THE HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ULAMA BASED ON SECTS: IN PROMOTING ISLAMIC SOCIETY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Islam clearly referred to the word of peace justice and equity where the Islam considered every individual as equal in the sight of Allah, and also indicates the must closer in the sight of Him is the most fairness person. However, Allah (SWT) kept sending a messenger from time to time from their kind, to serve as messenger and prophet for conveying the divine messages for guidance. The last and final Message and Messenger, that is the Qur’an and Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), the son of Abdullah. Therefore, since there would never be any other messenger, the responsibly for carrying on with that onerous divine duties are vested on the most learned of their times, the Ulama’ in setting out an all-encompassing teaching and regulatory framework for achieving optimum relationship between man and his Creator, the entire environment of the Universe and all other creations therein. For this reason, the Ulama been considered at the honorable status of the inheritors of the Messenger of Allah SWT. The paper investigates the enormous contributions of Ulama’ and identifies the serious challenges facing the Islam and its society of Northern Nigeria based on varies of understanding mainly arising from the ideological teachings of the overzealous few and sects in disregarding the provisions of the Qur’an and Sunnah such as (Tariqa, Izala, and Salaf) which is considered the main problems of sectarianism, extremism, and disunity, in some cases in Northern Nigeria. The paper employed the comparison method, to analyze the theoretical discussion of the sects. The findings indicate that there is a need to screen the Ulama’ of all groups, in establishing a common structure that shall not only unite but will address the yearnings and aspirations of the Ummah and Islam in Northern Nigeria.