How did Harar Jugol become a center of Islamic culture and trade?

Harar, often referred to as Harar Jugol, established itself as a significant center of Islamic culture and trade following its likely founding in the 7th century CE by immigrants from Hadhramaut in southern Arabia.1

The city’s development as a cultural and commercial hub was solidified as it became the capital of the Muslim state of Adal. Its strategic location and status as a walled city allowed it to flourish as a crowded center of Islamic life, characterized by a dense network of alleyways leading to a central marketplace. Historically, the city served as a vital node for regional trade, facilitating the exchange of goods such as coffee and grain. While its prominence as a primary trading center was later eclipsed by Dire Dawa following the arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century, Harar remains a distinct cultural landmark, home to the Hareri people, who maintain a unique literature written in Arabic script.12