Islam in Africa Throughout History
By Muhammad Amān al-Jāmī

Introduction

Under this title, I intend to take us on a brief tour of certain parts of the continent relevant to our work of calling people to Islam. The aim is to understand the continent’s past and connect it with its present in these areas, and to learn about the stages through which Islamic work there has passed. This very brief account draws on the actual course of the call to Islam there, from the time of the Negus to the present day.

Seeking help from Allah alone, I say…

Islam in Africa Throughout History

Africa was the first continent after the Arabian Peninsula to be blessed and illuminated by the light of Islam. Soon after its arrival in the Arabian Peninsula, Islam passed directly from Mecca to a part of Africa: Abyssinia, known today as Ethiopia—specifically, Eritrea. Islam reached that part of Africa before reaching anywhere else, even Medina, the destination of the migration.

This occurred when the persecution inflicted by the disbelievers upon the Prophet of mercy and his Companions intensified, leaving them unable to worship their Lord freely. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave his Companions permission to migrate to Abyssinia after reassuring them that there was a king in that land under whose protection no one would suffer injustice. This was the Negus, may Allah be pleased with him, who at that time was still a Christian.