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Reader’s Guide
Chapter Eleven: Islamic Civilization
The Rise of Islam (Pages 372-378)
Geographical Information
 Arabia is a huge peninsula in southwestern Asia. It lies south of the Fertile Crescent and
east of Egypt. Today the region of Arabia contains several nations, including Yemen,
Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. While some of Arabia is desert, the coastal areas receive
enough rain to support agriculture.
 Towns and trade developed in fertile regions, at desert edges, and oases.
 Trade linked ancient Arabia with Egypt and Fertile Crescent.
Overview
Islam developed in the Arabian region. Islam means, “submit to the will of God/Allah” in
Arabic, the Arab language. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. The story and teachings of
Islam have been written down in the Quran, the most important book of Islam. Its words are
sacred to more than 1 billion Muslims in the world today.
Directions: Define the following vocabulary terms, people, and places in your vocabulary
notebook.
Vocabulary/People/Places
Definitions
1. oases
Green areas in a desert fed by underground water
2. sheikh
Leader of an Arab tribe
3. caravan
A group of traveling merchants and animals
4. Quran
Holy book of Islam
5. Bedouins
Desert herders who traveled from oasis to oasis for water and to
graze their camels, goats, and sheep
6. Muhammad
Founder of
Islam whose words are recorded in the Quran.
7. Makkah
Also known as Mecca, became the largest and richest trading area.
It was a crossroads for merchants and it was an important religious
site. The holiest place in Arabia was in this city.
8. Kaaba
Mecca’s temple-A low square building surrounded by statues of
gods and goddesses. Arabs believe the great stone inside the Kaaba
was from heaven.
9. Madinah/Medina
“The city of the prophet”- Yathrib welcomed Muhammad and his
followers and renamed the city Madinah
10.The Five Pillars
Five basic duties of all Muslims- purpose was to strengthen
Muslims’ ties to Allah and to other people.
11. Allah
Arabic word for God
12. Islam
Means “submit to the will of God” in Arabic.
13. Muslim
Followers of Islam
14. Pilgrimage
A journey for religious purposes
15. hijra
Arabic for “migration”- Muhammad’s hijra marked the turning point
in Islamic history. The year of the hijra, 622, marks the starting
point of the Islamic calendar.
16. mosque
Islam house of worship
17. minaret
Towers on a mosque where criers (announcers) stand to call people
to prayer five times a day
18. Khadijah
19. caliph
20. caliphate
21. Baghdad
22. House of Wisdom
23. cartography
24. bazaar
25. Omar Khayyam
26. Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
27. algebra
Muhammad’s wife
Means “successor to the prophet,” person chosen to govern the land
and the religion of Islam
Lands ruled by the caliph
Capital of the Muslim Caliphate from 700s until the 1200s. One of
the world’s largest cities with about 1 million people. 4 roads went
to all parts of the caliphate; important trading city, capital of modern
day Iraq
Huge library where ancient Greek, Roman, Indian works were
translated in Arabic
Map making
Open air market
Famous Muslim poet, wrote Rubaiyat
Muslim doctor
A type of mathematics used to solve different types of problems
What Did You Learn?
1. What are oases, and why were they important to Arabs?
Green areas in a desert fed by underground water
Towns and trade were able to develop
2. Why is the Quran important and name some of the activities that it prohibits.
Holy book of Islam
Contains a guide for the right way to live
Lists the Five Pillars
3. Why do you think Muhammad’s teachings were popular with poorer people?
Muslims must give to the poor
4. How did Muhammad link religion and government?
The Quran provided guidelines for Muslims’ lives and the governments of Muslim states.
5. Complete the Venn diagram to compare and contrast Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
Islam
Muhammad is prophet
Quran-holy book
A.D. 622
Place of worship-mosque
Allah, name for God
Imams lead prayers
2.5 % of total wealth
each year
Judaism
Hebrew Bible-Torah
Belief
Nomust
porkdeclare that there is noRabbis
Muslims
god but
are considered
No that
hierarchy
teachers
Allah and
Muhammad is his prophet.
Prayer
Muslims must pray five times per dayafter
facing
death-“world to
All
Three
toward the holy city of Makkah/Mecca.
come” after Messiah
Charity
No immediate life
Monotheistic
Muslims
must give to the poor.
2500 B.C.
Cannot eat certain
seafood
religions
Central prophet
Holymust
booknot eat from dawn to dusk
Muslims
Torah-1st five
Fasting
Charity
Judgment during the holy month of Ramadan.
books of the
Different branches
followed by
Christian Bible
heaven or hell Muslims must visit Makkah/Mecca
once in
10 % of income
Pilgrimage
their life.
goes to charity
Jesus is prophet
Christian Bible
A.D. 30
Some dietary restrictions
Hierarchy
Discourage alcohol
Christianity
6. Use the chart below to answer the questions that follow.
The Five Pillars of Islam
Belief
Muslims must declare that there is no god but
Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet.
Prayer
Muslims must pray five times per day facing
toward the holy city of Makkah/Mecca.
Charity
Muslims must give to the poor.
Fasting
Muslims must not eat from dawn to dusk
during the holy month of Ramadan.
Pilgrimage
Muslims must visit Makkah/Mecca once in
their life.
a) How many times should Muslims pray per day? 5
b) What city must Muslims face while praying? Mecca
c) How are The Five Pillars similar to the Ten Commandments?
Guidelines for the right way to live
d) When do Muslims fast? holy season of Ramadan
e) Are Muslims polytheistic or monotheistic? Explain.
Monotheistic-believe in one God, Allah
Main Ideas:
 The deserts, coastline, and oases of Arabia helped shape the Arab way of life.
 The prophet Muhammad brought the message of Islam to the people of Arabia.
 The Quran provided guidelines for Muslims’ lives and the governments of Muslim states.