The Expansion Of Islam Between The 7th and 15th Centuries

The Expansion Of Islam Between The 7th and 15th Centuries

Islam is among the religions that rapidly expanded between the 7^th and 15^th centuries. The main factors that contributed to the rapid expansion were trade, military conquest, missionaries, and pilgrimage. According to Cartwright (1), the expansion of Islam in North Africa was rapid because African rulers either converted to it or tolerated it. Islam was attractive to the people in Sub-Saharan Africa because it facilitated the growth of political empires and enabled the people to become wealthy during trade. Islam was more attractive to Sub-Saharan African kings because it introduced the concept of the caliph, which combined religious authority and political power. Islam was attractive to people in India because it enhanced their trade. Muslims connected the ports in the eastern Asian region and introduced commercial ships that facilitated trade. The expansion of Islam in India was difficult because the prestige and authority of the upper class in the region were dependent on Hinduism. Therefore, the upper class resisted Islam because it would destroy the hierarchy in society and the dharma notions. However, the lower class was willing to convert to Islam because they were attracted to achieving equality in society which was among the key Islamic teachings.

Islam changed as it spread in new regions based on what attracted people to the religion. For example, the Muslims in Europe used crusades to spread Islamic civilization by introducing porcelain, home skills, and spices because the people in the region were attracted to Islamic civilization. The people in Western Europe were also attracted to the expertise of Muslim scholars. For example, Muslim scholars had expertise in geography, medicine, and science which could be used to address the issues that the people of Western Europe were experiencing. Islam in Africa was more focused on culture because most people in Africa were attracted to the adaptability of the Islamic culture to different situations in society (Bello 28). For example, Islamic laws would address conflicts within the society and achieve equality leading to the peaceful coexistence of community members.

Works Cited

Bello, Abdulmajeed. “Islam and Cultural Changes in Modern Africa.” Arts & Humanities Open Access Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, 2018, p. 28, https://doi.org/10.15406/ahoaj.2018.02.00030.

Cartwright, Mark. “The Spread of Islam in Ancient Africa.” World History Encyclopedia, 27 June 2023, www.worldhistory.org/article/1382/the-spread-of-islam-in-ancient-africa/.

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Describe the factors that led to the rapid expansion of Islam between the 7th and 15th centuries.

The Expansion Of Islam Between The 7th and 15th Centuries

Explain what made Islam attractive to people in sub-Saharan Africa, India, and elsewhere. Include how Islam changed as it spread into new regions.
150 words minimum