Identity conflicts among Yoruba Muslim groups in selected states of Nigeria

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Background to the Study

1.2. Statement of the Problem

1.3. Objectives of the Study

1.4. Scope of the Study

1.5. Significance of the Study

1.6. Research Methodology

2. Literature Review

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Inter-religious Conflicts, Society and Politics

2.3. Conflict, Social Institutions and Societal Values

2.4. Yorubaland and Affairs of Islam

3. Concept of Identity Conflicts

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Definitions and Meanings of Identity

3.3. Types of Identity

3.4. Meanings of Conflict

3.5. Types of Identity Conflicts

3.6. Causes of Identity Conflicts

3.7. Identity Conflict in the Islamic Periphery

3.8. The Reactionaries/ Traditionalists and Identity Conflicts

3.9. The Non-conformists and Identity Conflicts

3.10. The Modernists/ Progressives and Identity Conflicts

3.11. The Secularists and Identity Conflicts

3.12. Summary

4. Conflicts Over Religious Identifiers Among Yoruba Muslim Groups in Nigeria

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Yoruba Muslim Groups

4.2.1. The Tijāniyyah Sufi Group

4.2.2. The Qādiriyyah Sufi Group

4.2.3. The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria

4.2.4. The Muslim Congress

4.2.5. Zumuratul Mu’minīn

4.2.6. Jamā‘atut –Tablīgh

4.2.7. Jamā‘ah ’Izālati Bid‘ah Wa ’Iqāmatis-Sunnah

4.2.8. Jamā‘ah Ta‘āwunul Muslimīn

4.3. Religious Identifiers

4.3.1. The Cap

4.3.2. The Hijāb

4.3.3. The Subhah (Rosary)

4.3.4. The Turban

4.3.5. The Beard

4.3.6. The Trousers

4.4. Subject Matters of the Conflicts

4.4.1. The Cap and Salāt

4.4.2. The Hijᾱb as a Dress Code for Women

4.4.3. The Symbolism of Turban and Its Relevance during Salāt

4.4.5. Keeping of Beards

4.4.6. Wearing of Jumping Trousers

4.5. Causes of Conflicts over Religious Identifiers

4.6. Effects of the Conflicts

5. Reconciliation of Conflicts Over Religious Identifiers Among Yoruba Muslim Groups in Nigeria

5.1. Introduction

5.2. The Needs to follow Divine Directives

5.3. The Need for Flexibility on Matters of Religion

5.4. Verification of Sources of Information for Proper and Correct Interpretations

5.5. Adherence to Sunnah (Practice) of the Prophet

5.6. Cross Examination of Analogical Deductions of Scholars

5.7. Review of Da‘wah Mechnasims and Methodologies

5.8. Summary

6. Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion

6.1. Summary

6.2. Research Findings

6.3. Recommendations

6.4. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Focus

This study aims to examine the intra-faith conflicts and disagreements regarding specific religious identifiers among Yoruba Muslims in Nigeria, seeking to reconcile these divergent opinions through an examination of Islamic teachings and the application of conflict resolution frameworks.

• The role and interpretation of religious identifiers such as the cap, hijab, turban, rosary, beard, and trousers in Yoruba Muslim practice.
• The identification and classification of diverse Islamic groups and their specific juristic arguments.
• An evaluation of how identity searches and religious interpretation contribute to internal group conflicts.
• The analysis of sociopolitical factors, educational levels, and individual awareness regarding religious symbols.
• The development of reconciliatory mechanisms based on Islamic jurisprudence to foster unity within the community.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter One: Provides the foundational background for the study, defines key concepts like identity and conflict, and outlines the research objectives, methodology, and scope.

Chapter Two: Reviews existing academic literature regarding identity, inter-religious and intra-religious conflicts, societal values, and the state of Islamic practice within Yorubaland.

Chapter Three: Conceptualizes identity conflicts through multidisciplinary perspectives, including philosophical and psychological frameworks, and categorizes different Islamic schools of thought regarding these conflicts.

Chapter Four: Analyzes the primary data regarding eight specific Muslim groups in Nigeria and their conflicting views on six key religious identifiers, including the cap, hijab, rosary, turban, beard, and trousers.

Chapter Five: Discusses the reconciliation of these conflicts by appealing to Quranic directives, the Sunnah, and the need for flexibility and proper scholarly verification of religious information.

Chapter Six: Summarizes the research findings, offers recommendations for mitigating internal religious tensions, and provides final conclusions on the future of unity within the Yoruba Muslim Ummah.

Keywords

Identity conflicts, Yoruba Muslims, Religious identifiers, Islamic jurisprudence, Intra-faith conflict, Nigeria, Islamic Emblems, Socio-religious practices, Da'wah, Muslim groups, Cap, Hijab, Turban, Rosary, Beard, Trousers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research focuses on the intra-faith identity conflicts among Yoruba Muslims in Nigeria, specifically examining how divergent opinions on six religious symbols—the cap, hijab, rosary, turban, beard, and trousers—create and fuel internal disagreements.

What are the primary themes of the study?

The primary themes include the nature of Islamic identity, the interpretation of religious emblems, the impact of dogmatism versus rational inquiry (ijtihad) on communal harmony, and the role of religious leaders and groups in shaping these identities.

What is the main research question or goal?

The goal is to determine the extent of these identity conflicts, their causes, and their effects on the unity of the Yoruba Muslim Ummah, while exploring how Islamic tradition can be used to reconcile these differences.

Which methodology does the author use?

The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research. This includes administering over 2,000 questionnaires to respondents across seven states and conducting interviews with 56 Islamic preachers from eight distinct groups.

What does the main body cover?

The main body investigates the historical background and cultural significance of the selected religious identifiers, the specific positions of different Muslim groups (like the Tijaniyyah, MSSN, and TMC) on these symbols, and the resulting statistical patterns of agreement and disagreement.

Which keywords define this work?

The key concepts include identity conflicts, Yoruba Muslims, religious identifiers, Islamic jurisprudence, and sect-based arguments, all of which are central to understanding the modern socio-religious landscape of Southwestern Nigeria.

How do the various Islamic schools of thought influence these conflicts?

The author identifies four schools—Reactionaries, Non-conformists, Modernists/Progressives, and Secularists—which represent different attitudes toward historical precedents (taqlid) versus modern interpretation (ijtihad), directly affecting how religious symbols are viewed.

How does the author interpret the term "jumping trousers"?

The term is used in the study to refer to "ankle-reached trousers" (sirwāl ‘alā niṣf sāq). The author explores the differing religious interpretations of whether this specific length is mandatory, optional, or merely a cultural practice unrelated to piety.

What is the author's stance on the use of the rosary (Subhah)?

The author examines the controversy around the rosary, covering views that categorize it as a valuable tool for dhikr, an innovation (bid'ah), or a symbol of piety, while noting its often debated origin and use as a meditative or protective device.