6.6 West Africa
While the presence of Islam in West Africa dates back to eighth century, the spread of the faith in regions that are now the modern states of Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Nigeria, was in actuality, a gradual and complex process. Much of what we know about the early history of West Africa comes from medieval accounts written by Arab and North African geographers and historians. Specialists have used several models to explain why Africans converted to Islam. Some emphasize economic motivations, others highlight the draw of Islam’s spiritual message, and a number stress the prestige and influence of Arabic literacy in facilitating state building. While the motivations of early conversions remain unclear, it is apparent that the early presence of Islam in West Africa was linked to trade and commerce with North Africa.
Key Temporary Issues in West Africa
Lack of Unity
The number one challenge the Nigerian Ummah faces today is the absence of unity among them. This key feature of what an Ummah is: 'one entity united in brotherhood' is clearly absent in Nigeria. The individual Muslim in Sokoto believes he has no link with the individual Muslim in Lagos and it is the same with most other individual Muslims and organizations. The concept of brotherliness and love as preached by the Qur'an and Sunnah, particularly that famous Hadith "None of you is a true believer until he loves for his brother, what he loves for himself" is completely not being practiced.
Absence of Effective Leadership
At number two is the absence of an effective system of leadership for the 'Ummah' in Nigeria. And as we all know the concept of leadership is so strong in Islam that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is quoted in an...
6.6 West Africa
...authentic 'hadith' reported by Imam Bukhari to have said that "whenever two of you set out on a journey, appoint a leader among you". Certainly before the colonial era the Nigerian 'Ummah' had a robust system of leadership under the Sokoto caliphate, but today the powers and effectiveness of that system has been systematically eroded from a religious-political one to a trado-ceremonial one. This has left the 'Ummah' to be like a flock of sheep without a shepherd and the result is the mess we are now living with; weak and disorganized.
Weak faith and Ignorance
If there is one issue that has continued to fuel all the other challenges is this one at number four. Several members of the Ummah have below average knowledge of the religion they practice. Most Muslims do not bother to learn and practice the teachings of Islam; many have started the learning process and have abandoned it on the excuse of tight schedule associated with pursuit of livelihood. Yet others have become victims of wrong and bad preaching of certain so called 'Ulamas'.