Fertile Crescent:

The region in the Middle East known for its fertile soil, shaped like a crescent, where early civilizations flourished.

Qinnasrin:

A small town in northern Syria where a curious event took place during the Muslim conquest.

Abu Ubaydah:

A celebrated general leading an Arab force during the Muslim conquest in the 630s.

GIS (Geographic Information System):

A computer system that allows the integration of maps and data to present meaningful information in a more visually impactful way, aiding in various subjects.

Tropaia:

A term from the Roman Empire referring to monuments, often impressive architectural constructions, commemorating victories or significant events.

Dog River:

Refers to the Nahr al-Kalb river in Lebanon, known for cliffs with inscriptions celebrating the passage of conquering armies.

Qusayr Amrah:

A location mentioned where a desert bath is located, and a painting on its wall is discussed in the context of early Islamic times.

Alois Musil:

A reference to a historical figure who observed and described the painting in Qusayr Amrah in the late 19th century.

Crescent Pose:

A description of the headgear in the painting resembling a crescent, possibly influenced by pre-Islamic Iranian crowns.

Caesar, Roderic, Kisra, and Negus:

Refers to identifiable personages in the painting, representing the Byzantine emperor, the last Visigothic ruler of Spain, the Sassanian emperor of Iran, and the king of Ethiopia, respectively.

Night-Journey (Isra') and Ascension (Mi'raj):

Events in Islamic tradition where Prophet Muhammad is said to have been transported from Mecca to Jerusalem (Isra') and then ascended to the heavens (Mi'raj).

Dome of the Rock:

A significant Islamic monument in Jerusalem, initially built by Abd al-Malik in 691-92, and associated with various religious and historical interpretations.

Haram al-Sharif:

The Noble Sanctuary, a sacred precinct in Jerusalem housing the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Golgotha:

A hill near Jerusalem associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition.

Omphalos:

A religious concept referring to the navel or center of the earth, often associated with sacred places.

Solomonic Temple:

The Temple in Jerusalem built by King Solomon in biblical times, a significant site in Jewish and Christian traditions.

Patriarch Sophronius:

A Christian leader in Jerusalem at the time of the Muslim conquest, associated with the signing of the treaty and the tour with Caliph Umar.

Caliph Umar:

The second Caliph of Islam, responsible for the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem and associated with decisions regarding the Haram area.

Ka'bah:

The sacred building at the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, a focal point of Islamic worship.

Abd al-Malik:

An Umayyad Caliph who built the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem during the late 7th century.

Qiblah:

The direction faced during Muslim prayer, usually toward the Ka'bah in Mecca.

Muslim Conquest of Jerusalem:

Refers to the capture of Jerusalem by Muslim forces in 637, a significant event in early Islamic history.

Ascension of Muhammad:

A miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad, a significant event in Islamic tradition.

Sacrifice of Abraham:

The biblical event where Abraham is tested by God to sacrifice his son, later a significant theme in Islamic tradition.

Mihrab Dawud:

The sanctuary of David mentioned in the Koran, associated with the Haram area in Jerusalem.

Lapis Pertusus:

A perforated stone mentioned by the Pilgrim of Bordeaux, possibly referring to the Rock in the Haram area.

Khalil Allah:

The title "Friend of God," often used in reference to the biblical figure Abraham in Islamic tradition.

Mount Moriah:

A mountainous region in Jerusalem associated with the Haram area and various biblical events.

Nasir-i Khusrow:

A Persian traveler and writer who provided insights into the sacred places in Jerusalem.

Muslim Sanctuary:

A place of worship or structure associated with Islam, such as the Dome of the Rock.

Tabari, Baladhuri, Muqaddasi:

References to historians and geographers providing accounts of events and places in early Islamic history.