Islam in China

Islam came to China in the Tang Dynasty when a companion of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqās, was sent as an official envoy to Emperor Gaozang in 650 CE (29 AH) by the third Caliph Uthmaan (radhiallahu anhu). He reached the capital in 651 CE. The Emperor ordered the establishment of the first Musjid in China which still stands today. Although the Emperor didn’t embrace Islam, he allowed the envoy to spread Islam.
The BBC claims that there may be anywhere from 20 million to 100 million Muslims in China. Islam is now the second-largest organised faith in the country. Xinjiang has the largest number of Muslims. A form of Islamic calligraphy, the Sini, developed in China.
During the Tang Dynasty, Arab and Persian traders arrived in China. Many of those who stayed formed the basis of the Chinese Muslim population and the Hui ethnic group. Persian immigrants introduced polo, their cuisine and their knowledge of medicine to China. The Yuan Dynasty descended from Mongol emperor Genghiz Khan, used many Muslims in the administration of China. Muslims virtually dominated the import/export business by the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 CE). The office of Director General of Shipping was consistently held by a Muslim during this period.
There are over 35,000 Musjids in China today. One of the more popular Muslim family names is Ma, a shortened form of Muhammad. The existence of Islam in China is a tribute to the sacrifice that the Sahaaba made to spread Islam throughout the world.