Unit 3: Middle EastStudy Guide Review By:Ms. Roelke

Crusades A series of religious wars launched against the

Muslims by European Christians.

Question #2 Involved Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Main Purpose: to gain or keep the Holy Land. Affect on Europe: many battles, monarchs

became more powerful. Effect on Jews: Jews continued to be

discriminated against.

Nomad People who move from place to place in

search for food.

Muhammad A man born in 570 CE, believed to be

the prophet of Allah. Created the religion Islam. Was approached by the angel Gabriel

explaining how he was the messenger of God.

Political leader in Mecca/Medina.

Qur’an The Islamic Holy Book. Believed to be the word of Muhammad

and Allah. Muslims show reverence to the Qur’an

by not letting it touch the ground and by keeping it from getting dirty.

Islam 3rd monotheistic religion. Followed by Muslims. Muhammad is the prophet, Allah is God. Follows of this religion must respect and

follow the 5 Pillars of Faith.

Sedentary People who remain in one place. Decide to settle there and create

permanent shelters.

Monotheistic The belief in only ONE God.

Religions (in the order they were created) which are monotheistic are: Judaism (#1) Christianity (#2) Islam (#3)

ALL THREE OF THESE RELGIONS BEGAN IN THE MIDDLE EAST!!!!

Polytheistic Belief in more than one god.

Five Pillars of Faith The most basic acts of worship for Muslims.

Question #1 1st Pillar: Shahadah: Submission to God; expression of their

devotion to Allah and Muhammad as the prophet. 2nd Pillar: Salat: Daily Prayer. 5 times a day facing the city of

Mecca. 3rd Pillar: Zakat: Almsgiving. Giving charity to the poor (2.5%

of income). 4th Pillar: Siyam: Ramadan, fasting from sun rise to sun set for

a whole month. Helps develop an understanding and sympathy for the poor.

5th Pillar: Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca where they circle the Ka’ba.

Caliph A title taken by Muslim rulers who

claimed religious authority to rule.

Jihad Internal or external struggle that one

must find ways to solve in their lives. Violence is the LAST solution.

Arabian Peninsula An area of land located between the Red

Sea and the Persian Gulf. Mecca is located on the Arabian

Peninsula. Current main country today: Saudi

Arabia.

Hajj 5th Pillar of Faith All Muslims are expected to take this

journey in order for them to reach heaven.

Muslims travel to the city of Mecca (where Muhammad was born). They travel to Medina then return to Mecca to circle the Ka’ba.

Mecca/Mekkah Located on the Arabian Peninsula. Place of Muhammad’s birth. Home of the Ka-ba.

All Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca when they perform their daily prayers.

Irrigation Systems Dams, Canals, Reservoirs, Levees, etc.

Purpose: to maintain water so the people never lose their water supply. Also gives easier access to the water supply.

Terrace Farming An adaptation used to help people get

the most out of the land. Process of cutting into the land, creating

flat land to plant crops. This method is mostly used in

mountainous areas.

Imam

An Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque.

Person who leads the prayer in the mosque. Similar to a minister in Christianity and a Rabbi in Judaism.

Minarets and Mosques Mosque: a place where Muslims go to

pray and show devotion to their God. (Church=Christianity; Mosque=Islam)

Minaret: a tower in a mosque where the call to worship is delivered.

Muslim Empire (Question #3) The Muslim Empire was able to maintain

its power through its cultural influence. Cultural Influence= religion

Why didn’t everyone follow Muhammad? (Question #4) Some people did not agree with

Muhammad’s teachings because they were polytheistic.

Also, rich merchants did not want to share their wealth with the poor.