Origins of Islam

Before Muhammad was born, the people of Arabia were united by

• A. a belief in one God.

• B. a single social class.

• C. a common language.

• D. a central government.

What took Muhammad to places beyond the Arabian Peninsula?

• A. searching for a wife

• B. herding the family goats

• C. conquering a vast empire

• D. making caravan trips for trade

What geographic feature made Makkah a wealthy city?

• A. sheltered harbor

• B. deep mountain forests

• C. location on trade routes

• D. oasis water for agriculture

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

• A. teach monotheism

• B. defeat the Syrian rulers

• C. write down the most important laws

• D. flee to the deserts of North Africa

The word Muslim means one who

• A. surrenders to God.

• B. follows Muhammad.

• C. preaches the one true faith.

• D. practices kindness toward all.

Why is the Qur’an the holy book of Islam?

• A. It tells the story of Muhammad's life and death.

• B. It records the words of God spoken by Gabriel.

• C. It is a collection of sermons by the prophet Muhammad.

• D. It records the history of the Arabs and the spread of Islam.

What teaching by Muhammad most upset the leaders of Makkah?

• A. Children should learn to read.

• B. Women should have more rights.

• C. The rich should share their wealth.

• D. Trade with unbelievers was wrong.

Why did the leaders of Makkah want to keep polytheism?

• A. It taught people to obey them.

• B. It kept peace among the tribes.

• C. It let them sell expensive idols.

• D. It brought pilgrims to their city.

How did some clans boycott Muhammad’s clan?

• A. by tearing down their stores

• B. by shutting them up in caves

• C. by staging a seige of Madinah

• D. by refusing to do business with them

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

• A. He prayed with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

• B. He lived there while he drew more people to Islam.

• C. He tore down the city walls and destroyed the ancient shrines.

• D. He delivered his Last Sermon, announcing that he would retire.