The Secret History of How Islam Spread

If you look at a map of the world today, Islam is a global faith. But how did it get there? Most history books give a one-sentence answer: "It was spread by the sword." But is that the whole truth—or a convenient political narrative? In this episode, we deconstruct the rapid rise of Islamic civilization. We distinguish between the expansion of the Arab Empire and the conversion to the Islamic faith. From the silent trade routes of West Africa to the spiritual missions of the Sufis in Southeast Asia, we explore the social, intellectual, and economic drivers that led millions to choose Islam.