Arabic: A Language of Integration and Resistance

Arabic: A Language of Integration and Resistance 

A common misconception, particularly in the transatlantic nations, is that Islam was spread primarily through force and the sword throughout the medieval period following the Prophet Muhammad's departure. 

This notion was largely constructed by Western colonial powers to obscure their own brutal colonization and oppression of indigenous peoples, driven by the exploitation of resources in colonized lands. 

The article "‘Colonization of the soul’: What made a European power fear this language?" by Tamara Ryzhenkova, a professor at St. Petersburg State University, published by RT (Russia Today), explores how France colonized African countries by imposing the French language on African peoples. This imposition often suppressed the most prevalent language Arabic. The article also examines the ongoing resistance to this linguistic colonization, highlighting how many African societies have sought to reconnect with their roots by revitalizing the Arabic language. 

https://www.rt.com/africa/605174-france-arabic-language-africa/

This raises the question of how and why Arabic became the language of daily life in many African regions. The answer lies in its peaceful spread through trade routes, cultural exchange, and religious outreach. For instance, in parts of southern Africa, local populations willingly adopted Arabic language and culture as they integrated Islamic practices. These practices were introduced through trade and religious outreach rather than by force, and people chose to embrace them voluntarily. 

The article underscores a key distinction: Arabic and Islamic culture spread through mutually beneficial exchange, while the French language proliferated under coercive colonial structures. This difference highlights the contrasting impacts of these processes on African societies. 

During the 7th and 8th centuries, the Islamic Caliphates were involved in military interventions. However, these actions were not primarily aimed at colonizing indigenous populations as European colonial powers later did. Instead, these campaigns were driven by a complex interplay of political, religious, and economic factors characteristic of the medieval period. 

Situated between two great empires of the time—the Byzantine and Sassanian empires—the early Islamic Caliphates engaged in military actions that successfully defeated these powers, liberating many lands and their people. Islam was presented to the local populations as a choice rather than a mandatory imposition, in contrast to the forceful strategies employed by later European colonial powers. 

If the narrative propagated by the colonizers—that Arabic was imposed upon local populations through force and coercion—were accurate, one would expect a similar reaction to what we see today with the rejection of the French language in former colonies. In many regions, particularly in Africa, nations that experienced French colonial rule are actively working to diminish the influence of the French language, viewing it as a symbol of oppression and cultural domination. 

However, the continued prevalence and integration of the Arabic language into daily life, culture, and religion in these regions tell a different story. Unlike French, which was often imposed through coercive measures such as mandatory education systems and administrative policies, Arabic spread primarily through peaceful means, including trade, cultural exchange, and the voluntary adoption of Islamic practices. This contrast underscores the fact that Arabic was embraced willingly by local populations rather than being enforced upon them, making it an enduring part of their heritage rather than a relic of foreign domination.