Islamic Missiology: The Rise of ‘Procreative Jihad’ and Islamophobia in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has already experienced a lot of crises; therefore, it is obvious that it is unprepared for the havoc that Islamophobia can bring about as a result of ‘Procreative Jihad’ – a new missiological strategy in Islam. 'Procreative Jihad' is currently happening in Nigeria, where radical Muslims have started having sex with non-Muslim girls and women, abducting, impregnating, marrying, and forcing them to convert to Islam so that their offspring will inevitably grow up to be Muslims. This research provided a qualitative analysis of the ramifications of the Islamic missiological tactic known as ‘Procreative Jihad’ which aims to convert non-Islamic populations in Nigeria to Islam. The paper employed a critical literature review and phenomenological methods. The literature review was used to provide a historical overview of 'Procreative Jihad', while the phenomenological method was used to collect data for the study through oral interviews and observations. Using extant literature, oral interviews, and observations, the findings revealed that ‘procreative jihad’ is an affront to human dignity, a violation of non-Muslim women's human rights and freedom, undercuts Islam as a religion of peace and justice, and breeds Islamophobia. The study concludes that the mission or da'wah goal of Islam does not necessarily include the holy war of any form. As a result, Muslims should use all of Islam's holistic qualities, such as compassion, honesty, tolerance, humility, and decency, in spreading the religion in Nigeria and beyond.