Chapter 2 Matching Exercise

Credibility

“Island” in Arabic, this is a reference to the geographic area across present-day north-central Syria and Iraq that fell between, like an island, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Daily prayers recited by Muslims and one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Meaning “one nature,” it is a reference to Christians who believe that Jesus Christ has one divine nature and not both human and divine, as in Diophysism.

Annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, considered to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims are expected to undertake the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.

(Arabic: community): The collective community of Islamic people throughout the world.

The tribe into which the Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca. It controlled trade and dominated in Mecca during the time of the Prophet.

The square shrine (draped in black silk embroidered with gold) that sits at the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is considered the most holy site in Islam. It is the point of orientation for Muslim prayer.

Giving of alms to the poor. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

The family of the Prophet Muhammad. Today, the monarchies in Jordan and Morocco claim descent from the family of the Prophet and therefore are considered Hashimite kingdoms.

(related, dhimmi) (Arabic: People of the Book): A term found in the Quran, designating Jews, Christians, and Sabians as believers in a revealed book, specifically the Bible or Torah. Special protections were extended to those deemed dhimmi or protected ones under Muslim rule, in return for a tax paid (jizya).

Members of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian religion in Egypt, or a more generic cultural term for Egyptian Christians.