A. It varied across the continent.
The practice of Islam in medieval Africa was not uniform; it adapted and blended with various local traditions and cultural practices, reflecting the diverse societies and environments across the continent.
The trans-Saharan trade network led to the sharing of cultures, languages, and ideas across medieval Africa, most notably Islam. Berber merchants adopted the faith following exposure to Arab traders. Rulers of the Ghana and Mali Empires followed suit—in part, because they recognized the advantages of sharing a religion with their trade partners. To avoid alienating their non-Muslim subjects, these kings often blended traditional African religious practices with Islamic practices. In East Africa, Swahilis also began adopting and adapting the faith, blending Islam with their own traditions. Again, this was for both religious and economic reasons.
Study of the Quran, Islam’s foundational text, brought literacy to Africa, and as the faith spread, mosques were built across the continent. On Mansa Musa’s return trip home after his pilgrimage to Mecca, he is said to have ordered a mosque to be built every Friday (the Muslim holy day) wherever his caravan stopped.
What was likely true of the practice of Islam in medieval Africa?
A
It varied across the continent.
B
Kings adopted it under duress.
C
It died out with the decline of the empires.
D
The Berbers did not wish to share it.
1 answer