UNIT VOCABULARYIslam (10/7/14)

Mecca: City in Saudi Arabia which is visited by millions of Muslims each year as part of the Hajj. Home of the Ka’aba.

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.

Jihad: to struggle or fight holy war waged on behalf of Islam against non-believers

Qur’an: Sacred text for Muslims

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

Caliph: a supreme political and religious leader in a Muslim government