Top 10 Muslim countries

Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco

Isnad

chain of testimony by which a hadith is transmitted

Constitution of Medina

formal agreement between Muhammad and all tribes that formed the first Islamic state and brought an end to the fighting between two clans in Medina

Hilya

calligraphic texts made by Muslims to show their devotion to Muhammad; adornment

Seal of prophet

title of Muhammad indicating that he was the last prophet and that his message supersedes that of earlier prophets

Akhbar

historical reports attributed to early Muslim authorities

Hadith

a narrative record of the sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions

Sunnah

the way of life prescribed as normative for Muslims on the basis of the teachings and practices of Muhammad and interpretations of the Quran

Sirah

Arabic term used for various traditional Muslim biographies of Muhammad

Ibn Sad

biographical dictionary of the 1^st generations of Muslims

Ibn Ishaq

collected oral traditions that formed the basis of an important bio of Muhammad

Aisha

One of Muhammad’s wives; spread his message

Khadijah

first wife of Muhammad whom she met when she was the widow of a wealthy merchant

Umma

nation/community found by Muhammad

Hijra

migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in June 622 CE

Nabi & rasul

Manat, Uzza, Allat

daughters of Allah

Quraysh

most powerful tribe of Mecca during the time of Prophet Muhammad

Kabah

small shrine located near the center of Great Mosque in Mecca; most sacred spot on Earth

Arabia

pastoral nomadison (ways to live in pasture areas); tribal system; move of tribes were based on seasons

Sassanian Empire

last Iranian empire before the rise of Islam

Zoroastrianism

ancient, pre-Islamic religion of Persia; believed in One God, judgement, heaven & hell

Byzantium Empire

imperial neighbor; religion developed into Monotheism; scattered areas of religious minority; gave generous salaries to religious classes

Jahiliyyah

: pre-Islamic period in the Arabian peninsula where Arab poetry was at its peak; occupied by nomads and tribes

Sunni

form of Muslim that believed that leaders should be elected

Shia

form of Muslim that believed that leaders should be relatives of the prophet

Hijiri calendar

Lunar calendar; year is 10 days shorter; 1AH-622AD; hijra marks beginning of calendar because that was when Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina

Mawlid

observance of Muhammad’s birthday which occurs on the 12^th day of the 3^rd month of the Islamic calendar

Tafsir

science of Quranic exegesis; interpretation of text

Ijaz al Quran

doctrine of inimitability of the Quran