- Islam
1) What were some characteristics of basic pre-Islamic religion?
2) After a series of revelations, Muhammad began to lay the foundation for Islam. How did the religion take shape under Muhammad?
Was Islam universally accepted from the beginning? Why or why not?
3) Briefly summarize the basic teachings of the Qur'an
4) List the five pillars or duties of a good Muslim
5) What were the reasons for the rapid expansion of Islam throughout the Middle East, India, China and Central and Southern Asia in
the century after the death of the Prophet?
6) What is the significance of the caliphate in the history of Islam? What roles have caliphs played throughout the years?
7) Summarize the different divisions within Islam. How are they different?
8) What were some of the reasons for the slowness with moved out the Middle Ages and into an industrial age?
9) What are the holy days in Islam and what is their significance?
a. Eid al-Fitr (feast of fast breaking) - first day of Shawwal, the month after ramadan, celebrate a return to normal life after the prolonged fast. feast last for 3 days. Muslim exchange gifts, visit friends and relatives and pay respect to the death.
b. Eid al-Adha(feast of Sacrifice) - this feast comes on the tenth of dhul-Hijjah, the month of pilgrimage. this celebration is to remember the time Abraham commanded to sacrifice his son Ishmael. during this day, head of the household have to kill an animal and provide a feast, some food is given to the needy in community.
c. New Year - the month of Muharram is the beginning of the Muslim year. also celebrated because it is belived to have been the month of the Hijra.
d. Maelid an-Nabi (birthday of Muhammad) - celebration for the birth of Muhammad on the twelfth day of the third month. there are processions, feasts and special community prayers in many place during this day.
10) What are some challenges facing Muslims and Islam today?
Islam has become an increasingly force in world politics. many of the Third world nation are Muslim and these nations are important to the world economy because they control vital natural resources. also, Islam is a growing religion in many parts of the world due to immigration of worker from Muslim nations to other non Muslim nations.