Islam

The Middle East

Arabia is mostly desert.

The city of Mecca was a trading center and is the place where Islam began.

The founder of Islam is Muhammad.

He lived in Mecca and had a vision where an angel appeared and told him that he was a prophet.

He wrote down the messages he received and this became the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.

Islam spread in Arabia after being rejected at first.

Islamic Beliefs

Muslims believe in two sacred books. The Qur’an guides Muslims’ lives. The Sunnah tells Muslims of important duties

expected of them.

Did you know?

Islam is a monotheistic religion, just like Judaism and Christianity. That means it is

based on a belief in only one God.

Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam. They follow these five rules as they live their daily lives.

day.

Expansion of Islam

After Muhammad’s death, other Muslim leaders worked to spread Islam.

When their armies conquered lands, Islam slowly spread through the Middle East and into Africa, Asia, and Spain.

Muslim Cultural AchievementsScholars translated many ancient writings in astronomy, geography, math, and science from Greeks and Romans into Arabic. Then they improved upon what

they learned.

Astrolabe

Arab scholars improved upon this invention to figure out their location on the earth.

Astronomy

Muslim scientists made remarkable advances in astronomy. Geography

Muslim geographers made more accurate maps than were available before. They also developed better ways of calculating distances.

Medicine

Muslim doctors developed better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat many diseases.

Math

Muslim scholars laid the foundation for Algebra by combining two systems of mathematics from Indian and Greek systems.

Philosophy

Muslim philosophy led to the development of Sufism. Sufis celebrated their love of God through music and dance.

Literature

Poetry and short stories influenced by Islam were popular in the Muslim world.

Art

Muslim artists did not include people or animals in art, so they turned calligraphy, or decorative writing, into an art form. They used calligraphy to make sayings from the Qur’an into great works of art that they could use to decorate mosques.

MoreMuslim

Contributions

Practice Test Question

Muslim scholars and artists did all of the following except

a. Preserve ancient Greek writings.b. Create unique Islamic works of art.c. Preserve written Roman laws.d. Make important advances in

astronomy and geography.

The correct answer is C.

Practice Test Question

What is one way Islam is like Judaism and Christianity?

a. It is also a monotheistic religion.b. It was also founded by Muhammad.c. It also arose in the desert country of

Arabia.d. It also uses the New and Old

Testaments.

The correct answer is A.

Practice Test Question

Which statement does NOT describe the geography of Arabia?

a. There is little water or rainfall.

b. It is mostly a hot, dry, desert.

c. Mountains border the coasts.

d. Rivers and lakes exist in the north.

The correct answer is D.

Practice Test Question

Which of the following is NOT one of Muhammad’s teachings?

a. There is only one God, Allah.

b. The rich should help the poor.

c. All people are equal.

d. It is right to worship many gods.

The correct answer is D.

Practice Test Question

Fertile areas in deserts are called

a. Trade centers.

b. Dunes.

c. Oases.

d. Sand lakes.

The correct answer is C.