Bentley Ch. 13 Islam
Multiple choice test based on Bentley Ch. 13 The Expansive Realm of Islam
- 1.
What in Muhammad's background may have influenced his acceptance of monotheism?
- A.
Muhammad's family had always been monotheistic
- B.
The Arab peninsula had equal numbers of monotheists and polytheists
- C.
Muhammad's wife had been raised as a monotheist
- D.
Muhammad was engaged in long-distance trade where he came into contact with monotheists
Correct Answer
D. Muhammad was engaged in long-distance trade where he came into contact with monotheistsExplanation
Muhammad's engagement in long-distance trade would have exposed him to different cultures and beliefs, including monotheism. Through his interactions with monotheistic traders, he would have had the opportunity to learn about and understand the concept of monotheism. This exposure and contact with monotheists could have influenced his acceptance and understanding of monotheism.Rate this question:
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- 2.
According to Islamic tradition, the Quran was compiiled from
- A.
Many different sources, including polytheistic writings
- B.
Revelations from Allah to Muhammad
- C.
Writings by followers who recorded Muhammad's sayings
- D.
The Jewish Old Testament
Correct Answer
B. Revelations from Allah to MuhammadExplanation
The Quran was compiled from revelations from Allah to Muhammad. This means that the content of the Quran was directly communicated by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran is considered the holy book of Islam and is believed to be the literal word of God. It is believed that the angel Gabriel delivered these revelations to Muhammad over a period of 23 years. The compilation of these revelations into a single book occurred after Muhammad's death.Rate this question:
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- 3.
In what way did the expansion of the Islamic faith progress through the rest of the Arab peninsula?
- A.
By rapid and peaceful means due to its message of peace
- B.
In violent warfare as Islam challenged both polytheists and the ruling elite
- C.
As a steady growth passed from merchant to merchant
- D.
Fairly swiftly as converts were attracted to the actions of the sufi mystics
Correct Answer
B. In violent warfare as Islam challenged both polytheists and the ruling eliteExplanation
The expansion of the Islamic faith progressed through the rest of the Arab peninsula in violent warfare as Islam challenged both polytheists and the ruling elite. This suggests that the spread of Islam was not solely peaceful or through peaceful means, but involved conflicts and battles with those who opposed the faith. The message of peace may have been a part of Islam, but the expansion itself was marked by confrontations and challenges to existing power structures.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Adherence to the Five Pillars of Islam are the foundation of Muslim faith. Which one was the first and most impportant one upon which all others are based?
- A.
Dedication to daily prayers facing Mecca
- B.
Acknowledgment of Allah as the only deity and Muhammad as his prophet
- C.
The Ramadan fast, with exceptions made for the young and infirm
- D.
Almsgiving to the poor by all who have the means to afford it
Correct Answer
B. Acknowledgment of Allah as the only deity and Muhammad as his prophetExplanation
The first and most important pillar of Islam is the acknowledgment of Allah as the only deity and Muhammad as his prophet. This pillar establishes the fundamental belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. It forms the basis of the entire Muslim faith and is the starting point for practicing the other pillars of Islam. By acknowledging Allah as the only deity and Muhammad as his prophet, Muslims affirm their submission to God and their acceptance of the teachings and guidance brought by Muhammad.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The origin of the split between the Shia and Sunnis was indicative of
- A.
Succession problems
- B.
Religious issues
- C.
Economic differences
- D.
Disagreements over the role of women
Correct Answer
A. Succession problemsExplanation
The split between the Shia and Sunnis originated from succession problems within the Islamic community. After the death of Prophet Muhammad, there was a disagreement over who should succeed him as the leader of the Muslim community. This led to a division between those who believed that leadership should remain within the Prophet's bloodline (Shia) and those who believed that it should be based on consensus (Sunnis). Therefore, succession problems were the main cause of the split between the Shia and Sunnis.Rate this question:
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- 6.
With the assistance of the ulema and qadis, how was the Abbasid empire administered?
- A.
It was decentralized into local governments
- B.
It was remarkably separate from the Islamic religion
- C.
It was split between two administrators, a secular leader and a religious leader
- D.
It was developed under the guidelines of the Quran and sharia
Correct Answer
D. It was developed under the guidelines of the Quran and shariaExplanation
The correct answer is that the Abbasid empire was developed under the guidelines of the Quran and sharia. This means that the administration of the empire was based on Islamic principles and laws, as dictated by the religious texts. The ulema and qadis, who were religious scholars and judges, played a significant role in governing and interpreting the laws of the empire. This ensured that the empire was governed in accordance with Islamic teachings and principles.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Within dar al-Islam, economics proved very successful. What was responsible for this success?
- A.
It was a zone of commerce and communication
- B.
It rejected agriculture for the promotion of industry
- C.
It decreed a uniform governmental policy across regions
- D.
European and Indian traders increased the number of valuable imports to the region
Correct Answer
A. It was a zone of commerce and communicationExplanation
Within dar al-Islam, economics proved very successful because it was a zone of commerce and communication. This allowed for the exchange of goods and ideas, leading to increased trade and economic growth. The interconnectedness of different regions within dar al-Islam facilitated the movement of goods and facilitated economic development. Additionally, the presence of European and Indian traders further contributed to the success of the economy by increasing the number of valuable imports to the region.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Women's roles in Islamic societies were eventually defined by
- A.
Their male relatives
- B.
The interaction between religion and region
- C.
Muhammad's sayings in the hadith
- D.
The Quran alone
Correct Answer
B. The interaction between religion and regionExplanation
The correct answer is "the interaction between religion and region." This is because the roles of women in Islamic societies were influenced by various factors, including religious teachings and practices, as well as the cultural and geographical differences within different regions. The interpretation and application of religious texts, such as the Quran and the sayings of Muhammad in the hadith, were influenced by the specific social, cultural, and historical contexts in which they were practiced. Therefore, the roles of women were shaped by the interaction between religion and the specific regional factors.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Islam quickly expanded through military means but why were Sufi missionaries so successful later on?
- A.
They combined fervent worship with strict adherence to local customs
- B.
Without goods to carry, they traveled farther than merchants
- C.
They combined deep personal devotion to Islam with a tolerance for regional culture
- D.
They converted many monarchs who convinced their people to follow the new religion
Correct Answer
C. They combined deep personal devotion to Islam with a tolerance for regional cultureExplanation
The Sufi missionaries were successful later on because they combined deep personal devotion to Islam with a tolerance for regional culture. This approach allowed them to connect with local communities and gain their trust and acceptance. By respecting and incorporating local customs and traditions, they were able to effectively spread the message of Islam and convert people to the religion. This approach also helped in establishing a sense of cultural unity and acceptance among the converted populations, making the spread of Islam more sustainable in the long run.Rate this question:
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- 10.
As the Arabs moved into India, they adopted Indian methods of mathematics, science, and medicine. What is their best known and most widely spread borrowed idea?
- A.
The concept of zero
- B.
Hindi numerals
- C.
Techniques of bookkeeping
- D.
Heliocentrism
Correct Answer
B. Hindi numeralsExplanation
The best known and most widely spread borrowed idea from India by the Arabs is the concept of zero. The concept of zero was introduced to the Arab world through Indian mathematicians and it revolutionized mathematics and science. It allowed for the development of advanced mathematical concepts and calculations, and eventually spread to the rest of the world, becoming an essential part of modern mathematics and science.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Both Islam and Buddhism are missionary religions. OUTSIDE of the message, what aspect of the sufis and monks would have the most appeal to new converts?
- A.
The possibility of leading an ascetic lifestyle
- B.
The opportunity to travel widely while following the missionaries
- C.
The possibility of escaping from one's social class
- D.
The profoundly pious example set by the missionaries
Correct Answer
D. The profoundly pious example set by the missionariesExplanation
The profoundly pious example set by the missionaries would have the most appeal to new converts because it showcases a strong devotion to their faith and a deep commitment to living a righteous and virtuous life. This can inspire and attract individuals who are seeking spiritual guidance and a role model to emulate. The sincerity and dedication demonstrated by the missionaries can be influential in convincing others to convert to their religion.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Both the caliphate and the Mauryan empire in India had successful administrations in their early years. When one compares the administrations, what basic difference exists?
- A.
The Mauryans had a secular government while the caliphate was a theocracy
- B.
The caliphate had no standing army while the Mauryans did
- C.
The Mauryans had one capital city while the caliphate operated from two
- D.
While the caliphs were tolerant of other religions, the Mauryans were not.
Correct Answer
A. The Mauryans had a secular government while the caliphate was a theocracyExplanation
The basic difference between the administrations of the Mauryan empire and the caliphate is that the Mauryans had a secular government, meaning that their government was not based on any specific religious beliefs and allowed for the freedom of religion. On the other hand, the caliphate was a theocracy, which means that the government was based on religious principles and the religious leader held significant power. This fundamental contrast in the nature of their governments shaped the way they governed and interacted with their subjects.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Like Buddhism and Christianity, Islam can be described as a derivative religion. Each grew out of another religious tradition through the efforts of one individual. In what way was Islam different from the others?
- A.
Neither of the others had practical rules for living daily lives
- B.
The spread of Islam was vastly more successful in a shorter period of time
- C.
Only Islam was spread through military conquest and missionary efforts
- D.
Only Islam had schools as centers of religious learning
Correct Answer
B. The spread of Islam was vastly more successful in a shorter period of timeExplanation
Unlike Buddhism and Christianity, Islam had a much more rapid and successful spread in a relatively shorter period of time. This can be attributed to various factors such as the military conquests and missionary efforts undertaken by early Islamic leaders. The expansion of the Islamic empire through military conquests provided a platform for the spread of the religion to new regions. Additionally, the active missionary efforts by Islamic scholars and leaders played a significant role in spreading the teachings of Islam to a wider audience. This key difference sets Islam apart from Buddhism and Christianity in terms of the speed and extent of its spread.Rate this question:
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 24, 2012Quiz Created by
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