PLACES/GEOGRAPHY
TERMS
BELIEFS
The GOLDEN AGE
POTPOURI
200

Before spreading throughout much of Africa, Asia, and beyond, Islam was originally born into the area that is this present day country.

Saudi Arabia

200

Muslims around the world are often led in prayer by one of these men--there are more than 12 of them.

imams

200

Muslims regard Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ and others to worthy of respect and, like Muhammad, to have been one of these.

Prophets

200

More so than any other, the Islamic Golden Age is associated with the scholarship and innovation that took place in this city.

Baghdad

200

The Islamic Golden Age took place in part due to the support and encouragement that artists, scholars, writers, and scientists received from the political leadership of this DYNASTY.

The Abbasid

400

For Muslims living around the world, there is no place more holy than this city into which Muhammad was born and lived much of his life.

Mecca

400

This controversial, and perhaps much misunderstood term, is used to describe the daily "struggle" that Muslims face while practicing their faith...and also to defend Islam.

Jihad

400

Muslims believe that the "tenets" (principles) of their religion were conveyed by Allah to Muhammad through this figure.

Gabriel

400

Among the main achievements of this notable institution was the translation of notable texts from other civilizations into Arabic.

The House of Wisdom

400
Islam expanded rapidly in the 7th and 8th centuries making "inroads" into Western Europe until being halted at this pivotal battle in 732.

Battle of Tours

600

Muhammad is believed to have ascended into "Paradise" to meet Allah from this location--the third holiest city for Muslims.

Jerusalem

600

In the absence of the "Hidden Imam", Shiite Muslims allow their communities to be led by men who hold this title or position.

Ayatollahs

600

Shiite's believe that in order to be a rightful successor to Muhammad and hold this position, that like Ali, one should have a "blood" connection to Muhammad.

Caliph

600

The Muslim scholar Al Khwarizmi made contributions to astronomy and geography, but most notably, is considered to have been the "father" of this foundational mathematical field.

Algebra

600

Of the following terms, "Shiites", "extremists", "Arabs", "Sunnis" or "fundamentalists", which one applies to the most Muslims

Sunnis

800

While Islam initially spread rapidly through Western Asia and North Africa, it faced this somewhat mighty impediment when it attempted to spread into this SOUTHEASTERN part of Europe...at least until 1453.

The Byzantine Empire

800

Muslims routinely declare that "there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet", a statement known by this term.

The Shahada

800

Shiite Muslims believe that on the "day of judgment", this long "absent" figure will return.

The Hidden Imam/12th Imam

800

"History", as we know it AND LOVE IT, exists in its present form with an emphasis on sources and investigation to a large degree due to the contributions to the field made by this man.

Ibn Khaldun

800

Groups like "Hamas", "Hezbollah", "the PLO" and many Muslim nations have been united in their opposition to this nation. 

Israel

1000

While Islamic political power had been centered on the Arabian peninsula in under Muhammad, under the Umayyad, it's capital shifted to this city in Syria, and later under the Abbasid, to this city in Iraq.

Damascus and Baghdad

1000

While there has been a great deal of conflict between Muslims, Christians, and Jews throughout history, early Muslims respected their fellow monotheists and referred to them by this term.

"People of the Book"

1000

In some Muslim nations, the legal system is based on ideas and teachings from the Quran and is known by this term.

Shariah

1000

Arguably the greatest of the Islamic Golden Age figures, this man made pioneering discoveries in the field of medicine which were shared with the world for the next 500 year via his seminal text book.

Ibn Sina (Avicenna)

1000

Some scholars trace the decline of the Islamic world to the collapse of this once great empire that was responsible for defeating Byzantine Empire and ruling for 600 years until it's collapse in WWI.

The Ottoman Empire