Deck 18: The Islamic World

Question 1

This book illustrates the most respected form of Muslim calligraphy.

A) Masjid
B) Mihrab
C) Koran
D) Court of the Lions

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Often mosques include one or more _______, which mark the building's location and are used by chanters who ascend and call the faithful to prayer.

A) minarets
B) mihrabs
C) qiblas
D) qalams

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Define the term "Madrasa."

Answer 3

A "Madrasa" (also spelled "Madrasah" or "Madresa") is an educational institution in the Islamic world. The term is derived from the Arabic word "dars," which means lesson or study, and it traditionally refers to a school where Islamic subjects are taught. Madrasas can range from primary schools to higher education institutions, and they focus on teaching the Quran, Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and other religious studies.

Madrasas have been a central part of Islamic education since the Middle Ages, providing religious training and scholarship. They often serve as centers for learning Islamic theology and law, but their curricula can also include subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy, depending on the institution and its resources.

In modern times, the term "Madrasa" has been used more broadly to refer to any type of religious school within the Muslim community, whether it is part-time, full-time, for children, or for adults. While many madrasas continue to focus on traditional Islamic education, some have expanded their curricula to include secular subjects, in line with modern educational standards.

It is important to note that the term "Madrasa" can carry different connotations in various contexts. In some regions, madrasas are seen as bastions of learning and scholarship, while in others, they may be viewed with suspicion due to concerns about radicalization. However, the vast majority of madrasas around the world are simply places of learning and religious instruction, playing a significant role in the cultural and educational landscape of Muslim societies.

Question 4

What is the meaning of the word "mosque"?

Question 5

Why are there no representations of the human figure in Islamic religious art?

Question 6

The Great Mosque is complete with a _______ to mark the building's location and to allow the faithful to be called to prayer by a chanter.

A) minaret
B) mosque
C) turret
D) barbican

Question 7

One way in which Islamic art is unlike Western art is that it prohibits:

A) ceramics and pottery
B) abstract art
C) painting and drawing
D) figural art in a religious context

Question 8

How did Persian carpets spread design ideas from one place to another? Explain using an example.

Question 9

Shah Jahan commissioned this structure as a tomb for his favorite wife.

A) the Hagia Sophia
B) the Great Mosque
C) the Suleymaniye Mosque
D) the Taj Mahal

Question 10

Explain how the building and location of an Islamic mosque are specific to its function.

Question 11

Discuss the style and look of the Taj Mahal. Explain the setting, the purpose of the garden and the inscription from the Koran. Would the companion tomb of the Shah Jahan have improved the site? Why or why not?

Question 12

Explain the reasons why Sinan is considered the greatest architect of Islam. Why isn't the architect of the Taj Mahal considered as great?