Final answer:
Islam spread through relocation diffusion as followers moved to new regions, establishing their religious practices. This type of diffusion is distinct from expansion diffusion and has contributed to Islam's growth as one of the major world religions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discussing the spread of a major religion through relocation diffusion, we can examine how Islam expanded its presence globally. Relocation diffusion occurs when followers of a religion move to a new location and establish their religious practices in that place. This phenomenon can be observed with Islam's journey from the Middle East to different parts of the world, including Indonesia and the United States. In Indonesia, for instance, Muslim traders and Sufi mystics played a critical role in spreading Islam by integrating with local cultures and communities. Similarly, in the United States, the arrival of Muslim immigrants led to the establishment of Islamic communities and mosques, further diffusing the religion.
Unlike expansion diffusion, which can involve contagious diffusion (spread from person to person like a virus) or hierarchical diffusion (spread through power structures, typically initiated by rulers or influential figures), relocation diffusion relies primarily on physical movement of people carrying their beliefs to new areas.
Relocation diffusion of Islam is not just an historical occurrence; it continues as people from Islamic countries migrate around the world, bringing their faith and traditions with them. This has contributed to Islam being the second most followed religion globally.