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THE RELEVANCE OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN

NORTHERN NIGERIA

Article · December 2021

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Auwal Abdullahi
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 THE RELEVANCE OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN
NORTHERN NIGERIA

Dr. Auwal Abdullahi

Abstract

Islam as a religion is a complete way of human life. Education is a process through which people
teach and learn. This paper examines the relevance of Islamic education to human development in
Nigeria. The aim of the paper is to explain the concept, goals of sources of Islamic education. In
Islam, Education is compulsory on human beings by which man and woman can be trained for
moral values and practical life. The paper will assess the necessity of education in human life, the
challenges and prospects and concludes by giving suggestions on its relevance to guide human
progress in Nigeria.

Introduction

Religion is probably the most popular phenomenon in a contemporary society as a matter of fact.
It is one of the fastest tools used in national growth and development. Islam is a comprehensive
way of life; it is an ideology par excellence and an independent and unique civilisation with its
own distinct characteristics and independent ideas and institutions of societal development. It has
morally based political principles, humane as well as welfare oriented economic system, an
incorruptible and equitable legal system, characterised by a swift dispensation of justice no
unnecessary adjournments and a revolutionary educational system.

Islam therefore, has its own value, criteria, ideological orientation, concept and unique
terminologies as well as peculiar institutions. In a nutshell, the ideas and institutions of Islamic
education are fundamentally based on the Islamic ideology and principle of Tauhid (Islamic
monotheism), the ideological character of Islam penetrates every nook and cranny of Islamic way
of life.

Concept of Islamic Education

Education is a discipline which concerns itself with the principles or teaching and learning in the
school like environment (Education, the new Encyclopaedia Britanica, 4th ed, 1986). Education is
simply a process through which people teach and learn. To educate is to give information to
someone to make him understand someone or something.

Concept of Education in Qur'an

Scholars have said that knowledge is the food and driver of the soul. Although, the first five verses
of the Glorious Qur'an taught about education or knowledge, one cannot help without taking verses
30-33 of Surah al-Baqarah into consideration. Allah (SWT) says:

And (Remember) when your lord said to the angels: "verily, I am going to place (mankind)
generation after generations on earth." They said: “will you place there in those who will
make mischief therein and shed blood, while will glorify you with praises and thanks and
sanctify you." He (Allah) said: "I know that which you do not know."

And he taught Adam all the names (of everything), then he showed them to the angels and
said: "Tell me the names of this if you are truthful."

They (angels) said: Glorified are you, we have no knowledge except what you have taught
us. Verily, it is you, the all knower, the All-wise."

He said: "O Adam inform them of their names; and when he had informed them of their
names, He said: "Did I not tell you that I know the Ghaib (unseen) in the heavens and the
earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been concealing?

The knowledge given to Adam was what qualified him to take charge of earthly affairs.
This is because such knowledge will help him carry out the purpose of his mission and the favour
given to Adam was and instill extended to his progeny. This explained one of the major concepts
of Islamic education. Another idea of Islamic education as far as Qur'an is concerned is also
established in Surah al-Baqarah, meaning that with knowledge or education man will be able to
fulfill Allah's will and purpose of creation. Allah (SWT) says:

And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship me (alone)
Q51:56.

Man is given free hand to develop and transform all his energies into doing something
which is good. So, it is in this way harmony is created between man and laws that govern the
natural world. Another concept of education as far as the Qur'an is concerned is that it is given the
education in order to make man an honourable creature on earth. Allah (SWT) says:

And indeed we have honoured the children of Adam, and we have carried them on the land and
sea, and have provided them with At-Tayyibat (lawful good things), and prepared them above
many of those whom we have created with a mark preferment (Q17:70).

So, with education man is able to name object.

Islamic education: can be define according to Ashraf and Hussain (1979: 20) as Islamic education
entails given instruction such that the trainee would be able to practice the five pillars of Islam.
Islamic education can therefore be seu as a process of self-discipline, which ensures the spiritual
and intellectual growth of the individual. This writer personally sees’ Islamic education as a system
of education which entails ideology and the concept of expounding the very nature of life (here
and after), and prescribing the position of man and his role on earth. This implies that Islamic
education includes the doctrine and pragmatic set up which emanate from and premised on the
ideological frame work (Ashraf & Hussain. 1979: 20). The frame work in question entails ethics
and its sustaining power, politics and its characteristics, social order and its values, economic
precept and its philosophy and internationalism in its ramification. It therefore means the total
upbringing of individuals within the context and content of Islam. This implies that it transcends
class room setting can be formal or informal.

The Development of Islamic Education in Northern Nigeria

The Prophet(SAW) was the first founder of Islamic education. He established school in the
Mosque. The Prophet(SAW) was trained by Allah as he reported to have said: "I was trained by
Allah and (Allah) have strengthened my training".

In Nigeria, Islam predated Christianity by well over three hundred years (Fafunwa, 1974: 15),
before the coming of western education in the 19th century. Islamic education becomes more
prominent particularly in the northern part of Nigeria what then known as Hausa land and the
Kanem Borno area. The religion spread through the rulers and the urban people and gradually into
the rural areas (Aisha, religious Education in Nigeria, htm. Seen 22" Feb, 2020). Scholars instituted
Qur'anic schools which continued for many centuries up to the colonial period. Better
transportation and communication systems during the colonial period accelerated the spread of
Islam in the south, particularly into Yoruba land down to Lagos by the end of 18th century and the
beginning of 19'*century (Aisha. religious Education in Nigeria, htm. Seen, 22" Feb, 2020).
However, in Hausa land, the scholars and traders taught Islamic education in the early fourteen
centuries. Thereafter, Islam spread to other parts of the north and places like Kano, Katsina and
Zaria. The influence of Qur'anic education in the north remain for long and took new shape thought
the jihad of Shehu Uthman Danfodiyo in 1800.

His activities brought about reforms in the life of the people and more importantly encouraged
women education by involving his own daughters (Aisha, religious Education in Nigeria, htm.
Seen 22™ Feb, 2020).

Major Aims of Islamic Education

According A. B. Fafunwa (1974: 11), they are as follows:

a. Continuity of man's essential goodness as he never loses sight of his relationship with his
maker, it inspires in him a consciousness of his obligations as the servant of God. It also
teaches him to treat the world as a trust which must not be abused.

b. The development of piety, it aimed at developing individuals who not only workshop Allah
but also live a life that is accordance with his ways.

c. Service to Allah and man, not through stocking of knowledge rather it is the way one's
sections are affected by the knowledge one has acquired.

d. Intellectual development, most of the subjects offered in Islamic education/school demand

a high degree of intellectualism.

e. Individual Adjustment, Islam appreciates the high degree of change that characterise and
given society. Individuals therefore, are taught and equipped with the tools to cope in any
changing society.
The Relevance of Islamic Education to Human Development in Northern Nigeria

To understand the relevance of Islamic education to human development in Northern Nigeria,

adequate knowledge of the jihad period of Shehu Uthman Danfodiyo which brought about
political, social, economic and moral reforms is needed. The Sokoto caliphate has been a booster
to the economy of Northern Nigeria, a promoter of education and a cleanser of the society. Above
all, it has strengthened the position of Islam as the state religion in the country and as the dominant
culture of the people (Fafunwa, 1974: 50).

The caliphate has served as a powerful agent for a tremendous and continuous expansion
Uthman Danfodiyo, strengthened the education of his community not only male followers but also
female education among the Muslims in Northern Nigeria. The Shehu’s two daughters were highly
educated and their literary contributions have come down to us (Fafunwa, 1974: 51).

The rule of law was established and the caliphate-maintained justice during Shehu’s reform
to the extent that nobody was allowed to be above the law (Yakubu, 2006: 90).

One of the major economic activities of the caliphate administration was the establishment
of the market system by appointing learned people as market officers and by ensuring that the
basic regulations of Islam on commercial transactions were followed. It should be pointed out that
the establishment of the Sokoto caliphate has for the first time brought about political unity and a
feeling of oneness in a very vast area where in the past small independent Kingdoms had existed
(Yakubu, 2006: 91).

A Muslim believes that man has a great limitation of knowledge about himself and his
environments, and that the knowledge of his creator, Allah (SWT) is absolute and reliable.
Therefore, man is expected to rely and submit to God in all that he is instructed. This is because;
there will be no success where God is divorced. Allah (SWT) Says:

…. But perhaps you hate a thing and its good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and its
bad for you. Allah knows, while you know not (Q2:216).

Therefore, if Nigerians in particular will imbibe the guiding principles of Islamic education
that enforce the consciousness of Allah (SWT) and distinguishing permissible from forbidden in
all their dealing, it will gc long way in solving the major problems of Nigerian State. For example,
the prohibitions in our social, economic, moral and religious system were because of the protection
of life, dignity, sense and religion. Islam prohibits every believer to shade the blood of any human
being and not violate the life of someone except on the violation of the laws of Allah, and this is
entrusted with leaders. So, also it is not allowed for a believer to kill himself by using any means
or to give permission for someone to kill him or to give permission to kill someone.

It is also not allowed to use poison for extinction or annihilation of a particular people or
tribe or using mass destruction. The prohibitions of Islamic economy consist of all forms of
corruptions, exploitation, fraudulence, embezzlement and ungodly dealings. Islam recognises the
ownership of wealth, right to spend the wealth and protection of the wealth. Indeed, Nigeria stands
to be unique among other nations for abundance of mineral resources, human power and
intelligence that is gracefully given. In spite of the tremendous bounties God endowed Nigeria
with, the country remains one of the poorest nations in average ratio. The obvious reason that
sabotaged the Nigeria economy is as a result of corruption and unconsciousness of God which has
engraved in the hearts of most Nigerians, particularly those at the helm of authority.

Islam promotes authority among the human beings because one individual cannot live
without other. In this respect great importance was attached on interpersonal relationships and
reciprocal obligations. The man who combined good character with a specific skill was adjudged
to a well-educated and well-integrated citizen of his community (Fafunwa, 1983: 20).

In any community, Morality is very important and develops the talent and skills of a child
with which he will use in contributing his quota to the growth of the nation. He develops moral
characters, respect to elders and those in position of authority. He also develops his Intellectual
skills, acquires specific vocational training and develops a healthy attitude towards honest labour
and develops a sense of belonging to participate in family and community affairs thereby becoming
a contributor to the success of the community (Dauda, 2012: 13). The religion of Islam that is
founded on the consciousness of Allah, establishing of fraternity and instilling morality is striking
balance between the spiritual life and the physical life of individual and nation. Therefore, it is not
within the ethical principles of Islam for someone to choose the worldly life at the expense of the
hereafter or to negate the hereafter for the worldly life. The two must be taken simultaneously (Q2:
208), All the don and don’ts required by Islam was for man to live in peace and harmony in this
world and the next to come.
Challenges and Prospects of Human Development in Northern Nigeria

At this point in time, we might not successfully Marshall out the impact Islamic education to
human development without bearing in mind the fact that religion is the basis on which religious
education is perpetuated and it can be used as a means for building or destroying the peace and
harmony of the nation. History has shown that crisis in Nigeria is sometimes facilitated by religion.
Whenever these crises occur, lives and properties are endangered and the peace as well as the
stability of the nation’s economy, social life and politics is on abeyance in the areas concerned.
However, there are some changes in the crises or insecurity of this 21‘century in Nigeria and
Northern Nigeria in particular. The issue of Boko Haram, Bandits and Kidnapping are seriously
challenging the peace and harmony of Nigerian citizens. Despite this setback, we must not jettison
the place of religion nor its education in nation building. Some of the challenges faced by the
relegation of Islamic education or religious education in general according to: (Ilorin, J. A. 2005:
74) includes;

vi. Fallen standard of education: for almost a decade there is mass failure of students
who undertake senior secondary school certificate examination. This massive failure can
be attributed to the fact that moral and academic discipline in our schools have gone on
exile. Examination malpractice is on the increase and this is a major setback to the
education sector of Nigeria.

vii. Increase in sexual immorality: Sexual immorality is growing at geometric rate in our
schools. Many young girls are dropping out of school today because they became victims
of sexual immorality.

viii. Increase in crisis and insecurity: many of the crisis in Nigeria, if traced to the root,
begin from the stand point of religion. No matter the modicum of crisis, lives and properties
as well as the peace of the nation is threatened. Religion plays dominant role in stability of
any nation as well as destructive force.

ix. Increase in corruption: corruption is the cankerworm in the marrow of the growth of
this nation. Corruption should be seen as the opposite of the teachings presented in religious
education.
 Finally, religious education does not perpetuate bribery, malpractices or corruption. People
have lost the heritages of the morality promoted by religious education hence religious education
has been relegated.

Conclusion

Nigeria is one of the greatest countries in African nations. It is a country blessed with human and
natural resources which need to be well managed. Nigeria is also blessed with two major religions
Islam and Christianity and scholars whom teaches both the religions for spiritual, physical and
fostering unity between two adherences. Therefore, this paper is positing that the relevance of
Islamic education to human development cannot be over emphasised.

Islam equally condemns some activities of social vices which affects our life spiritually,
worldly or intellectually was as a result of protection of man's life socially, economically and
religiously. The education that religion gives influence people's moral life; there by making them
perhaps to be responsible in all areas of life in the society. This implies that religion encourage
people to live moral lives by providing them with incentives to do so. When religious education is
well perpetuated, the nation will be built up but when it’s neglected, people go away because
religious education which upholds peace and stability as well as loyalty to the state is not offered
to them as expected.

Recommendations

 Maintaining the consciousness of Allah in all dealings of man. There is need to establish
institutions of His bag, where there is, they should be encourage and supported as they
were based on inculcation of the consciousness of God by checkmating the physical life of
the Nigerian society.
 Scholarship should be availed and new syllabus should be provided for better productivity
and raise up to face the challenges of the present time.
 As long as religious education is not improved on, we should expect more of political,
moral and economic discrepancies in our nation.
 References

Ahmad, K. (1977), Islam its Meaning and Message, Lagos: Islamic Publication

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Aisha Lemu, (2002), Religious Education in Nigeria: A Case Study” A Report from the
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of Religion or Belief. Retrived 22nd 4 February, 2020, from
http://forlk.uio.no/leirvik/OsloCoaliation/aishalemu.

Ashraf, S. A & Hussaini, S. S. (1979), Crisis in Muslim Education, Jeddah: Holder and Stoughton.

Dauda, A. (2012), State of Education in Northern Nigeria, Kano: Gidan Dabino Publishers.

Education, the New Encyclopedia Britannica, 1986 ed.

Fafunwa, A. B. (1974), History of Education in Nigeria, Ibadan: Sunshine Publishers.

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Education, Ife: University Press Limited. i

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