The Movement of Uthman bin Foduye in the Sokoto Caliphate in Nigeria: An Examination of the Malacca Sultanate in Spreading Islam in the Malay World

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This research examines the role of Uthman bin Foduye’s movement in spreading Islam in the Sokoto Caliphate in Nigeria; and the role of the Malacca Sultanate in spreading Islam in the Malay World. It employs a historical-comparative approach, qualitative study, historical method, and literature review. The findings reveal that Uthman bin Foduye’s movement changed the Nigerian society first through peaceful and then through aggressive means. In the evolutionary stage, a heightened awareness of Islam in society was achieved through teaching, preaching, and writing. In the revolutionary stage, Uthman bin Foduye and his followers resorted to more extreme measures in response to the violence they experienced at the hands of the rulers of Hausaland (present Northern Nigeria), who were intent on assassinating them. Despite the fact that the Malay Sultanate of Malacca was established long before the time of Uthman bin Foduye; it is relevant in the historical context of the role military expansion and control played in establishing Islam as a state religion. Islam had been spread in the Malay World through the conquests of the Sultanate, which declared Islam as the official religion of every region under its control. The term “Malay Archipelago” or “Malay World” includes nations dominated by Malay Muslims, such as modern Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and the minority Malay-Muslim populations of Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. KEY WORDS: Sokoto and Malacca Sultanates; Nigerian Society; Malay/Indonesian Society; Uthman bin Foduye; Historical Comparison. About the Authors: Dr. Shuaibu Umar Gokaru is a Lecturer at the Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Education BSU (Bauchi State University) Gadau, Nigeria; and Dr. Ahmad Faisal bin Abdul Hamid is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Islamic History and Civilization, Academy of Islamic Studies UM (University of Malaya), 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mails address: gokarushuaibu@gmail.com and faisal@um.edu.my Suggested Citation: Gokaru, Shuaibu Umar & Ahmad Faisal bin Abdul Hamid. (2019). “The Movement of Uthman bin Foduye in the Sokoto Caliphate in Nigeria: An Examination of the Malacca Sultanate in Spreading Islam in the Malay World” in TAWARIKH: Journal of Historical Studies , Volume 11(1), October, pp.15-28. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI, with ISSN 2085-0980 (print) and ISSN 2685-2284 (online). Article Timeline: Accepted (April 21, 2019); Revised (July 3, 2019); and Published (October 30, 2019).