Chapter 3 Matching Exercise

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

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

State or crown lands.

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

Raids or raiding among Bedouin Arabs.

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.

A collection of sayings of the Prophet Muhammad that are considered the most important religious guide for Muslims apart from the Quran. Essentially the documentation of the Sunna or custom of the Prophet.

A tax paid by non-Muslims.

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.

Credibility

Spiritual leader of a Muslim community.

(Arabic: the way or path): Islamic law.