Question

What role did Islam play in helping the rulers of Songhai consolidate their control?

a) Islam played no significant role in helping Songhai rulers consolidate control.
b) Islam contributed to the consolidation of control by providing a unifying force.
c) Songhai rulers actively opposed the influence of Islam.
d) Songhai rulers relied solely on military power to consolidate control.

Answer 1

Islam played a significant role in helping the rulers of Songhai consolidate their control by providing a unifying force and establishing the empire as a Muslim kingdom.

Step-by-step explanation:

Islam played a significant role in helping the rulers of Songhai consolidate their control. Askia the Great, one of the rulers of Songhai, based his authority on Islam and used it to establish Songhai as a Muslim kingdom. He declared a holy war against non-Muslim groups to expand his territory and used his pilgrimage to Mecca to gain recognition and support from other Muslim leaders. Additionally, Islam helped consolidate control by providing a unifying force and establishing Songhai as a center of Islamic learning and trade.