Expansion of Christianity and Islam
Senior 2 · Religion and Ethics
Expansion of Christianity and Islam
Lesson 3 of 5
20 min
In Nyamirambo, one of Kigali's oldest neighbourhoods, the Green Mosque has stood since 1913. How did Islam, which began in Arabia, reach the hills of Rwanda? The answer lies in da'wah, the Islamic duty of inviting people to God, carried along the trade routes of Africa by merchants, teachers and ordinary believers.
Da'wah is an Arabic word meaning "invitation" or "call". In Islam it means inviting people to believe in Allah and to live good lives, by word and by example. It also includes encouraging Muslims to practise their faith better. A person who does da'wah is called a da'i (a caller).
"And there may spring from you a nation who invite to goodness, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful." (Qur'an 3:104)
Enjoin means to urge or command. Da'wah is an invitation, not force: "There is no compulsion in religion." (Qur'an 2:256)
| Quality | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sincerity | The caller acts for the sake of Allah, not for money or fame. |
| Knowledge | The caller must understand the Qur'an and the teaching of the Prophet to explain them correctly. |
| Wisdom | Choosing the right words, time and way for each listener. |
| Gentleness and good manners | Harsh words drive people away (see Qur'an 3:159 below). |
| Patience | People may refuse or mock; the caller does not give up or become angry. |
| Good example | The caller practises what he or she preaches. |
| Respect for freedom | No pressure, bribery or force (Qur'an 2:256). |
The Qur'an praises the Prophet's gentleness:
"It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee." (Qur'an 3:159)
And it links good speech to good deeds: "And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith: Lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Him)." (Qur'an 41:33). Those who surrender is a translation of the word Muslims.
| Date (CE) | Event |
|---|---|
| 610 | The first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca. |
| about 615 | Persecuted Muslims take refuge in Abyssinia (Aksum, in today's Ethiopia). Its Christian king, the Negus, protects them. This is Islam's first arrival in Africa, and a famous example of interfaith hospitality. |
| 640s | Egypt comes under Muslim rule; Islam later spreads across North Africa. |
| from about the 8th century | Muslim traders sail the Indian Ocean and settle along the East African coast (Mogadishu, Lamu, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Kilwa). Swahili culture and language grow from the meeting of African and Arab peoples. |
| from about the 9th century | Trans-Saharan traders carry Islam to West Africa; the Mali Empire becomes famous for learning in Timbuktu, and its king Mansa Musa makes the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. |
Islam reached Rwanda at the start of the 20th century, brought by Swahili-speaking traders and workers from the East African coast. Muslims settled mostly in towns and trading centres, such as Nyamirambo in Kigali and Rwamagana. The first mosque was built in 1913. In the colonial period Muslims were often pushed to the margins, with less access to schools and government jobs. Today about 2% of Rwandans are Muslim. Their national body, the Rwanda Muslims Community (RMC), is led by the Mufti of Rwanda, and Rwanda's laws give Muslims the same rights as every other citizen.
Question: Describe three qualities of a good da'i and explain why each matters. (6 marks)
Model answer: Sincerity: the caller works for the sake of Allah, not for money, so people can trust the message (2 marks). Gentleness: Qur'an 3:159 says that if the Prophet had been "stern and fierce of heart" people would have left him, so a caller must speak kindly (2 marks). Good example: Qur'an 41:33 praises the one who "doeth right" as well as speaking well; people believe what they see more than what they hear (2 marks).
Tip
Memory hook. Qualities of a da'i spell SKWGPER: Sincerity, Knowledge, Wisdom, Gentleness, Patience, Example, Respect for freedom. In an exam, back up at least one quality with a Qur'an verse.
What does da'wah mean, and what is a da'i?
Answer: da'wah means "invitation" or "call": inviting people to Allah and to good lives by word and example. A da'i is a person who does da'wah.
Give two reasons why da'wah is important in Islam.
Answer (any two): it fulfils a duty (Qur'an 3:104); it spreads knowledge of God; it promotes good morals and justice; it corrects false ideas about Islam; it strengthens Muslim unity.
Why is the story of the Muslims in Abyssinia important for Christian–Muslim relations?
Answer: persecuted Muslims were welcomed and protected by a Christian king, the Negus, around 615. It shows that Christians and Muslims have helped each other from the very beginning of Islam.
Who brought Islam to Rwanda, and when?
Answer: Swahili-speaking traders and workers from the East African coast, at the start of the 20th century. The first mosque was built in 1913.
Remember
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
