Islam in West Africa: Diffusion and Growth

Abstract

This chapter discusses the processes of West African Islamization as a combination of factors including the reaction of West Africans to Islam as the faith continues to provide a multitude of opportunities. Spanning from the seventh century, Islam remains essential to trading opportunities, cultural transmissions, education, and knowledge production and also providing a moral code through which Muslims should live their lives. It also shows how the process of Islamization gained momentum once colonialism was established. Essentially, Islam’s utilitarian values such as the spiritual and social services and its tolerance to accommodate West African customs and traditions and as well as its promise of heaven persistently make it attractive to many West Africans.