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

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM TO WEST AFRICA, EGYPT AND SPAIN. 

There was a trade relationship between the Arabian and the Egyptians. Arab traders bought merchandise of Arabian origin to Egypt such as; swords, gold and salt. The trade relationship brought Arabians and Egyptians very close, their closeness led to an exchange of culture and adoption of ideas, ways of life. When Islam came, the Egyptians found it easy to assimilate the new religion. 

CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THE ENTRY OF THE ARABS MUSLIMS INTO MUSTABS. 

Religiously: There were differences between byzantine and the Egyptians subjects which brought crises to the areas. Economically. The Byzantine rules introduced harsh economic policies which the Egyptians were not happy with. Socially. There were clashes of cultural background between the Byzantine and the Egyptians This religious economic and social contradiction with the Byzantine was made by the Arabs Muslims to enter into Mustangs(old caw). Egyptians welcomed the Muslims forces whom they considered as their liberators from the byzantine in human rule. 

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM TO WEST AFRICA AND SPAIN THE SPREAD OF ISLAM TO THESE AREAS AT VARIOUS TIMES THROUGH THE FOLLOWING FACTORS; 

1. Trade: traders from Arabia brought Merchandize for trade to these areas. They also introduced Islam to the people of these areas through Propagation II. Practice III. Good Example 
2. Conquest: Some part of these areas we conquered at one time or the other by one Muslim scholar or the other, notable among the conqueror of these areas were Amr As, Abdullah bin Sarh, Liqbar bin Nafir, Musa bin Nuseyhr and Tariq bin Ziyad 
3. Caravan routes were also used by traders, Sufi, Elders and Missionaries to spread Islam to these areas. 
4. Abdullahi bin Yasin. He founded the Al-Muravid movement which conquered Morocco, Spain as well as Ghana. He reformed Islam and was also introduced to non- Muslims areas. 
5. Uqbar bin Nafi: He was also responsible for the introduction of Islam to some areas of North Africa like Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. He also brought Islam to West Africa as Faras Tawar (in modern Chad) Why Islam was well received by the people in North Africa, Maghrib and Indonesia is as follows; 

1. Simplicity of Islam practice and the simplicity of way of life practices by the Muslims 
2. Convincing message of Islam which appear to non- Muslims 

WHAT ARE THE ROLE OF TRADERS IN THE SPREAD OF ISLAM TO WEST AFRICA 

Traders played an important role in spreading Islam to West African by; 

1. Propagating Islam indirectly through the practice of honesty in business dealings simplicity of life and cleanliness at halting places along the routes is the way through which traders helped spread Islam 
2. Introducing Islam directly to their trade contacts among the natives, many trading partners converted to Islam through these traders.
3. Introducing Islam to rulers who served as hosts, many rulers accepted Islam from these traders. 

HOW TO APPLY THE LESSONS TO DAILY LIFE. 

1. Islam can be spread even today through the similar ways it was introduced by the Arabs in North Africa. 
2. Muslim traders/workers in non-Muslims areas should spread Islam along with their primary activities. 
3. They should preach Islam to all persons they come into contact with 
4. They should also spread Islam through the practising of Islam. 

WHY ISLAM WAS WELL RECEIVED IN ANDALUSIA AND THE MAGHRIB 

Islam was well received by People in North Africa, Maghrib and Andalusia because of; -Simplicity of Islam practices and the simplicity of way of life practices by the Muslim -Convincing message of Islam which appeal to the non-Muslim 

THE ROLE OF SUFI ORDERS AND REFORMER (MUJADDIDAH) IN THE SPREAD OF ISLAM IN AFRICA 

In the Spread of Islam in Africa muslim traders built simple mud mosques for prayers in every halting Place. The following are the socio-religious functions of mosques. i.e. the way in which they were used; The mosques were used for the five-daily prayers by the Muslims. The Mosques were used as meeting points by the Muslims since they meet to pray five times a day in Congregation, and once in a week on Friday The Mosques were used by Muslims for Social- occasions like naming ceremony and marriage contract 

SUFISM AND SUFI ORDER 

Sufism means following a Sufi cast of life which consists of extra obligatory duties like Dhikr remembrance of Allah) , Nawafil (Supererogatory Prayers) and Tahajud (late night prayers and supplications). It also consists of seclusion in a mosque or a Jungle and keeping away from people. Suf order means organised Sufi Organ. nisation with defined doctrines and adhike founded by a Shaykh, like Qadir and Shaykh jani. Their centres of operation are the mosques or Zawiyah enclosures) Which also serve as mosques. 

THE ROLE OF SUFI ORDERS IN SPREADING. ISLAM IN WEST 

Sufi Orders Played a significant role in Spreading Spreading Islam in West Africa by: 

1. Following the trade routes and preaching Islam. to people they came across. 
2. Establishing Zawiyyah (Sufi enclosures/ Where they trained missionaries and different Parts of West Africa to spread islam. and their Sufi order. 
3. Encouraging Muslim rulers to support the Preaching of Islam in the non-Muslim areas. 
4. Through the role of Sufi orders Islam was spee Spread into remote areas in West Africa. Mujaddidun (REFORMERS) The Word Mujaddidun is derived from the root Jaddad 

-Jaddada means to reform or revive 

-Mujaddid means reformer, reviver. 

– In Islam Mujaddadi means a pious person raised by Allah and endowed with the knowledge, wisdom and prowess to revive the religion of Islam for the Muslims. 

-Few of the reformers in West Africa were Shaykh Uthman Won Fodio, Umar al-futi e.t.c.