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Quizzes > History

Islamic history quiz: Rise of Islam

Quick, free early Islam quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jessica Patton LmtUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper cut illustration of desert dunes mosque pages and question mark icons rise of islam quiz on golden yellow background

Use this Islamic history quiz on the rise of Islam to check key beliefs, events, and early leaders. It highlights what you know and where to review before a test, with quick feedback as you go. For more practice, try the free islam quiz or explore Quran test questions.

What is the literal meaning of the Arabic word 'Islam'?
Community
Prayer
Peace
Submission to God
The word 'Islam' derives from the Arabic root S-L-M, which means submission or surrender, specifically to the will of God. It emphasizes the act of willingly submitting oneself to divine guidance. This concept is central to the faith and practice of Muslims around the world.
Who is considered the founder and final prophet of Islam?
Moses
Jesus
Muhammad
Abu Bakr
Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last prophet sent by God, bringing the final revelation in the form of the Quran. He is considered the founder of Islam because he received and preached the message from Allah. His life and teachings form the basis of Islamic theology and practice.
In which city was Prophet Muhammad born?
Damascus
Medina
Jerusalem
Mecca
Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 CE in the tribe of Quraysh. Mecca was then a significant religious and commercial center in the Arabian Peninsula. His birthplace later became the holiest city in Islam, attracting millions of pilgrims each year.
What is the holy book of Islam called?
Quran
Hadith
Bible
Torah
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad. It is composed of 114 chapters called surahs and is written in classical Arabic. Muslims use the Quran as guidance for theology, morality, and law.
Which pillar of Islam is the declaration of faith?
Salat
Shahada
Hajj
Zakat
The Shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith, stating 'There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.' It is the first of the Five Pillars and the fundamental statement that defines a person as a Muslim. Reciting it with belief is essential for embracing Islam.
During which month do Muslims observe fasting from dawn to sunset?
Shawwal
Dhu al-Hijjah
Muharram
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which adult Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is seen as a time of spiritual reflection and increased devotion. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called iftar.
What is the name of the pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca required of Muslims at least once in their lifetime?
Zakat
Umrah
Salat
Hajj
The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that every adult Muslim must undertake at least once if physically and financially able. It occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and includes a series of rituals such as the Tawaf around the Kaaba. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and unites Muslims from around the world.
What do Muslims call the community of believers?
Masjid
Hadith
Ummah
Zakat
The term 'Ummah' in Arabic refers to the global community of Muslim believers. It reflects the unity and brotherhood that transcends ethnic and national boundaries. The concept emphasizes collective responsibility and support among Muslims.
What event does the term 'Hijrah' refer to in Islamic history?
Battle of Badr
The Night Journey
Migration from Mecca to Medina
Conquest of Jerusalem
The Hijrah refers to the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib (later called Medina) in 622 CE. This event marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. It was a turning point that allowed the Muslim community to establish a political and religious foundation.
In which year did the Hijrah occur, marking the start of the Islamic calendar?
622 CE
610 CE
632 CE
570 CE
The Hijrah took place in 622 CE when Muhammad and his followers moved to Medina. Muslims use this year as the starting point of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. It is denoted as 1 AH (Anno Hegirae).
What was the name of the first Muslim community-state established in Medina?
Caliphate of Rashidun
Emirate of Mecca
Medinan Ummah
Kingdom of Hijaz
After the Hijrah, Muhammad established a political and religious community in Medina known as the Medinan Ummah. It was governed by the Constitution of Medina, which outlined rights and responsibilities of Muslims and allied tribes. This community-state model became the prototype for future Islamic governance.
Which battle is considered the first major military victory for the early Muslims?
Battle of the Trench
Battle of Badr
Battle of Khaybar
Battle of Uhud
The Battle of Badr occurred in 624 CE and was the first major military engagement between the Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh of Mecca. Despite being outnumbered, the Muslims achieved a decisive victory, which boosted morale and solidified Muhammad's leadership.
Who succeeded Prophet Muhammad as the first Caliph?
Abu Bakr
Umar ibn al-Khattab
Ali ibn Abi Talib
Uthman ibn Affan
After Muhammad's death in 632 CE, Abu Bakr was selected as the first Caliph by the Muslim community. His leadership helped consolidate the nascent Muslim state and suppress internal rebellions known as the Ridda Wars. Abu Bakr's caliphate set precedents for future Muslim rulers.
What term is used for the first four Rashidun Caliphs who ruled after Muhammad's death?
Abbasids
Umayyads
Fatimids
Rashidun Caliphs
The first four caliphs - Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali - are known as the Rashidun Caliphs, meaning 'Rightly Guided.' Their rule from 632 to 661 CE is often considered a golden age of Islamic governance, with significant territorial expansion and administrative developments.
What is the Arabic term for the codified collection of Muhammad's sayings and actions?
Sunnah
Fiqh
Sharia
Hadith
Hadith refers to recorded traditions of Muhammad's sayings and actions, which, along with the Quran, form the basis of Islamic law and practice. Scholars collected and authenticated thousands of hadiths in the centuries following Muhammad's death.
Which Arabic word describes the community consensus that serves as a source of Islamic law?
Fatwa
Ijma
Qiyas
Ijtihad
Ijma refers to the consensus of Islamic scholars on legal issues and is considered one of the primary sources of Sharia law alongside the Quran and Sunnah. It reflects collective reasoning to resolve questions not explicitly addressed in foundational texts.
What was the Constitution of Medina primarily designed to do?
Compile the Quran into a single text
Unify Muslim and Jewish tribes under a single polity
Prescribe ritual worship in Mecca
Regulate trade routes
The Constitution of Medina, drafted by Muhammad in 622 CE, established a unified political structure for Muslims, Jews, and other tribes in Medina. It outlined mutual rights, security obligations, and dispute resolution mechanisms among the parties. This document is considered one of the first written constitutions in history.
Which caliph is credited with commissioning the compilation of the Quran into a single codex?
Umar ibn al-Khattab
Ali ibn Abi Talib
Uthman ibn Affan
Muawiya I
Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (644 - 656 CE) ordered the compilation of the Quran into a standardized text to preserve its authenticity. Copies of this official codex were sent to key Muslim cities. Uthman's efforts ensured uniformity in the way the Quran was read and recited.
Which Islamic sect traces its leadership through Ali and his descendants?
Shia Islam
Sunni Islam
Kharijites
Ibadi Islam
Shia Muslims believe that leadership of the Muslim community (Imamate) belongs to Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, and his descendants. This belief distinguishes Shia from Sunni Islam, which emphasizes the caliphate chosen by consensus among the community. The split significantly shaped Islamic history and politics.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah?
It ended the First Fitna
It established the Umayyad dynasty
It granted Muslims a peaceful pilgrimage agreement with Quraysh
It marked the conquest of Persia
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, signed in 628 CE between Muhammad's followers and the Quraysh tribe, allowed Muslims to perform pilgrimage the following year and established a ten-year truce. It provided a period of peace that facilitated the spread of Islam through diplomacy rather than warfare.
Who was the second Umayyad caliph, whose reign saw significant administrative expansion?
Muawiya II
Abd al-Malik
Yazid I
Walid I
Yazid I (680 - 683 CE) succeeded Muawiya I as the second Umayyad caliph. His short reign is noted for continued administrative development but also for internal strife, including the events of Karbala. Yazid's succession marked a dynastic shift in the caliphate.
Which major mosque was completed under Caliph al-Walid I?
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
Great Mosque of Kairouan
Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, was completed in 715 CE under Caliph al-Walid I. It is one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world and exemplifies early Islamic architecture. The mosque became a political and religious landmark of the Umayyad dynasty.
What does the title 'Khalifa' literally translate to in English?
Priest
Commander
Successor or Deputy
King
The Arabic term 'Khalifa' (Caliph) literally means 'successor' or 'deputy,' referring to the leader's role as successor to the Prophet Muhammad in governing the Muslim community. Caliphs were expected to uphold Islamic law and communal welfare.
Which Byzantine emperor is traditionally said to have corresponded with Muhammad and shown interest in his message?
Justinian I
Leo III
Theodosius II
Heraclius
Historical accounts mention that Emperor Heraclius (610 - 641 CE) may have been aware of Muhammad's mission and responded favorably to early Islamic invitations. While details are debated, this correspondence reflects the early interaction between Byzantium and the nascent Muslim community.
Who authored the earliest surviving biography (sira) of Muhammad, which shapes much of our understanding of his life?
Ibn Ishaq
Al-Bukhari
Al-Tabari
Ibn Taymiyya
Ibn Ishaq (d. 767 CE) wrote the earliest comprehensive biography (sira) of Prophet Muhammad. His work was later edited by Ibn Hisham and became the standard reference on the Prophet's life and battles. Ibn Ishaq's sira provides essential context for early Islamic history.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Foundational Figures -

    After taking the Rise of Islam quiz, you will recognize the roles of Prophet Muhammad and the Rightly Guided Caliphs in establishing early Islamic leadership and community.

  2. Identify Core Practices -

    You will be able to describe the Five Pillars of Islam and explain how these practices shaped daily life and worship in the formative period of Islamic civilization.

  3. Analyze Pivotal Events -

    You will examine key moments - such as the Hijra and the Battle of Badr - and assess their impact on the spread and consolidation of Islam.

  4. Trace Geographic Expansion -

    You will map the early conquests and cultural exchanges that drove the rapid growth of Islamic territories across the Middle East and beyond.

  5. Recall Historical Terminology -

    You will master essential terms and concepts used in early Islamic history, ensuring confidence when encountering specialized vocabulary in future studies.

  6. Evaluate Historical Sources -

    You will learn to distinguish between different types of historical records and traditions, enhancing your critical thinking in assessing accounts of Islam's rise.

Cheat Sheet

  1. First Revelation at Hira -

    In 610 CE, Prophet Muhammad received the first Quranic verses in the Cave of Hira, marking the birth of Islam (Oxford Islamic Studies). Remember "610 at Hira" as a launch date for the Quran's revelation, a key milestone in Islamic origins. Reflect on how this moment catalyzed the faith's core message of monotheism and social justice.

  2. The Five Pillars Mnemonic -

    The Five Pillars - Shahada, Salah, Sawm, Zakat, Hajj - are Islam's foundational practices (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Use the phrase "Some Scholars Say Zesty Ham" to recall Shahada, Salah, Sawm, Zakat, Hajj in order. Mastering these pillars is crucial for any Islam history quiz question on core practices.

  3. Hijra and the Muslim Community -

    The 622 CE migration (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina established the first Islamic polity and begins the Hijri calendar (University of Oxford). Memorize "Hijra = H" for "Homecoming to Medina," which underscores community formation. This event marks a shift from personal revelation to organized governance under the Prophet.

  4. Rashidun Caliphs Overview -

    After Muhammad's passing, the "Four Rightly Guided Caliphs" - Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali - led the Muslim community (Harvard Divinity School). Recall the mnemonic "A Unique Tribe Always" for Abu, Umar, Uthman, Ali to track key policies and expansions. Their rule set precedents in administration, jurisprudence, and community cohesion.

  5. Early Islamic Expansion -

    Between 632 - 750 CE the Islamic empire rapidly expanded across the Middle East and North Africa, culminating in the Umayyad Caliphate (Cambridge University Press). Note the Battle of Yarmouk (636 CE) as a pivotal victory that opened Syria to Muslim rule. Understanding these campaigns helps you connect political shifts to Islamic civilization's growth.

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