The Yoruba Muslims’ notion of the self and the other had, since 1960s, had profound impacts on their socio-religious lives and engendered intra-faith conflicts and controversies. Existing studies on identity and conflict have concentrated on inter-religious conflicts in the northern Nigeria while intra-faith conflicts and disagreements among Muslims in the Southwestern Nigeria have been neglected. This study, therefore, examined conflicts which centred on religious identifiers such as cap, hijab, turban, rosary, beard and short trousers among Yoruba Muslims in Nigeria, with a view to authenticating their position in Islam.
The study employed al-Alwani’s construct of conflict which allows expression of divergent opinions to ensure dynamism in al-Furu‘(branches of Islam), without resulting to crisis. Two thousand four hundred and seventy questionnaires were administered. Respondents (aged 20-60) from Oyo (410), Osun (400), Lagos (350), Ogun (300), Ondo (320), Ekiti (310) and Kwara (380) were randomly sampled. Purposive sampling technique was also adopted in selecting fifty-six Islamic preachers comprising seven from each of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Tabligh, Ta‘awun, Izalah, Tijaniyyah, Qadiriyyah, The Muslim Congress (TMC) and Zumrah , across the seven states, for interviews on religious identifiers. The Qur’an and the Sunnah were consulted and data were subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analyses.
It was found that identity conflicts among Yoruba Muslim groups largely focused on al-Furuʽ not al-Usul (fundamentals).
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- 1.1 Background to the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Problem
- 1.3 Research Questions
- 1.4 Objectives of the Study
- 1.5 Significance of the Study
- 1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
- 1.7 Methodology
- Chapter 2: Literature Review
- Chapter 3: Research Methodology
- Chapter 4: Data Presentation and Analysis
- Chapter 5: Discussion of Findings
- Chapter 6: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to examine intra-faith conflicts among Yoruba Muslims in Southwestern Nigeria, focusing on disagreements surrounding religious identifiers like clothing and practices. It seeks to understand these conflicts within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence and to authenticate the position of these practices within Islam.
- Intra-faith conflicts among Yoruba Muslims
- The role of religious identifiers in shaping identity
- Divergent juristic interpretations within Islamic tradition
- The dynamic nature of Islamic culture and jurisprudence
- Application of Al-Alwani's conflict construct to intra-faith disagreements.
Chapter Summaries
Abstract: This abstract introduces the study's focus on intra-faith conflicts among Yoruba Muslims in Nigeria, highlighting the gap in existing research that primarily concentrates on inter-religious conflicts. It outlines the methodology, including questionnaires and interviews, used to investigate conflicts surrounding religious identifiers. The study authenticates the position of these identifiers within Islam by employing Al-Alwani's conflict construct, which allows for diverse opinions without leading to crisis.
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the study by providing a background on identity conflicts among Yoruba Muslims, emphasizing the significance of understanding intra-faith disagreements in Southwestern Nigeria. It clearly articulates the research problem, questions, objectives, and scope, detailing the methodology employed. The chapter justifies the study's importance by highlighting the lack of research in this specific area, thus establishing the need for a comprehensive examination of the subject.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This chapter would synthesize existing scholarly works related to identity conflicts within religious communities, especially among Muslims. It would delve into the theoretical frameworks used to understand identity and conflict, examining diverse perspectives and approaches employed in similar studies. The chapter would also explore the existing literature on Yoruba Muslim culture and practices, forming the foundation for the current research investigation. It would demonstrate how this study builds upon and contributes to the broader scholarly conversation surrounding identity and conflict resolution within religious contexts.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter would detail the research design, including the sampling techniques (random and purposive sampling) utilized to select participants from across seven states in Nigeria. It would explain the quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, such as questionnaires and interviews with Islamic preachers from various groups. This section would also describe the methods of data analysis, addressing how both quantitative and qualitative data were processed to produce meaningful conclusions. The rigorous methodology employed underscores the study's commitment to generating reliable and valid findings.
Chapter 4: Data Presentation and Analysis: This chapter presents the collected data from questionnaires and interviews regarding the use of religious identifiers amongst Yoruba Muslims. It would provide a detailed analysis of the findings, comparing viewpoints across different Islamic groups. Statistical data, such as chi-square values, would be presented to support the analysis of the divergences in opinions regarding the religious identifiers. The chapter would serve as a thorough documentation of the research outcomes and provide the foundation for the discussion in the following chapters.
Chapter 5: Discussion of Findings: This chapter would interpret the findings presented in Chapter 4, focusing on the varying viewpoints among different Islamic groups concerning the significance of religious identifiers. It would analyze the relationship between these differing views and intra-faith conflicts. This chapter would utilize the theoretical frameworks discussed in the literature review to analyze the nature and implications of the identified conflicts. The significance of this analysis lies in its contribution to the understanding of the dynamics of religious identity and conflict resolution within the community studied.
Keywords
Identity conflicts, Yoruba Muslims, Nigeria, religious identifiers, Islamic jurisprudence, intra-faith conflict, Al-Alwani's conflict construct, religious practices, divergent juristic interpretations, cultural dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this study?
This study examines intra-faith conflicts among Yoruba Muslims in Southwestern Nigeria, focusing on disagreements surrounding religious identifiers like clothing and practices. It seeks to understand these conflicts within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence and authenticate the position of these practices within Islam.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
Key themes include intra-faith conflicts among Yoruba Muslims; the role of religious identifiers in shaping identity; divergent juristic interpretations within Islamic tradition; the dynamic nature of Islamic culture and jurisprudence; and the application of Al-Alwani's conflict construct to intra-faith disagreements.
What is the methodology used in this research?
The study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews with Islamic preachers from various groups across seven states in Nigeria. Random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select participants. Data analysis included statistical methods (e.g., chi-square) and qualitative interpretation.
What are the key findings of the study (as previewed)?
The preview indicates the study will analyze varying viewpoints among different Islamic groups concerning the significance of religious identifiers and their relationship to intra-faith conflicts. It will utilize theoretical frameworks to analyze the nature and implications of these conflicts.
What is the structure of the document?
The document includes an abstract, acknowledgments, chapters (Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Data Presentation and Analysis, Discussion of Findings, Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations), and keywords. The preview provides summaries for each chapter.
What is the significance of this study?
The study addresses a gap in existing research, which primarily focuses on inter-religious conflicts. By investigating intra-faith disagreements, it contributes to a deeper understanding of identity conflicts within the Yoruba Muslim community and the broader dynamics of Islamic culture and jurisprudence.
What theoretical framework is used?
The study utilizes Al-Alwani's conflict construct to analyze intra-faith disagreements, allowing for the consideration of diverse opinions without necessarily leading to crisis.
Who are the participants in the study?
Participants include Islamic preachers from various groups across seven states in Southwestern Nigeria. Sampling methods included both random and purposive sampling to ensure representation.
What types of data were collected?
Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires and interviews.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include: Identity conflicts, Yoruba Muslims, Nigeria, religious identifiers, Islamic jurisprudence, intra-faith conflict, Al-Alwani's conflict construct, religious practices, divergent juristic interpretations, cultural dynamics.
- Quote paper
- DR Busari Moshood (Author), 2017, Identity conflicts among Yoruba Muslim groups in selected states of Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/353192
