Muslims were known to have a commercial talent notably encouraged by Islam, as well as excellent sailing skills. Thus, they could monopolize the East-West trade of the maritime Silk Roads, connecting various major ports of eastern Asian regions together.
Muslim merchants carried the message of Islam wherever they traveled. This was possible because of the Muslim practise of “direct” trade, one of the most remarkable innovations of Islam. Prior to Muslim conquests, trade was conducted by a network of local merchants who traded exclusively in their homelands.
Between the eighth and ninth centuries, Arab traders and travelers, then African clerics, began to spread the religion along the eastern coast of Africa and to the western and central Sudan (literally, “Land of Black people”), stimulating the development of urban communities.
Buddhist merchants from those areas built temples and shrines along the Silk Road everywhere they went; the priests and monks who staffed those religious establishments preached to local populations and passing travelers, spreading the faith rapidly.
Merchants were carriers of Islam rather than agents of Islamization. They opened routes and exposed isolated societies to external influences, but they were not themselves engaged in the propagation [spread] of Islam, which was the work of religious leaders.
How Medieval India’s Coastal Muslims helped it become wealthy, successful
How did Islam treat merchants?
In the Qur'an, trading is considered acceptable as long as it is fair and no cheating is involved. Merchants can either be rewarded and blessed for true transactions, or be "obliterated" "if they conceal and tell a lie."
After the advent of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century, Islam started its expansion towards eastern regions through trade encouraged by the development of the maritime Silk Roads. Muslims were known to have a commercial talent notably encouraged by Islam, as well as excellent sailing skills.
There are many reasons why Islam spread so quickly. First Mecca was connected to many global trade routes. Another important reason was their military conquered lots of territory. A third factor was the Muslims fair treatment of conquered peoples.
A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people, especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is anyone who is involved in business or trade. Merchants have operated for as long as industry, commerce, and trade have existed.
South Arabian merchants utilized the Incense Route to transport not only frankincense and myrrh but also spices, gold, ivory, pearls, precious stones, and textiles—all of which arrived at the local ports from Africa, India, and the Far East.
Trade routes were an important link between different civilizations to trade goods as well as ideas, languages, etc. Trade helped Muslim civilizations increase their wealth and influence, spread their religion, and integrate themselves with each other and non-Muslim civilizations.
Crescent and Star: The faith of Islam is symbolized by the Crescent and Star. The Crescent is the early phase of the moon and represents progress. The star signifies illumination with the light of knowledge. Islam by definition means submission and has the extended meaning of peace.
Every Muslim is obligated to pray five times a day - Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. The prayer called Salah is prayed in the congregation every day at dawn, post noon, during the evening, at the evening, and at night. Here is all you need to know about the Muslim prayer.
Prayer is central to Islamic belief, which is rooted in discipline and perseverance for spiritual well-being. As part of this discipline, Muslims pray five times a day, a practice known as salat.
Adherents hold that Hinduism—one of the principal faiths in the modern world, with about one billion followers—is the world's oldest religion, with complete scriptural texts dating back 3,000 years.
Christianity developed out of Second Temple Judaism in the 1st century CE. It is founded on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and those who follow it are called Christians. Islam developed in the 7th century CE.
What is the fastest growing religion in the world?
Modern growth. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. In 1990, 1.1 billion people were Muslims, while in 2010, 1.6 billion people were Muslims.
The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O'Leary in the book “Islam at the cross road” (Page 8): “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon ...
According to the later chronicler Ibn Abd al-Hakam, the Tangier governor Tariq ibn Ziyad led a force of approximately 7,000 men from North Africa to southern Spain in 711.
Trade and caravans were not exclusive to Mecca's people as many other Arabs also had Caravans and those on the Shores in the Gulf, Red Sea , Mediterranean and Indian Ocean had Ships and traded all across southern Europe and as far as India and China.
Why were the merchants of Mecca afraid of Muhammad?
His strong monotheistic message angered many of the Meccan merchants. They were afraid that trade, which they believed was protected by the pagan gods, would suffer. From that point forward, Muhammad was ostracized in Mecca.
While the motivations of early conversions remain unclear, it is apparent that the early presence of Islam in West Africa was linked to trade and commerce with North Africa. Trade between West Africa and the Mediterranean predated Islam, however, North African Muslims intensified the Trans-Saharan trade.
Five of the colours that are mentioned by name are terms of the pre- Islamic vocabulary of Arabic, abyad (white), 'aswad (black), 'ahmar (red), 'aṣfar (yellow) and 'akhḍar (green), while other colours are noticeably rare in the Koran (Devin 1999).
Considered a sacred color in Islam, associated with “khidr” or landscapes of greenery, the color is indicative of the heavens. In fact, the Muslim faith believes that the people in paradise are dressed in all green. It is the most common color used in mosques, creating a sense of connection to the surrounding nature.
