First: The Muslim conquerors:
Thanks to these Muslim conquers, Islam was introduced to West Africa since the first century A.H. Muslims established Islamic countries in Africa after conquering parts of the continent. The first of these conquerors was ‘Uqbah ibn Naafi‘, who was appointed by ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, as the commander of the Muslim army that was sent to North Africa. ‘Uqbah ibn Naafi‘conquered North Africa and founded the city of Kairouan (also known as Kirwan and Al-Qayrawaan), rendering it a center of Islamic Da‘wah in Africa. He established an Islamic Arab community in the new city and then returned to Egypt.

‘Uqbah ibn Naafi‘ led the initial conquest of North Africa in 662 A.D., but he did not journey deep into Africa nor expand the Islamic dynasty on a large scale in North Africa at that time. However, when he was re-appointed as the Muslim army commander during the reign of Yazeed ibn Mu‘aawiyah, he continued the Islamic conquests westwards, until he reached the Sous (or Souss) lands, which were inhabited by Berber peoples. The Masmuda tribe, which was one of the largest Berber tribal confederacies in the Maghreb, embraced Islam. ‘Uqbah continued his conquests of the Maghreb until he reached the Atlantic Ocean. He rode his horse up to chest-high waters and said his famous words, “O Allaah, Be my witness that there is no way to advance. Had I found a way to advance, I would have advanced.”
Then, he marched towards the south until he encountered the Zenaga tribe (Sanhaja, Znaga or Sanhadja) which embraced Islam at his hands. He then entered Tangier and then marched south, spreading Islamic sovereignty over the borders of Sudan and conquered Ghana, Guinea, and Tukulor. Some Berber tribes embraced Islam at his hands, and he was the first Muslim army commander to receive martyrdom in Africa.

Moosa ibn Nusayr succeeded ‘Uqbah ibn Naafi‘ as the Muslim army commander in Africa. He ushered the Berber tribes who apostatized back to Islam. These tribes became good Muslims and participated in the Islamic conquests of Africa and Andalusia.

After Moosaa ibn Nusayr, Zuhayr ibn Qays was appointed as the Muslim army commander in Africa during the reign of ‘Abdul-Malik ibn Marwaan. He continued the Islamic conquests until he received the honor of martyrdom in Africa while participating in Jihaad. His successor was ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Habeeb ibn Abi ‘Ubaydah ibn ‘Uqbah, who conquered the Sous lands. He drilled a series of wells in the desert and was able to establish a strong connection between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

During the reign of the rightly guided Caliphs and the Umayyad rule, West Africa was affiliated to Egypt, with respect to the administrative system. Then, the continent witnessed successive conquests of the Almoravids and other governments.

Second: Sufi Tareeqahs:
Sufi Tareeqahs (orders) played a commendable role and exerted great efforts in spreading Islam in West Africa. Their role was spreading the Islamic teachings, advocating tolerance with Christians, and using the means of encouraging and not intimidation to preach Islam. Moreover, they constructed mosques and places for Thikr that became beehive-like places for remembering and worshipping Allaah. They established schools and purchased slaves, taught them the principles of Islam, and then freed them and sent them as callers to Allaah to preach Islam in different regions. Among the Sufi Tareeqahs that had great experience and accomplishments in Da‘wah were the Qaadiriyyah, Teejaaniyyah, and Sinoosi (Sanussi) Tareeqahs.

Third: Door-to-door sellers and peddlers:
These traveling merchants and peddlers are considered one of the most significant groups that spread Islam in West Africa. Commercial caravans transported weapons and clothing from North Africa to West Africa. It is noteworthy that wherever these Muslim traders reached, they mingled with the inhabitants of that area, married their daughters, and even set up new villages for themselves to settle in.

They established Muslim communities to reside permanently in the countries visited. They also founded trade centers, harbors for their boats and ships and built mosques, some of which are still intact till this very day.
They established schools for studying the Noble Quran wherever they traveled and exchanged ideas with the inhabitants, kings, and rulers. These tolerant Islamic ideas were received well by those of good souls. Shortly, many of the population of the region converted from paganism into Islam.

Fourth: Callers to Allaah, and teachers:
Islamic Da‘wah in Africa was purely spiritual. The Muslim callers to Allaah followed the Muslim conqueror wherever he went in order to complete his task and guide people to Islam. The early Muslim pioneers succeeded in ushering throngs of people into the religion of Allaah. This led to the formation of Islamic states in many parts of the African continent, especially in the west, on the relics of the previous pagan states.

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