Final answer:
The spread of Islam to the Kingdom of Mali was predominantly through trade contacts from the north across the Sahara, especially by the Berber traders, who established both economic and religious connections with local populations. therefore, option B is correct
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the mechanisms through which Islam spread to the lands of the Kingdom of Mali. It is clear from historical evidence that Islam was mainly spread through peaceful means such as trade and intermarriage, rather than through military conquest or the forceful imposition of religion.
Historically, it was Berber traders, controlling the trans-Saharan trade routes, who brought Islamic ideas and practices into West Africa. These traders, who carried goods and culture back and forth across the Sahara, were instrumental in disseminating Islamic beliefs to the major trading towns. In the Kingdom of Mali, the adoption of Islam by the ruling elites was driven by their recognition of the benefits of engaging with the well-established Muslim merchant networks and the administrative advantages offered by Muslim scholars.
Therefore, the most accurate answer to the question regarding how Islam spread to the Kingdom of Mali is option (b), 'Trade contacts who came from the north across the Sahara'. These contacts were primarily made up of Berber traders who interacted with local populations, establishing both economic ties and religious influence over time.