Question

What role did the cities of Mecca and Medina play in the formation of Islam?

a) Mecca was the birthplace of Muhammad
b) Medina was where Muhammad received his first followers
c) Both cities were critical centers for early Islamic governance
d) All of the above

Answer 1

Mecca and Medina were central to the birth and spread of Islam; Mecca was Muhammad's birthplace and housed the Kaaba, while Medina is where he received his followers and established the first mosque, which laid the groundwork for Islamic governance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Role of Mecca and Medina in the Formation of Islam

Mecca and Medina played pivotal roles in the formation of Islam, and the correct answer to the question is d) All of the above:

• Mecca was the birthplace of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, and served as a major trade hub that housed the Kaaba, an existing holy site which became Islam's holiest place.
• Medina was crucial as the city where Muhammad received his first followers and built the first mosque, which also became the prototype for future mosque architecture. It was also the place where he first achieved significant political and spiritual leadership.

Through his teachings, Muhammad united many Arabian tribes under a single religion, which notably used Arabic as its official language, and set forth a new cultural and religious identity.