SAT II World History : Islam

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Islam

Which of the following is the name of the sect of Islam that believes that the Caliph should be selected by the community of the faithful?

Possible Answers:

Salafists

Shi'ite

Muezzin

Sunni

Wahabi

Correct answer:

Sunni

Explanation:

Shortly after the death of the prophet Muhammad, the growing Islamic faith was fractured along ideological lines. The two groups that emerged, and have continued as distinct groups ever since, were the Sunnis and the Shi'ites (sometimes just Shias). Shi'ites believed that the Caliph should be led by the cousin of Muhammad or someone directly related to him. The Sunni believed that his advisor should rule the Caliphate and favor choosing a leader based on more meritocratic means.

Example Question #1 : Islam

What name is given to laws based on tenets of the Islamic faith? 

Possible Answers:

Sunni law

Sharia law

Shia law

Medina law

Wahhabi law

Correct answer:

Sharia law

Explanation:

Sharia law exists in many countries in the Islamic world. In a country governed by Sharia law, the laws of the nation reflect the laws and tenets of Islam as laid out in the Quran and the hadith.

Example Question #1 : Islam

The Qur'an, written by Muhammad, was produced in what century?

Possible Answers:

7th century CE

8th century CE

4th century CE

5th century CE

10th century CE

Correct answer:

7th century CE

Explanation:

The Qur'an was written in the span of several years - from 609 to 632 (7th century) - by the Prophet Muhammad. It remains today as one of the most influential documents ever produced in human history.

Example Question #2 : Islam

Sunni and Shi’ite are two prominent sects of which religion?

Possible Answers:

Sikhism

Taoism

Confucianism

Judaism

Islam

Correct answer:

Islam

Explanation:

Sunni and Shi’ite are the two most prominent sects of the Islamic faith. They have been divided since almost the very beginning of their religion and the original disagreement between the two sects has to do with the continuation of the caliphate under the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali (for the record the Shia believed Ali should rule, most of the rest did not). In modern times the distinction is particularly important because it has led to sectarian conflict in several Middle Eastern countries - particularly countries like Iran and Iraq where the Shia are in the majority or countries like Syria which have a history of oppression by the majority Sunni.

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