Refer to the two passages. How did ideas like the ones expressed in the passages
contribute to the spread of Islam in northern Africa
between 1200 and 1450 CE?
Source 1
"I was sitting with Abu Darda' in the mosque of
Damascus, when a man came to him and said: 'O Abu
Darda,'I have come to you from Al-Madinah, the city of
the Messenger of Allah (saw), for a Hadith which I have
heard that you narrate from the Prophet (saw).' He said:
'Did you not come for trade?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Did
you not come for anything else?' He said: 'No.' He said: '1
heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: 'Whoever
follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will
make easy for him a path to Paradise. The angels lower
their wings in approval of the seeker of knowledge, and
everyone in the heavens and on earth prays for
forgiveness for the seeker of knowledge, even the fish in
the sea. The superiority of the scholar over the
worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over all
O Monarchs decided to ally with the Islamic empire to
prevent war.
O The Islamic empire established a center of learning in
the territories.
The Islamic empire conquered the people of the
territory and had them convert to Islam.
O The monarchs converted, then used their Islamic
knowledge in government matters.