Religion
According to Islamic tradition, when did Muhammad begin preaching Islam?
Muhammad began preaching Islam in 610
What geographic feature led early Arabs to form tribes, helping them survive?
The harsh desert climate led early Arabs to form tribes, which helped them survive.
What name was given to the followers of Islam?
The followers of Islam are called Muslims.
Which group burned Baghdad, marking the end of the Arab Empire in 1258?
The Mongols burned Baghdad, ending the Arab Empire.
What specific mathematical field did Muslim scholars invent?
Muslim scholars invented algebra.
What is the holy book of Islam, which provides guidelines on how to live and forbids murder, lying, and stealing?
The Quran is the holy book of Islam.
Towns such as Makkah (Mecca) were settled around a water source in the desert to facilitate trade.
Towns settled around desert oases.
What term was used for the new leader chosen after Muhammad's death, meaning "successor?
The new leader was called a caliph.
Who was the greatest ruler of the Ottoman Empire, known as the Lawgiver?
Suleiman I (the Lawgiver) was the greatest ruler of the Ottoman Empire.
According to Islamic history, what specific Arab invention in shipbuilding made any ship more maneuverable?
The stern rudder made any ship more maneuverable.
What is the fundamental difference in belief between the Shia and the Sunni regarding who should be the caliph?
Shia believe caliphs must be descendants of Muhammad, whereas Sunni believe caliphs can be elected and do not have to be descendants of Muhammad.
According to Islamic History, which major city was located within the Persian Empire?
Persepolis was located within the Persian Empire, according to the map reference.
What is the English term for the Arabic word Al-Jabr?
The English term for Al-Jabr is Algebra.
Why were merchants highly respected in Muslim culture?
Merchants created wealth and were skilled in business.
What fundamental principle of vision did Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) prove through his experiments with the camera obscura, overturning previous theories?
Vision occurs because light reflects off objects and enters the eyes.
Islam teaches that God values good deeds and not wealth. What did Muhammad preach that the wealthy should do?
The wealthy should give to the poor (or charity).
Where did Muhammad and his followers journey during the Hijrah, according to the Islamic primary history?
Muhammad and his followers journeyed from Makkah (Mecca) to Yathrib (Madinah) during the Hijrah.
What Arabic term is related to a substance used in making lye and soap, often used to wash hands?
The Arabic term is Al-Qili (related to Alkali, ashes used in making lye and soap; A strong, caustic alkali, NaOH)
What was a significant result of Muslim scholars translating ancient Greek writings into Arabic?
The translated Arabic writings were later translated into Latin, preserving the ancient texts.
Besides mathematics, name one field of science in which Muslim scholars made contributions.
Muslim scholars made contributions in chemistry and medicine.
What is the name of one of the Five Pillars of Islam that Muslims follow?
Belief, prayer, charity, fasting, or pilgrimage (Hajj to Makkah). (Any one of the five is acceptable).
Which city was located within the Eastern Roman Empire that is situated in the North African territory?
Alexandria
In early Arab society, what term was used for desert herders who traveled from oasis to oasis in search of water?
They were called Bedouin.
The Arabic numbers that were passed on to Europeans by Persian and Arab scholars were actually borrowed from which culture?
The Arabic numbers were originally borrowed from the Hindu culture.
The widespread use of coins and detailed records kept by Muslim merchants eventually led to the creation of what economic system?
These practices led to the development of a banking system.