Syncretism Among Muslims in Africa

This book critically examines some aspects of syncretic practices among Muslims in Africa with particular reference to Argungu Emirate in northern Nigeria. The work analyses the negative impact of the practices on some Muslims relating to Bori (spirit possession), Bokanci (divination), Tsubbu (Traditional Muslim clerics and healers) and other prevalent practices which involve syncretism. Both Bokanci and Tsubbu involve some acts which constitute syncretism in Islam. The study observes that despite the strong footing of the teachings of Islam in Africa and Hausaland in particular, some Muslims still uphold some of these practices. The book examines the negative religious, political, economic, social and educational impacts of such practices on the lives of some Muslims in the Emirate. Some of these negative impacts as analyzed include; shirk (associating partners with Allah, the Almighty), lost of wealth, lives, creation of enmity among people, marital instability, embezzlement of wealth, deception, cheating, pretense, mistrust, among others. The book finally provides the Muslims with measures of minimizing and possible eradication of these practices from Islamic perspective.