Answer:
1) The Songhai Empire first came into power under the leadership of Sunni Ali . In 1464 , Sunni Ali escaped to the city of Gao and took control of the city . From the city of Gao, he established the Songhai Empire and began to conquer nearby regions including the important trading cities of Timbuktu and Djenne .
2) Sunni Ali , Sonni Baru , Askia the Great , Askia Musa , Askia Benkan , Askia Isma 'il , Askia Ishaq 1 , Askia Daoud and Askia Ishaq 2 . Under their rule , Islam became an important part of that empire . He conquered much of the surrounding lands and took control of the gold and salt trade from the Mali Empire . The Songhai was divided into five provinces each led by a governor.
3) Askia Muhammad was a devout Muslim . Under his rule , Islam became an important part of the empire. Early converts to the Islamic religion, the strength of the Songhai Empire was predicated by the Islamic faith and powerful Muslim leaders like Sonni Ali and Muhammad Askia. The university at Timbuktu was also a central draw of the empire and drew students from across Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean .