ABSTRACT
The research titled Assessment of the Advent and
Development of Islam among Jukun People in Southern Taraba, Taraba State
Nigeria. It is aimed at examining the historical account on the
advent of Islam among Jukun people and to assess the impact of Islam on their
lives among others. In order to attain the aforementioned goals, the researcher
adopted Survey research methodology using questionnaire and interview. For the
questionnaires; the Researcher distributed three hundred and eighty four 384
while three hundred and seventy two372 out of it were successfully retrieved.
More than 30 Literatures, published, unpublished thesis and dissertations etc,
were reviewed for the purpose of the study. The researcher discovered that most
of the Jukun people and their related ethnic group in Southern Taraba State
hold a view that Islam came to stay among the Jukun people by the efforts of
Islamic Scholars who were from Kano and as well Katsina and certainly, Islam
has impacted their lives politically, socially, economically and spiritually.
Lastly, the researcher recommends that; there is urgent need for the Scholars
within the area and those outside to educate the Muslims on the true Islamic
teachings as exhibited during the life time of the Prophet (SAW) and to advice
Muslim organizations to re-establish more centres in order to affirm their
errand effectively.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO
THE STUDY
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
All praises and thanks are due to Allah (SWT) the Omnipotent, the Omniscient
and the Omnipresent. Complete blessings and salutation to the noble Prophet
Muhammad (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) members of his family and
those who have followed him till the Day of resurrection. This study is designed
to analyse the history of the advent and development of Islam into Jukunland
what is now referred to as Wukari Federation or Southern Zone of Taraba State
within the middle Benue Region in Nigeria. Certainly, Islam being the universal
Religion has influence over nations around the globe. Its Advent and
Development sail together looking at the nature of its propagation and how it
penetrated into different states. Thus, Islamic mission begins in Makkah when
Allah (S.W.T) favoured His Messenger (May Allah bless him and grant him peace)
with guidance and a mission to set up an ideal religion and ideal society in
the world. Muhammad (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) became a Prophet
and at that time aged forty (611 C.E.). However, most historical accounts
portrayed how the itinerant scholars used the opportunity in trade to propagate
and preach the messages of Allah (S.W.T) and His Messenger (May Allah bless him
and grant him peace) in towns and villages. Perhaps, the first serious attempt
to expand Islam in Africa is credited to Uqba bin Nafi‟ who is revered to this
day as the founder of Muslim Africa (Rahim, 2001).
Besides, Scholars have written alot on how Islam came to
Nigeria and how it spread into Kanem-Borno, Hausaland, Yorubaland, Nupeland and
non-Muslim Dominated Areas of Northern Nigeria among others, how it spread into
Jukunland will not be an exception. Therefore, scholars with divergence views
have written on the advent of Islam into Jukunland
itself. However, some scholars credited the advent of Islam into Jukunland to
Malam Sambo and Dikko whom were Hausas from Kano as well as Katsina, Some also
credited it to a group of kanuris whom were certainly the merchants, others
credited it to craftsmen among others.
Subsequently, the Jukun people settled and scarttered in many
places of the defunct northern Nigeria region particularly, places like;
Yakasai in Kano, Tudun Jukun and Kubanni in Zaria town, they settled in Keffi,
Keana and Doma in Nasarawa State respectively. It also extended to Adi and
Abinse in present day Benue state. Nevertheless, they settled in Kukawa of the
present Borno State, Pindiga in Gombe State, Wase in Plateau State, Kona in
Jalingo, Damfar and Kwararafa presently in Ibi and Wukari Local Government Areas
respectively. Although, there are different information about the
classification of Jukuns, their culture, political influence, war history and
migrations, historically, most communities in the past migrated for the fear of
war likewise the Jukuns. Perhaps, they came in contact with Muslims as far back
as their settlement in Kwararafa. After the demise of Kwararafa, they relocated
to Puje a place known to be for their traditional religious activities and they
later migrated to Wukari (Cikan) in 17th century. Their long stay with Hausas
particularly, those who were together from Kwararafa where they first settled
and Malam Sambo and Dikko made the Hausas occupy important positions at the Aku
Uka‟s palace like; Malam Bubba, whose duty was to pray for the King‟s victory
in all his undertakings and for protection and peace of the Kingdom, Sarkin
Hausawa, Mallam Agudu, Sangari, Sarkin Pawa, Sarkin Kasuwa, Sarkin Makera,
Abaka, Sankira and Sarkin Maharba respectively. The good relationship exhibited
at the past created an avenue for Jukuns to develop more interest in any
trasaction with Hausas (Muslims) than their close relative a traditionalist.
Such trust brought about inter- Marriages among one another, significant number of converts into
Islam not only among the poor families but rather the rulling class involved,
perhaps, important personalities converted to Islam within the rulling families
in Wukari, Donga, Takum and other towns. Moreso, having related for long, it probably
generated them a mix-culture, the people around share so many things in common
such as the Eids Festival and Ceremonies. Nevertheless, the Abakwariga (Hausas)
played a vital role in cultural games like; Garaza, Gaanni, Bori and Baawan
Dodo mostly found in Wukari and same exhibited in Dampar and Kashin Bila in Ibi
and Takum Local Government Areas respectively and other places of the Jukun
settlement.
Considering the above factors, the research is designed to
focus on the above mentioned topic.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Islam date of arrival into the various communities of Jukun
in southern Taraba State was around 18th to fifth decade of the 19th century,
while the introduction of Christianity to the Jukun people of southern Taraba
State was closely related to the coming of the Sudan United Mission (S.U.M) in
the fisrt decade of the 20th century. However, at present, it must be admitted
that; despite the long-aged gap in respect of the advent and spread of the two
religions (Islam and Christianity) among the Jukun people in the southern part
of Taraba state, the growth of Islam in the area was seemed to be retarded.
This in turn paved the way to the insinuation that the southern part of Taraba
State belongs to the Christians, especially areas mostly dominated by the Jukun
people. The above identified problems challenged the researcher to embark on
this study “Assessment of the Advent and Development of Islam among Jukun
People in Southern Taraba State, Nigeria”.
The general objective of this study is to assess the Advent
and Development of Islam among Jukun People in southern Taraba State.
Specifically, the study sought to:
1. Examine the historical account on the advent of Islam among
Jukun people in southern Taraba State;
2. Ascertain the level of progress attained by Islam among Jukun
people in southern Taraba State;
3. Assess the impact of Islam on the Jukun people in southern
Taraba State;
4. Examine the influence of the Jukun‟s culture on the
development of Islam in southern Taraba State;
5. Proffer solutions on how to address problems affecting the
development of Islam among the Jukun People in southern Taraba State.
1.4 Research Questions
In order to focus on the general question in a more specific
manner, the following research questions were formulated for answering.
1. How was Islam introduced among Jukun people in southern
Taraba State?
2. What is the level of development in the propagation and
consolidation of Islamic faith among the Jukun people in southern Taraba State?
3. What are the impacts of Islam on the lives of the Jukun
people in southern Taraba State?
4. To what extent did Jukun‟s culture influence the practice of
Islam in southern Taraba State?
5. What are the solutions to the
problems affecting the development of Islam among the Jukun people in southern
Taraba State?
1.5 Significance of the Study
1. The study is expected to be highly significant due to its
theme because it is dealing with advent and development of Islam among the
Jukun people, and also;
2. To assist Muslim Scholars with the knowledge of the Jukun
people, their culture and history which will surely enhance the choice of the
right approach in calling them to Islam;
3. To ameliorate the level of ignorance that engulf the area and
provides good methodology to teach the native Muslims Jukun to practicalize the
moderate teachings of Islam in their lives;
4. To be useful to the Students in the institutions of higher
learning by providing relevant information related to the Jukun people, their
relationship with other ethnic group around them and the nature of Islamic
development in the area under study and for referencing in the libraries;
5. Important to the native Jukuns (Muslims, Christians and
Pagans) for the fact that it will perhaps serve as a tool for them to
understand their differences and maintain how to live in harmony with one
another as Islam preached;
6. Important to the Government at all levels to be
acquainted with the Jukun‟s culture and to approach them rightly where
necessary.
1.6 Scope/Delimitation of the Study
The study covers four (4) out of the five (5) Local
Government Areas of the zone in Taraba State. In line with this, the result of
the study carried out from the selected Local Government Areas
namely: Donga, Ibi, Takum and Wukari which will be analysed across the zone as
well as explore it positive impact on the entire life of Jukuns and other
people of Wukari Division of Taraba State.
For more Islamic Studies Projects Click here
================================================================Item Type: Project Material | Size: 95 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.