Answer:
The settlement of islam in west Africa takes us back to 18th century. This was not an easy process.
It is important to know that the most part of what is known today from modern states like Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Nigeria is because of the medieval accounts by Arab and North African historians. Although there is not a certain reason why early conversions happened, it is clear that economic motivations like trade and commerce, the essence of Islam's message and the prestige that came with Arabic literacy were a big influence.
Explanation:
The introduction of Islam into West Africa was brought to life with a big help from North African traders. Since many trade routes connected Africa below the Sahara with the Mediterranean Middle East.
There are three stages in which the history of Islam in West Africa can be explained: Containment, Mixing, and Reform.
During the Containment
Islam opened up long-distance trade by offering good tools for merchants like information networks. Muslim merchant-scholars were important people with the significant skill of written script, with this ability they helped in the administration of kingdoms. They spread Islam into the forest areas too. Thanks to some practices in the forest zones some traditions were born till the present day. During this phase, ancient people from Ghana and Muslims crossed the Shara in direction to West Africa for trade. They traded Salt, horses, dates, and camels from the north they brought gold, timber, and species. This led to one of the major characteristics of Ghana: the dual city, that maintained the Muslim traders out of the power of Ghana´s kingdom.
About this time, the Almoravid movement started in western Sahara and spread along modern Mauritania.
Mixing phase
During this time African rulers permitted the adoption of Islam and they blended Islam with traditional practices. This led to the creation of multi-ethnic states with a religious mixing and cultural groups.
Some states during this time patronized Islamic institutions and sponsored mosques, and libraries. ARAB history affirm that the pastoral nomadic Tuareg stablished Timbuktu as a trading outpost. With a multicultural population showing a cosmopolitan context.
The reform phase
At this time literate Muslims began to claim reforms. this time appears a change in Muslim settlements that practice Islam mixed with pagan rituals and practices to communities that entirely adopted Islamic ideas and established Shariah.
In conclusion, the three stages: Containment, mixing and reform shed light on the developments that Islam practices brought to this region. It is important to mention that Islam is an important part of the African context.
