Muslim-Christian Relationship In The Light Of Qur’an and Sunnah: An Assessment of the Causes of Religious Crises In Multi Religious Nigeria
Keywords:
Nigeria, Muslims, Christians, Intolerance, Qur’an and Sunnah.Abstract
The frequent eruption of ‘religious’ crisis between Muslims and Christians is one of the major threats to the corporate existence of contemporary Nigeria. Various proposals have been made for combating the religious intolerance that breeds these crises in multitude. Some theologians preach the need to harmonize the spiritual visions of all religions to one imaginary faith, the idea which leads to relativity of the truth. Others preach the need to relinquish aspects of each religion for harmony of world religions, the idea which leads to hypocrisy in religion. More others are regarded extremists for severing their relationship with followers of other faiths. The paper examines the extent to which Islam permits Muslims to peacefully relate with their Christian neighbors, as well as the modus operendi of such coexistence. It also aims to demonstrate how the misconception of the Islamic model for peaceful co-existence is a factor responsible for the religious crises in Nigeria. To achieve this, relevant texts and opinions of Ulama were collated and quoted. The work reveals that; hatred, ignorance, intolerance and manipulation of texts are responsible for the frequent religious violence in Nigeria. It concludes that the tolerant principle of Islam is the fairest, honorable and most logical principle of peaceful coexistence in plural societies. The paper provides a framework of strengthening peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.
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References
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Ademilokun, M.K. Religious Crisis and National Security: The Nigerian Experience. Folorunsho, M.A et al (ed) Religion and National Security, NASRE. 2006.
Akbar, S.A. Discovering Islam. Routledge & Kegan Publishers, London, UK.1988.
Alwani, T.J. Issues in Contemporary Islamic Thought. IIIT, Herndon, USA.2005. Soft
Al-Bukhari, M.I. Adab al-Mufrad. Trans.Garhi,K.K. Dar al-Kutoob al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut Lebanon.2015
Al-Hilali, M.T and M.M. Khan, The Noble Qur’an: English Translation of the Meaning and Commentary, Madina: King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, ND. Soft
Al-Jaza’iry, A.J. Minhaj Al-Muslim.Vol.1. Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh, S/Arabia.2001
Al-Turabi, H. Al-Mar’a fi ta’alim al-Islam. Islamic Publication Trust, Minna, Nigeria.1993.
Aliyu, M.T et al. The Qur’anic Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. In Kilani, A.O (ed). Islam, Peace and Security and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. Conference Proceeding of the 1st Annual International Conference of the Department of Islamic Studies, NSU, Keffi. 2016. Soft
Aliyu, M.T & Sulaiman, A.A, Personal Hygiene in Islam. In Gugga,V.D (ed)Indigenous Knowledge and Relevant Research. Proceeeding of the Second Annual Conference of the Federal University lafia, Nigeria: Makurdi: Sevhage Publishers,2016. Print
Al-Qaradawy, (b) Y. Non-Muslims in the Islamic Society: American Trust Publishers, USA. 30-37. 1985. Soft
Al-Qaradawy, (a), Y., Al-Madhkhal Li Dirasat Al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah, Cairo: Maktabatu Wahbah, 1997.
Al-Tabari,M.J. Jami al-Bayan. Vol, 6. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon. 1997.Print
Atoi, E.N.C. The Epistemology of the Truth-Claims in the Global Multi-Religious Ambiance. Journal of the Studies in Interreligious Dialogue. Issue 28, No. 1, Peeters Publishers, Belgium.2018.
Ayoub, M. Religious Pluralism in the Qur’an. In Ayoub, M. (ed) Contemporary Approaches to the Qur’an and Sunnah. IIIT, London. 2012. Print
Bahnasawy, S.A. Non-Muslims in the Shariah of Islam. Dar anNashir Lil-Jama’at, Cairo, Egypt.2004. Print
Bidmos, M.A. Inter Religious Dialogue: The Nigeria Experience. Panaf Publishers, Lagos.2006. Print
Balogun, S.A. & Adeyemi, O.M (2015) Wasatiyyah Deficiency: bane of Intra and Inter Religious Unrest in Contemporary Nigeria.Ad-Dirayah: Journal of Islamic Studies. Vol, 4, No.4. Department of Islamic Studies, NSUK.
Bugaje, U. ‘Introduction’ Muslims and the Nigerian Political Space. In Bugaje, U (ed) Muslims and the Nigerian Political Space. Abuja: Books and Libraries Publishers,2016, Print
Bukhari, M.I. Sahih al-Bukhari. Egypt: Tauq al-Najat, Cairo. 1422AH CD.
Denffer, A. Christian Mission and Islamic Da’awah. Proceeding of the Chambesy Dialogue Constitution. UK: Islamic Foundation, London.1982. Soft
Deraz, M.A., Al-Din. Dirasah Mumahhadah Li Dirasat Tarikh al-Adyan. Kuwait: Dar al-Qalam. ND. Soft
Doi,I. A. Non-Muslims Under Shariah. International Graphics, Maryland, USA. 1981. Print
Doi, I.A. Shariah the Islamic Law. Ta-Ha Publishers, London, UK. 1984.Print
Faruqi, I. Al-Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life. USA. IIIT. Series No.4, Herndon. 2000. Print
Haykal, M.H. Life of Muhammad. IPB, Lagos Nigeria.1982. Print
IET. Relation with non-Muslims. Publication Series of DIN, Minna, Nigeria.2009. Print
Imtiaz, A. Speeches for an Inquiring Mind. Ist edition. Al-Rasheed Publishers, Madina, S/Arabia.2001
Ishiaku, S & Inuwa,D.I. Maqasid of the Shariah on Jihad: A Misunderstood Islamic Concept in
Modern Societies. Keffi Journal of Religion. Nassarawa State University, Keffi.Vol,4, No,1.2016.
Khan, I.A. Muslim and Non-Muslim Relationship: An Analysis of Qur’anic Provision. In Ibrahim, E.E.
M. & Yasin,R.F.F (eds). Revelation and Science in the 21st Century. IIUM, Malaysia.2015. Print
Lemu, B.A. Laxity, Moderation and Extremism in Islam. IIIT, hendorn, Virginia, USA. 1993.Print
Mawdudi, A.A. Towards Understanding Islam. Islamic Publishers, Lahore, Pakistan.1980. Print
Modibbo Yakubu. “An Appraisal of the Roles of Religious Leaders towards Peace-Building in Gombe State. Keffi Journal of Religion Vol. 6, 2013. p.90-109
Mubarakpuri, S. The Seeled Nectar. Dar as-Salam Publishers, Riyadh, S/Arabia.2008. Print
Muslim,M.A. Sahih Muslim. Lebanon: Dar Ihya’ alTurath al-Arabi, Beirut. N.D, CD
Najeebabadi, A.S. The History of Islam. Vol,1. Dar as-Salam Publishers, Riyadh, S/Arabia.2000. Print
Qadri, H.M. Rational to Brawl the Irrational. Lambert Publishers, Germany.2017. Print
Rabiu, A, & Modibbo, Y. Understanding the Islamic View point on religious Pluralism in Nigeria, with Special Reference to Ahl Al-Kitab. Journal of Religion and Civilizational Stuies, Vol,1, No.1. IIUM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2018. p.31-60
Rahman, S.A. Punishment of Apostasy in Islam. IIC, Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia.2001. Soft
Sani, S. The Killing Fields: Religious Violence in Northern Nigeria, Ibadan: Spectrum Books. 2007.Print
Shaheed, A.Q.O. Criminal Law of Islam. Vol,1. Adam Publishers, New-Delhi, India.2010
Sieny, S.I. Muslim and non-Muslim Relation. Darul-Fajr Publishers, Madina, S/Arabia. 2005. Print
Sulaiman, K.O. Religious Violence in Contemporary Nigeria: Implications and Options for Peace and Stability Order.Journal for the Study of Religion. Vol.29, No.1. ASRSA. 2016
Turabi, H. The Islamic Movement in Sudan. Arab Scientific Publishers, Beirut Lebanon.2009
Usmani, M.T. What is Christianity? Translated by M.S Omar. Pakistan: Darul Ishaat, Karachi. 1995. Soft
Yero, Y.I. Ethno-Religious Tolerance in Nigeria: An Islamic Perspective. Department of Religious
Studies, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria. 2011.
Yunana, M.M & Buru, Y. The Role of Religious Leaders in Establishing Community values. Mikailu, A.S (ed). Islam and the Fundamentals of Peaceful Coexistence in Nigeria. Amal Press Sokoto, Nigeria. 2014.
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Published
2019-11-30
How to Cite
Safiyanu, I. (2019). Muslim-Christian Relationship In The Light Of Qur’an and Sunnah: An Assessment of the Causes of Religious Crises In Multi Religious Nigeria. AL-ITQAN: JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC SCIENCES AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES, 3(2), 65–92. Retrieved from https://journals.iium.edu.my/al-itqan/index.php/al-itqan/article/view/119
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