People
This minority faction within Islam believed that Mohammad's successor should be a relative descended from Mohammad.
What are the Shia or who are Shiite Muslims
This medieval African kingdom located north of the West African gold fields was the first major kingdom able to profit from controlling the trans-
Saharan salt-gold trade.
What was Ghana
This monotheistic religion originated in the Arabian peninsula in the early 600s.
What is Islam
The religion of Islam was founded in the early 7th Century when this founder and central figure of the faith began preaching the monotheistic worship of Allah in the area of Medina and Mecca.
Who was Mohammed
Written by the prophet Mohammed, this primary holy text of Islam contains the teachings, commands, and messages of their god "Allah."
What is the Quran
This majority faction within Islam believed that the succeeding caliph was NOT required to be a descendant of Mohammad.
What are the Sunni or who are Sunni Muslims
The nomadic people known as the Berbers were responsible conducting trade across this vast desert located in North Africa.
What is the Sahara Desert
After Ghana collapsed around 1240, Sundiata united the tribes living in and around the Niger River valley to form this empire.
What was Mali or what was the Mali Empire
Eventually forming into the larger African
kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, various peoples settles this well-watered region where the desert transitions to grasslands and forests.
What is the Sahel
Considered both religious and political, this refers to the set of laws for personal conduct which followers of Islam live by.
What is Shari'ah
This wealthy ruler of the Mali empire made a trip to Mecca that resulted in trading and diplomatic ties between Mali and other Muslim states.
Who was Mansa Musa
The religion of Islam spread along these paths throughout the Middle East, then northern Africa, into Spain, southern Italy, and Asia Minor.
What were trade routes
This Muslim ruling dynasty held power over the Islamic world from 661-750 A.D. and was mostly concerned with conquering new territory.
Who were the Umayyads or what was the Umayyad Caliphate
The West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were all made wealthy by taxing the trade of these two commodities.
What were salt and gold
This Arabic word meaning "struggle" has become synonymous with a holy word or crusade; and refers not only to the fight against the enemies of Islam, but also the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.
What is "jihad"
Under this ruling dynasty, Islam spread the most and truly became a world religion.
Who were the Abbasids or what was the Abbasid Caliphate
Mansa Musa converted the local Muslim school at this African town into a fully staffed Islamic university by the end of his reign?
What was Sankore
After the decline of the Songhai empire in the early 16th Century, Muslim invaders from this northern country destroyed the entire Songhai army using this new technological advantage in warfare.
What is gunpowder
This period of cultural and artistic achievement under the Abbasid caliphate was characterized by advancements in astronomy, literature, mathematics, and medicine.
What was the Islamic Golden Age
The Shahada, prayer, giving to the poor, the Hajj, and fasting during Ramadan are all central practices in Islam known altogether as these.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam
This Songhai emperor from the Sunni family dynasty spent much of his reign conquering new territory in West Africa in the latter half of the 15th century AD.
Who was Sunni Ali
The Umayyad dynasty ruled the Islamic world for nearly 100 years from this central capital city in Syria.
What is Damascus
The Abbasids rose to power and overthrew the ruling Umayyad caliphate and replaced their rule on this date.
What was 750 AD or what was 750 CE
A seventy year long civil war between these two religious factions within Islam led to the establishment of the Umayyad caliphate.
What are Sunni and Shia
This academic term about African society refers to an extended family unit whose members trace their descent from a common ancestor and that has combined into a larger community.
What is lineage group