Spread of Islam

• Islam's spread started with the Prophet Muhammad's revelations around 610 CE.
• Muhammad used warfare to spread Islam, including retaking Mecca.
• His monotheistic views contrasted with the polytheistic religions of the time.

Caliphs and Expansion

• Caliphs, as rulers, succeeded Muhammad and spread Islamic influence.
• The Rashidun Caliphs expanded into the Levant in 637, gaining Mediterranean access.
• Within a decade, they controlled Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, and expanded eastward into Mesopotamia by 651.
• The Umayyad Caliphate grew after Caliph Uthman's murder.
• Despite internal conflicts, borders expanded and by the end of 714, Muslim forces conquered Morocco and much of Spain.
• By 750, the Umayyad Caliphate marked Islam's largest territorial extent.

Gradual Religious Conversion

• Islam's spread was gradual, facilitated by established trade routes.
• The trans-Saharan trade was key; North African Amazigh merchants spread Islam into West and Central Africa.
• Muslim rule didn't force conversions but many adopted it to participate in the existing trade.
• Mali and Songhai became significant Muslim empires, and Islam remains influential in the region.

Early Expansion

• Islam grew around Mecca and Medina before spreading into Africa.
• After Muhammad's death in 632, the Rashidun Caliphate ruled the Arabian Peninsula by 661.
• They conquered Syria, Damascus, parts of Armenia, Jerusalem, reached modern Afghanistan, and accessed the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf.

Expansion into Egypt and Mesopotamia

• Egypt was quickly conquered from the Byzantine Empire in 642.
• The Caliphs largely maintained existing institutions and ended religious persecution contributing to the new rule.
• Over time, Islam gained popularity in the region through its acceptance.
• In 634 CE, Muslim Arabs invaded Mesopotamia.
• Baghdad became the Muslim Empire's capital in 762 under the Abbasid Caliphate.

Expansion Into North Africa and Spain

• The Umayyad Caliphs expanded into Tunisia, Morocco, and Spain.
• Arab armies reached the West African coast between 670 and 682.
• The Amazigh merchants converted to Islam and joined the army and sensing opportunity to access the Iberian Peninsula.
• In 711, the Iberian Peninsula was invaded, and within seven years most of it was under Muslim control.

Spread to West Africa

• Islam reached West Africa via Amazigh traders on trans-Saharan trade routes.
• Conversions occurred to facilitate trade and avoid military conflicts with the rising powers.
• Caliphs focused on protecting and expanding trade routes to the African coasts and interior.
• Ruling classes adopted Islam, leading to wider conversions, by the 13th century, Islamic influence spanned North Africa, the Middle East, India, parts of western Asia, and areas of Europe.

Trade in Africa

• Centralizing power led to better and safer roads for merchants and pilgrims.
• Improved travel aided Islam's spread.

Islam in the Empires

• The Mali Empire converted to Islam with Mansa Uli, who went on pilgrimage to Mecca in the 1260s and 1270s.
• Mansa Musa's 1324 pilgrimage is known for extravagant spending.
• The Songhai King Sonni Ali and the empire converted around the 1460s and 1470s.
• Not all rulers were Muslim, causing religious conflicts.
• Islamic rulers were tolerant of older traditions.

16th Century Expansion

• Islam was well established, but its dominance in North Africa took time.
• On the West Coast, rulers were less inclined to convert due to ties with European Christian kingdoms leading to a slower adoption.
• Despite changes in colonies and local powers, Islam expanded southward.

Islamization

• Islamization occurred gradually and through different paths depending on specific groups and circumstances.
• People converted willingly, drawn to the wealth, learning, tolerance, and wisdom associated with Muslim countries.
• While minimal, upper-class status was slowly provided to Muslims over their former religious counterparts slowly weeding out older beliefs.
• People adopted Muslim customs, names, and language incrementally.

Conversion

• Islam was viewed as a way to access the wealth and power within Islamic society.
• Missionaries spread Islam, science, math, and administrative skills, gaining leadership roles.
• These leaders helped propel the spread of Islam as those around them saw prayers and good results.
• Leaders often converted, setting an example for their people like Mansa Uli and Sonni Ali.

Syncretism

• Christian Arabic speakers would sometime worship in similar temples
• Adoption of other faiths aided wider and further long-term conversion

Conflict

• Conflicts arose during the spread of Islam.
• Clashes with Christianity occurred in Jerusalem and during the Crusades.
• Muslim soldiers engaged in jihad to reclaim Jerusalem.
• Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), ruled by a Christian king, stood against Islam in Africa.