is the standard Arabic name for God. Term is best known in the West for its use by Muslims as a reference to God, it is used by Arabs of all Abrahamic faiths, including Mizrahi Jews, Bahá'ís, Eastern Orthodox Christians and Eastern Catholic Christians. The same God that the Jews call Yahweh and the God that Christians call God the Father.
is a form of marriage in which a person has more than one spouse at the same time, as opposed to monogamy in which a person has only one spouse at a time
an artistic motif that is characterized by the application of repeating geometric forms and fancifully combined patterns; these forms often echo those of plants and animals and are often found decorating the walls of mosques
the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual relations from dawn until sunset; fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility, and spirituality; a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to offer more prayer than usual; Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.
the war for the establishment of God's law on Earth; dying in one assures a direct ticket to heaven, according to Islam
A member of a Muslim people of mixed Berber and Arab descent, now living chiefly in northwest Africa.; One of the Muslims who invaded Spain in the 8th century and established a civilization in Andalusia that lasted until the late 15th century.
a force of Turks and Afgans rode into India from their strongholds in the Afghani hills; they created this state based in their newly founded capital and continued to govern most of Northern India for the next 300 years; provided the historical foundation for the modern state of Pakistan.
is the monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur'an, a text considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God and by the teachings and normative example of Muhammad; an adherent of this religion is called Muslim.
the original shrine of pagan Arabic religion in Mecca containing the Black Stone; now one of the holiest places of Islam
the majority group in Islam; adherents believe that the caliphate should go to the most qualified individual and should not necessarily pass to the kin of Mhuammad
a minority sect of Islam; adkerents believe that kinship with Muhammad is necessary to qualily for he caliphate
is an adherent of the religion of Islam. Literally, the word means "one who submits (to God)".
"People of the Book": Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians living under Muslim rule and receiving privileged treatment over the other non-Muslims
is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to this person if they have a religious question. In smaller communities, this person could also be the community leader.
is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation
is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age; often known in English as the Arabian Nights
the sacred language of India; came originally from the Aryans; continues to be widely used as a ceremonial language in Hindu religious rituals in the forms of hymns and mantras
A Hindu epic poem; one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Rāmāyaṇa; epic is part of the Hindu history
is the sacred law of Islam. Muslims believe it is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law; namely, the divine revelations set forth in the Qur'an, and the sayings and example set by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah.
is a Central Semitic language, thus related to and classified alongside other Semitic languages such as Hebrew and the Neo-Aramaic languages; has more speakers than any other language in the Semitic language family.
Islam believes _______was the medium through whom God revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad, and that he sent a message to most prophets, if not all, revealing their obligations.
the first successor to the prophet and one of Muhammad's general; was elected by his colleagues; died soon after his election
was the founder of the religion of Islam, and is regarded by Muslims as a messenger and prophet of God, the last law-bearer in a series of Islamic prophets, and, by most Muslims the last prophet as taught by the Qur'an 33:40-40.
last Indian-led unification of the country until 20th century; ruled from base valley of the Ganges River; overcame rivals to eventually create an Empire ove rmost of India
Frankish leader and Charlemagne's predecessor; remembered for winning the Battle of Tours in 732, in which he defeated an invading Muslim army and halted northward Islamic expansion in western Europe
one of the most important figures in Muslilm science; a physician and scientist of great importance to medieval Europe; author of famous handbook of clinical practice "The Canon of Medicine"
was the founder, ruler and emperor of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death; conquered the principality of Kiev and ruled the Russians for next 240 years
Turkish tribe that invaded the Middle East and established an empire which lasted until World War I
was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement; pioneered resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded on total nonviolence; concept helped India to gain independence, and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
was the imperial capital of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine/Eastern Roman Empire, the Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire; throughout most of the Middle Ages, was Europe's larges and wealthiest city.
the second holiest city in Islam and the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad; historically significant for being his home after the Hijrah.
The Grand Mosque, built early in Muslim history; was constructed by the Umayyad Dynasty of caliphs; considered one of the three most perfect buildings in the Islamic world
beautiful tomb built by the seventeenth centurey Mughal emporer Jahan for his third wife; It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.
in Southwest Asia at the junction of Africa and Asia; area is an important part of the Middle East and plays a critically important geopolitical role because of its vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
4th of the Five Pillars of the Faith
fasting-especially during the holy month of Ramadan (when Muhammad is believed to have received the Qur'an)