Final answer:
The spread of Islam from its origins in Arabia to areas like North Africa and Southwest Asia is classified as hierarchical diffusion. This form of spreading was facilitated by conquests, trade routes, and key individuals like merchants and religious leaders. The cohesive nature of Muslim communities and their shared language and values also played a part.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spread of Islam from its origins in Arabia across North Africa and Southwest Asia would be classified as hierarchical diffusion. Hierarchical diffusion refers to the spread of ideas and other aspects of culture from larger to smaller areas, often with the help of key figures or institutions. In the context of Islam, it initially spread through conquest and trade routes, facilitated by powerful individuals like merchants, rulers, and religious leaders.
For example, the trans-Saharan trade routes played a significant role in the spread of Islam. Muslim traders, scholars, and missionaries travelled these routes, bringing Islamic teachings to new areas. The common language (Arabic) and shared values among Muslims, such as daily prayer, helped form trust among traders, thus facilitating the spread of Islam.
Furthermore, the spread of Islam continued even after the Islamic military conquests ended. Over time, as Islamic communities established in new areas, they maintained key Islamic institutions which provided cohesion and allowed for localized practices. Ultimately, through a combination of imperial conquest, trade, missionary work, and migration, Islam had expanded to a great geographic and ethnic diversity by 1500.
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