Oxford Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 3 Birth Of Prophet Muhammad And Spread Of Islam

EXERCISE

A. Fill in the blanks :

1. Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca in the year 570 CE.
Answer: Islam, 570 CE.
Mecca was a vital center for trade and religion in the Arabian Peninsula during ancient times. Prophet Muhammad's birth in this city marked the beginning of a significant change in world history.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the year 570 by thinking of the number 5, 6 (skipped), 7, and 0.
Exam Tip: Always include 'CE' after the year to show you know the correct time period.

2. Muhammad forbade idol worship and stressed the importance of God and kind behaviour.
Answer: idol, God, kind.
Muhammad taught that there is only one supreme power and that people should treat each other with respect. These teachings formed the core of the new social and religious order in Arabia.
Teacher's Tip: Use the word "I-G-K" (Idol, God, Kind) as a shorthand for his main teachings.
Exam Tip: Make sure to mention "kind behaviour" as it is a key part of his social message.

3. The two holy places of the Muslims are Mecca and Medina.
Answer: Mecca, Medina.
Mecca is home to the Kaaba, while Medina is the city where the Prophet established the first Muslim community. Both cities are located in modern-day Saudi Arabia and remain central to the faith.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Double M" to remember the two holiest cities in Islam.
Exam Tip: Be careful with the spelling of Medina; some people mistakenly write it with an 'a' in the middle.

4. Muhammad was succeeded by Abu Bakr, who was known as Caliph. He transformed the Arabs into an excellent fighting force and inspired them to cany the word of Allah throughout the world.
Answer: Abu Bakr, fighting, Allah.
Abu Bakr was a close companion of Muhammad and became the first political leader of the Muslims after the Prophet's death. His leadership helped the new religion grow rapidly beyond the borders of Arabia.
Teacher's Tip: Remember Abu Bakr as the "First Follower" who became the "First Caliph."
Exam Tip: The term "Caliph" refers to a successor or political-religious leader in the early Islamic state.

5. The first Arab expedition to India took place in 712 CE under the leadership of Muhammad bin Qasim.
Answer: 712 CE, Muhammad bin Qasim.
This expedition reached the region of Sind, which is now part of modern Pakistan. It was the first major contact between the Islamic world and the Indian subcontinent.
Teacher's Tip: Link the number 7-1-2 with the name "Qasim" to remember this important historical date.
Exam Tip: Mentioning the specific region (Sind) can earn you extra points in a detailed answer.

B. Match the following :

A
1. Mecca
2. Hijri
3. Abbasid Caliphs
4. Ramzan
5. Baghdad
B
(a) magnificent Arab civilization
(b) fasting
(c) repository of the cultural heritage of the ancient world
(d) pilgrimage
(e) Muslim calendar
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
These matching pairs show how religion, time-keeping, and major cities were connected in Islamic history. Baghdad, for example, was a world center for learning where ancient books were saved and translated.
Teacher's Tip: Match "Ramzan" with "fasting" as they are commonly celebrated together today.
Exam Tip: In a match-the-following question, always rewrite the correct pair clearly instead of drawing criss-cross lines.

C. Choose the correct answer :

Question 1: As a young man, Muhammad worked as a trader/farmer/ craftsman.
Answer: As a young man, Muhammad worked as a trader.
Muhammad's work in trade allowed him to travel and meet people from different cultures and backgrounds. This experience gave him a broad understanding of the world before he began his religious mission.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a trader traveling with a "caravan" of camels across the desert sand.
Exam Tip: If you forget the answer, remember that Mecca was a famous "trading" city, so its people were usually traders.

Question 2: During Muhammad's time, the Arabs were divided into a number of kingdoms/tribes/empires.
Answer: During Muhammad's time, the Arabs were divided into a number of tribes.
Arabia did not have one single king; instead, families and groups lived together in separate tribes. These tribes often had their own leaders and sometimes fought each other for water and land.
Teacher's Tip: Picture a desert with many different family tents to remember "tribes."
Exam Tip: Use the word "tribal society" to describe the social structure of pre-Islamic Arabia.

Question 3: Muslims must say their prayers four/five/six times a day.
Answer: Muslims must say their prayers five times a day.
These daily prayers are spaced out from dawn until night to keep a constant spiritual connection. Performing these prayers is one of the most important duties in the life of a Muslim.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the five fingers on one hand to remember the "five" daily prayers.
Exam Tip: These prayers are specifically called "Salat" in Arabic; knowing this term can help in more advanced questions.

Question 4: The Abbasid Caliphs shifted the Caliphate from Damascus to Medina/Mecca/Baghdad.
Answer: The Abbasid Caliphs shifted the Caliphate from Damascus to Baghdad.
Moving the capital to Baghdad allowed the empire to be closer to important trade routes and Persian influence. Baghdad soon became the richest and most educated city in the medieval world.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "A-B-C" - Abbasids built Baghdad, the Capital.
Exam Tip: The Abbasid period is often called the "Golden Age of Islam," so link it to the city of Baghdad.

Question 5: The Arab traders established trade settlements on the eastern/western/southern coast of India.
Answer: The Arab traders established trade settlements on the western coast of India.
The western coast, specifically the Malabar region, was the closest part of India to the Arabian Peninsula by sea. These traders brought spices and textiles back to Arabia and introduced Islam to India.
Teacher's Tip: Look at a map of the Indian Ocean; Arabia is to the "West" of India's coast.
Exam Tip: Mention the state of Kerala as the primary location for these early western settlements.

D. State whether the following are true or false :

Question 1: The Medieval Period in India stretches from the 8th century CE to the 16th century CE.
Answer: False.
Correct : The Medieval Period in India stretches from the 8th century CE to the 18th century CE.
The period is usually divided into Early Medieval and Late Medieval, ending with the decline of the Mughal Empire. The 18th century is when European powers like the British began to take significant control.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "8 to 18" - both numbers have an 8 in them.
Exam Tip: When an answer is False, you must provide the "Correct" statement to receive full marks.

Question 2: Before the rise of Islam, the Arabs practiced idol worship.
Answer: True.
Before Muhammad, many Arabs believed in multiple gods and kept statues or "idols" in holy places like the Kaaba. This period of pre-Islamic history is often referred to as a time of ignorance of the one God.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the statues that Muhammad later told people to stop worshipping.
Exam Tip: "Idol worship" is the worship of physical statues, which is the opposite of monotheism (one God).

Question 3: The Arab empire under the Abbasid Caliphs was one of the most powerful and enlightened regions in the world.
Answer: True.
Under the Abbasids, the empire reached a peak in science, math, and philosophy while Europe was in the Dark Ages. They welcomed scholars from all religions and cultures to share their knowledge in Baghdad.
Teacher's Tip: "Enlightened" means they had a lot of "light" from knowledge and learning.
Exam Tip: If a question mentions the "Golden Age," it is almost always referring to the Abbasid era.

Question 4: The occupation of Sind ended with the death of Muhammad bin Qasim.
Answer: True.
After Qasim was recalled and died, the direct Arab political control over the region began to weaken and fade. However, the cultural and religious influence they left behind continued for centuries.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Qasim as the leader whose death brought the "end" of the initial occupation.
Exam Tip: Remember that Qasim was a young general who achieved much in a very short amount of time.

Question 5: In the 9th century CE, the power of the Caliphs declined.
Answer: True.
Internal fighting and the rise of local independent governors made it hard for the Caliphs in Baghdad to maintain control over the whole empire. Eventually, the empire broke apart into many smaller states.
Teacher's Tip: After the "high point" of the 8th century, things went "down" in the 9th.
Exam Tip: The decline of the central authority led to the rise of independent Turkish states in Central Asia.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/sentences :

Question 1: Where was Prophet Muhammad born?
Answer: Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca.
Mecca was a desert city that was an important stop for trade caravans traveling across the peninsula. It was also a spiritual center for many different tribes long before Islam began.
Teacher's Tip: Just remember "Born in Mecca, moved to Medina."
Exam Tip: One-word answers are fine, but writing a full sentence like the one provided is better for presentation.

Question 2: What important event took place in Muhammad's life around 610 CE?
Answer: When Muhammad was about forty years old, he had a vision of God, who revealed to him the divine message, to carry the word of God or Allah to the people of Mecca. He declared that Allah was the one and only God and Muhammad was his Prophet. This gave way to a new religion called Islam.
This first revelation happened in the cave of Hira where Muhammad used to go to meditate and think. It changed his life from a trader to a prophet and leader of a new faith.
Teacher's Tip: Use the number "40" to remember when his prophetic mission began.
Exam Tip: Clearly state that he declared "one and only God" to highlight the change from idol worship.

Question 3: What does the term Hijrat mean?
Answer: Hijrat marks the departure of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
This migration was necessary because the powerful leaders in Mecca were trying to stop his teachings. In Medina, he was welcomed and was able to build the first organized Islamic society.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "H" for Hijrat and "H" for the start of the "History" of the Muslim calendar.
Exam Tip: You must mention the year 622 CE when defining Hijrat to get full marks.

Question 4: What title did Abu Bakr assume after he succeeded Prophet Muhammad?
Answer: Abu Bakr took the title of Khalifa or Caliph.
The title means "successor" and indicates that he was leading the community in place of the Prophet. While he wasn't a prophet himself, he held both political and religious authority over the Muslims.
Teacher's Tip: The words "Khalifa" and "Caliph" are two different versions of the same title.
Exam Tip: Spelling both versions of the title shows that you have read your textbook thoroughly.

Question 5: Under whose reign did the Arabs achieve their greatest heights of intellectual and cultural excellence?
Answer: The greatest intellectual and cultural excellence was seen during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphs.
The Abbasids encouraged scientists, doctors, and philosophers to study and write down their discoveries. This period led to inventions in medicine and algebra that we still use in schools today.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Abbasid" as being "Above" all others in learning.
Exam Tip: If you mention "Baghdad" as the capital during this time, it strengthens your answer.

Question 6: Why was the House of Wisdom established?
Answer: The house of Wisdom was set up in Baghdad as it was advised by Prophet Muhammad to pursue learning among Arabs. So Baghdad become the place of wisdom where various ancient civilizations such as Greek, Byzantine, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian and Persian were translated into Arabic.
This institution acted like a giant library and university combined for the whole world. By translating these books, the Arabs saved important knowledge that might have been lost forever.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the "House of Wisdom" as the world's first "Global Library."
Exam Tip: List at least three of the civilizations mentioned (like Greek, Indian, and Chinese) to show the scope of the work.

Question 7: Which Arab city became the preserve of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world?
Answer: Baghdad became the repository and preserve of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world.
Because so many books from different cultures were translated there, Baghdad held the knowledge of the entire world. It was a city where people of different faiths worked together to solve scientific problems.
Teacher's Tip: "Baghdad" starts with 'B', and it was the "Best" place for books.
Exam Tip: Use the word "repository," which means a place where things are stored and kept safe.

Question 8: What were the chief items of export and import in India's trade relations with the Arabs?
Answer: The chief items of export during India's trade relations with the Arabs were Pepper, Muslin, Indigo etc. and import were luxury items and fine Arabian horses.
Indian spices and cloth were highly valued in the Arab world and further away in Europe. In return, Indian rulers were very eager to buy strong Arabian horses for their armies.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "P-M-I" (Pepper, Muslin, Indigo) for exports from India.
Exam Tip: Mentioning "Arabian horses" is important because they were vital for the cavalry in Indian warfare.

Question 9: Why were the Indians not receptive to Arab learning and civilization during this period?
Answer: The spirit of exclusiveness among the Hindus made them reject foreign cultural influence. The Hindus believed that no other country on earth but theirs had any knowledge of Science. Hence, they were not receptive to the rich treasures of Arabic learning and civilization.
This attitude meant that for a long time, Indian scholars did not try to learn from the new ideas coming from the Arab world. This isolation eventually made it harder for India to keep up with scientific changes happening elsewhere.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Exclusiveness" as keeping a door locked to new guests.
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "spirit of exclusiveness" as it is the specific reason given in historical texts.

Question 10: Name any one independent state established by the Turks in Central Asia.
Answer: Two independent states established by the Turks in Central Aisa were Ghazni and Ghor.
These states were founded by Turkish leaders who had formerly served the Caliphs but became powerful enough to rule on their own. Leaders from Ghazni and Ghor would later lead invasions into northern India.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the "Double G" - Ghazni and Ghor.
Exam Tip: Although the question asks for "one," providing "two" shows you are a meticulous student.

F. Answer the following questions briefly :

Question 1: Why did Muhammad shift from Mecca to Medina? Discuss the events that followed this move.
Answer: Muhammad forbade idol worship and stressed the importance of good and kind behaviour. His teachings angered the rich Arabs, and Muhammad and his small band of followers were forced to shift to Medina in 622 CE. Muhammad's move from Mecca to Medina is known as Hijrat.
The leaders in Mecca were afraid of losing their power and the money they made from pilgrims coming to see the idols. After the shift to Medina, Muhammad became both a religious teacher and a political leader, which helped the religion survive and expand.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the shift as a move from a "dangerous neighborhood" to a "welcoming home."
Exam Tip: Be sure to mention "622 CE" and the term "Hijrat" to describe the move completely.

Question 2: State the main principles of Islam.
Answer: The main principles of Islam:
1. There is only one God and Muhammad is his Prophet.
2. Muslims must turn towards Mecca and say their prayers five times a day.
3. They must fast from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramzan.
4. They must help the poor and needy by giving away a portion of their wealth in charity.
5. They must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
These rules are designed to balance spiritual prayer with physical actions like helping others. They create a strong sense of community among Muslims, no matter where in the world they live.
Teacher's Tip: Think of these as the "Five Pillars" that hold up the house of Islam.
Exam Tip: Write these as distinct points with numbers to make your answer easy for the teacher to grade.

Question 3: The greatest intellectual and cultural excellence was seen during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphs. Discuss.
Answer: The Abbasids shifted the Caliphate from Damascus to Baghdad (capital of modem Iraq). For the next 150 years, the Arab empire under the Abbasids emerged as one of the most powerful, prosperous and enlightened regions in the world. The Arabs absorbed and assimilated the best of what other cultures and civilizations had to offer in terms of ideas, skills and scientific knowledge. Muhammad had advised the Arabs to pursue learning.
One of the Abbasid Caliphs established a House of Wisdom at Baghdad to translate into Arabic the collective wisdom of various ancient civilizations such as the Greek, Byzantine, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian and Persian civilizations. Baghdad became the repository and preserve of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world.
The Abbasid era was a time when Baghdad was like a magnet, drawing in the smartest people from across the globe. By combining the knowledge of different civilizations, they made major breakthroughs in fields like medicine, astronomy, and mathematics.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the Abbasids as the "World's Translators" who made knowledge available to everyone.
Exam Tip: Use words like "assimilated" and "prosperous" to describe the strength and openness of the empire.

Question 4: What knowledge did the Arabs gather from (a) Indian (b) various other ancient civilizations?
Answer: (a) The Arabs, learnt a great deal from the ancient Indian civilization. Knowledge of Indian mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy and the art of administration were assimilated by the Arabs, leading to further enrichment of the Arab civilization and culture.
(b) Knowledge absorbed and assimilated by Arab scholars from different civilizations
1. Chinese : (a)Art of paper making, (b) Glass making techniques, (c) Use of mariner's compass.
2. Greeks : (a) Geometry.
3. Persians : (a) Astronomy.
4. Indians : (a) Mathematical theories, (b) medicine, (c) Astronomy, (d) Philosophy, (e) Administration.
The Arabs were like students of the whole world, taking the best ideas from every neighbor they had. This collection of knowledge helped them create their own unique and advanced culture during the Middle Ages.
Teacher's Tip: Use the "Shopping List" method - Indians gave math, Chinese gave paper, Greeks gave geometry.
Exam Tip: Clearly separate your answer into parts (a) and (b) as shown in the question paper.

G. Picture study :

This is a picture of a mosque where Muslims go to pray (picture on next page).

Question 1: Name : (a) their religion (b) their holy book (c) the founder of their religion.
Answer: (a) Islam (b) Quran Sharif (c) Prophet Muhammad.
The religion of Islam is practiced by billions of people today who follow the teachings found in the Quran. Muhammad is respected as the final messenger who delivered these teachings to humanity.
Teacher's Tip: Remember: Religion = Islam, Book = Quran, Person = Muhammad.
Exam Tip: Always add "Sharif" after Quran to show respect for the holy book.

Question 2: Name the two holy places of the Muslim.
Answer: (a) Mecca (b) Medina
These two cities are so important that only Muslims are allowed to enter their central holy areas. They are sites of deep spiritual significance where major events in early Islamic history took place.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Mecca as the "Start" and Medina as the "Growth" of Islam.
Exam Tip: Label them as (a) and (b) as requested in the structure of the question.

Question 3: Why does the Muslim calendar begin from the year 622 CE?
Answer: Muhammad and his small band of followers were forced to flee to Medina in 622 CE. Muhammad's departure from Mecca to Medina is known as hijrat. The Muslim calendar, hijri, begins from that year.
This event was chosen because it marks the birth of the Muslim community as a unified and independent group. It was the point where they moved from being a small group of followers to a powerful society.
Teacher's Tip: "Hijrat" means migration, and "Hijri" is the calendar named after it.
Exam Tip: Make sure to link the name of the calendar (Hijri) to the event (Hijrat).

Question 4: Mention any four important principles of the religion.
Answer: The main four principles of Islam are as follows :
1. There is only one God and Muhammad is His Prophet.
2. Muslims must say their prayers five times a day.
3. They must help the poor and needy by giving away a portion of their wealth in charity.
4. They must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
Following these principles helps Muslims live a disciplined life while always remembering their duty to God and other people. These four items are part of the "Five Pillars" that define the religion.
Teacher's Tip: Use the acronym "P-P-C-P" (Prophet, Prayer, Charity, Pilgrimage) to remember them.
Exam Tip: If you are asked for four, you can leave out "fasting" but try to remember all five just in case.

Question 5: Briefly describe the role of Abu Bakr in the spread of the this religion.
Answer: Abu Bakr mobilized and transformed the Arabs into an excellent fighting force. He and his successors inspired the Arab armies to sweep across countries and continents and carry the word of Allah throughout the world. Inspired by missionary zeal, these invincible and extraordinary Arab armies conquered vast territories. Their empire stretched over Iran, Syria, Central Asia, North Africa and Spain.
As the first Caliph, he kept the tribes together during a difficult time and organized the first major expansions of the state. Under his influence, the Islamic empire became one of the largest in history within just a few decades.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Abu Bakr as the "Master Organizer" who prepared the army for victory.
Exam Tip: List some of the countries mentioned, like "Spain" and "North Africa," to show how far the empire grew.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1: What is the importance of the year 622 OK in the history of Islam?
Answer: In the year AD 622 Muhammad and his small band of followers were forced to flee to Medina, due to their teachings which angered the rich Arabs. There in Medina people welcomed them and within ten years Muhammad won considerable support. His supporters included a small but devoted army which was ready to lay down their lives for the sake of Islam.
The move to Medina allowed the Prophet to create laws and a system of government for his followers. It turned Islam from a small religious group into a powerful state that could defend itself.
Teacher's Tip: The "OK" in the question is a typo for "AD" or "CE"; always focus on the number 622.
Exam Tip: Mention that he won "considerable support" in Medina to explain why the move was successful.

Question 2: How did the Arabs enrich their knowledge?
Answer: Arabs enriched their knowledge a great deal from the ancient Indian civilization. Knowledge of Indian mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy and the art of administration was assimilated by the Arabs, leading to enrichment of the Arab civilization and culture.
The Arabs did not just conquer land; they were eager to learn everything they could from the people they met. This respect for learning helped them become the scientific leaders of the world for hundreds of years.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Arabs as "Knowledge Sponges" who soaked up information from India.
Exam Tip: Use the word "assimilated" to describe how they took foreign ideas and made them part of their own culture.