The Spread of Islam in West Africa and Nigeria – JSS3 Nigerian History Lesson Note (First Term)

Islam spread to Egypt, North Africa, Spain and West Africa through trade, conquest, caravan routes, Sufi orders and reformers.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain how trade and conflict with the Byzantines prepared the way for Islam in Egypt;
2. list the factors and the people through which Islam spread to West Africa and Spain;
3. state why Islam was well received in North Africa, the Maghrib and Andalusia;
4. describe the roles of traders, mosques and Sufi orders in spreading Islam in West Africa;
5. define Sufism, Sufi order and Mujaddid, and name two reformers in West Africa;
6. state how Islam reached Kanem-Borno and Hausaland in Nigeria.

How did Islam reach Egypt?

Islam reached Egypt through trade links between Arabia and Egypt, followed by Arab Muslim entry into the country.

• Trade: Arab traders brought goods of Arabian origin to Egypt.
• Closeness: trade brought the two peoples close together.
• Exchange: culture, ideas and ways of life passed between them.
• Acceptance: when Islam came, the Egyptians found it easy to accept the new religion.

Why did the Arab Muslims enter Egypt?

The Arab Muslims entered Egypt because of religious, economic and social conflicts between the Byzantine rulers and the Egyptians.

• Religious: differences between the Byzantine rulers and their Egyptian subjects brought crises to the area.
• Economic: the Byzantine rulers introduced harsh economic policies which the Egyptians did not like.
• Social: the cultural background of the Byzantines clashed with that of the Egyptians.
• Result: the Egyptians welcomed the Muslim forces as liberators from harsh Byzantine rule.

How did Islam spread to West Africa and Spain?

Islam spread to West Africa and Spain at various times through trade, conquest, caravan routes and the work of reformers.

Trade

• Traders: Arab traders brought goods for sale to these areas.
• Propagation: they taught Islam to the people.
• Practice: they lived by the teachings of Islam.
• Good example: their conduct attracted others to the faith.

Conquest

Muslim commanders conquered parts of these areas at one time or another.

Caravan routes

• Users: traders, Sufis, elders and missionaries travelled along the caravan routes.
• Effect: they carried Islam to towns and villages along the way.

Abdullahi bin Yasin

• Movement: he founded the Almoravid (Al-Murabitun) movement.
• Conquests: the movement extended Muslim rule over Morocco, parts of Spain and the Ghana area.
• Reform: he reformed the practice of Islam and introduced it to non-Muslim areas.

Uqba bin Nafi

• North Africa: he introduced Islam to areas such as Morocco, Tunisia and Libya.
• West Africa: he also brought Islam towards West Africa through Faras Tawar (in modern Chad).

Why was Islam well received in North Africa, the Maghrib and Andalusia?

Islam was well received because its practice was simple and its message was convincing.

1. Simple practice: the practice of Islam was simple, and so was the way of life of the Muslims.
2. Convincing message: the message of Islam appealed to non-Muslims.

How did Islam spread to Nigeria?

Islam reached the area that is now Nigeria through trans-Saharan trade and the work of Muslim scholars and traders.

• Kanem-Borno: Islam came from North Africa across the Sahara, about the 11th century, and the ruling family accepted it.
• Hausaland: Muslim traders and scholars from Mali (the Wangarawa) brought Islam, about the 14th century.
• Reform: Shaykh Uthman dan Fodio later led a reform movement in the early 19th century.

What was the role of traders in the spread of Islam to West Africa?

Traders spread Islam to West Africa by their conduct, by direct teaching and by winning over rulers.

1. Indirect spread: they showed honesty in business, simplicity of life and cleanliness at halting places along the routes.
2. Direct teaching: they introduced Islam to their trade contacts among the natives, and many trading partners converted.
3. Rulers: they introduced Islam to rulers who served as their hosts, and many rulers accepted it.

How were mosques used in the spread of Islam in Africa?

Muslim traders built simple mud mosques for prayers at every halting place.

The socio-religious functions of the mosques were as follows:

• Prayer: Muslims used the mosques for the five daily prayers.
• Meeting point: Muslims met in congregation five times a day and once a week on Friday.
• Social occasions: naming ceremonies and marriage contracts were held there.

What are Sufism and a Sufi order?

Sufism is a way of life that follows extra religious duties beyond those that are compulsory.

• Dhikr: remembrance of Allah.
• Nawafil: supererogatory (extra) prayers.
• Tahajjud: late night prayers and supplications.
• Seclusion: staying in a mosque or a forest and keeping away from people.

A Sufi order is an organised Sufi group with defined doctrines and practices, founded by a Shaykh.

• Qadiriyya: the order of Shaykh Abdul-Qadir al-Jilani.
• Tijaniyya: the order of Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani.
• Centres: the mosques or Zawiyyah (enclosures), which also serve as mosques.

What was the role of Sufi orders in spreading Islam in West Africa?

Sufi orders spread Islam in West Africa by travelling, teaching and training missionaries.

1. They followed the trade routes and preached Islam to the people they met.
2. They set up Zawiyyah, where they trained missionaries to spread Islam and their order.
3. They encouraged Muslim rulers to support preaching in non-Muslim areas.
4. They carried Islam into remote areas of West Africa.

Who are the Mujaddidun (reformers)?

A Mujaddid is a pious person raised by Allah and given the knowledge, wisdom and strength to revive Islam for the Muslims.

• Jaddad: the Arabic root of the word.
• Jaddada: means to reform or revive.
• Mujaddid: means reformer or reviver.
• Mujaddidun: the plural, meaning reformers.
• Examples in West Africa: Shaykh Uthman dan Fodio and Umar al-Futi.

How can the lessons be applied to daily life?

• Method: Islam can still be spread in ways similar to those used by the Arabs in North Africa.
• Traders and workers: Muslims in non-Muslim areas should spread Islam along with their main work.
• Preaching: they should preach Islam to all persons they meet.
• Practice: they should also spread Islam by living it.

Evaluation

1. Give three reasons why the Arab Muslims were able to enter Egypt.
2. Name three ways in which traders helped to spread Islam to West Africa.
3. State two reasons why Islam was well received in North Africa, the Maghrib and Andalusia.
4. What is a Sufi order, and how did Sufi orders spread Islam in West Africa?
5. Define Mujaddid and name two reformers in West Africa.

Assignment

1. List three social uses of the mosque, then write short notes on Abdullahi bin Yasin and Uqba bin Nafi.