AFRICA AND AFRICANS IN THE HISTORY OF ISLAM

The contact of Islam with Africa and Africans could not be considered a matter of recent development. The continent had been in existence ver before the time of the Prophet, while Islam had been known to the time long as early as the prophet was called to the prophet hood. This paper examines the roles played by the Africans towards the development of Islam as far back as the time of the Prophet, as well as the efforts made by them to spread the religion and its tenets. Also it looks at the honour accorded the continent in Islam and in the Prophet’s treatment of the Africans during his timer. This gives an impression that Islam is not a new religion in Africa and to Africans.