Islam Vocab

Mecca: City in Saudi Arabia which is visited by millions of Muslims each year as part of the Hajj. Home of the Ka’aba. Medina: City in Saudi Arabia where first mosque was built. Move here becomes known as Hijrah for Muslims. Islam: a monotheistic religion that developed in Arabia in the seventh century A.D. Submission to the will of Allah. Muslim: One who has submitted. A follower of Islam.

Ka’aba: An ancient black, stone cube structure that was built by prophet Abraham as a house of monotheistic worship in Mecca. Qur’an: Sacred text for Muslims Alms: Give charity Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca each Muslim strives to make once in their lifetime.

Shari’a: a body of law governing the lives of Muslims Shi’a (Shi’ite): the branch of Islam whose members acknowledge Ali and his descendeants as the rightful successors of Muhammad Sunni: the branch of Islam whose members acknowledge the first four caliphs as the rightful successors of Muhammad Sufi: a Muslim who seeks to achieve direct contact with God through mystical means Caliph: a supreme political and religious leader in a Muslim government

Jihad: holy war waged on behalf of Islam against non-believers