Terms and Identifications:
Islam:
Monotheistic religion announced by the prophet Muhammad (570-632); influenced by Judaism and Christianity, Muhammad was considered the final prophet because the earlier religions had not seen the entire picture; Quran is the holy book of Islam.
Quran:
Holy scripture of Islam; also known as “the recitation”; Believed to be the word of God; written record of ethical and social guidance that Muhammad told his followers; contains divine revelations of Allah as presented to Muhammad
Hadith:
Most important religious source after the Quran; includes sayings attributed to Muhammad and accounts of his deeds
Muhammed:
Prophet of Islam who lived from 570-632 CE; Born in Arabian Peninsula; from Mecca but was sent to live with Bedouin tribe of Koresh as a young child due to the death of his parents; the angel Gabriel appeared before him and instructed him to recite in the name of God in a profound spiritual experience
Kadija:
Muhammad’s wife and mentor; Muhammad worked for her before their marriage; quite older than Muhammad
Muslims:
Followers of the faith of Islam; known as “those who surrender to God”
Allah:
God of the monotheistic religion of Islam
Bedouins:
Nomadic people who kept herds of sheep, goats, and calems, and migrated through the deserts to find water and grass for their animals. Bedouin peoples developed a strong sense of loyalty to their clans and protected their common interests.
Hijra:
Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, which is the beginning point of the Islamic calendar and is considered to mark the beginning of the Islamic faith
Mecca:
Arabian city that was Muhammad’s homeland; Conflict arose from Muhammad’s preaching of the new faith of Islam; ruling elites began to persecute Muhammad and his followers, causing them to flee.
Medina (Yathrib): Refuge for Muhammad and his followers after the migration from Mecca; Medina means