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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Muhammad followed his religion and made the yearly spiritual retreat to a cave. Where was this cave?

2. There was more understanding of Islam by the eighteenth century. How did Islam become accepted?

3. According to Armstrong, what are most of the Western views of Islam based on?

4. When did Muhammad die?

5. When Muhammad preached, did he have any intention of forming a new religion?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened regarding Islam in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries?

2. What happened once Muhammad recited the Quran?

3. Describe Arab life at this time.

4. What is Jahiliyah?

5. Why were Muslims seen as the enemy of Christians, which led to the Crusades?

6. What is meant by umma? How did Arabs feel about this? Why?

7. How did Muhammad react to his first encounter with the angel Gabriel?

8. On what does Armstrong believe a religion should not be judged? Why might she feel this way?

9. When and why did Muhammad begin sharing God's message?

10. Why did Arabia not trust monotheism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the Crusades, both Christians and Muslims viewed the other as the infidel.

Part 1) Why did they feel this way? How did this affect their behavior?

Part 2) How does this attitude continue today? Why do many Muslims and Christians still feel this way about each other?

Part 3) What can be done to improve Muslim and Christian relations? How can Muslims and Christians learn to respect each other's beliefs? Is this possible in your lifetime? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Muhammad was very successful after the move to Medina.

Part 1) Describe the events leading up to the move to Medina. Why was Muhammad so successful in Medina? How did this affect the Quran? Was Muhammad's success good for the people of Arabia? Why or why not? Was it good for Islam? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does Muhammad's power affect him? How does this compare to those in power today?

Part 3) How dose Islam today reflect Muhammad's power at this time? Is this good or bad? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Muhammad had his greatest mystical experience while staying with his sister.

Part 1) Describe this mystical experience. What is your reaction to hearing this story? Is it surprising? Why or why not?

Part 2) How did this mystical experience change Muhammad, as well as the Quran? How does it also change the religion of Islam?

Part 3) Do you believe mystical experiences such as this can really take place? Why or why not? How might a mystical experience change your own life?

(see the answer keys)

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