World History Quiz: The Rise Of Islam

Muslims believe that the sacred word of Allah was revealed to Muhammed and is presented in the Quran. The Quran is considered the holy book of Islam and is believed to be the exact words of Allah as revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. It is considered the ultimate source of guidance and authority for Muslims, containing teachings on various aspects of life, including faith, morality, and social issues. The Quran is revered and recited by Muslims worldwide, and it serves as a source of inspiration, guidance, and spiritual nourishment for believers.

The Umayyad caliphs were able to expand their empire because the Persian and Byzantine empires were weak. With these powerful empires in a weakened state, the Umayyads took advantage of the opportunity and seized territories from them. The weakened state of their rivals allowed the Umayyads to easily conquer and expand their empire.

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Merchants in Mecca were initially hostile towards Muhammad because they believed that his teachings would disrupt their trade. Muhammad's teachings, which emphasized social justice and the rejection of idol worship, threatened the existing economic and social order in Mecca, where trade and the worship of multiple gods were central to the city's prosperity. The merchants feared that Muhammad's message would discourage pilgrims from visiting Mecca and participating in the lucrative trade that revolved around the city's religious rituals. Therefore, they saw his teachings as a threat to their economic interests and reacted with hostility towards him.

Muslim art follows the principles of Islamic beliefs, which include the prohibition of human figures in religious art. This is because Islam discourages the worship of idols or any form of representation of Allah or prophets. Additionally, secular art was not widely practiced or encouraged in Muslim societies, as religious themes and calligraphy were the predominant forms of artistic expression. Therefore, both statements about human figures not being allowed in religious art and secular art not being permitted are true in the context of Muslim art. The statement about paintings on canvas being the only art form available is not true, as Muslim art encompasses a wide range of mediums including ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and architecture.

Sufis were Muslim mystics who sought union with God through practices such as meditation, fasting, and dance. They believed in experiencing a direct connection with the divine and sought to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Sufism emphasized the importance of inner knowledge and personal experience of God rather than relying solely on external rituals and religious laws. The term "Sufi" is derived from the Arabic word "suf," meaning wool, which was the simple and humble clothing worn by early Sufis as a symbol of their detachment from material possessions.

Muslim handicrafts being generally organized by guilds is a generally true statement about Muslim economies of this time. Guilds were common in Muslim societies and played a significant role in organizing and regulating various economic activities, including handicraft production. These guilds provided support, protection, and training to artisans and ensured quality control and fair trade practices. They also facilitated the transmission of knowledge and skills across generations, contributing to the development and sustainability of Muslim handicraft industries.

The Safavid and Ottoman empires experienced conflict with each other because the Ottomans believed that the Safavids were heretics. This religious difference led to tensions and conflicts between the two empires. The Ottomans, who were Sunni Muslims, considered the Safavids, who were Shia Muslims, to be deviating from the true Islamic faith. This religious divide fueled animosity and resulted in frequent clashes and wars between the two empires.

Mecca is considered the holiest city in Islam because it is where Muhammad rededicated the Kaaba to Allah. The Kaaba is a sacred building in Mecca that is believed to have been originally built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. It is considered the most sacred site in Islam and the direction towards which Muslims around the world pray. Muhammad's rededication of the Kaaba to Allah solidified its significance as the central place of worship for Muslims, making Mecca the most revered city in the Islamic faith.