General
- History SSE Y2 SB File Uploaded 2/11/21, 16:05
UNIT 8:ORIGIN OF ISLAM AND ITS IMPACT IN WEST AFRICA
The religion of Islam arose in Middle East (Saud Arabia in Asia) about 622 AD.
The word “Islam” means ”the act of submitting, or giving oneself over to God
Allah, the followers of Islam are called ”Muslims” which means “believers”. This
religion was founded by Muhammad Ibn Abdulah. He became to be known as
the prophet of Allah or God
Muhammad and Islam
The name Muhammad means “a name praiseworthy”. Abdoul KASSIM known
as Muhammad was born around 570 AD and died on June 8th 632 in Mecca, his
birthplace. His parents were ABDALLAH and AMIN. As a child, at the age of six,
he became orphan and raised by relatives (at his uncle’s ABOU TALIB who also
died shortly after). He had a hard life. He first became” a shepherd and then his
employer (Khadija) caravans’ leader.
As Muhammad grew older, his employer (who was a wealthy widow) Khadija’s
respect and love for him grew likewise. At 25 years old, Khadija married
Muhammad and they had four children. But all these children died except his
daughter FATIMA by whom all Muhammad’s descendants are recognized.
However, this marriage brought him economic security and social prestige. It
also gave him leisure time, which he spent in mediation and prayer.
When Muhammad was about 40, he began to have visions in which God and the
Angel Gabriel were speaking to him in 610 AD. Muhammad became convinced
that he was the appointed prophet or messenger of the one true God, calledAllah (in Arabic language).
According to Islam the prophet Muhammad received many divine revelations
during his life. These revelations were written down and together make up the
Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. In this painting from an 18th-century manuscript,
Muhammad (shown at the right without facial features) is receiving a revelation
during a battle. Muhammad’s face is never depicted in Islamic art.
He believed that God had called him to turn Arabs away from idolatry, the only
true God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and now himself. In 620 AD, he began
preaching his new religion. But most of Mecca wealthy merchants becamehostile and opposed him and few followers.
The al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, holds the holiest shrine of Islam,
the Kaaba. As the birthplace of Islam’s founder, the Prophet Muhammad, Mecca
is considered a holy city. It is a pilgrimage point for Muslims worldwide, who
are expected to visit the city at least once if they can do so.
In 622 AD, Muhammad fled Mecca for a more promising field for his missionary
work, the city of Medina. His departure, called Hijra, is so important to Muslims
that it marks the beginning of the Muslim Calendar, just as the birth of Jesus
marks the first year of the Chritian calendar. Muhammad soon became Medina’spolitical and religious leader.
Medina, in western Saudi Arabia, is a sacred city that only Muslims are
permitted to enter. The Prophet Muhammad took refuge in Medina after fleeing
Mecca in 622 ad, and the city’s numerous mosques remain a destination for
large numbers of Muslims on their annual pilgrimage. The income derived from
visiting pilgrims forms the basis of Medina’s economy.
In 630 AD, he returned to Mecca in triumph. By Muhammad’s death two
year later, Islam had spread to most of Arabia. But before his death, he had
recommended his followers of setting down his teachings and sayings in one
and unique sacred book called Koran (the Muslim holy book) containing Muslimlaws on personal behavior and dogma.
Islam is based on two basic truths in what is called the Islamic creed. The creed
of Islam is a simple statement in two parts.
1. The first part is “La ilaha ilalah wa muhammadur rasuk al-lah,” meaning
there is no God but Allah the almighty.
2. The second part of the creed is that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Muslims accept these two basic statements in the heart, that there really is
one God, supreme and unique, and that the revelation given through Prophet
Muhammad by Allah is genuine, final and complete, and supersedes all
revelations that came before it.
The teachings of Islam are based on the revelations Prophet Muhammad received from God. They were first memorized by the prophet before they were
written in the Quran. Muslims believe that the original books from where these
revelations were got are in heaven with God. To Muslims, God will not reveal
anything else beyond the Quran. They regard Muhammad as the medium
through which God’s revelations reach humanity.
Muslims believe that the Quran is the direct word of God. It contains 114
chapters, or suras. The chapters are divided into verses called Ayat. Adherents
of Islam have five principal duties which they are obliged to fulfill as part of
the faith. These are usually termed the five pillars. They constitute the main
teachings of the Quran.
The five pillars are discussed below:
Profession of faith (Shahada): All Muslims are expected to utter the following
statement: “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of the
God.” This statement is to be uttered by new converts and is also the principal
means by which an individual asserts his or her adherence to Islam. It stresses
that for Muslims, there is only one God and the belief in one God (monotheism)
is central to the Islamic faith.
Giving of alms (Zakat): Zakat is regarded as a requirement in Islam. It does
not stop Muslims from giving money or goods to charity at any time. The alms
usually consist of giving two and a half percent of one’s income, and perhaps
other assets to charity or deserving causes. There are however, variations in
the income and goods which form its basis, how it should be donated and how
it should be collected. Communities may differ on who is required to give the
alms. The zakat collected is often used not only to support those in financial
need, but also to help with passing the message of Islam onto others.
Ritual prayer: It requires that Muslims – who may pray to God at any time
of the day – to pray five times a day, using certain words while facing Mecca.
The prayers are also accompanied by certain forms of kneeling and bowing
(prostrations). This form of prayer is known as Salat and should be preceded
by ritual washing to create a sense of spiritual cleanliness prior to prayers
in what is known as wudu. Where there is no mosque, a clean and peaceful
place is used, and a prayer mat is placed on the ground as a symbol of spiritualcleanliness.
The ritual prayers take place on five occasions during the day: at daybreak,
midday, the middle of the afternoon, at sunset and during the evening. The
main prayer time of the week is at noon on Fridays. These prayers are said by
the Imam, who also gives a sermon based on a few verses from the Quran.
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan: Ramadhan is usually marked in
the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The fast is observed from sunrise to
sunset for a total of 30 days. All Muslim adults are prohibited from taking food
or drink during the day. This occasion is a period which Muslims demonstrate
great discipline, both in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense.
They also contemplate God and the religious life. At sunset each day during
Ramadhan, Muslims eat a light meal to break the fast. Later in the evening, there
is a much more substantial meal taken together with family members. People
visit the mosque in the evening for prayers and to take part in the special events
marked during the holy month. After a night’s sleep, people wake up early to
take a light meal which they will survive on up to evening.
Towards the end of Ramadhan there are special celebrations. One important
celebration is celebration symbolizes the first night during which Prophet
Muhammad received revelation from God. The conclusion of the fast of
Ramadhan is usually graced by great celebration, when family members gather
and offer each other presents. This festival is known as Eid-Ul-Fitr.
Making of pilgrimage to Mecca: This is also known as hajj. A Muslim is expected,
where possible, to make the pilgrimage at least once during one’s lifetime. The
event is held every year at approximately the same time. This date is usually
between certain specific days on the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
Prophet Muhammad made a hajj in AD 632. Most of the tradition
and celebratory features of the hajj are based on this visit. During
the pilgrimage, people visit Mecca, the neighbouring towns and sites
of religious significance in the history of Islam. There is a particular
dress code for men and women. The first place to be visited is the
Kaaba (a large cube-shaped building covered in black cloth at the
time of the Hajj).
In one corner of it, there is a black stone which was said to have been
given to Ibrahim (Abraham) by Angel Jibril (Gabriel). The Kaaba is
situated in the grand mosque in Mecca. Pilgrims walk around it seven
times, moving in an anti-clockwise direction.
All Muslims are expected to “fight” to further the faith and to defend
it against any acts that might seek to undermine Islam. Jihad may attimes involve a physical struggle.
The Islamic civilization comprises the politico-administrative, economic,
social and religious organisations and science and art of Muslims. In terms
of the politico-administrative organization, the Umma (Muslim Community)
was under Allah’s authority and led by a theocratic chief called “caliph”, a
successor to Muhammad. Caliphs were both political and religious leader
helped by the Visir (or Prime Minister) and sheiks in the provinces. Regarding
economic organization, throughout Muslim world, the economy was/is based
on agriculture and trade while for the social organization, Islam is based on
egalitarian system but yet the caliphs living standards is a rich aristocracy.
The Muslim faithfuls were fanatics and so the submission made them progress
because they could only respect the Koran teachings. The men are family bosses.
In Muslim society, the infanticide is prohibited. Arab women could own and
inherit property and also have rights on education. The polygamy is tolerated
but not compulsory because Muhammad’s teachings limited men to four wives.
And in addition, men can unilaterally repudiate their wives if necessary.
In the field of religious organization, very often Muslims follow the Koran
teachings and hadiths (traditions collection of the living time references of
Muhammad once ruling Medina) and the respect for the five pillars is required.
In science and art of Muslims, most of the scientific and artistic activities
developed in leading big cities where some of the caliphs encouraged scholars
and hence promoted scientific knowledge. The Arabic language and Islam
religion promoted the spread of Islam civilization. This is how the Muslim
world produced writers, philosophers and famous scientists. In this regard,
were known as philosophers such as Avienna and Averroès.
In mathematics, Muslims invented algebra, the numeral zero, Arabic numerals
improved from Indians, analytical geometry and trigonometry. In geography,
they made several maps with a wealthy information provided by an Arab
traveler Ibn Batuta.
In medicine and chemistry, they performed alcohol distillation, delicate surgery,
the urine tests and the treatment of eye diseases.
In literature, the Arabs promoted poetry due to the presence of a library and
a museum at cordova in Moorish Spain and also due to presence of paper. In
art, Arab art was very significant in architecture. Arabs did build Mosques as
the churches of Islam and palaces for their Caliphs. It is why some people say
that Arab art was civil or religious art. For decoration and painting, they did not
make human and animal representations.
From Saudi Arabia, Mecca in the 7th century, after the death of Muhammad,
Islam as well as its civilization spread fast over the world due to the Holy wars
(Jihads), economic gains and religious fanatism and many other factors such as
uniting religion, zeal of fighting against infidels, etc. Thus, Muslims conquered,
dominated a great number of people and ended up establishing a vast Muslim
empire in the world. However, Muslims did not gain all of these conquests in
one day. It took them several stages and time.
Effects of the spread of Islamic civilization in the world
Islam like Christianity had both positive and negative consequences in Europe
and the rest of the world. Some of these consequences were identical while
others were unique to Islam. The main ones were as follows:
Liberation of women: In Arabia women had rights not enjoyed in all the other
lands. They could legally inherit property, divorce husbands, and engage inbusiness ventures.
Division of Muslims: At first Islam had uniform adherents. But due to
Loss of life and destruction of property: This issued from the Jihads. It involved
interpretation of the faith vis-à-vis leadership, divisions occurred. This led to
the emergence of the Sunni and Shi’a. Each has interpreted the teachings of the
prophet differently.
Formation of dynastic rule: Islam was responsible for the emergence of various
dynasities in areas controlled by the religion. Both the Umayyad and Abbasid
dynasities came and emerged as strong dynasties after the death of Prophet
Muhammad. The two dynasties brought centralization of authority in areas
where they exercised control.
Urbanisation: Muslims equally contributed to emergence of urban centres in
areas under their control. Populations increased at the same time with business
opportunities. This directly led to emergence of urban centres. Old centres
were also expanded e.g. Bagdad during the Abbasid dynasty was a symbol of
authority, wealth and power. The Abbasid rulers in the city, adopted traditional,
ancient style of Persian court with a high degree of luxury.
Belief in monotheism: Muslims believed in only one God – Allah and his prophet
was (is) Muhamad. People reached Allah through prayers. Islam also brought to
an end paganism in areas it controlled.
waging a physical struggle against non-believers who threatened Islam. The
wars led to massive loss of lives and destruction of property.
Change in dietary habit: Islam brought some dietary regulations on its adherents.
Acceptable foods were (and are) called ‘Halal’ while forbidden ones are called“Haraam”. Muslims have since stuck to these dietary regulations.
In Africa, the Islamic civilization first spread in North Africa between 750 AD
and 1250 AD. By 1850, it had spread into most parts of West Africa during
the early trade contact between the Arabs and the Berbers and the people of
western Africa during the Turkish occupation of North and West Africa.
There were two principal ways through which Islamic civilization spread in
West Africa in the 19th century; through peaceful means and force (jihads) as
follows:
The commercial activities: Between the States of North Africa and West Africa
because the trade involved the Berbers who were Moslems and converted the
West Africans to Islam. This Trade is the Trans Saharan Trade. Even, the name
of Sahara has been given referring to as the Dar-Al- Islam meaning the country
of Islam.
Migration: Some communities of North and Sahara region due to hot climate
migrated and settled in Western Sudan and forest region of West Africa which
had good climate e.g. the Berbers, the Wolof, the Serere and the Fulani who
were mostly Moslems. They integrated with the people of West Africa who alsojoined Islam.
Moslem missionaries. Moslem fanatics came in West Africa to win many people
to Islamic through preaching and building mosques, for example, a Creole well
known missionary Muhammad Shita converted many people and built mosques
in Freetown, Furah Bay and Lagos.
Education. Many Moslem schools were built in West Africa and many Arab
scholars arrived to teach Islamic principles to the children of West Africa who
eventually converted to the faith.
Conversion of the West African leaders: Some African kings and chiefs who joined
Islam encouraged their subjects to join Islam too, especially who got interested
in leadership joined Islam as a symbol of loyalty.
Jihads: Moslem fanatics by force declared a holy war in order to purify or reform
Islam faith which was declining in the region by conquest e.g. the Fulani jihad in
Hausaland, Macina, Tukolar, and the Mandika Empire etc.
Prestige: Those who made pilgrimages to Mecca came back with wealth, new
ideas etc. They were considered heroes in their communities; therefore, others
were inspired to join in order to enjoy such status.
Moslem solidarity: Islam was based on simple theology of brotherhood which
was an admiration of other non-Muslims who joined in order to be integrated
in society by sharing the brotherhood in problems and happiness.
Similarity with African culture: Islam tolerated some African culture in case of
similarity. It accepted polygamy, discourage immorality and it also tolerated
traditional African religion.
Oppression from African leaders: People from the Hausa States faced a lot of
oppression and brutality from their leaders. They therefore decided to joinJihad’s movement hence they voluntarily accepted Islam faith.
The spread of Islamic civilization in West Africa had brought the following
effects:
The rulers who undertook pilgrimages to Mecca brought with them technology
and scholars from the Moslems world. These influenced and charged the
political, economic and social situations in West Africa.
Islam was a new religion, for many people were diverted from their traditional
practices and adopted those of Islam such as attending Juma prayers, fasting
and pilgrimages to Mecca.
Islam introduced literacy as well as Moslem education for example Arabic
language and writing was taught. This made the cities of the Niger to become
great centres of learning such as Timbuktu University.
Islam helped to unite empires that were made up of people with different tribes,
culture, language and customs. In other words, Islam brought about different
ethnic groups to be one in religion.
The leaders employed educated Moslems such as secretaries, administrators
and judges. These were conversant with Arabic writing and reading.
The coming of Islam increased and made stronger trading links between West
and North Africa to the Arab World and Europe.
Islam gave rise to the growth of small states into large empires which used the
Moslem system of government and laws.
The Sharia law was introduced in governments of some West African states as
the constitution of Moslem states.
It discouraged slave trade among Moslems in West African states though in
Western Sudan it encouraged slavery.
It affected African culture by eroding African traditional cultural practices like taking alcohol,taming dogs, etc. So many Africans abandoned their traditional ways.
8.6.1 Concept of Jihad
A Jihad is an Islamic religious movement or a holy war that is fought by fanatic
Moslems against those who do not believe in their faith aiming at spreading,
purifying and strengthening Islam.
The 19th Century saw a wave of Jihad or Islamic movements in northern Sudan.
The causes of these jihads were extremely complicated. Although, they were
religious movements, they had a mixture of political, economic and intellectual
causes.
The first jihads in West Africa were recorded in Guinea in Futa Jallon in 1720s
led by Ibrahim Musa. In 1770s, there was yet another jihad in Senegal in Futa
Toro led by Sulayman BAL. In 1808, Uthman Dan Fadio began holy wars in
the Hausa States (Daura, Kano, Katsina, Zaria, Rano, Gobir and Hiram). Other
West African Jihadists were Seku Ahmadu of Macina, Al Hajj Umar of Tukolorand Ahmed Bello.
8.6.2 Causes of Jihads in West Africa
They included:
Purification of Islam. It argued that after the decline of Mali and Songhai,
there was a decline in Islamic faith in Western Sudan. Islam was mixed with
paganism for example. Therefore, there was a need for retrieving Islam. To stop
unfair judgments in courts of law: These courts were infected with rampant
corruption and bribery which were against the teaching of Islam.
Tribal sentiments: The Fulani who were leaders of the Jihads aimed at
overthrowing the government of the Hausa people and to establish a government
that was favourable to their people. This act was so because the Fulani were
discriminated.
Wide spread belief of the Mahdi (Savior). According to the Moslems, he was
supposed to come during the 13th century of the Islamic calendar. This started
from 1785 to 1882.
Overthrow of pagan governments. The Jihadists wanted to establish governments
on Islamic rule, strict Muslims in West Africa could not tolerate being ruled
by pagans. To make matters worse, Moslems were forced to go to war against
fellow Moslems contrary to Islamic practice.
Spreading Islam. This was aimed at the people who had resisted to be converted
in Islam. Thus, they would be forced to join Islam.
Desire to spread Islamic education. By removing the pagans who were against
Islamic education, the Jihadists hoped to an ideal Islamic society through
education. This was an intellectual cause.
Over taxation. Governments in Western Sudan imposed heavy taxes on the
town Fulani merchants while the Fulani pastoralists or nomads were opposed
to the heavy taxation.
Unfair methods for tax collection: These methods were ruthless because the tax
collectors were harsh. They wiped and imprisoned the people if they failed to
pay. Even then some of the property was confiscated. Reason why the people up
rose and welcome Islam.
Defense of African independence: The West African joined jihad in order to
save their independence and against slave trade allowed in West Africa. This
because according to Sharia law, no Muslim is supposed to enslave or sellanother Muslim.
Therefore, with the above, causes, time was right for a revolution that needed
only as part. This was provided by the arrival of men filled with religious zeal
and reformist ideas with the ability to lead and organize for example UthmanDan Fodio, Al Hajji Umar, Seku Ahmadu among others.
The Sokoto Caliphate, which spanned much of the northern halves of today’s
nations of Nigeria and Cameroon
The first jihad in western Sudan took place in Hausaland in 1804. This jihad
was led by Uthman Dan Fodio. He was a Fulani and a scholar. He was born in
1754 at Martha in Gobir.
He received Islamic education from various teachers but finally he ended up
in Agades under the famous Islamic teacher Jibril Ibn Umar. At the age of 20,
he started his career as a writer and teacher in Senegal. From here, he started
missionary tours in Hausaland, especially Zamfara, Kebbi and Daura. In his
preaching and writing, he attacked all unreligious tendencies. He condemned
corrupt and unjust governments, and illegal taxation. He insisted on complete
acceptance of the spiritual and moral values of Islam.
He soon mobilised a large number of followers. Most of these believed that he
was the Mahdi or the saviour. His fame attracted the administration of Sultan
Bawa, the leader of Gobir. He was employed as the tutor of the Sultan’s son.
All these increased Fodio’s influence. Because of this influence, he successfully
negotiated with Sultan Bawa of Gobir to release all Muslim prisoners. He also
requested the king to grant freedom of worship and also exempt Muslims from
un-Islamic taxes.
Unfortunately, Bawa was succeeded by Sultan Nafata and later Yunfa who did
not support Uthman Dan Fodio. Because of Uthman’s growing influence, Yunfa
arranged the assassination of Fodio but he managed to escape. Along with his
brother Abdullah and son Mohammed Bello, Fodio escaped to Gudu outside
Gobir.
At Gudu, many Fulani tribesmen joined him and he was elected commander of
the faithful, Amir Al Munimin. He then, declared a jihad on the non-believers in
1804 and confronted Yunfa’s army. After a prolonged fight, Yunfa’s army was
defeated and he was killed at Akolawa. Serious resistance against Fodio’s army
collapsed in 1809. Immediately, Fodio declared the Sokoto Caliphate and he
became the undisputed caliph.
Once the conquest period was over, Fodio returned to his work of writing books
since he was basically an Islamic scholar. He divided the empire between his
son and his brother. Mohammed Bello his son was in charge of the eastern
region and Abdullah his brother the western region. Fodio died in 1817 andhis son Mohammed Bello was recognised as the caliph of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Al Hajj Umar was born in 1794 in Futa Toro. His father was a Tukolor scholar.
Umar belonged to the Tijaniyya brotherhood and his first teacher was Abd Al
Karim. Umar was also a disciple of Uthman Dan Fodio.
In 1825, he made a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Tijani authorities were impressed
with the works of Umar and he was appointed the Khalifa or religious leader
of the Tijaniyya in western Sudan in 1831. He was charged with the duty of
reviving and spreading Islam in the region.
While away, he was impressed by the reformist ideas of the day. He witnessedMohammed Ali’s revolution in Egypt. He also spent sometimes in Bornu, Sokoto.
In Sokoto, he was impressed by the leadership possibilities opened by jihad. He
married the daughters of both Alkanem of Bornu and Mohammed of Sokoto.
He witnessed the expansion and spread of Islam through a jihad. He was also
convinced that the revival and purification and spread of Islam would be
possible through embracing Tijaniyya ideas.
In 1838, he returned home with even greater inspiration and determination to
purify and spread Islam. He settled at a place called Fouta Djalon. From here he
made extensive tours, teaching, preaching and converting.
In his book “Rinah”, he attacked evil and illegal tendencies. He condemned
mixed Islam. He appealed to the masses, assuring them of favoured treatment
on the day of judgement as members of the Tijaniyya. His teachings were well
received by the ordinary persons. These had been alienated by the Quadiriyya.
His fame as a scholar and teacher attracted a large following. He was regarded
as the Mujahidin (soldiers fighting in support of their strong Muslim beliefs).
His growing fame and influence alarmed the Quadiriyya scholars and Fouta
Djalon political authorities. In 1851, he fled to Dinguiray.
Here, he established an armed camp with his faithful disciples as well as
students attracted from West Africa. These were mainly from the lower classes.
He equipped the army with European weapons bought from the coastal towns
of West Africa. He even established a workshop of gun smiths who could repair
guns. At a later stage, Al Hajj Umar was able to manufacture some of these arms,
thus supplying his army.
In 1852, Umar declared a holy war on infidels in the Sudan. In 1854, he
conquered the Wangara states. By 1857, he was ready to attack the Bambara
of Segu. Nevertheless, this brought him into conflict with the Muslim state of
Massina. After this, Umar diverted his attention against French imperialists.
This was a mistake that he would regret later. By 1863, the Tukolor Empire
extended from Futa Djalon to Timbuktu.
In February 1863, Al Hajj Umar was killed in the famous Massina uprising.
This was spear-headed by the Quadiriyya leaders who were opposed to his
Tijaniyya principles. But the empire under his eldest son and successor Ahmadi
Bin Sheikh, survived till it was over-run by the French in 1893.
Umar strengthened Islam expanded the borders of the Tukolar Empire, and
promoted Islamic literacy. For example, he set up new centres of Islamic
education in western Sudan. Lastly, in his efforts he made the Tijaniyya sect
more popular than the Quadiriyya. Today, the Tijaniyya is more dominant in
West Africa.
We note that some of these jihad movements succeeded while others failed. So,
the jihad leaders succeeded in their holy wars due to the following factors like:
─ Disunity among non-Islamic states in West Africa against fanatic
Muslims;
─ Jihad movement in West Africa enjoyed good leadership;
─ These jihads were led by elites who had very convincing rhetoric or
persuasive speech that won then big numbers of followers;
─ The possession of fire arms by the jihadists;
─ The hope to gain economic achievements. The non-Muslims whowere poor supported the jihads with hope of raiding for wealth.
They included:
The Jihads led to the closer contacts with the outside World. This was much so
with Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. In fact, a pilgrimage made by Al Hajji
Umar to Mecca in 1825 further exposed the Sudan to the outside world.
They led to the spread and revival of Islam culture for example the way of
dressing with items such as the veil, the turban and others like the daily prayers
and the Hijja.
They led to the employment of literate Moslem officials by Kings and Emperors
as clerks, secretaries, judges, auditors, inspectors and teachers were parts of
this Islamic change.
The large and powerful political states were formed as Islamic States under
Moslem rulers like Uthman Dan Fodio of the Sokoto, Muhammad Bello of the
Sokoto, Seku Ahmad of the Macina, Al Hajji Umar of Tokolar and Al Kanemi of
Dinguiray.
They created clashes and conflicts between the traditional pagans and the
Moslems for example there was enslavement of non-Moslems as permitted by
the Koran. This led to tribal wars and antagonism.
The formation of States enough to resist European infiltration because Jihads
united the masses behind their leaders; against the French for example.
The creation of a new order of administration known as a centralized system of
administration and the rule in accordance to the requirement of Koran.
The stabilization and efficient management of the economy in the Islamic states
because they started abolishing the unlawful taxes and levied taxes that were
stipulated in the holy Koran.
They led to the decline of the African traditional religions because the leaders
of the religion and people that refused to change to Islam were executed.
By the Jihads, there was a control of the spread of Christianity in West Africa
because the European Christian Missionaries were deterred from entering theMuslim lands.
Unit Summary
The unit examines the raise of Islamic as a religion and civilization. Mainly
it focuses to how coquests were done from north Africa and how different
caliphates were consequently organized. Important cities comprising even
universities were created like Timbuktu one and up today, this part of Africa
shows deep Islamic beliefs that expose the region to terrorism and blood
conflicts. Among so called jihad movements leading such events are BokoHaram, AQMI (AL-Qaeda in Maghred Islamic) to mention but few.