SYNCRETIC BELIEFS AND PRACTICES AMONGST MUSLIMS IN LAGOS STATE NIGERIA; WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE YORUBA SPEAKING PEOPLE OF EPE By MUHSIN ADEKUNLE BALOGUN A Thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY College of Arts and Law School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion Department of Theology and Religion The University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom. January, 2011 This Thesis is ca. 79, 929 words. 1 ABSTRACT Different disciplines have explored the history of Islām in Yoruba land which started in the early 18th century. However, the impact of religious syncretism has not been systematically studied. Therefore, this thesis examines the extent of the involvement of Yoruba Muslims in syncretic beliefs and practices in Nigeria using the Lagos State as a case study, with a view to bringing out the impact of Tawḥīd on them. In agreement with previous research, this study notes that there is a prevalence of religious syncretism among many Yoruba Muslims, but it principally argues that its impact affects many of them negatively. If continuous awareness campaign could be carried out, the phenomenon will be reduced. A triangulated method was used to carry out this study. The findings of this thesis indicated reappraisal of the problem associated with many Yoruba Muslims’ persistence in syncretism and its implications on their faith (īman). While this study appreciates the attempts of some scholars to eradicate this endemic problem, it reveals that Tawḥīd is not yet inculcated into many Yoruba Muslims within the Yoruba religio- cultural context. Therefore, a concerted effort is necessary among all stakeholders in the task of promoting the effective instillation of practical Tawḥīd. 2 DEDICATION With all humility and humbleness, this work is dedicated to my Lord, Almighty Allah, the most merciful, most munificent, the omniscient, the Giver of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, who out of His sheer mercy and kindness saw me through this programme. It is also for those in the course of establishing absolute Tawḥīd in the world. ‘Verily, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are All for Allah, the Cherisher of the world…’ (Quran 6:163). 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is impossible for me to know the best way to thank my God for His help in accomplishing this work. This dissertation took years from conception to completion. It involved countless cycles of exploration, meditation, doubt, perseverance and trust in Allah. I extol Allah and give Him uncountable thanks and glory. I would like to take this opportunity to express my immense gratitude to all those who have given their invaluable support and assistance. My heartfelt gratitude goes to my beloved parents. I pray that Allah grants my father eternal bliss in paradise and mother good health and longevity and let paradise be her eventual abode. They have been wonderful, virtuous and responsible parents for bringing me up along this path since my infancy. I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Jabal. M. Buaben. His encouragement and empathy before the inception and during the course of this programme has been invaluable, his unflinching support, insightful criticisms, scholarly guidance, suggestions and patient encouragements aided the bringing of this dissertation to its present state. I say jazakum llah khayra. I also express my earnest appreciation to all my teachers throughout my academic career. I sincerely thank Drs. S.L. Jimoh and L.M. Adetona for being good teachers and brothers. Their academic and moral support since my first degree is highly valued. They share my aspiration and encourage me to work hard. May Allah bless them all. I will not forget the encouragement of my academic father and mentor, Prof. Muhibbudeen and all my other teachers whom I may not be able to mention here for reason of space. I also thank those that gave me their time for interview and questionnaire during the field work; if not for them the work would remain uncompleted. I would like to thank Els Van Geyte of the English for International Students Unit for critiquing my work. I thank my examiners Dr Ian Draper (internal), Dr. Amjad. M. Hussain (External) and Dr. Chris Shannahan (chairman), for reading the whole thesis thoroughly, and for a wonderful viva. Let me at this juncture thank my siblings who have supported me unflaggingly. I mention Messers M.A. Balogun, Orunbo, Owolowo, Korede, Badmus, Umm Hafsat and the youngest Ilyas. I pray that God will let them reap the fruits of their labour and give them long life and prosperity. My wholehearted thanks to my lovely and dauntless wife Hajia Aishat Balogun for her constant care, encouragement, understanding and co-operation. Throughout the period of the research, Aishat continued to encourage me and give me moral support whenever I was psychologically down. I thank my children ‘Abdullah, Raḍiyat, and Zakiyyat for their sacrifice and creation of a family environment during the writing of this work. God will bless them all and make them responsible children for us. I will not forget the assistance I received from Tawfeeq, Sabiq, and Messers Abd. Rafii, Ajayi, Bolawole, Sallam, Umm Zaynab, Habeeb, Bro. Qadir, Shamsudeen, 4 Tawfeeq, Dhikr and all members of our NIMAB society during my programme at Birmingham. I wish to thank my big brother and good friend Alh. Saula for his varied assistance throughout the period of my programme at Birmingham. I appreciate the support of my twin brother, Shaykh Ridwan for sharing my aspirations and for being a sincere and loyal brother. I equally thank all members of our Department. Many thanks are also due to Messers Harmona, Bello, Kolawole, Kilani, Okunade, Oyeleye, Loko, Fakeye, Afose, Akanmu, Kafar, Tomi, Sulayman and others whom space will not allow me to mention in the course of my programme. I also thank the Registrar for his assistance during the course of this programme; he shared my aspirations and enthusiasm. The provost also deserves appreciation for granting me study leave with pay throughout the years of the study. My past and present students’ encouragement cannot be forgotten.Tijani proved a sincere and loyal brother and student; he encountered a lot of hardship for the sake of my success. He shares my worries, troubles and hardship. I also say jazakum llahu khayra to Saad, Abd- Ghaniyy, Abiola, Edu, Balqis, Hafiz, David, Nurudeen, Thaqib, Maryam, Tayyib, and numerous others which space cannot allow me to mention. I sincerely thank all my friends and colleagues at the post graduate school especially: brothers Al-Shehri, Younis, Amin, and sisters Ashiq and Shanaz. Once again, all praise is due to almighty Allah, the Lord of the worlds. 5 ABBREVIATIONS AH: After Hijrah AS: It is transliterated as ‘Alayhi s-Sallam. May May Allah grant him peace. B.C.E: Before the Christian era or before the Common Era C.E: Christian era or Common era Ch: Chapter Q: Qur’ ān R. A: Radiyallahu ‘anhu May Allah be pleased with him. S.A.W: Ṣalla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam .May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him. S.W.T: Ṣubḥānahu wa ta ‘ālā. Blessed and exalted is He. VS: Verse. 6 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations……………………………………………………. …..................… i Note on Transliteration..…….…………………………………………………...iii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………..…...13 1.1 Statement of the Problem………………………….…………………….…...15 1.2 Rationale for the Study…………….……………...…………………….……24 1.3 Objectives of the Study…………………..………..………………………….26 1.4 Scope and Limitations……………………………..……………….……….27 1.5 Definition of Terms………………...…………..……………………………35 1.6 Review of Literature……………………………………….....……………..45 1.7 Hypotheses………………………..……………………………….…………55 1.8 Research Questions……………………………………….……...………….55 1.9 Variables of the Study………………………...……….………...………….56 1.9.1 Research Instrument…………..…………………………….…..…………57 1.9.2 Data Collection Methods………………………………..…….……………59 1.9.3 Data Analysis…………………………………………………..……………60 1.9.4 Structure of the Thesis………………………………………...……………60 1.9.5 Conclusion………….……………………………………………….………62 CHAPTER TWO: ISLAM IN LAGOS 2.0 Introduction………………………………….……………………….………64 2.1 Brief History of the Yoruba………….………………………..……………..64 9 2.2 History of the Lagos State………………………………………….……..70 2.2.1 Islam in Lagos; Its Growth and Development……...……………………76 2.2.2 The Spread of Islam in Epe………………………….……………………..97 2.2.3 Factors Responsible for the Growth of Islam in Lagos State………... 110 2.2.4 Challenges Facing the Growth and Development of Islam in Lagos State………………………………………………………………………………117 2.2.5 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………123 CHAPTER THREE: YORUBA TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND PRACTICES IN LAGOS BEFORE ISLAM. 3.0 Introduction………………………………………………………….…...….124 3.1 The Pre-Islamic Yoruba Religions…..…………………….………….……125 3.2 Superstitions……………………………………..…………………...……129 3.2.1 Belief in Witchcraft……………………………………………………...136 3.2.2 Secret Societies/ Occultism……….……………………………………..148