Chapter 3 Matching Exercise

alternate khalifa: Successor to the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community.

(Arabic: consultation): A committee or council, as well as the concept of “mutual consultation,” which the Quran prescribes as the preferred method for decision-making in government.

singular Sharif: Literally meaning “noble,” it is a title often given to those who are descended from the family of the Prophet Muhammad, the Hashimites. It is also something of an honorific title given to tribal or religious leaders. In this book it is also a reference to the so-called latecomers in the early Islamic period, a group of tribal shaykhs and other nobles from Arabia who migrated to Iraq, but because they converted to Islam later than earlier groups felt somewhat disadvantaged, especially in terms of salary (ata) and position, which they resented.

(Arabic: struggle): Often translated in the West as “holy war,” it has come to refer to those who fight in the way of Islam, or mujahideen (holy warriors). In traditional Islam, it refers as much to an inner struggle to become a better Muslim.

A Muslim’s standing or precedence in the community, which often determined one’s salary (ata) and position.

A senior military position in the Abbasid caliphate that came to surpass the civilian bureaucracy, effectively relegating the caliphs to ceremonial figureheads by 936. The term is translated as “commander of commanders.”

Credibility

State or crown lands.

Located in central to southern Iraq, this was an area of rich alluvial plains fed by intricate canals and irrigation systems. It was critical to the financial health of the Abbasid caliphate.

Salary paid to the military and administrators in early Islam, often, at least in theory, determined by one’s sabiqa, or precedence in Islam.

Raids or raiding among Bedouin Arabs.

A tax paid by non-Muslims.