How did the beliefs and culture of islam spread through the islands of southeast asia? traders from northern india shared islam throughout indonesia. scholars from the mideast spread islam during their travels. merchants from east africa brought islam to the philippines. missionaries from china taught about islam on their journeys.

A. Traders from northern India shared Islam throughout Indonesia - Islam had started spreading in India. Some of these Muslims became traders and travelled to the islands of South East Asia, like Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Phillipines for business. There, they spread their religion, in addition to trade. Several Muslim kingdoms were founded by a Sultan.Currently, Malaysia is a Muslim majority nation and about 40 % of its people are Muslims.