Sharia and Christianity in Nigeria: Islam and a 'Secular' State

Abstract

Sharza in the pre-colonial period' Sharia is as old as Islam in Nigeria. Islam followed the trade routes of the medieval empires: Kanem-Borno in the east, Mali and later Songhay in the west. Hausaland was a backwater or transit land between these powers until the fall of Songhay in 1592. At that time the Hausa states came into prominence and entered into direct trade relations with North Africa. The first-mentioned medieval empire, KanemBorno, had its origins in moder Chad. In the 13th century there was in Cairo a hostel for its students of Islam. Around the late 14th century the Kanem rulers moved to Borno in Nigeria.2 The Mais (kings of Boro) professed Islam, but only during the reign of Mai Idris Aloma (1571-1603) did the majority of the leading men of the empire become Muslim.3 The Mais had to tolerate a good deal of traditional religious practice in their domains and to a certain extent even in their courts. Kano and Katsina were two Hausa states which were on the trade routes between Kanem and the west, and came under the influence of Muslim traders who passed through or settled there. The Kano Chronicle mentions the coming of Wangara (Malian) dais (missionaries) at the time of King Yaji around 1380, who brought books of Law and Tradition.4 Some Fulani dais came during the reign of Yakubu, around 1460, bringing books on theology and etymology.5 At this time Islam seems to have struck firm roots as the religion of the kings, even though the majority of their subjects were non-Muslim. Islam in Hausaland received a strong boost from the Algerian alMaghili (d. 1504), who had to flee his homeland because of his strong