Discuss Uthman Dan Fodio’s contribution to the development of Islam in Northern Nigeria.

KCSE IRE Paper 2 2010 Question 6(a) with Answers and Marking Scheme.

(a) Discuss Uthman Dan Fodio’s contribution to the development of Islam in Northern Nigeria. (10 marks)

Uthman Dan Fodio’s Contribution to the Development of Islam in Northern Nigeria.

1. He devoted his time to educating the masses on the fundamentals of Islam through public lectures, sermons in Gobir and surrounding areas. His teachings and exemplary- life (he led a simple life) attracted people to Islam.
2. He had a strong following, the Jamaa with whom he conquered large territories which he reorganized into a caliphate - Sokoto capital.
3. The establishment of the caliphate brought in peace and stability which were not only necessary for reconstruction but for the spread and development of lslam.
4. He revived and strengthened Islam in the Caliphate by giving it new impetus. The masses, abandoned their traditional practices (funeral, dress, eating) for the Islamic practices.
5. He was a scholar. He authoured many works in Hausa and Arabic which contributed to Islamic learning and intellectual development.
6. He reformed Islam by getting rid of and discouraging non-Islamic practices e.g. female circumcision, playing of music instruments.
7. He uplifted the social status of women and championed women education,His wives and daughters were well educated.
8. He was a fervert advocate of education for all (men and women). He encouraged the masses to have basic education in Islamic education by learning Fiqh, Tawheed and History. Learning spread through the Caliphate and new converts were able to read the Quran.
9. He advocated for pure Is lam and fought against extremism.
10. He appealed to the people to accept the schools of law (Madhabs).
11. His mastery of Arabic, Hausa, Fulani and Tuwadic languages made it easy for him to communicate his ideas and philosophy throughout the Caliphate.
12. He strengthened the relationship between his Caliphate and the rest of the Muslim world.
13. He established and strengthened his relationship with Muslim scholars.
14. His leadership and reforms had influence in the future generations -today Islam is strong in Northern Nigeria.
15. Through the efforts and influence of Dan Fodio many Nigerians -Hausas,Fulani, Nupe, Yoruba converted from the traditional African religion to Islam.
16. Islam in Northern Nigeria became the religion of the masses instead of being the religion of a small elite.
17. Muslim leaders from all over Northern Nigeria, mainly Fulani came to Uthman Dan Fodio to get blessings to carry out their own “revolutions" against the non-Islamic/nominal Islamic overlords and bring reform based on Islamic principles/His reforms inspired other leaders mainly Fulani to carry out similar reforms/revolutions in their areas.

(5x2 =10 marks)

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