Islamic History Quiz

Who led the initial Muslim conquest of North Africa in the 7th century CE?

• Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi

• Sayyidina ’Umar ibn al-Khattab r.a.

• Sayyidina ‘Amr ibn al-‘As r.a.

• Khalifah al-Mansur

What was one of the main reasons Muslims expanded into Egypt?

• To conquer Roman forts

• To spread Islam and strengthen the Muslim world

• To control the Red Sea

• To escape conflict in Arabia

What was the name of the first capital city established by the Muslims in Egypt?

• Cairo

• Alexandria

• Al-Qahirah

• Fustat

Which group made Cairo their capital and spread Shi’ite ideology?

• Abbasids

• Umayyads

• Fatimids

• Mamluks

What was the original purpose of founding Al-Azhar University in 970 CE?

• To promote Islamic sciences

• To educate Mamluk leaders

• To promote Isma‘ili Shi’ism

• To preserve ancient Egyptian culture

Who abolished the Fatimid Empire and revived Sunni Islam in Egypt?

• Sayyidina ‘Amr ibn al-‘As r.a.

• Khalifah Harun ar-Rashid

• Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi

• Fatimah al-Fihri

What made Fez a hub of diversity during the early Islamic period?

• Its gold mines

• Its location near the Red Sea

• The migration of Berbers, Andalusians, Arabs, and Jews

• Its strong military forces

Who founded Al-Qarawiyyin University, and when?

• Salah ad-Din, 1171 CE

• Fatimah al-Fihri, 859 CE

• Idris I, 789 CE

• Harun al-Rashid, 750 CE

What was one of the key developments during the Merenid rule in Fez?

• Building the pyramids

• Translating Greek texts

• Developing a palace quarter and religious institutions

• Invading Cairo

What do Al-Azhar and Al-Qarawiyyin have in common?

• They were both founded by Fatimah al-Fihri

• They served as political capitals of Africa

• They became major centers of Islamic learning and still influence the Muslim world today

• They both promoted Shi’ite ideology until the 20th century