Question 1

Question 2Who founded Islam? Give five main teachings of Islam.

Accepted Answer

Prophet Mohammad founded Islam.The five main teachings of Islam are:There is only one God, i.e., Allah and Mohammad is his Prophet.All Muslims must offer prayers (namaz) five times a day — at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, dusk and at night and on Friday afternoons he must offer prayer in the mosque.They must fast from sunrise to sunset throughout the holy month of 'Ramzan'.They must give alms (zakat) to the poor as an offering to Allah.They must make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Haj) at least once in their lifetime.

Question 2

Question 3Who were the Caliphs? Name the first four Caliphs.

Accepted Answer

The successors of Prophet Muhammad were known as Caliphs or Khalifas. The headquarters or the capital of the kingdom was called the Caliphate.The first four Caliphs were:Abu BakrOmarOsmanAli

Question 3

Question 4Who were Umayyads? State two acts of Abd al-Malik, which promoted Arab and Islamic identities.

Accepted Answer

The Umayyads were a prosperous clan of the Quraysh tribe. Under their dynasty the consolidation of Islam was done after destruction of caliphate based in Medina.Two acts of Abd al-Malik, which promoted Arab and Islamic identities were:He made Arabic the language of administration. He also got Arabic inscription struck on the gold dinar and silver dirham.He constructed a monument called the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. This monument is associated with the Night Journey of the Prophet to Heaven (miraj).

Question 4

Question 5Why were the Abbasids considered holy?

Accepted Answer

The Abbasids were considered holy because they claimed to belong to the same tribe to which the Prophet Mohammad belonged.

Question 5

Question 6Give two factors that helped in the growth of culture during the rule of the Abbasids.

Accepted Answer

Two factors that helped in the growth of culture during the rule of the Abbasids were:The Abbasid Empire was one of the most powerful and flourishing one as it included all the important centres of civilization in the area, i.e., parts of North Africa, Egypt, Spain, Iran and Iraq.They absorbed whatever was best in other cultures and civilizations and used them to further develop their knowledge.

Question 6

Question 7Explain the achievements of the Arabs in the field of science and literature.

Accepted Answer

The Arabs learnt the decimal system and zero from India, trigonometry and geometry from the Greeks and astronomy from the Persians. From Chinese they learnt the use of mariner's compass, manufacture of glass, paper, gun powder, the wheel barrow and printing. Al Razi and Ibn Sina were great scientists and physicians. The Arabs discovered new chemical compounds and made use of astrolabe for navigation.In the field of literature, the Persians made remarkable progress. The Caliph Al-Mamun set up a 'House of Wisdom' at Baghdad for translating into Arabic the works from Greek, Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and Persian civilisations. Some of the famous Persian Writers like Omar Khayyam and Firdausi are known for their great works like Rubiyat and Shah Namah respectively. The world renowned book Arabian Nights provides information on the life and culture of the Arabs.

Question 7

Question 8The 'House of Wisdom' was established at Baghdad.

Accepted Answer

Answer: Baghdad

Question 8

Question 1Study the picture and answer the following questions:(a) What are the people in the picture doing?(b) Name the religion they follow, the founder of that religion and their Holy Book.(c) Write the five main principles of their religion.

Accepted Answer

(a) The people in the picture are offering Namaz.(b) They follow Islam religion. The founder of Islam is Prophet Mohammad and their Holy Book is Quran(c) The five main principles of their religion are:There is only one God, i.e., Allah and Mohammad is his Prophet.All Muslims must offer prayers (namaz) five times a day- at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, dusk and at night and on Friday afternoons he must offer prayer in the mosque.They must fast from sunrise to sunset throughout the holy month of 'Ramzan'.They must give alms (zakat) to the poor as an offering to Allah.They must make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Haj) at least once in their lifetime.

Rise and Spread of Islam

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