The 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 in the 6th century

What took Muhammad to places beyond the Arabian Peninsula?

• Searching for a wife

• Heading the family jumping goats

• Conquering a vast empire

• Making caravan trips for trade

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

• a belief in one God (monotheism)

• a single social class

• a common language

• a central government

What geographic feature made Mecca a wealthy city?

• A sheltered harbor, much like Humboldt bay.

• deep mountain forests, like, you know, the redwood coast.

• It's location along trade routes

• Oasis water for agriculture

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

• Teach monothesim

• Defeat the Syrian rulers

• Write down the most important laws on an I-pad tablet

• 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 to everyone

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

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

• It records the words of God spoken by Gabriel.

• It is a collection of sermons by the prophet Muhammad

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

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

Why did the leaders of Mecca want to keep polytheism?

• It taught people to obey them.

• It kept the peach among the tribes

• It let them sell expensive idols.

• It brought pilgrims to the city, who spent money

How did some clans boycott Muhammad's clan?

• By tearing down their stores

• By shutting them up in caves

• By staging a siege of Medina

• By refusing to do business with them