Kwara State University Journals
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The Abuse of Muslim Names Among the Yoruba People of South-Western Nigeria
No full textIslam like every other religion, culture, society and tradition recognize the importance of a name as a major means of individual recognition or personal identification. Thus a person without a name can be equated with an animal or a person without any history at all. In some societies, names are mainly determined by circumstances of birth as well as religious and ethnic backgrounds of the parents and likings for certain names. But in Islam, the distinguishing feature of Muslim names generally is that they are inspired by the teachings of Islām in the Qur\u27ān and Sunnah of the Prophet. Names are selected because they are religiously acceptable and are rejected because they are religiously unsound. It is however observed that some Muslim names and their holders have become targets of derision in the hands of some individuals of Yoruba extraction. This has actually affected the psyche of those who bear those names so much so that some have opted for name-change. This paper therefore attempts to do a survey of some Muslim names and how they are used in different manners to vilify their bearers by the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. The paper finds out that those engaged in this practice are the uncivilized and Uncultured individuals regardless of any religious inclinations. The paper adopts descriptive and analytical methods whereby a step by step analysis of the practice is provided to reveal the extent to which those names are abused. The paper while examining the implications of this practice under the shari‘ah of Islām concludes by admonishing the perpetrators to desist in order to avoid the wrath of Allāh
Inter-Religious Harmony: A Panacea for Good Governance in Nigeria
No full textNigeria is the most populous country in West Africa and vested with religious diversities: Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion. These religions are intertwined with political activities in the country. Although, religion has been mostly used negatively in Nigerian politics since independence, the need for political stability in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Indeed, all segments of the Nigerian society are interested in the political future of the nation. However, this interest is approached from various dimensions. A major interest in the Nigerian polity is the relationship between religion and governance. The curiosity to write on this topic came out of the complex relationship of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, and the growing extremism and intolerance between them. The methods used in this paper are historical and descriptive. The paper is divided into sections: section one is the introduction, section two defines conceptual issues and its interrelatedness, section three discusses the overview of ethno religious crises in Nigeria, section four discusses the need for interreligious harmony, while section five is the findings, recommendations and conclusion. This paper discovers that religion can be both an integrative and divisive factor in any society. Conclusively, the government and her citizens are yet to accept fully both in theory and practice the stark realities of pluralism of religious beliefs and practices. These have made Nigeria permeated with violence, crime and insecurity; hence, an unstable government. The writers of this paper suggest inter-religious harmony as a panacea for good governance
The Resurgence of African Religious Beliefs and Its Impact On Christianity in South Western Nigeria
No full textThe evangelism driven Christianity of the 19th century spear-headed by Townsend led to the advent of the Faith in Badagry in 1842. It subsequently led to the establishment of the first church in Nigeria, Abeokuta in 1898. This, however, appears to have waned considerably in the contemporary South Western Nigeria due to what can best be described as resurgence of African Religious (Afrel) beliefs. There is an apparent beclouding of basic Christian tenets which depicts in an unwholesome misinterpretation of Christian beliefs based on African Religion (Afrel) worldview. These are beliefs in God who need intermediaries to be approached. Hence popularity of false prophets and swindling Pastors among others. This paper in the light of the above interrogates this current trend with tested Christian values exemplified by Jesus Christ and popularized by the teaching and evangelism approach of Apostle Paul as gleaned in all his missionary journeys in Acts. The application of which has left vast regions of the world propagated effectively for Christ. The paper equally examines impediments on the path of sustained evangelism and revival of the Yoruba of South West Nigeria occasioned by the aforementioned resurgence. This is done with the intent of harping on the good side of African Religion (Afrel) such as belief in life after death using it as a platform for the parousia and Eschatology. The work adopts a qualitative approach to analyze collected data which are mainly from primary and secondary sources of books, journals, articles, internet and interviews embellished by inter disciplinary approach. It is discovered from the study that the current trend is amenable to inherent evangelism approach of earliest missionary persuasion of the aggressive type that made the pioneers of the religion to overcome daunting challenges. Consequently, the study recommends that ecumenical bodies with the Directorate of Evangelism and Revival at the international, regional, national and local levels be invigorated to curb this resurgence through periodical workshops and dissemination of information
A Historical Survey of the Israeli Oppressions in Palestine: An Islamic Panacea
No full textThe creation of the Zionist State of Israel has posed a series of cases of man\u27s inhumanity to man in a mission to architect a Great Jewish Land that will encompass the majority of Arab Countries in the Middle-East. People in Palestine have, since 1948 and even before, forgotten peaceful days and serene nights. A discerning audience of this more-than-six- decade oppressions may discover that the Israeli occupation of Palestine and its merciless torture of the Palestinians are not limited to the Arab Muslims only. Palestinian Christians also suffer a great deal from the heartless treatment of the Zionist forces operating in that robbed land that is hitherto held in high esteem in a region regarded as the earliest human settlement. Ironically, many Christians especially in Nigeria seem to be oblivious of this fact, hence register their support to Israel and its cruelty. This paper attempts to survey around some of the instances of inhuman subjugations of the Israel against the Palestinians with a view to making a case that Christians also are not spared. It also proposes an Islamic panacea which, if followed accordingly, will bring the Jewish oppressions in Palestine to a halt. The paper relies on the library method of research whereby books as well as magazines were used. Its main findings reveal that to the possible surprise of many Nigerian Christians, Arab Christians in Palestine are not exempted in any inhuman scheme of Israeli\u27s violence against the Palestinians. It concludes that unless Islamic therapy is employed and applied appropriately, Palestine will remain a victim of Israeli oppression
The Source and Explosion of African Pentecostalism and Globalization
No full textThe Holy Spirit led the Early Church which was a community where freedom of expression and spontaneity that characterized its worship may not have been very different from that of many Pentecostal churches today. The beginning, spread and explosion of the Pentecostal movement is extraordinarily great globally, more especially among many African Indigenous Churches with a Pentecostal zeal. Presently, Christians can be found in almost every country in the world. Although Christianity has been gradually expanding since its earliest days, its globalizing presence is not old in human history. The effects of Pentecostal movements can be categorically felt across the globe today, and there is hardly a Christian denomination or sect which has not in one way or the other been influenced by this movement. One of the obvious questions that arise is that, what accounts for the beginning, explosive and extraordinary growth of African Pentecostalism and Globalization? This paper traces the source or the beginning of the Pentecostal movement and the rapid explosion involved in its spread across the globe in general and Africa in particular, between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries of the present era. The positive and negative impacts of the movement\u27s on African Christianity are also examined. Since the topic has to do with church history, the study uses the historical perspective and qualitative method which is Africanist in approach to church historiography, which is marked by total and objective commitment to Africa
A Dialysis of Human Personality and The Effect of Poverty on Character
No full textThe concomitant effect of poverty on the character of a person cannot be over-emphasised. Poverty and the array of socio-economic woes in the society portend grave capacity that damage and dehumanize the personality of an individual. A \u27person\u27 as a unit, loses personal ego and self. worth when the potential of what makes him/her a \u27Person\u27 and gives the individual voice and power in the society is lacking. In this scenario, a person\u27s character which is tied to personality will suffer some indignity. In the context of economic power therefore, viz-a-viz; poverty, the character of a Person cannot be fully exhibited, hence, the person is prone to a character dentations and incapacitation. This paper, therefore, prods into the human personality in an attempt to conjecture the effect of poverty on the character of a person. If it can be said that the individual trait, character and temperament are the basic ingredients of personality; then it goes with the reason why personality reflects the different categories of people. Apparently, this explicates the purpose for having successful people and those who are not successful. The methods used in gathering data, are psycho-analytical, participatory observation, analytic and experiential
Natural Resources Management and Sustainable Development in Nigeria with Reference to Genesis 1:26-30
No full textThe African continent has abundant natural resources, minerals and also rich oil reserves. A good example is Nigeria, which has seen increased GDP growth rates due to oil discovery. Nevertheless, an oil rich nation like Nigeria is still very poor despite her wealth in this highly sought after resource. In fact, Nigeria, as nation tends to represent less economic development than nations with smaller quantities of natural resources. More importantly, good governance is grounded on the theological truth that "The earth is the Lord\u27s, and everything in it. The world and its entire people belong to Him" (Ps.24:l, Ps. 89: Il). So, nations, its people, and all the natural resources they have entrusted to politicians and leaders as stewards. The paper is aimed at examining natural resources management and sustainable development with reference to Genesis 1:26-30, and its implications for leaders in Nigeria. The paper uses both historical and analytical research methods. The data were collected through secondary sources, where Encyclopedia, Bible commentaries, books, published Journals and Articles are consulted. Therefore, it is discovered that, bad management, corruption and administration of resources have plundered many African nations, most especially, Nigeria into a moral dungeon. The tragedy of most post-colonial African states such as Nigeria is that, they lack visionary political leadership that transcends personal and primordial interest to transform and manage natural resources of the nation state into a viable vehicle that could address the basic needs of the people in the struggle for sustainable development. The paper hereby concludes and recommends that, visionary leaders, though not the exclusive makers of historical processes, are essential ingredients in the task of nation building and managing of natural resources for sustainable development
Christian Ethical Values and Their Relations to Sustainable Development in Nigeria
No full textMany states in Africa including Nigerians arc still living in confusion as a result of the influence by the Boko Haram insurgency and bankruptcy. In actual fact, today, Nigerians real capital comprises the peasant masses, thousands of jobless youths and graduates, the homeless. the armed robbers, the sick and the destitute who struggle daily for survival. Thus, the majority of the people have remained permanently marginalized by the current vicious cycle of poverty and dependency. Unfortunately, however, successive Nigerian leaders have been using religion, culture and ethnicity as an instrument of playing divide and rule game, rather than as a springboard for the inculcation and improvement of social ethical values which are fundamental to achieving correct human behaviour as it relates to productivity and nation-building. This paper, therefore, examines the place of Christian religion in the development of Nigeria with a view to generating new ideas that will contribute meaningfully to the search for democratic principles
Al-Kafā’ah (Compatibility) Between Spouses Regarding Righteousness as Discussed in the Tafsīr of Al-Ourṭubi: Implications for Marital Life
No full textChoice of marital partner is determined by a number of catalysts one of which is al-kafā’ah (equality of status) between spouses. Some marriages cause a sort of antipathy which leads to discord and separation between the couples as a result of incompatibility emanating from disequilibrium of moral, religious or socio-economic status of the spouses. Jurists hold divergent opinions on qualities which should be considered as genuine criteria for al-kafā’ah as various contemporary societies differ in what they determine as criteria for compatibility between spouses. In this wise, the Qur’ānic paradigm relating to the issue of al-kafā’ah was exposed by al-Qurtubi in his Tafsīr. This paper, therefore, examines al-Qurtubi’s exegetical discourse on al-kafā’ah between spouses with the intent of identifying genuine criteria for the compatibility and their implications for marital life. Exegetical and analytical methods were adopted for the study. It identifies religion and piety as the basic criteria for the compatibility of status which help to maintain decency and wellbeing of individuals in marital life, while socioeconomic status may be waived, but with the consent of wife in order to curb psychoemotional disturbance resulting from mis-merge of socio-economic statuses. It also pointed out that repentance of unchaste spouse is considerable, and the chaste has the right to either retain the existing marriage with the persistent unchaste or dissolve it for the interest wellbeing of marital life. The study concludes that al-Qurtubi was able to deduce the criteria for the compatibility of status between spouses, from the Qur’ān
A Moral Discourse on the Phenomenon of Religious Mimicking in Nigerian Films: An Exegetical Study of II Corinthians 11:13-15
No full textNigeria as a nation is notoriously religious. There is hardly anything done without religious coloration. The question begging for answer is whether such deep love for religion is fake or real. The most probable yardstick to answer the question here or there perhaps should be the agreement of the natural roles of religion with the citizens’ moral upliftment. As far as the Nollywood actors are concerned, religion itself might not be fake. Most adherents, particularly the leaders are somewhat less than real. The paper is out to study religious mimicking in some home videos. Since the conclusions in such videos usually end up in expressing the hypocritical tendencies of religious leaders, the paper adopts historical and comparative study of II Corinthians 11:13-15. It concludes that until Paul’s warnings are taken into consideration, religion particularly Christianity will continue to occupy space without much value on the society’s moral standard