Origins of Islam

Why is the city of Mecca important in Muslim tradition?

• Most Muslims today live there.
• It was the birthplace of Muhammad.
• It was the capital of the Umayyad empire.
• Muhammad moved there with his followers.

Why is the city of Mecca important in Muslim tradition?

• Most Muslims today live there.
• It was the birthplace of Muhammad.
• It was the capital of the Umayyad empire.
• Muhammad moved there with his followers.

What took Muhammad to places beyond the Arabian Peninsula?

• searching for a wife
• herding the family goats
• conquering a vast empire
• making caravan trips for trade

According to Islamic teachings, what did the angel Gabriel tell Muhammad to do?

• teach monotheism
• defeat the Syrian rulers
• write down the most important laws
• flee to the deserts of North Africa

The word Muslim means one who

• surrenders to God.
• follows Muhammad.
• preaches the one true faith.
• practices kindness toward all

What teaching by Muhammad most upset the leaders of Mecca?

• Children should learn to read.
• Women should have more rights.
• The rich should share their wealth.
• Trade with unbelievers was wrong.

How did some clans boycott Muhammad’s clan?

• by tearing down their stores
• by shutting them up in caves
• by staging a seige of Medina
• by refusing to do business with them

What is said to have happened on Muhammad’s Night Journey?

• A winged horse-like creature took him to Jerusalem.
• He met an angel in a cave near his home.
• He fled from Mecca to another city for safety.
• He visited his sleeping followers just before he died.

What action by Muhammad in Medina made that city important to his followers?

• He prayed with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus
• He lived there while he drew more people to Islam.
• He tore down the city walls and destroyed the ancient shrines.
• He delivered his Last Sermon, announcing that he would retire.

What does Monotheism mean?

• Belief in one God.
• Belief in two Gods.
• A contagious disease.
• A place that Muhammad traveled too.