What is a Muslim? 
What is Islam?
What is Islamic Culture?

What is a Muslim?
A Muslim is a person who is follower of Islam. It means one who submits and implies complete submission to the will of Allah (God). 

What is Islam?
Islam is a religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad who lived around 700 CE.

About 1300 years ago, the prophet Muhammad said: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white — except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim that belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware: Do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”

What is Islamic Culture?
Islamic culture has to do with behavior – it is a way of behaving so that you stay on the path of righteousness as defined by the prophet Muhammad. If you stay on the path of righteousness, you assure your place in heaven. 

Rise of Islam

Most of the traders who traveled the Trans-Sahara Trade Route were Muslims. Their caravans carried silk and iron and spices across the vast desert, to trade for gold. The traders brought with them more than goods. They also brought their belief in Allah and their Islamic culture.    

Ghana: When the traders from the east first arrived in West Africa, the king of Ghana did not want his people to be bothered by the strangers, or tainted by their strange ways. The king ordered a separate city to be built, a city just for traders. Although there was religious freedom in Ghana, few people knew about the Muslim way of life. The kings and people of Ghana continued to worship many gods, as they had always done.  

Mali: When Ghana declined in strength, and Mali rose in its place, the kings of Mali found the religion of the foreign traders most interesting. Some royals had already adopted the Muslim beliefs and way of life. Others joined them. There was religion freedom in Mali. Most common people continued to worship many gods and goddesses, in the old ways. 

Songhay: By the time Mali declined in strength, and Songhay rose in its place, Islam was firmly established. Songhay was a strong Muslim kingdom. Many common people had  also converted, although some continued in the old ways.

Muslim Traders: The Muslin traders assisted in the cultural and intellectual development of the people by introducing a written language, a written record of history, Muslim laws, books, a system of formal education and study, and a unifying administrative structure.