Why is Islam the major religion in Africa?

The spread of Islam in North Africa came with the expansion of Arab empire under Caliph Umar, through the Sinai Peninsula. The spread of Islam in West Africa was through Islamic traders and sailors. Islam is the dominant religion in North Africa and some of the Horn of Africa, which is majority Christian.

How did Islam Impact Africa?

Islam in Africa has linked together diverse peoples through better cultural understanding and a spirit of cooperation and common weal. The historial impact of Islam upon trade, particularly in West Africa, greatly increased the wealth of African people and helped form many great African empires.

Why is Islam an important religion?

Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will. Islam teaches that Allah’s word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam.

Why did Islam spread in Africa?

According to Arab oral tradition, Islam first came to Africa with Muslim refugees fleeing persecution in the Arab peninsula. This was followed by a military invasion, some seven years after the death of the prophet Mohammed in 639, under the command of the Muslim Arab General, Amr ibn al-Asi.

What was Africa’s first religion?

Christianity came first to the continent of Africa in the 1st or early 2nd century AD. Oral tradition says the first Muslims appeared while the prophet Mohammed was still alive (he died in 632). Thus both religions have been on the continent of Africa for over 1,300 years.

What is the relationship of Islam to African culture?

Islam made its presence felt in much of Africa (the East coast and Horn of Africa as well as West Africa) mainly through trade and migration. In this way a balance was established between local ritual prescriptions and those of universal Islam.

Is Nigeria an Islamic country?

Nigeria has one of the largest Muslim populations in West Africa. In Nigeria, about 52 percent of the population is Muslim. Most of Nigeria’s Muslim population live in the Northern and Central states.

How did Islam make its way into West Africa?

Islam first came to West Africa as a slow and peaceful process, spread by Muslim traders and scholars. Goods passed through chains of Muslim traders, purchased, finally, by local non-Muslims at the southern most end of the route.