Imams in Ibadan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The history of Islam in the ancient city of Ibadan can be traced to as far back as the early 19th century. It has been reported by various scholars that as at 1830 the city was full of Muslims from Yoruba, Hausa and many other tribes and varying origins. Islamic activities thus sprang up at this initial stage, though in its low ebb. Mosques were later built individually and collectively and Islamic scholars, who later became prominent Imam also migrated to the city. The actual time for the beginning of Islam have not been ascertained by the historian. However, as at 1839 mosque was found in the central Ibadan with its first Imam Shaykh Abdullah Igun Olohun.
Imam literally means a Leader. He is the spiritual leader of the Muslims who mostly lead them in prayer (Salah) and performs some other functions as sermonising them (most especially on Fridays). There are rules guiding the selection of Imams in Islam. These rules vary from one school of thought to another and are sometimes influenced by tribal and geographical factors. In the modern time, Ibadan people adopt a unique system of selecting their Imams in consonance with the situation of things in the city and the Islamic teaching of Imamship. There are two routes through which Imams are chosen on a rotational basis to the position of Imams in Ibadan namely: the Mogaji (The Heirs) and Alfa (Scholar) Lines. The first line comprises those who succeeds ancestors who have either been an Imam or contributed immensely to the development of Islamic scholarship of the city and who are close to the position before their death. Meanwhile, the second line consist of the Islamic scholars whose their roots in Ibadan have been useful in the passing judgement on Islamic matters and are still useful in sermonising and educating people on Islamic matters. The Mufassir al-‘Am (Chief Interpreter of the Qur’an) and Mufti (Chief Judge) use to come from this side of the two lines. Although, those who are in the Mogaji line are not also found wanting in discharging the duties of Islamic sermons and giving Fatwa, the Alfa line is expected to be in the front when it comes to finding solution to the Islamic issues affecting Muslims in the city.