Kwara State University Journals
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Polemical Discourse on Ḥadīth Matn Analysis in Southern Nigeria
No full textMisconceptions about interpretation of prophetic traditions have been claimed to have precipitated uncompromising controversies and rejoinders among Muslim scholars in the past and present time, especially in the contemporary Southern Nigeria. It all began as a result of different perceptions deduced by the Muḥaddithūn (Traditionists) regarding the verbal reports, deeds and tacit approval of the Prophet. This research paper has examined preservation of Ḥadith from the Prophetic era till the period of the Tābi‘ūn, the roles played by the Muslim scholars in Nigeria to shed light on the misconstrued Aḥādīth. Historical and analytical methods were adopted in the study to pinpoint the genesis of Ḥadith misconceptions, polemics on selected issues that sprouted up in the recent time, as well as rudiments of proffering solutions to the misconstruction of Ḥadith Matn. The finding has revealed that some Muslim scholars were benighted of in-depth cognition of Ḥadith contents. However, Muslims need to take recourse to unbiased Ḥadīth commentaries in order to curtail their intra-religious rivalries regardless of their doctrinal differences
An Interpretation of 2 Kings 5:1-19 and Its Lessons for the Church in Nigeria
No full textLiving in good health is a legitimate concern of human beings from time immemorial. The Yoruba of South West Nigeria has a popular saying that Ilera l\u27oro which literally means health is wealth. However, the prevalence of various diseases and sicknesses in Nigeria is a threat to good living. Therefore, this paper examines 2 Kings 5:1-19 with reference to Naaman, a respected commander of the Israelite army, who had a serious skin disease. A historical-exegetical method is utilized. The exegesis revealed that absolute faith in God is required for healing, and that the use of means such as water is allowed for healing process. The paper postulates that the Church in Nigeria should educate her members to be conscious of various diseases and sicknesses in the society and seek for appropriate medical or spiritual assistance
Modern Religious Movements as Panacea/Painkiller for African Women
No full textIn African societies, the glaring gaps in policy, legal frameworks and investment opportunities make it difficult for women to perform to their full potential in social, economic and political spheres. The lack of support leads to their poor performance, lack of sustainability and perpetuates a culture of dependence in most pans of Africa. The constraints preventing African females from attaining socio-economic independence provide the context for an increasing attraction to strong religious commitment. This provides an expression of identity beyond the socio-cultural constraints of the traditional patriarchal African society. The central argument of this paper is that modern religions provide an expression of identity beyond the socio-cultural constraints of the traditional African society. The idea of this ethnographic and sociological work is to show how these religions have helped maximized the potentials of African women against the marginalization they experience in Africa\u27s traditional society
University Sport, Spirituality and Social Development in Nigeria
No full textIt is near impossibility to discuss humanity without adequate recourse to sport. In the same vein, it is becoming difficult to separate spirituality from sport. Several research efforts have shown that sport has become a kind of religion to some people because of its rallying power and the ability to unite people from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Thereby fostering societal peace and cohesion, especially in the face of pluralistic characterization of several societies, sport has severally succeeded even where religion could not. We have also seen the ugly sides of sport, particularly among rival fans. This work, therefore, set out to examine the place of sport and spirituality in selected Nigerian universities and how that can impact humanity. The methodology adopted in this work is historical, comparative, survey, and analytical approaches. It was observed that sport is an anticipated channel of climbing social ladders among several students which serves as a source of hope for many of them, especially those from a rather humble and poor background. It was also discovered that, sport holds the answer to the much needed unity and friendliness among students on campuses. This prima place of sport in human existence makes it very necessary to accord adequate priority to the study of sport and spirituality in curriculum, as it promotes humanity and develops the society
African Indigenous Religious Response to Global Debate on Homosexuality: Hermeneutical Study of Relevant Ifá Corpora
No full textThe global debate on homosexuality has been a major religious concern to different beliefs. This present work therefore acknowledges the abundance of literatures on global debates on homosexuality. Homosexuality, in the recent time, has taken different dimensions in several academic disciplines from religion, extending to politics and economic engagements. So far, the emphasis on the quantum of literature about homosexuality is either argument in favor of the phenomenon or against the idea. However, it is worthy of note, to say that, virtually believers of religions have attempted to contribute their quota to the argument or debate by taking an introspective look at the sacred writings of their respective religions. By way of filling a part of the lacuna in the literature, this study examines the sacred literature of the indigenous religion of the Yorùbá people, especially, Ifá, in regards to homosexuality. It is noted that, Ifá, is the sacred genre for all the Yorùbá divinities and the springboard on which the culture of the Yorùbá people rests. The study as evinced from Ifá Literary Corpus established in strong terms, argument against the philosophical concept of homosexuality. The argument is generated from relevant stanzas of Ifá corpus; which are hermeneutically explicated and analyzed. This becomes part of an epistemological consideration into the debate concerning the issue of homosexuality. The paper concludes that, although there may be other positions on the issue of homosexuality, the sola scriptura of Yoruba traditional religious beliefs, is of the opinion that homosexuality is ungodly, unhealthy, immoral, unnatural and therefore forbidden; as such hampers development of individual, society and the nation at large. This is against the backdrop of Yorùbá worldview that encourages the birth of children in perpetuity of the family. Furthermore, this study notes that while homosexual tendencies are abhorrent, homosexuals should not be rejected or stigmatized, rather they should be assisted to change their perceptions
Museums and the Promotion of African Indigenous Religion in Yorubaland, Nigeria
No full textMuseums are edifices meant for the collection of antiquities or relics of creativity, knowledge and culture, ensuring that these collections exist for future generations. They provide treatment and preventive care for rare and valuable artistic collections of high value. African Religion is an expressive religion that has sought over the years to express her religious experience through the medium of arts and crafts. One of the ethnic groups among the Africans whose religion has gone all over the world is the Yoruba. Their dominant religious expressions have produced several arts and crafts that have emerged along with others in various museums of the world. This paper, in its purpose has three main objectives: to examine the role of museums in promoting the documentation and dissemination of African Indigenous Religion, to evaluate the efforts of the museum association in the documentation, preservation and dissemination of information about African Religion and to create a general awareness of the need for the public to have access to information on the religion of their forefathers as contained in museum citadels. The historical method was used in the elucidation of this enterprise. The researcher also visited various museums in Southwest Nigeria for on the spot assessment and interviews. The paper concludes on the note that the museums of Southwestern Nigeria are trying to preserve the religious arts of the Yoruba people but the buildings need much to be desired. Consequently, they are not able to perform the role expected of them properly. It was recommended that private institutions should partner with these government enterprises to ensure that these enigmatic heritages are preserved for generations to learn
An Analytical Study of the Controversies on Female Circumcision: The Islamic Perspective
No full textCircumcision is an age-long practice among people of different cultural backgrounds. The pracüce antedates both the pre-Islamic and Islamic periods in Arabian Peninsula. It became one of the aspects of culture found acceptable and practicable by Islam and eventually incorporated into the Sunnah of the prophet. Male circumcision, as an ancient practice was adopted by Islam and other faiths without much challenges or skepticism except for some minority parts of the world whose people consider it unnecessary to circumcise both their male and female children. Surprisingly, this peculiarity still exists till today. Historically, circumcision was practiced in ancient Egypt before 1300 CE. It became the norm in America during the 2nd world war based on the belief that it has certain benefits in stock for the soldiers. Female circumcision began to be contested about three decades ago, at the instance of Islamophobia and feminism. The former labels some socio-cultural and religious acts as threats and barbarism while the latter deems female circumcision as mere violence against women. As a matter of fact, both Islam and Christianity are of the belief that the practice was initiated by the fathers of faith i.e. Ibrahim or Abraham as the case may be. This article seeks to identify the status of female circumcision in Islam with a view to critically studying the controversies that surround its practice. The study is based on library research and the use of internet materials. The research findings indicate that rebellion against female circumcision is merely culturally biased whereas, to Islam, it is a form of purification. The paper recommends strict adherence to the Qur\u27an and the Sunnah of the Prophet to determine which path to be followed
Islamic Mechanism for Conflict Management: A Feasible Antidote to World Crises
No full textIt is an indubitable fact that there is proliferation of war and conflict throughout the world. In the North and South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, Cameroon, etc. there is one conflict or the other militating against the peaceful co-existence of their people. The fundamental issues in dispute include but not limited to struggles among the cthnic peoples or religious ideologies for land or resources, social and economic power, and/or freedom and self-government. Some of these wars and conflicts have long-standing basis and are therefore very complicated. These complications, however, happened as a result of several key players participating in these conflicts, either overtly or covertly for selfish interests. The task of finding solutions to the conflicts seems to be the focus of UN- the most recognized international mediating organization, so that the world may live in relatively peaceful and harmonious state. However, the United Nations has been found wanting in proffering lasting solutions to these conflicts. This paper thus presents practicalised Islamic mechanism for conflict management as contained in the Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad
The Religious Question and the Change Era in Nigeria: Going Beyond Illusions
No full textUmpteen scholarships have identified religion as one of the many factors responsible for instability in many countries of the world especially Nigeria. This assessment is a snapshot from the central role that religion plays in the lives of typical Nigerians, indeed Africans. In this era of change, it is pertinent to evaluate how religion could make the desired change a dream come true. This paper contends that a bold step towards achieving this desired change is curbing the challenge to development posed by religion in Nigeria. Religious values have a lot to offer towards establishing a balanced and stable society. All the major religions in Nigeria share these values even though crises among these religions have not allowed these values to bloom desirably. Findings show that once religious sanity is guaranteed and the rich values in the religions in Nigeria are allowed to play out in daily affairs, the desired change will go beyond mere illusions. The analytic as well as prescriptive approach is adopted by this paper