Unit 1- Dar Al Islam Flashcards
(20 cards)
Fall of the Abbasid Caliphate (power vacuum):
The Abbasid Caliphate weakened due to internal conflicts and the Mongol invasion in 1258, which destroyed Baghdad. This left a power vacuum, meaning there was no strong central ruler, and new powers, like the Seljuks and Ottomans, rose in its place.
Caliphate:
A system of Islamic rule led by a caliph, who was considered the political and religious successor to Prophet Muhammad.
Sunni:
The largest branch of Islam. Sunnis believe that the caliph (leader of the Muslim community) should be elected based on merit, necessarily be a relative of Muhammad.
Shi’a:
A branch of Islam that believes leadership should stay within the Prophet Muhammad’s family, especially through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
Shi’a:
A branch of Islam that believes leadership should stay within the Prophet Muhammad’s family, especially through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
Sultanate:
A form of government where the ruler is called a sultan. Sultanate were often regional powers in the Islamic world. like Delhi Sultanate in India.
Sultanate:
A form of government where the ruler is called a sultan. Sultanate were often regional powers in the Islamic world. like Delhi Sultanate in India.
Five Pillars of Islam
The basic acts of worship in Islam: • Shahada: Declaration of faith. o Salat: Prayer five times a day. o Zakat: Giving charity. • Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan. o Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Ka’ba
: The most sacred site in Islam, located in Mecca. It is a large cube-shaped building that Muslims face when they pray.
Hajj
: The pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are required to make at least once in their lifetime, if they are able.
Mecca
: The holiest city in Islam, where the Ka’ba is located and where Muslims go for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Jihad
: Often translated as “struggle” or “striving,” it can refer to a personal, internal struggle to live a good Muslim life, or in some cases, a physical struggle in defense of Islam.
Sharia Law
: A system of Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith (teachings of Muhammad). It covers both religious and daily aspects of life.
House of Wisdom
: A famous learning center in Baghdad during Abbasid Caliphate where scholars translated and studied texts in many fields, including science, math, and philosophy.
Al-Andalus
The Islamic region of Spain (modern-day Andalusia) that flourished under Muslim rule from the 8th to 15th centuries, known for its cultural achievements in science, art, and philosophy.
Prophet Muhammad
: The founder Islam, believed by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God deliver His message to humanity. Muhammad’s teachings form basis of the Quran, and he is considered the ultimate role model for Muslims
Nasir al-Din Tusi
: A Persian scholar and polymath who made important contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy during the Islamic Golden Age. His work influenced later scientific developments, especially in the study of planetary motion.
Algebra/Medicine/Philosophy
: During the Islamic Golden Age, Muslim scholars made significant advances in these fields. Mathematicians like Al-Khwarizmi developed algebra, doctors like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) wrote influential medical texts, and philosophers like Al-Farabi blended Islamic theology with Greek philosophy, preserving and expanding upon ancient knowledge.
Sufism
: A mystical branch of Islam that focuses on a personal connection with God through rituals like meditation, chanting, and dancing. Sufis aim to achieve closeness to God through inner reflection and devotion, rather than focusing on legalistic or strict religious practices.
Ibn Battuta
: A famous Muslim traveler and explorer from Morocco who journeyed across Islamic world and beyond during the 14th century. He documented his travels in a famous book called the Rihla, which gives insight into the cultures, governments, and societies he visited, including places like Africa, the Middle East, India, and China.
