12 Positive Impacts of Islam in West Africa Civilization

Islam first entered Africa in the early seventh century, as the the first place outside of Arabia to where Islam spread. No become the third world country, many Islam population resides in the black continent. This article will explain about the positive impacts of Islam in West Africa.

The spread of Islam in West Africa definitely has a huge impact on the people on countries there. Islam is more that beliefs and rituals, it provides a holistic way of life and civilization. Here are some of the impacts that Islam left in West Africa.

1. Uniting Society in Every Aspects

Islam is a special religion that unites different societies all across West Africa. It has a basis that commonly accepted by most of the traditional religious African with different roots. Thus, Islam is something that put them together. Many of the leaders in West Africa use Islam as the basis of their leadership and authority. Also read Impacts of Islamophobia

2. Transforming the Administration System

The administration system in West Africa changed once Islam entered. Many countries in West Africa adapt Muslim’s system in taxation and justice since Islam has a more efficient administration. It makes every administrative works become more efficient. A Muslim employer works better that even ancient Ghana ruler employed Muslims to work for them.

3. Establishing Diplomatic Relations

Islam starts the establishment of diplomatic relations among Islamic countries. For example the Western Sudan’s ruler which established a good relation with countries like Tunis and Egypt. Other diplomatic connection made by West African countries is with Ottoman Empire and southern of Spain. Also read Impacts of Islam on Indian Society

4. Creating the Army

Hajj or pilgrimage had brought many advantages in the early development of Islam in West Africa. A Muslim who went to Mecca for hajj usually brought back ally, adopted and introduced them then created an army from the lot. As the time goes by, the number got extended as they make sure to protect their country.

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

Hijra or traveling is a highly encouraged act in Islam, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) had done in a lot in the past. Hajj itself has contributed in Islam growth in the earlier age. A Muslim will be able to coveted the title Hajj and the more important thing is to gain Barka, a spiritual power which acquired by touching the black stone of the Ka’ba. Also read Importance of Islam in Western Civilization

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6. Getting Hold to the Pillar of Islam

The five pillars which gave the heart and soul of Islam helps define what was wrong and right, replacing the previous beliefs. Those five pillars were daily prayers (including congregational prayer on Friday), fasting, giving charity, and pilgrimage or hajj.

7. Introducing Literacy

Islam is a civilized religion that encourage all believers to endlessly seeking for knowledge. Thus, every Muslim has a high literacy and it was soon introduced in Islam after the coming of Islam. Through literacy, the past scholars were able to keep records on the state’s history including the development of Islam. Also read Effects of Secularism in Islam

8. School Establishment

Along with the literacy, schools and education were also improved in West Africa. Schools were started to built in large cities and towns of Western Sudan. The improved education as well as school establishment in many countries of West Africa were highly influenced by Islamization.

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9. Emerge of the Great Scholars

After Islam, many great scholars emerged from Western Africa, particularly the state of Western Sudan. Among the scholars were Mahamud Kati, Abdurrahman As Sadi, and Ahmed Baba. All those scholars had written remarkable book about Islam which still use as literature of Islamic studies in Africa until today. Also read Effects of Crusades in Islam

10. Cultural Change

As Islam entered, every aspect of the society changed, including the culture. Islam had penetrated the way of life, customs, way of thinking, as well as eradicating old tradition which turn out to be wrong in Islamic view. The most standout change after Islam in Western Sudan was how the prominent Sudanese Muslims wives dressed. They went out of the house covering their head and face with veil, according to Islamic law of getting dressed.

11. Change in the Architecture

Islam is a civilized and holistic religion. One of the positive impacts of Islam in Western Africa was how they started to built house and building with burnt brick and stone. It showed that Islam has brought modernization to their lives. Also read Virtues of Scholars in Islam

12. Promote Even Larger Trading

Islam was spread in Africa through trading. As Islam getting deeper in West Africa, it also promoted the trade between West Africa and Mediterranean. Many of Muslims in West Africa who worked as trader found their way to become richer and got their lives settled.

Islam is more than religion, as it brought major changes to many country where it spread. It provided civilization, a new perspective and way of life. We should be grateful as we were born as a Muslim and becoming part of the rightest religion. May Allah SWT showers all of us with never ending blessings. Amin.