General Vocab, Pt. 1
This is the Arabic word for "God," worshipped by Muslims around the world.
Allah
This is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that every Muslim is required to make at least once in their lifetime, if possible.
Hajj
This is the largest branch of Islam, which believes that the community should choose the leader, rather than it being passed through Muhammad’s family.
Sunni
This person is considered the final prophet in Islam, believed to have received revelations from Allah.
Muhammad
The spiritual center of Islam. Muslims pray facing the direction of this place five times a day. Home of the Grand Mosque, and the Kabaa
Mecca
This is the monotheistic religion that was founded by the Prophet Muhammad and emphasizes belief in one god, Allah.
Islam
This is the holy book of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of Allah as revealed to Muhammad.
Qur’an
This branch of Islam believes that leadership should have passed through Muhammad’s family, specifically to Ali, his cousin and son-in-law.
Shi’a
This dynasty, which ruled the Islamic world from 661 to 750 CE, established the first hereditary dynasty of the Islamic Empire. This dynasty eventual lost power due to moving the capital from Mecca to Damascus and living a luxurious lifestyle different from the prophet.
Umayyad(s)
This city became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century and was a major center of learning and culture in the Islamic Golden Age.
Baghdad
A person who follows the religion of Islam.
Muslim
This term refers to Islamic law, which is derived from the Qur'an and the Sunna.
Shari'a
This ancient instrument, used in astronomy, consists of a set of rings that represent the celestial sphere and was used by scholars in the Islamic world.
Armillary Sphere
This dynasty, which ruled from 750 to 1258 CE, moved the capital of the Islamic Empire to Baghdad and promoted a golden age of learning and culture.
Abbasids
This term refers to the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Hijrah
This title refers to the religious and political leader of the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad.
Caliph
This device, widely used in the Islamic world, is an ancient tool used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars.
Astrolabe
This dynasty ruled parts of North Africa and the Middle East from the 10th to the 12th centuries, claiming descent from the daughter of Muhammad
Fatimid
This is the Muslim-controlled region in Spain during the Middle Ages, known for its cultural and intellectual achievements.
al-Andalus
The place of worship for Muslims.
Mosque
This term refers to Muslims who seek a personal, mystical connection with Allah, often through meditation and ascetic practices.
Sufi
This is the artistic practice of beautiful handwriting, often used in the decoration of Qur’ans and Islamic architecture.
Calligraphy
This medieval Islamic scholar is often considered the "father of optics" for his work in the study of light and vision.
Ibn al-Haytham / Alhazen