[font=serif]Extracted from The Institution of Shariah in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria, 1890-2005. A thesis by - ABDUL-FATAH ’KOLA MAKINDE C.A.I.S, B.A., M.A. (Ibadan) P.G.D.E. (Ilorin) - in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of the UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN. Dated March, 2007

My note: this thread is to show how Islam came to South West and how it impacted the lives of Yorubas. It also dispels myths that Yorubas were forcefully coerced to accept Islam!

THE ADVENT OF ISLAM AND SHARĪ‘AH IN YORUBALAND:

Before discussing Islam in Yorubaland, there is the need to briefly trace the history of its emergence in Nigeria before coming to Yorubaland. Islam was spread to West Africa through the activities of the Muslim merchants and clerics. According to Stride and Ifeka, Muslim merchants and clerics, often one and the same person, made the spread of Islam an important part of their activities in West Africa. Most peoples of the Savanna belt received their first knowledge of Islam from a wandering trader and most of the earliest conversions were effected through this agency. Thus Islam established its first roots in African cities by peaceful persuasion.

History of Islam in Nigeria will however be incomplete if mention was not made of the spread of Islam to Kanem-Bornu and Hausaland. Some records attribute the conversion of the people of Kanem-Bornu to Islam to some members of the Umayyad ruling house.24 Hunwick however asserts that the first Muslim ruler was Umme-Jilmi who reigned from 1085 – 1097 C.E. He was said to have been converted to Islam by one Muhammad ibn Mani.

In the case of Hausaland, Islam is said to have been first introduced there in the second half of the fourteenth century by Wangarawa merchants. However, some historical records claim that introduction of Islam to Hausaland was earlier than that through contacts with Bornu whose tradition of Islam goes back some three centuries prior to this.

Yorubaland, being a sectional part of the country known as Nigeria, although situated in the South Western part of the country, also came in contact with Islam at a particular period. Since this study focuses its attention on Oyo and Osun States, which are parts of Yorubaland, it becomes pertinent therefore, to begin by tracing the history of Islam into Yorubaland before going into the two states.

The advent of Islam in Yorubaland

Islam has a long history in Yorubaland. According to Gbadamosi, Yorubaland had some contacts with the Islamised areas both in war and in peaceful time through the activities of soldiers, settlers and above all traders. This varied contact meant some intermingling of peoples and ideas, an intermingling which facilitated the infiltration of Islam in Yorubaland.

Historians find it difficult to attach a specific date to the introduction of Islam in Yorubaland. Gbadamosi asserts that the introduction of Islam in Yorubaland was unannounced and unplanned; and, for the most part, the first Yoruba Muslims had to worship privately and secretly. According to him, what is fairly certain is that in the seventeen century, mention was made of Muslims in Yorubaland. Doi seems to share the same opinion while making reference to the book of Ahmad Baba (d. 1610C.E.) where he had mentioned Yorubaland as an area where “unbelief predominates and Islam is rarely found”. Hence, Islam was already introduced in Yorubaland in the early seventeenth century.

Suggesting earlier date of introduction of Islam to Yorubaland, Shaykh Adam Al-Ilori was reported to have opined that it was during the period of Mansa Musa of Mali (d. 1337C.E.) that Islam spread to most parts of Nigeria, including Yorubaland. It is likely that there were Muslim traders from Mali who came to Old Oyo and thus Islam was introduced through them to many parts of Yorubaland.

Some historians, particularly, the non-Muslims, like Samuel Johnson31 and others who suggest eighteenth century as the date of the spread of Islam to Yorubaland seem to have drawn their conclusions from the impression that the spread of Islam in Yorubaland was based on the Fulani Jihad. Although, to some extent, the Jihad gave a boost to the spread of Islam, it is however noted that the spread of Islam had already become a factor in Yorubaland before the Fulani Jihad of 1804.32 Even to the opinion of Gbadamosi, the Jihad and its aftermath obviously constituted a watershed. Rather than improving the position of Yoruba Muslims, however, initially it had rather tragic effects, scattering the Muslims and threatening their position.

Islam was reported to have been in practice in Old Oyo during the reign of Alaafin Ajiboyede (1560 – 1570C.E.). According to Sanusi34 and Doi35, one learned Shaykh or Mallam called “Baba-Kewu” from Nupe sent his son “BabaYigi” to the Alaafin to remonstrate against his unjust and cruel manners in avenging his son’s death on innocent people, when his son had died a natural death. He said, “the act is a sin against God who took away the life of your son”. The Oba was said to have regretted his action and sought pardon from the people. This report shows the existence of Islam and the Muslims in the Old Oyo Empire as at the time. It also suggests that there must have been Muslim scholars present in Old Oyo who had engaged in teaching and preaching of Islam.

In many of the large towns, there were at least some sprinklings of Muslims. Gbadamosi observes that Owu, before its destruction in 1825, contained many Muslims.36 Badagry evidently had some Muslim Community whose colourful celebration of the ‘ Id -al-fitr was watched by Lander on 27th March, 1830.37 He states further that Islam was long established at Ketu and by the close of eighteenth century, Muslims constituted a noticeable force in Ketu’s army. In Lagos, mention was made of the presence of Islam first at the Court of Adele (I) (1775 – 1780, 1832 – 1834). He permitted the practice of this religion, at the expense of his throne in 1780. When he came back to Lagos in 1832, Islam was again firmly planted in his court in Lagos, and Muslims in and outside the Court enjoyed his patronage.

It is evident from our discussion so far that Islam gained entrance to many parts of Yorubaland through peaceful means. The activities of the Muslim merchants and clerics assisted in the spread of Islam in Yorubaland. Islam had gained firm root in places like Badagry, Igboho, Ikoyi, Iseyin, Ketu, Epe, Lagos, Oyo, Ibadan, Osogbo, Ogbomoso and many other places in Yorubaland before 1840.39 Since this study is centered on Oyo and Osun States, particular reference will be made later to some towns in these States while discussing the advent of Islam there.

Nice one bro, i have been searching for this topic for a long time

nice one, how can I have access to the full thesis?

Yoruba had early contact with people from other parts of the west because of the nearness to the atlantic ocean.

Whoever say Yoruba accepted islam during the fulani war is lying, Yorubas were already muslims before then though very few. Yoruba accepted Islam from Malian merchants/traders.

It was reported that when the Malians came, when it's time for prayers, they usually asked for a shield where they can pray from their Yoruba host and as time goes by, their Yoruba hosts start joining them in prayers and that was how Islam came about in Yorubaland.

If you notice, Muslims in Yorubaland are called elesin Male, it is actually elesin Mali(that is people of Malians religion). That was how they were described when they first aceepted Islam from Malians and it persist till today.


There were already muslims in Yorubaland before Dan Fodiyo conquer the hausas through his jihad self.

Kapeter:
Yoruba had early contact with people from other parts of the west because of the nearness to the atlantic ocean.

Whoever say Yoruba accepted islam during the fulani war is lying, Yorubas were already muslims before then though very few. Yoruba accepted Islam from Malian merchants/traders.

It was reported that when the Malians came, when it's time for prayers, they usually asked for a shield where they can pray from their Yoruba host and as time goes by, their Yoruba hosts start joining them in prayers and that was how Islam came about in Yorubaland.

If you notice, Muslims in Yorubaland are called elesin Male, it is actually elesin Mali(that is people of Malians religion). That was how they were described when they first aceepted Islam from Malians and it persist till today.


There were already muslims in Yorubaland before Dan Fodiyo conquer the hausas through his jihad self.

You're 100% correct. Apart from this, Bowing the kneel and praying has been part of Yoruba religion before Islam.

Facts has shown that Muslims remains the highest population in yorubaland.

That's why their pentecostal pastors are using other ethnicities to stock their church.

Ndibunna:
Facts has shown that Muslims remains the highest population in yorubaland.

That's why their pentecostal pastors are using other ethnicities to stock their church.

You are saying rubbish u don't know yoruba Christian's are slightly more than the Muslims
It can be 50;50 talk with facts

drizzygee:



You are saying rubbish u don't know yoruba Christian's are slightly more than the Muslims
It can be 50;50 talk with facts

The person you are arguing with want yoruba. Muslim and Christian to be fighting

What is religion sef, we share the blood and ancestry na in be koko