Trade: Sub-Saharan Africa
Islam in East Africa dates back to the early seventh century, when Muslims took refuge from Meccan persecution in modern-day Ethiopia. North African traders brought Islam to West Africa as early as the eighth century, fueling a gradual Islamization of the area. Why so many West Africans eventually converted to Islam is unknown, but three theories are generally given: economic motives, the appeal of Islam's spiritual message and the prestige of Arabic society. Islam was similarly spread down the East Coast of Africa as Muslim traders intermarried with the local population and the area's elite converted to Islam. Islam became a sign of social status and economic opportunity on the East African coast.
Trade: Malaysia and Indonesia
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country and the last major region to be converted to Islam. Muslim trade ships brought Islam in the 14th century, and soon many Sufis – Islamic mystics – began to move inland to preach the faith. The faith spread in a similar manner in modern-day Malaysia. Later European colonization stopped the spread of Islam in the rest of Southeast Asia, but the roots of Islam were deep enough to survive the colonization of the Dutch and the British.
To All Corners
Trade also brought Islam to places that never had a majority Muslim population. Islam was spread via the Silk Road as far as the city of Chang-an in eastern China. Trade also brought Islam to India, which has one of the world's largest Muslim populations despite its Hindu majority.
