Missionary

===Islamic missions===
{{main|Islamic missionary activity}}
[[File:Mission Dawah.gif|thumb|upright=1.6|Mission Dawah is one of the largest contemporary Islamic missionary organizations.]] 
[[File:Lingshan Islamic Cemetery - two worthies - DSCF8405.JPG|thumb|upright=1.6|The tombs of historic Islamic missionaries in [[China]], Sa-Ke-Zu and Wu-Ko-Shun at Mount Lingshan, [[Quanzhou]]]]

[[Dawah]] means to "invite" (in Arabic, literally "calling") to [[Islam]], which is the second largest religion with 2.0&nbsp;billion members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/|title=The Global Religious Landscape|date=18 December 2012|work=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref> From the 7th century, it spread rapidly from the [[Arabian Peninsula]] to the rest of the world through the initial [[Early Muslim conquests|Muslim conquests]] and subsequently with traders and explorers after the death of [[Muhammad]].

Initially, the spread of Islam came through the Dawah efforts of Muhammad and his followers. After his death in 632 CE, much of the expansion of the empire came through conquest such as that of North Africa and later Iberia ([[Al-Andalus]]). The [[Islamic conquest of Persia]] put an end to the [[Sassanid Empire]] and spread the reach of Islam to as far east as [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]], which would later become the cradle of Islamic civilization during the [[Islamic Golden Age]] (622–1258 CE) and a stepping-stone towards the introduction of Islam to the [[Turkic tribes]] living in and bordering the area.

The missionary movement peaked during the [[Islamic Golden Age]], with the expansion of foreign trade routes, primarily into the [[Indo-Pacific]] and as far south as the isle of [[Zanzibar]] as well as the Southeastern shores of Africa.

With the coming of the [[Sufism]] tradition, Islamic missionary activities increased. Later, the [[Seljuk Turks]]' conquest of [[Anatolia]] made it easier for missionaries to go lands that formerly belonged to the [[Byzantine Empire]]. In the earlier stages of the [[Ottoman Empire]], a [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] form of [[Shamanism]] was still widely practiced in Anatolia, but soon lost ground to [[Sufism]].

During the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] presence in the [[Balkans]], missionary movements were taken up by people from aristocratic families hailing from the region, who had been educated in [[Constantinople]] or other major city within the Empire such as the famed ''[[madrassah]]s'' and ''[[kulliye]]s''. Primarily, individuals were sent back to the place of their origin and were appointed important positions in the local governing body. This approach often resulted in the building of mosques and local ''kulliyes'' for future generations to benefit from, as well as spreading the teachings of Islam.

[[File:World Islamic Mission 1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.75|The [[World Islamic Mission]]'s mosque in [[Oslo]], Norway]]

The spread of Islam towards [[Central Africa|Central]] and West Africa had until the early 19th century has been consistent but slow. Previously, the only connection was through Trans-Saharan trade routes. The [[Mali Empire]], consisting predominantly of African and Berber tribes, stands as a strong example of the early Islamic conversion of the Sub-Saharan region. The gateways prominently expanded to include the aforementioned trade routes through the Eastern shores of the African continent. With the [[Colonization of Africa|European colonization of Africa]], missionaries were almost in competition with the European Christian missionaries operating in the colonies.

There is evidence of Arab Muslim traders entering Indonesia as early as the 8th century.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |title = Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World Vol. 2 M-Z index |author = Martin. C, Richard |year= 2004 |publisher= Macmillan}}</ref> Indonesia's early people were animists, Hindus, and Buddhists.<ref>{{cite news |title = Islam in Indonesia |author= Duff, Mark |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2357121.stm|work = BBC News|department = Asia-Pacific|date = 25 October 2002 }}</ref> However it was not until the end of the 13th century that the process of [[Islamization]] began to spread throughout the areas local communities and port towns.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The spread, although at first introduced through Arab Muslim traders, continued to saturate through the Indonesian people as local rulers and royalty began to adopt the religion subsequently leading their subjects to mirror their conversion.

Recently, Muslim groups have engaged in missionary work in Malawi. Much of this is performed by the [[African Muslim Agency]] based in [[Angola]]. The [[Kuwait]]-sponsored AMA has translated the [[Qur'an]] into [[Chichewa language|Chichewa]] (Cinyanja),<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.frontline.org.za/mission%20reports_prayer/macedonian_call_Malawi.htm |title = A Macedonian Call from Malawi|website = Frontline Fellowship|first = Peter |last =Hammond |archive-date = 7 February 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120207001253/http://www.frontline.org.za/mission%20reports_prayer/macedonian_call_Malawi.htm}}</ref> one of the official languages of Malawi, and has engaged in other missionary work in the country. All of the major cities in the country have mosques and there are several Islamic schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamicfinder.org/cityPrayer.php?country=Malawi|title=Malawi Accurate Prayer Times أوقات الصلاة, Qiblah, Qibla اتجاه القبلة Mosques (Masjids), Islamic Centers, Organizations and Muslim Owned Businesses |work=islamicfinder.org|access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref>

Several [[South Africa]]n, [[Kuwait]]i, and other Muslim agencies are active in Mozambique, with one important one being the African Muslim Agency. The spread of Islam into West Africa, beginning with ancient [[Ghana]] in the 9th century, was mainly the result of the commercial activities of North African Muslims. The empires of both [[Mali Empire|Mali]] and [[Songhai Empire|Songhai]] that followed ancient Ghana in the Western Sudan adopted the religion. Islam made its entry into the northern territories of modern Ghana around the 15th century. [[Mande languages|Mande]] speakers (who in Ghana are known as [[Soninke Wangara|Wangara]]) traders and clerics carried the religion into the area. The northeastern sector of the country was also influenced by an influx of [[Hausa people|Hausa]] Muslim traders from the 16th century onwards

Islamic influence first occurred in India in the early 7th century with the advent of Arab traders. Trade relations have existed between Arabia and the [[Indian subcontinent]] from ancient times. Even in the [[Pre-Islamic Arabia|pre-Islamic era]], Arab traders used to visit the [[Malabar region]], which linked them with the ports of [[South East Asia|Southeast Asia]]. According to Historians Elliot and Dowson in their book ''[[The History of India as told by its own Historians]]'', the first ship bearing Muslim travelers was seen on the Indian coast as early as 630 CE H. G. Rawlinson, in his book: ''Ancient and Medieval History of India'' claims the first [[Arab Muslims]] settled on the Indian coast in the last part of the 7th century.<ref>{{ISBN|81-86050-79-5}} Ancient and Medieval History of India</ref> Shaykh Zainuddin Makhdum's "Tuhfat al-Mujahidin"  also is a reliable work.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 983-9154-80-X|title = Tuḥfat-al-mujāhidīn: A Historical Epic of the Sixteenth Century|year = 2006| publisher=Islamic Book Trust }}</ref> This fact is corroborated, by J. Sturrock in his ''South Kanara and Madras Districts Manuals'',<ref>Sturrock, J., South Canara and Madras District Manual (2 vols., Madras, 1894-1895)</ref> and also by Haridas Bhattacharya in ''Cultural Heritage of India Vol. IV''.<ref>{{ISBN|81-85843-05-8}} Cultural Heritage of India Vol. IV</ref> It was with the advent of Islam that the Arabs became a prominent cultural force in the world. The Arab merchants and traders became the carriers of the new religion, and they propagated it wherever they went.<ref>[http://www.jaihoon.com/watan/indarbmappilacommunity.htm -Genesis and Growth of the Mappila Community] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622220846/http://jaihoon.com/watan/indarbmappilacommunity.htm |date=2006-06-22 }}</ref>

Islam in Bulgaria can be traced back to the mid-ninth century when there were Islamic missionaries in Bulgaria, evidenced by a letter from Pope Nicholas to [[Boris of Bulgaria]] calling for the extirpation of Saracens.<ref>H. T. Norris: "Islam in the Balkans: religion and society between Europe and the Arab world" 1993 pp.21-27</ref>

Pioneer Muslim missionaries to the Kenyan interior were largely [[Tanzania Mainland|Tanganyikan]], who coupled their missionary work with trade, along the centres began along the railway line such as [[Kibwezi]], [[Makindu]], and [[Nairobi]].

Outstanding among them was Maalim Mtondo [[Islam in Kenya]], a Tanganyikan credited with being the first Muslim missionary to Nairobi. Reaching Nairobi at the close of the 19th century, he led a group of other Muslims, and enthusiastic missionaries from the coast to establish a "Swahili village" in present-day [[Pumwani]]. A small mosque was built to serve as a starting point and he began preaching Islam in earnest. He soon attracted several [[Kikuyu people|Kikuyus]] and Wakambas, who became his disciples.<ref name="Quraishy:1987:182">Quraishy, MA (1987). Text Book of Islam Book 1. Nairobi: The Islamic Foundation, p. 182.</ref>

In 1380, [[Makhdum Karim|Karim ul' Makhdum]] the first Arabian [[Dawah|Islamic missionary]] reached the [[Sulu Archipelago]] and [[Jolo]] in the Philippines and established Islam in the country. In 1390, the [[Minangkabau people|Minangkabau]]'s Prince [[Rajah Baguinda]] and his followers preached Islam on the islands.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://majalah.tempointeraktif.com/id/arsip/1990/06/23/SEL/mbm.19900623.SEL18854.id.html | title=Kerinduan orang-orang moro | publisher=TEMPO- Majalah Berita Mingguan | access-date=12 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515202427/http://majalah.tempointeraktif.com/id/arsip/1990/06/23/SEL/mbm.19900623.SEL18854.id.html | archive-date=15 May 2011  }}</ref> The [[Sheik Karimal Makdum Mosque]] was the first mosque established in the Philippines on [[Simunul, Tawi-Tawi|Simunul]] in [[Mindanao]] in the 14th century. Subsequent settlements by Arab missionaries traveling to [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]] helped strengthen Islam in the Philippines and each settlement was governed by a [[Datu]], [[Rajah]], and a [[Sultan]]. Islamic provinces founded in the Philippines included the [[Sultanate of Maguindanao]], [[Sultanate of Sulu]], and other parts of the southern Philippines.

Modern missionary work in the United States has increased greatly in the last one hundred years, with much of the recent demographic growth driven by conversion.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E2DB1F3EF931A15753C1A9679C8B63 A NATION CHALLENGED: AMERICAN MUSLIMS; Islam Attracts Converts By the Thousand, Drawn Before and After Attacks]</ref>  Up to one-third of American Muslims are [[African American]]s who have converted to Islam during the last seventy years. [[Conversion to Islam in prisons]],<ref name=autogenerated9>{{cite web |url=http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=960&wit_id=2719 |website=judiciary.senate.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211816/http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=960&wit_id=2719 |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> and in large [[urban areas]]<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E2DA1230F931A35752C0A9649C8B63 Ranks of Latinos Turning to Islam Are Increasing; Many in City Were Catholics Seeking Old Muslim Roots]</ref> has also contributed to Islam's growth over the years.

An estimated US$45&nbsp;billion has been spent by the Saudi Arabian government financing mosques and Islamic schools in foreign countries. ''[[Ain al-Yaqeen]]'', a Saudi newspaper, reported in 2002 that Saudi funds may have contributed to building as many as 1,500 mosques and 2,000 other Islamic centers.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/031215/15terror.htm |title=The Saudi Connection |date=2003-12-15 |access-date=2006-04-17 |last=Kaplan |first=David E. |magazine=U.S. News & World Report  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616161452/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/031215/15terror.htm |archive-date=2006-06-16 }}</ref>

====Early Islamic missionaries during Muhammad's era====
{{Campaignbox Campaigns of Muhammad}}
{{Main|List of expeditions of Muhammad}}
During the [[Expedition of Al Raji]] in 625,<ref name="Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar p. 187">Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, p. 187. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110623154138/http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/SM_tsn/ch4s8.html online])</ref> the Islamic Prophet [[Muhammad]] sent some men as missionaries to various different tribes. Some men came to Muhammad and requested that Muhammad send instructors to teach them Islam,<ref name="Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar p. 187"/> but the men were bribed by the two tribes of Khuzaymah who wanted revenge for the [[Expedition of Abdullah Ibn Unais|assassination of Khalid bin Sufyan]] (Chief of the [[Banu Lahyan]] tribe) by Muhammad's followers<ref name="archive.org">{{cite book|author=[[Montgomery Watt|Watt, W. Montgomery]] |title=Muhammad at Medina|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1956|isbn=978-0-19-577307-1|page=33|quote=The common version, however, is that B. Lihyan wanted to avenge the assassination of their chief at Muhammad's instigation, and bribed two clans of the tribe of Khuzaymah to say they wanted to become Muslims and ask Muhammad to send instructors.|title-link=Muhammad at Medina (book)}} ([https://archive.org/details/muhammadatmedina029655mbp online])</ref> 8 Muslim Missionaires were killed in this expedition.,<ref name="Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar p. 187"/> another version says 10 Muslims were killed<ref name="Dr. Mosab">{{cite book |last=Hawarey |first=Mosab |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vJVqNwAACAAJ&q=9789957051648 |title=The Journey of Prophecy; Days of Peace and War (Arabic) |publisher=Islamic Book Trust |year=2010 |isbn=978-9957-05-164-8}}Note: Book contains a list of battles of Muhammad in Arabic, English translation available here [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726142128/http://military.hawarey.org/military_english.htm]</ref>

Then during the [[Expedition of Bir Maona]] in July 625<ref>{{citation|title=The foundation of the community |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ctvk-fdtklYC&pg=PA151|first= Al|last= Tabari |year= 2008| publisher = State University of New York Press|isbn=978-0-88706-344-2|page=151|quote=Then in Safar (which began July 13, 625), four months after Uhud, he sent out the men of Bi'r Ma'unah}}</ref> Muhammad sent some Missionaries at request of some men from the Banu Amir tribe,<ref name="Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar p. 188">Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, p. 188. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110623154138/http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/SM_tsn/ch4s8.html online])</ref> but the Muslims were again killed as revenge for the [[Expedition of Abdullah Ibn Unais|assassination of Khalid bin Sufyan]] by Muhammad's followers<ref name="archive.org"/> 70 Muslims were killed during this expedition<ref name="Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar p. 188"/>

During the [[Expedition of Khalid ibn al-Walid (Banu Jadhimah)]] in January 630,<ref name="Abu Khalil 226">{{cite book|last=Abu Khalil|first=Shawqi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mZmBkoDa9fcC&pg=PA226|title=Atlas of the Prophet's biography: places, nations, landmarks|date=1 March 2004|publisher=Dar-us-Salam|isbn=978-9960-897-71-4|page=226}}</ref> Muhammad sent Khalid ibn Walid to invite the Banu Jadhimah tribe to Islam.<ref name="William Muir p. 135">William Muir,  The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira, Volume 4, p. 135.</ref> This is mentioned in the Sunni Hadith {{Hadith-usc|bukhari|usc=yes|5|59|628}}.<ref>Muhsin Khan, The translation of the meanings of Ṣahih AL-Bukhari, Arabic-English, Volume 5, p. 440.</ref>

====Ahmadiyya Islam missions====
[[File:Jamia Ahmadiyya International.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Jamia Ahmadiyya, Ghana]]

Missionaries belonging to the [[Ahmadiyya]] thought of Islam often study at International Islamic seminaries and educational institutions, known as [[Jamia Ahmadiyya]]. Upon completion of their degrees, they are sent to various parts of the world including South America, Africa, North America, Europe, and the Far East as appointed by [[Mirza Masroor Ahmad]], present head and [[Khalifatul Masih|Caliph]] of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Jamia students may be appointed by the Caliph either as Missionaries of the community (often called Murrabi, Imam, or Mawlana) or as Qadis or Muftis of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community with a specialisation in matters of fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence). Some Jamia alumni have also become Islamic historians such as the late Dost Muhammad Shahid, former Official Historian of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, with a specialisation in tarikh (Islamic historiography). Missionaries stay with their careers as appointed by the Caliph for the rest of their lives, as per their commitment to the community.