Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 2 Rise and Spread of Islam

Rise and Spread of Islam

Important Words

• Mecca - The city in Arabia where Prophet Muhammad was born. It is a sacred place for followers of Islam.
• Medina - The town where Prophet Muhammad and his believers moved in the year 622 CE.
• Hijrat - This word describes the journey of Prophet Muhammad when he left Mecca for Medina in 622 CE.
• Hijri - The Islamic calendar system that starts from the year 622 CE.
• Abu Bakr - A loyal companion and follower of Prophet Muhammad who became the leader after the Prophet passed away.
• Khalifa or Caliph - This title refers to the successor of the Prophet. It was used for the leaders of the Islamic world during the Middle Ages.
• Al Beruni - A famous Muslim scholar who traveled to India alongside Mahmud of Ghazni. His writings provide valuable details about Indian culture, science, and beliefs of that time.

Time To Learn

Fill in the blanks

Question 1. Prophet Muhammad was born at ______ in AD 570.
Answer: Mecca
In simple words: Mecca is the city where Prophet Muhammad was born.

Exam Tip: Remember that Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia and is the holiest city in Islam.

Question 2. Muslims worship only one God ______.
Answer: Allah
In simple words: Followers of Islam pray to only one God, whom they call Allah.

Exam Tip: Monotheism, or the belief in one God, is the core foundation of Islamic belief.

Question 3. Muhammad preached against ______ worship.
Answer: idol
In simple words: Prophet Muhammad spoke out against praying to statues or physical objects.

Exam Tip: Focus on how this teaching challenged the existing religious practices of Arab tribes at that time.

Question 4. Prophet Muhammad’s successors were known as ______ or ______.
Answer: Caliphs or Khalifas
In simple words: The leaders who ruled after Prophet Muhammad were called Caliphs.

Exam Tip: Be prepared to name the first four Caliphs, who are highly respected in Islamic history.

Question 5. The greatest king of Abbasid dynasty was ______.
Answer: Harun-Al-Rashid
In simple words: Harun-Al-Rashid was the most famous ruler of the Abbasid empire.

Exam Tip: Remember this ruler's connection to the golden age of science and culture in Baghdad.

Match Column A with Column B

Question 6. Match Column A with Column B:

Answer:
1. Mecca - (d) Birthplace of Prophet
2. Quran - (e) Holy book of Islam
3. Zakaat - (a) Alms
4. AD 632 - (b) Death of Prophet
5. AD 622 - (c) First year of Muslim calendar
In simple words: This activity matches important Islamic terms, books, and years with their meanings.
Exam Tip: Double-check key dates like 622 AD (the migration or Hijrat) and 632 AD (the passing of Prophet Muhammad) to avoid mixing them up.

State whether the following statements are True or False

Question 7. Muhammad was born at Medina.
Answer: False. The birthplace of Prophet Muhammad was Mecca.
In simple words: This is false because the Prophet was born in Mecca.

Exam Tip: Mecca is the birth city, while Medina is where he later migrated.

Question 8. He shifted from Mecca to Medina in AD 615.
Answer: False. He moved from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 CE.
In simple words: This is false. He made the journey to Medina in 622 AD.

Exam Tip: 622 AD is the starting point of the Hijri calendar, so remember this specific year.

Question 9. A Muslim should not worship an idol.
Answer: True. Islam teaches that believers should not pray to statues or images.
In simple words: This is true. Islamic teachings forbid praying to statues.

Exam Tip: Monotheism is central to Islam, meaning only Allah is worshipped.

Question 10. Abu Bakr was the last Khalifa.
Answer: False. Abu Bakr was actually the first successor, and Ali was the fourth.
In simple words: This is false. Abu Bakr was the first Caliph, not the last one.

Exam Tip: Learn the chronological order of the first four Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, and Ali.

Question 11. The Ottoman Turks Captured Constantinople in AD 1480.
Answer: False. The Ottoman Turks conquered the city of Constantinople in 1453 CE.
In simple words: This is false. The fall of Constantinople happened in 1453.

Exam Tip: The year 1453 is a major milestone in world history as it marks the end of the Byzantine Empire.

Answer the following questions briefly

Question 12. Discuss the early life of Muhammad.
Answer: Prophet Muhammad worked as a successful merchant during his early years. In the year 610 AD, he had a spiritual vision and became a prophet. He declared himself the messenger of Allah and began to share His message. He taught people to stop worshipping idols. At this time, Arabian tribes worshipped multiple deities and performed many rituals. They strongly disliked his new teachings. Because of this anger, Muhammad and his followers had to leave Mecca. They moved to Medina in 622 AD. This historic journey is called the Hijrat.
In simple words: Muhammad was a trader who became a prophet in 610 AD. He had to flee from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD because of his teachings.

Exam Tip: Use key terms like "merchant", "610 AD", "idol worship", and "Hijrat" to secure full marks in your explanation.

Question 13. Describe the teachings of Muhammad.
Answer: Some of the key teachings of Prophet Muhammad include:
1. There is only one God, who is supreme, wise, and kind.
2. Praying to statues or images is wrong, and people must avoid it.
3. The Holy Quran is a sacred book with complete authority.
4. Good and faithful people will reach heaven, while wrongdoers will go to hell.
5. Every human being is equal, and nobody is better than anyone else.
6. Followers must perform five main duties - Kalima (or Raima), Namaz, Zakaat, Ramzan, and Haji.
7. Servants and slaves must be treated with kindness and mercy.
8. Women should be treated with respect and should wear a veil (purdah).
9. Everyone must avoid bad habits like drinking and gambling, and they must respect older people.
In simple words: The main teachings of Muhammad tell people to believe in one God, treat others equally and kindly, and follow religious duties.

Exam Tip: When listing these teachings, make sure to cover both social aspects (like equality and kindness) and religious duties.

Question 14. What are the five main religious obligations of Islam.
Answer: Followers of Islam have five key duties, which are known as the Five Pillars:
1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith): The primary duty is to state that there is no other god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.
2. Salat (Daily Prayer): Believers must pray five times a day, and attend mosque services on Friday afternoons.
3. Zakaat (Charity): Giving a portion of one's wealth to help needy people is a sacred duty.
4. Sawm (Fasting): Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramzan.
5. Haj (Pilgrimage): Anyone who is physically and financially capable should visit Mecca at least once in their life.
In simple words: The five obligations are declaring faith, praying daily, giving charity, fasting during Ramzan, and visiting Mecca.

Exam Tip: Memorize both the Arabic terms (like Salat and Zakaat) and their English meanings to secure full marks.

Question 15. Discuss the spread of Islamic civilisation after the passing away of Prophet Muhammad.
Answer: After the Prophet died, the leaders of the Muslim community were called Caliphs. These Caliphs held both spiritual and political power. The first four Caliphs were Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, and Ali. In less than a hundred years, these leaders and their armies expanded their territory. They took control of regions like Iran, Syria, Egypt, parts of Central Asia, North Africa, and Spain.
In simple words: After the Prophet, leaders called Caliphs helped spread the Islamic empire into Asia, Africa, and Europe within a century.

Exam Tip: Be sure to mention the dual role (religious and political) of the Caliphs and name at least three regions they conquered.

Question 16. Describe the main contributions of the Umayyads and the Abbasids.
Answer: The key achievements of the Umayyad Dynasty include:
1. They relocated the capital city to Damascus in Syria.
2. They expanded the borders toward India, China, North Africa, and Spain.
3. Arabic was made the formal language of the empire.
4. They introduced a common Arab currency.
5. They constructed a network of roads.
6. They established efficient postal services.

The major achievements of the Abbasid Dynasty include:
1. They built their new capital at Baghdad, situated near the ancient ruins of Ctesiphon.
2. They reformed the military and administration so that people from non-tribal backgrounds, like Iraq and Khurasan, could join.
3. They supported religious scholars and schools, which made the role of the Caliph more respected.
4. They preserved beautiful building styles and royal court traditions from the earlier dynasty.
In simple words: The Umayyads moved the capital to Damascus, made Arabic the official language, and built roads. The Abbasids moved the capital to Baghdad and supported learning and science.

Exam Tip: Clearly separate the contributions of the Umayyads (like Damascus and currency) from the Abbasids (like Baghdad and the promotion of scholars).

Additional Questions - Rise and Spread of Islam

Fill in the blanks

Question 17. Prophet Muhammad, the founder of ______, was born in ______ in the year 570 CE.
Answer: Islam, Mecca
In simple words: Muhammad founded Islam and was born in the city of Mecca.

Exam Tip: Note that "CE" stands for Common Era, which is the same as AD.

Question 18. Muhammad forbade ______ worship and stressed the importance of ______ and ______ behaviour.
Answer: idol, God, kind
In simple words: The Prophet told people not to worship statues and asked them to be kind.

Exam Tip: Remember that kind behavior is treated as a major virtue in Islamic teachings.

Question 19. The two holy places of the Muslims are ______ and ______.
Answer: Mecca and Medina
In simple words: Mecca and Medina are the two most sacred cities in the Islamic world.

Exam Tip: Be ready to explain why both cities are important in the history of the Prophet's life.

Question 20. Muhammad was succeeded by ______, who was known as Caliph. He transformed the Arabs into an excellent ______ force and inspired them to carry the word of ______ throughout the world.
Answer: Abu Bakr, fighting, Allah
In simple words: Abu Bakr took over after the Prophet, and he led the Arab forces to share their faith globally.

Exam Tip: Abu Bakr played a critical role in uniting the Arab tribes right after the Prophet's death.

Question 21. The first Arab expedition to India took place in ______ under the leadership of ______.
Answer: 712 CE, Muhammad bin Qasim
In simple words: An Arab force led by Muhammad bin Qasim first entered India in the year 712 CE.

Exam Tip: The conquest of Sindh in 712 CE is a major date to remember for Indian medieval history.

Match the following

Question 22. Match the following:

Answer:
1. Mecca - (d) pilgrimage
2. Hijri - (e) Muslim calendar
3. Abbasid Caliphs - (a) magnificent Arab civilization
4. Ramzan - (b) fasting
5. Baghdad - (c) repository of the cultural heritage of the ancient world
In simple words: This matches terms related to early Islamic history and culture with their direct descriptions.
Exam Tip: Baghdad was a world-famous center of learning where ancient texts were preserved and translated.

Choose the correct answer

Question 23. As a young man, Muhammad worked as a:
(a) trader
(b) farmer
(c) craftsman
Answer: (a) trader
In simple words: Before becoming a prophet, Muhammad earned his living by trading goods.

Exam Tip: Knowing his background as a trader helps explain his travels across Arabia.

Question 24. During Muhammad’s time, the Arabs were divided into a number of:
(a) kingdoms
(b) tribes
(c) empires
Answer: (b) tribes
In simple words: Long ago, Arab society was split into many separate groups called tribes.

Exam Tip: These tribes often fought each other before they were united under Islam.

Question 25. Muslims must say their prayers:
(a) four times a day
(b) five times a day
(c) six times a day
Answer: (b) five times a day
In simple words: Followers of Islam are required to pray five times every single day.

Exam Tip: This daily prayer is known as Salat, one of the primary duties in Islam.

Question 26. The Abbasid Caliphs shifted the Caliphate from Damascus to:
(a) Medina
(b) Mecca
(c) Baghdad
Answer: (c) Baghdad
In simple words: The Abbasid rulers moved their capital city from Damascus to Baghdad.

Exam Tip: Baghdad became a famous global center for science, culture, and books.

Question 27. The Arab traders established trade settlements on the ______ coast of India.
(a) eastern
(b) western
(c) southern
Answer: (b) western
In simple words: Arab merchants set up their trading bases along the western coast of India.

Exam Tip: The Malabar coast of Kerala was a key area where these early Arab trade bases grew.

State whether the following are true or false

Question 28. The Medieval Period in India stretches from the 8th century CE to the 16th century.
Answer: False. The Medieval era in India actually goes from the 8th century CE until the 18th century CE.
In simple words: This is false because the medieval period in India ended in the 18th century.

Exam Tip: Remember that the 18th century marks the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of British power.

Question 29. Before the rise of Islam, the Arabs practised idol worship.
Answer: True. Prior to the spread of Islam, Arab tribes worshipped statues and many gods.
In simple words: This is true. People in Arabia used to pray to statues before Islam began.

Exam Tip: These statues were kept inside the Kaaba in Mecca before the city converted to Islam.

Question 30. The Arab empire under the Abbasid Caliphs was one of the most powerful and enlightened regions in the world.
Answer: True. During the Abbasid rule, the empire became a highly advanced center of power and education.
In simple words: This is true. The Abbasid empire was very rich, strong, and full of smart scholars.

Exam Tip: This era is often called the Islamic Golden Age because of its great progress in science and learning.

Question 31. The occupation of Sind ended with the death of Muhammad bin Qasim.
Answer: True. Arab control over Sindh came to an end after the passing of Muhammad bin Qasim.
In simple words: This is true. When Muhammad bin Qasim died, the Arab rule in Sindh finished.

Exam Tip: Although the initial occupation ended, this event opened the door for future trade and cultural links between Arabs and Indians.

Question 32. In the 9th century CE, the power of the Caliphs declined.
Answer: True. During the 800s CE, the political strength of the Caliphs started to weaken.
In simple words: This is true. The Caliphs began to lose their power during the 9th century.

Exam Tip: A key reason for this decline was the rising power of local governors and military commanders.

Answer the following questions in one or two words or sentences

Question 33. Where was Prophet Muhammad born?
Answer: Prophet Muhammad was born in the Arabian city of Mecca.
In simple words: He was born in Mecca.

Exam Tip: Keep your answer direct and name Mecca.

Question 34. What important event took place in Muhammad’s life around 610 CE?
Answer: At around forty years of age, Muhammad experienced a spiritual revelation from God. This event marked the beginning of his role as a prophet and led to the creation of Islam.
In simple words: Around 610 CE, Muhammad received a message from God and started the religion of Islam.

Exam Tip: Mention that he was about 40 years old and received the divine revelation.

Question 35. What does the term Hijrat mean?
Answer: The word Hijrat means the historical migration of Prophet Muhammad and his close followers from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 CE.
In simple words: Hijrat is the journey Muhammad took when he moved from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

Exam Tip: Note that this journey is the starting point of the Islamic calendar.

Question 36. What title did Abu Bakr assume after he succeeded Prophet Muhammad?
Answer: Abu Bakr took on the title of Khalifa, which is also written as Caliph.
In simple words: He was called the Caliph.

Exam Tip: Remember that Caliph means the successor to the Prophet.

Question 37. Under whose reign did the Arabs achieve their greatest heights of intellectual and cultural excellence?
Answer: The Arab world reached its peak in learning and art during the era of the Abbasid rulers.
In simple words: This happened under the Abbasid rulers.

Exam Tip: This peak is connected to the growth of cities like Baghdad.

Question 38. Why was the House of Wisdom established?
Answer: The House of Wisdom was built in Baghdad to follow the Prophet's advice on seeking knowledge. It served as a center to translate important books from ancient societies - like Greek, Indian, and Persian - into the Arabic language.
In simple words: It was built in Baghdad to translate wise books from other lands into Arabic so Arabs could study them.

Exam Tip: Name Baghdad as the city and mention translation as its main purpose.

Question 39. Which Arab city became the preserve of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world?
Answer: The city of Baghdad became the primary center for keeping and saving the ancient world's cultural treasures.
In simple words: Baghdad was the city that kept all the ancient knowledge safe.

Exam Tip: Baghdad's library system was unmatched in the medieval world.

Question 40. What were the chief items of export and import in India’s trade relations with the Arabs?
Answer: During this time, India mainly sent pepper, fine muslin cloth, and indigo dye to the Arab world. In return, India bought expensive luxury goods and excellent horses from Arabia.
In simple words: India sold spices and cloth to the Arabs, and bought fine horses and luxury goods from them.

Exam Tip: Specify that pepper and muslin were major exports, and horses were a key import.

Question 41. Why were the Indians not receptive to Arab learning and civilization during this period?
Answer: Many Hindus chose to keep their culture separate and rejected outside influences. They believed that no other nation had as much scientific knowledge as India. For this reason, they did not welcome Arabic learning.
In simple words: Indians stayed separate because they believed their own science was already the best in the world.

Exam Tip: Use the term "exclusiveness" or "self-satisfaction" to describe the attitude of scholars in India at that time.

Question 42. Name any one independent state established by the Turks in Central Asia.
Answer: The Turkish leaders founded independent states like Ghazni and Ghor in Central Asia.
In simple words: Ghazni and Ghor were two states set up by the Turks.

Exam Tip: Knowing Ghazni and Ghor is important because rulers from these states later invaded India.

Answer the following questions briefly

Question 43. Why did Muhammad shift from Mecca to Medina? Discuss the events that followed this move.
Answer: Prophet Muhammad's opposition to idols and his message of kindness upset the wealthy leaders of Mecca. Facing danger, he and his small group of believers fled to Medina in 622 CE. This journey is called the Hijrat. Following this move, Islam found a safe place to grow, and the Islamic calendar begins from this very year.
In simple words: Muhammad left Mecca because rich people did not like his ideas against statues. He went to Medina, and this move helped Islam grow.

Exam Tip: Break your answer into two parts: first, why he had to leave Mecca (opposition to idols); second, what happened next (migration called Hijrat).

Question 44. State the main principles of Islam.
Answer: The core rules of Islam are:
1. People must believe in one God, Allah, with Muhammad as His messenger, and pray five times a day facing Mecca.
2. Everyone must fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramzan.
3. Believers must share a portion of their money to help poor people.
4. If they have the health and money, they must make a trip to Mecca once in their lifetime.
In simple words: The main rules are believing in one God, praying five times daily, fasting, giving charity, and visiting Mecca.

Exam Tip: List these four basic principles clearly using bullet points for better marks.

Question 45. The greatest intellectual and cultural excellence was seen during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphs. Discuss.
Answer: The Abbasids shifted their headquarters from Damascus to Baghdad. Over the next 150 years, their territory became a leading center of education and wealth. Arab scholars eagerly collected and learned from other cultures. Under the direction of the Caliphs, they established the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. Here, books from Greek, Indian, Persian, and Chinese civilizations were translated into Arabic, saving these treasures for future generations.
In simple words: The Abbasids made Baghdad a great city of learning. They collected wise books from Greece, India, and Persia, and translated them into Arabic.

Exam Tip: Be sure to mention "Baghdad", the "House of Wisdom", and the translation of ancient texts to show cultural achievements.

Question 46. What knowledge did the Arabs gather from (a) Indian and (b) various other ancient civilizations?
Answer:
(a) From India, Arab scholars gained deep knowledge in math, medical science, star-gazing (astronomy), philosophy, and how to govern.
(b) From other ancient societies, they learned:
1. China: They learned how to make paper, craft glass, and use the compass for sailing.
2. Greece: They learned advanced geometry.
3. Persia: They adopted ideas about astronomy.
In simple words: Arabs learned math and medicine from India. They learned paper making from China, geometry from Greece, and astronomy from Persia.

Exam Tip: Use a clean list to separate the contributions of India from those of China, Greece, and Persia.

Picture Study

Question 47(i). Name (a) their religion (b) their holy book and (c) the founder of their religion.
Answer: (a) Islam, (b) The Holy Quran, (c) Prophet Muhammad.
In simple words: The religion is Islam, the holy book is the Quran, and the founder is Prophet Muhammad.

Exam Tip: Always spell names like "Muhammad" and "Quran" correctly in your exam answers.

Question 47(ii). Name the two holy places of the Muslims.
Answer: The two sacred places are Mecca and Medina.
In simple words: The two holy cities are Mecca and Medina.

Exam Tip: Mecca is where the Kaaba is located, and Medina is where the Prophet's mosque stands.

Question 47(iii). Why does the Muslim calendar begin from the year 622 CE?
Answer: In the year 622 CE, the Prophet and his small group of believers fled Mecca to go to Medina. This migration is called the Hijrat. The Islamic Hijri calendar begins from this historic year to mark the start of their community.
In simple words: The calendar starts in 622 CE because that was the year Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina.

Exam Tip: Remember that "Hijri" is the name of the Muslim calendar, which is a lunar calendar.

Question 47(iv). Mention any four important principles of the religion.
Answer: Four fundamental tenets of Islam are:
1. Stating that there is only one God, Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet.
2. Saying daily prayers five times.
3. Sharing some wealth to help poor and needy people.
4. Going on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
In simple words: The four rules are believing in one God, praying daily, helping the poor, and traveling to Mecca.

Exam Tip: These are part of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the base of Islamic life.

Question 47(v). Briefly describe the role of Abu Bakr in the spread of this religion.
Answer: Abu Bakr gathered the Arab forces and built them into a very strong army. He and the leaders after him inspired soldiers to spread the message of Allah. Through their efforts, they won control over large areas, extending their empire from Spain and North Africa all the way to Syria, Iran, and Central Asia.
In simple words: Abu Bakr made the Arab army strong. He led them to spread the religion to places like Spain, Egypt, and Iran.

Exam Tip: Emphasize his work in uniting the tribes and creating a powerful army that expanded the empire's borders.