SECTARIAN INFLUENCE ON TAFSIR: A CASE STUDY OF SOME ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This is a study of sectarian influence on the Tafsir of the Qur'ān among selected religious organizations in northern Nigeria. It highlights on the aspects of the Qur'anic sciences in relation to Tafsir and Tarjamah (Translation) of the Qur'ān. It also traces the history of the emergence of sects in Islam from the time of the Saḥābah to present time focusing on some Islamic religious organizations in northern Nigeria. Three religious sects were chosen as subject of study, namely; (a) Muslim Sufi movement; Qādiriyyah and Tijjāniyyah orders. (b) Salafiyyah movement; Jamā'at Izālatil Bid'ah Wa Iqāmatis Sunnah and Jamā'at Ahl us Sunnah lil Da'wah Wal Jiḥād, popularly known as Boko Ḥaram. (c) Qur'anist sect, popularly known as Qala Qāto (Man Said). The study submits that the main focus of the Qādiriyyah and Tijjāniyyah Tafsir are: interpretation of the Qur'ān in the context of the Qādiriyyah and the Tijjāniyyah Sufi order, defense of their Sufi practices, counter attack on their opponents and propagating their orders. The focus of Izālah Tafsir include the explanation of the concept of Tawḥid, Shirk, Sunnah, Bid'ah and attack on Sufism and Sufi practices especially those of Tijjāniyyah and Qādiriyyah. The Boko Ḥaram Tafsir has focused on enlightening the Muslims on the western conspiracy against Islam and the Muslims as enshrined in western education (Boko) and democracy. They emphasized on jiḥād and the obligation of uprooting westernization and replace it with Islamic system. The Qala Qāto sect has focused their Tafsir on rejection of Ḥadith and other religious books beside the Qur'ān. They used the Qur'anic Tafsir to justify their creed and condemn their opponents. Tafsir of some selected scholars of the three main organizations under study were presented as a sample each representing the opinion of their sect.