Islam spread quickly beginning in the seventh century through two primary means. The first method was conquest. Although no one was forced to convert after Muslim conquests, many found it advantageous, and some of the areas were eventually Islamized. The second method was trade, which spread the message of Islam through merchants. The first Islamic community was founded at Medina inan event which begins the Muslim calendar.

From Medina the Muslims branched out, eventually capturing Mecca in By the time of his death inMuhammad had united the entire Arabian Peninsula under his new religion. Abu Bakr, Muhammad's first political successor, or caliph, put down rebellions in Arabia and set the stage for the rapid expansion that would follow. The caliphate expanded rapidly under Umar's reign from tospreading north to Mesopotamia, east to the Persian lands of the defeated Sassanid Empire and west across North Africa.

Byunder the Umayyad caliphate, the Muslim world had spread through North Africa up to southern France, north to the Caucasus and east into modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Spain was eventually re-conquered by Christian forces, but for the most part, all of the land conquered in this era remains Muslim today.

The Ottoman Empire would eventually supplant the Byzantines in modern-day Turkey, overseeing an empire that once stretched from the Balkans to Somalia, and from modern-day Morocco to Persia. Islam in East Africa dates back to the early seventh century, when Muslims took refuge from Meccan persecution in modern-day Ethiopia. North African traders brought Islam to West Africa as early as the eighth spread of islam trade routes, fueling a gradual Islamization of the area.

Why so many West Africans eventually converted to Islam is unknown, but three theories are generally given: Islam was similarly spread down the east coast of Africa as Muslim traders intermarried with the local population and the area's elite converted to Islam. Islam became a sign of social status and economic opportunity on the East African coast.

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country and the last major region to forex license uk converted to Islam. Muslim trade ships brought Islam in the 14th century, spread of islam trade routes soon many Sufis -- Islamic mystics -- began to move inland to preach the faith.

The faith spread in a similar manner in modern-day Malaysia.

Later European hurst trading signals stopped the spread of Islam in the rest of Southeast Asia, but the roots of Islam were deep enough to survive the colonization of the Dutch and the British. Trade also brought Islam to places that never had a majority Muslim population.

Islam was spread via the Silk Road as far as the city of Chang-an in eastern China. Trade also brought Islam to India, which has one of the world's largest Muslim populations despite its Hindu majority. In modern times, immigration and economic opportunity have brought Muslim communities to traditionally Christian areas such as Europe and North America. Michael Brenner has been a writer for almost 10 years for various outlets including the "Chicago Tribune," "St. Louis Post-Dispatch," other newspapers and various business websites.

He holds two master's degrees from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in the areas of interfaith relations and world religions. People of our everyday life. Related Articles 1 Islam's Expansion in the 7th Century 2 Iraq and Islam 3 How Did Trade Help Spread Early Islam? Muhammad and Arabia The first Islamic community was founded at Medina inan event which begins the Muslim calendar. The Expanding Caliphate The caliphate expanded rapidly under Umar's reign from tospreading north to Mesopotamia, east to the Persian lands of the defeated Sassanid Empire and west across North Africa.

Spread of Islam - Wikipedia

Malaysia and Indonesia Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country and the last major region to be converted to Islam. To All Corners Trade also brought Islam to places that never had a majority Muslim population.

The Role of Merchants in Spreading Islam

The Spread of Islam New World Encyclopedia: The Spread of Islam in West Africa University of Washington: The Spread of Islam Along the Silk Route. About the Author Michael Brenner has been a writer for almost 10 years for various outlets including the "Chicago Tribune," "St.

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