualities attributed to Muhammad?

Answer 12

He is God’s messenger and the ideal person, the living Qur’an

Question 13

In what year did Muhammad begin receiving revelations?

Answer 13

610

Question 14

In what year was the hijra?

Answer 14

622

Question 15

What was the hijra?

Answer 15

Migration to Medina due to social pressures in Mecca

Question 16

In what year was the Battle of the Ditch?

Answer 16

627

Question 17

What was the significance of the Battle of the Ditch?

Answer 17

Power shifted to the Muslims, and Muslim-Jewish relations deteriorated due to Jews fighting against Muhammad’s army