ABSTRACT
Islam is a religion and a way
of life for the Muslims, it consist of worship of the creator and goodness to
others to ensure a just society for all. Salat is a very important duty in
Islam as it distinguishes Muslims from others. It is an institution of the Muslim
congregation in a locality with the Imam as the head and Mosque as his office. Nonetheless,
it is on this background therefore that this research aims at discussing the
institution of Imamship in Ikotun-Ile Town Central Mosque with a view to (i)
Examine the concept of Imamship in Islam (ii) Document the historical origin of
Ikotun-Ile (iii) Identify the pattern adopted in Ikotun-Ile to appoint leaders.
(iv) Assess the contributions of earlier Muslim to the spread of Islam in
Ikotun-Ile (v) Give the historical account of Imamship in Ikotun-Ile town Central
Mosque (vi) Highlight the problems encountered by earlier Muslims in
Ikotun-Ile. The study has adopted historical and descriptive methods of
research. The historical method has assisted in rendering the historical
account of Ikotun-Ile town as well as the contribution of the earlier Muslim in
Ikotun to the spread of Islam. While the descriptive method has helped in
describing the past and present activities such as the methods of appointing
Imam in Ikotun Central Mosque as well as the duties and functional roles of
Imams in Ikotun Central Mosque. The major findings of the study were: (i) Most
of our present day Imams are easily brought over when it comes to monitory
matter owing to the fact that they are not placed on regular salaries. (ii)
People seek for the position of Imamship using all means possible because of
its attractiveness and respect. (iii) In some places, the position of Imamship
is based on blood relationship or hereditary. (iv) Some people have inordinate
ambitions that lead then to resort to evil ways in their bid to actualize their
dreams of being an Imam. The study therefore concluded by recommending that our
present day Imams should emulate the deeds and good character of the Prophet and
most of the scholars should join hand in condemning the in ordinate ambition of
those people who resort to evil ways in their bids to actualize their dreams of
being an Imam.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract vi
Table of
Contents vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background to the Study 3
1.2 Aim and Objective of the Study 3
1.3 Scope of the Study 5
1.4 Justification of the Study 6
1.5 Research Methodology 6
1.6 Definition of Terms 7
Notes and References 9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.1 Concept of Imamship in Islam 11
2.2 Imamship among the Salafs 23
2.3 Qualities of an Imam 29
2.4 Roles of Imam in Islam 40
Notes and References 43
CHAPTER
THREE: ORIGIN OF IKOTUN
3.1 History of Ikotun 48
3.1.1 Geographical Location of Ikotun 62
3.2 Islam in Ikotun 63
3.3 Muslims
of Ikotun and Other Faith 68
3.4 Challenges
of Islam in Ikotun 70
Notes
and References 73
CHAPTER FOUR: IMAMSHIP IN
IKOTUN-ILE
4.1 Imamship
in Ikotun-Ile 79
4.2 Contributions
of Past Imams in Ikotun-Ile Town 82
4.3 The Central Mosque of Ikotun-Ile 86
4.3.1 Socio-Religious Function 87
4.3.2 Administrative Function 90
4.3.3 Centre of Economic Activities 91
4.3.4 Centre of Learning 92
4.4 Methods of Appointing Imams in Ikotun-Ile 93
4.5 Functions of the Imam of Ikotun-Ile 95
Notes and References 97
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary 101
5.2 Conclusion 102
5.3 Suggestion and Recommendation 107
Notes and References 112
Bibliography 113
Appendix 116
CHAPTER ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
The compatibility
of Islam to humanity covers every aspect of human endeavors, political, social,
economical and spiritual life. Islam is a universal religion followed by over
one and half billion people living in different areas of the world.1
The teachings of Islam seek to protect people from harm and mischief and serve
their interest through the effective use of given resources.
These
objectives must be achieved within the framework of justice dignity, and
benevolence. The teaching of Islam provide a philosophy and a plane for people
to live by. This research work intends to affirm the fact that Imamship is
inevitable in any given situation where ritual prayer (Salat) is observed
between two or more believers. In this sense, the institution of Imamship in
Ikotun-Ile Town Kwara State forms the basis of this research. This is because
the institution of Imamship in Ikotun-Ile town among others is worthy of
emulation for any society which intends to discuss this reputation of the faithfuls.
In the same
vein, this research emphasizes the significance of Imamship in Islam because on
the Day of Accountability, every individual will be summoned with their Imams.
Allah says:
يَوۡمَ
نَدۡعُواْ كُلَّ أُنَاسِۢ بِإِمَٰمِهِمۡۖ فَمَنۡ أُوتِيَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ
فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يَقۡرَءُونَ كِتَٰبَهُمۡ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُونَ فَتِيلٗا ٧١
(And remember) the Day when we shall call together
all human beings with their Imams so: wherever is given his record in his right
hand, such will unjustly in the least.2 (Qur’an, 17:71).
The
above injunction reveals that we are all going to be accountable for all our
deeds, behind our leaders.
1.1 BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
The
people of Ikotun-Ile before the advent of Islam were reportedly said to be idol
worshipers until the era of Oba Tijuku who was the first person to accept and
practice Islam in Ikotun-Ile alongside his wife Aminat Iyamole.3
Furthermore,
“Iyamole” enaged herself in luring the children to Tafsin and Qur’an lesions at
Alfa Garuba’s House Imam Alfa Garuba did propagated the religion of Islam by
preaching, teaching youngster and librating the elders from superstition
beliefs and thus was given the mantle of Imamship.
It is on
this foundation that the Oba Tijuku ordered people to built a demarcation or a
spot which was presently known as Ikotun-Ile Central Mosque today.4
1.2 AIMS
AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Motivated
by the nature of the present society where the institution of Imamship has been
abused as a result of the system of appointing them and their qualification
which look un-Islamic in almost all its spheres. And the fact that I strongly
believe that we can during our time i.e. (the present generation), produce
youths who can advance in faithful leadership after studying the times and
modes with system of Imamship in Ikotun-Ile Town of Kwara State.
This
research therefore, intends to show the lessons or teachings that can be
derived from the precedence of the noble Prophet (S.A.W) in the appointment of
leader or Imam of the believers.
The aims
and objectives of this research are as follow:
1.
To show the moral standard or good quality which
existed from Imam in Islam.
2.
To discusses the virtue of good and qualified
Imam to the present and future generation especially among the youth to enhance
the righteous leaders in Islam by looking into the discipline, concept and
principles.
3.
To propose the pattern to be adopted in Ikotun-Ile
Town of Kwara State to the leader(s) as in conformity with the teachings of the
Holy Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W).
4.
To show a brief history of Imamship in the
Ikotun Town Central Mosque.
5.
To draw the attention of future generation to
some fainted and lossed about the modes of appointing Imams in Islam.
The
above highlighted are the aims and objectives of this great research work on
the Imamship in Kwara State a case study of Ikorun-Ile Town.
1.3 SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
This
project covers the Imamship of Ikotun-Ile Town of Kwara State between 1939 –
2017.
With little
notation to the other mosque present in Ikotun-Ile, this research work also
discusses in details the status of Ikotun town as well as the Ikotun-Ile
Central Mosque, the qualities of Imam in Islam, the duties and the privileges
of the Chief Imam of Ikotun-Ile, etc. Also in this research work, effort is
made in listing names of the reigning and the successive Imam in Ikotun-Ile
Town in Kwara State.
1.4 JUSTIFICATION
OF THE STUDY
Significantly
this research work serves as a form of codified record and documentation of
Imamship in Ikotun-Ile. Hence, there are numbers of works written on Ikotun-Ile
Community, Oyun Local Government of Kwara State. But to the best of our
knowledge, available records show that there is no single research work yet on
the Imamship in Ikotun-Ile Community in Kwara State. This is where the study
stands out to bridge the gap.
1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The
method adopted for this research is historical. The sources used includes
books, articles and the internet cites that are relevant to the topic.
Other sources
include Qur’an, Book of Hadith; among which are Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih
al-Muslim, 40 traditions of an-Nawawi’s Journals of Islamic Studies, Wikipedia,
Encyclopedia of Islam, textbooks, pamphlet and other relevant publications.
1.6 DEFINITION
OF TERMS
1. Imam: A religious man who leads the
prayers in a mosque or the spiritual leader in Islam, a leader of
congregational prayer in a mosque.5
2. Mu’athin (Aperun): The caller of
prayers and Jumat prayer.
3. Pagan: A person not adhering to any
major or recognized religion, especially a heathen or non abrahmist, followers
of a pantheistic or nature worshiping religion, neopagan.6
4. Tafsir: The word ‘tafsir’ comes from
‘fassara’ which means to explain to expound, to elucidate, to interpret.7
5. Ikotun-Ile: A town in which its people
had tribal marks in the right side of checks but non on the left side. It is
located in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
6. Olukotun: This is the title of the king
of Ikotun-Ile land.
7. Oyo-Ile: Old Oyo Empire which
collapsed.
8. Bale: The local chief in charge of the
community welfare.
9. Central Mosque: A building use for
public worship by Muslim.
10. Islam: Islam is a monotheistic and
Abrahamic religion articulated by the Qur’an, a religious text considered by
its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Allah) and by the teachings and
normative example (called the Sunnah, composed of accounts called Hadith) of
Muhammad (C. 570 – 8 – June 32 CE).8
11. Egungun (Masquerade): A social
gathering of person wearing masks and often fantastic customs.9
12. Khalifa: The leader of Muslim community
or particular nation.
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