Islam Quiz - year 8

Islam and Muslims

• Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with approximately 1.5 billion followers.
• The word "Islam" comes from an Arabic word meaning "submission," emphasizing the idea of submitting one's will to Allah's will.
• Muslims believe in one God, referred to as Allah in Arabic.

Beliefs and Pillars

• Muslims believe in the holy books of the Qur'an, Torah, Gospels, and Psalms.
• They believe in prophets, with Muhammad being the most important prophet in Islam.
• Muslims believe in the Five Pillars of Islam, which are essential practices for deepening their understanding of Allah and increasing spirituality.

Prophet Muhammad

• Muhammad was born in 570 CE in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and was orphaned at a young age.
• At 40, he received messages from Allah through the angel Gabriel (Jibril).
• He started preaching and teaching Islam, gaining a group of followers, but faced persecution, leading to the Hegira (flight) to Medina.
• Muhammad was influenced by Jewish beliefs, claiming descent from Abraham through Ishmael, not Isaac.

Comparison with Judaism

• Muslims believe in the Torah and other books from the Tanach, like Jews.
• There are similarities between Islamic and Jewish beliefs, such as prayer times, dietary restrictions, and modest dress.
• Muhammad's role is equivalent to Abraham and Moses in Judaism, with a focus on one God and revelations.

Spread of Islam

• After fleeing Mecca, Muhammad went to Medina, where he encountered three Jewish tribes.
• Initially, he hoped for a warm welcome, but the Jews rejected Islam, leading to conflicts and the eventual establishment of Islam as the dominant religion in Medina.
• Caliph Omar, one of the next leaders, spread Islam through conquests in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.

The Quran and Muslim Rule

• The Quran was written down by Caliph Othman after being passed down orally.
• Over time, Muslims reinterpreted passages of the Quran.
• The Pact of Omar allowed Jews and Christians to live under Muslim rule, but required them to pay taxes and restrict their public religious practices.

Test your knowledge of Islam and the Muslim faith with this quiz! From the basic principles and beliefs to historical figures and practices, see how much you know about one of the world's major religions.