jihad in african islam final test

Jahiliya

Age of ignorance. The pre-Islamic period was marked by moral and social decay, which Islam sought to reform. Helps show the transformative impact of Islamic teachings on society.

Ahmadu Bamba

Sufi saint and founder of the largest Muslim brotherhoods (Muridiyya brotherhood) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Greatly influenced Society in West Africa through Islam and founded Tuubaa as a holy city in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a huge critique of slavery because it was haram in Islam.

Nafs

Lower self; used in Sufism for the self or ego. The lowest aspect of a person’s inner being (negative behaviors) is overcome through Sufism's self-purification.

The Muridiyya

One of the largest Muslim brotherhoods in Sub-Saharan Africa, founded by Ahmadu Bamba. Built on spiritual submission, education, work/service, sharing, and love for the shaykh.

Mujahideen

Those who engaged in jihad. Represent individuals who fight on behalf of their faith or the Muslim community.

Takfir

Excommunication of a Muslim, declaring someone a non-believer in Islam.

Kalep

political and religious leader of the Muslim community, considered a successor to the Prophet Muhammad. The caliphate is significant in Islam as it represents unity, legitimacy, and spiritual authority among Muslims, shaping governance and community leadership throughout Islamic history.

Wadaad

Itinerant saints, religious teachers, and community leaders who played an important role in the localization and territorialization of Islam and guided people spiritually.

Somali

An ethnic group in the Horn of Africa. The practice of Islam is deeply intertwined with their social norms, laws, and society. Almost the entire population is Sunni Muslim.

Ibadu Rahman

Founded in the late 1970s and are teachers educated in Arabic schools in Senegal and the Muslim world. Are against the secular state and want an Islamic state in Senegal.

Islamism

A political ideology that advocated for Islamic principles to be in political systems and government. Applies Islamic values to public life according to Islamic law.

Al-maghili

He was an influential Algerian Islamic scholar who significantly shaped West African Islam. As a key advisor to Askia Muhammad, he provided legal justification for the Songhai Empire's transformation into a devout Muslim state, promoting Sharia, education, and strict orthodox policies. 

Abdel Karim

Moroccan military and political leader known for leading a large-scale revolt against Spanish and French forces in Morocco. He was an influential Islamic scholar who traveled across the Sahara, influencing liberation and independence movements.

Ibn Taymiyya

An Islamic scholar who changed the idea of jihad in the 13th century by arguing that Muslims could fight rulers who did not properly follow Sharia law, even if those rulers identified as Muslim. His ideas later influenced modern extremist groups by giving them a religious justification to label leaders as nonbelievers and use violence against them.

Yan Taaru

founded by Nana Asma'u dan Fodio in 1838, was significant in Islam in West Africa as it focused on empowering and educating women, promoting Islamic knowledge and values.

Islamists

Islamists played a significant role in the spread and establishment of Islam in West Africa, particularly through trade and the integration of Islamic practices with local traditions. Their influence helped shape the religious, cultural, and political landscapes of the region, leading to the formation of Muslim communities and states.

Islamizing modernity

Islamizing modernity in West Africa was important because it helped Muslim reformers combine Islamic beliefs with modern ideas. They supported social equality and economic development while rejecting practices they saw as superstitious. This movement created a new religious identity that fit modern society while still staying true to Islamic teachings.

Yan Izala

Significant in Islam in West Africa as a major Salafi organization that opposes practices it views as innovations (Bid'ah) in Islam, particularly those associated with Sufism. Established in Nigeria, it has grown to influence Islamic thought and education across several West African countries.

Nigeria

A country in Western Africa where Islam is predominantly practiced by about 50% of the population. This demographic mainly resides in Northern Nigeria. The spread of Islam was facilitated by trade routes and the establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate.

Hijab/niqaab

hijab and niqab are important symbols of modesty and religious identity for many Muslim women, reflecting their commitment to Islamic values. These garments serve as a means of expressing faith, cultural identity, and adherence to the principles of modesty outlined in Islam.

Purdah

Purdah is a religious and social practice of gender segregation that involves the seclusion of women and the requirement for them to cover their bodies, often seen in some Muslim communities in Africa. Its importance lies in its role in reinforcing traditional gender roles and cultural norms, impacting women's mobility and participation in public life.

Gender jihad

refers to the struggle for justice and equality for women within the Islamic community, particularly as advocated by scholars like Amina Wadud. Its importance in Africa lies in promoting women's rights and addressing gender inequalities within Islamic practices and interpretations.

Salafist

followers of Salafism, a fundamentalist revival movement within Sunni Islam that emphasizes a return to the practices of the earliest generations of Muslims. In Africa, Salafism has gained prominence as a social and political force, influencing religious practices and contributing to various movements, including both peaceful preaching and, in some cases, militant activities.

Political Islam

The influence of Islamic principles and organizations in the political sphere is shaping governance, policies, and social structures. Its importance lies in its role in community building, education, and political collaboration, particularly during colonial and post-colonial periods.

Boko Haram

militant Islamist group in northeastern Nigeria that fought against the Nigerian government and opposed Western education. Founded in 2002, the group wanted to create an Islamic state based on its strict interpretation of Islam and was labeled a terrorist organization by several countries. Its ideology mixed religious extremism with political frustrations, rejecting Western influence and other interpretations of Islam. The group carried out violent attacks on civilians and security forces, causing major humanitarian crises and forcing millions of people to flee their homes across Nigeria and nearby countries.

Muhammad Yusuf

the founder of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram in Nigeria, and he played a significant role in the rise of radical Islamism in Africa. His leadership and the group's activities have had a profound impact on security and religious dynamics in the region.

The Mahdi

messianic figure in Islamic belief, prophesied to appear near the end of the world to establish justice and restore true religion. In Africa, particularly during the 19th century, the Mahdi's concept gained significant importance as it inspired movements like the Mahdist Revolution in Sudan, where leaders claimed to be the Mahdi to unite Muslims and challenge colonial powers.

Gordon

British general known for his military leadership in the Sudan and his opposition to the Mahdist revolt led by Muhammad Ahmad, the self-proclaimed Mahdi. His conflict with the Mahdi is significant in the context of Islamic history, as it represents a clash between colonial powers and Islamic movements during the 19th century.

Malian crisis

Rebellion in northern Mali led by Tuareg nationalists and Islamist groups, resulting in significant political instability and violence. Its importance in Islam in Africa lies in the rise of extremist groups like AQIM and Ansar Dine, which sought to impose strict Islamic law, influencing the broader dynamics of Islam and security in the Sahel region.

Muslim feminists

people who support women’s rights and gender equality while staying within an Islamic framework. They often interpret the Quran and Hadith in ways that emphasize equality between men and women. In Africa, they have been important in challenging patriarchal interpretations of Islam, promoting women’s education, and advocating for social justice, helping advance broader movements for gender equality across the region. (Amina Wadud and Saba Mahmood).

“War on terror”

global military campaign initiated by the United States in response to the September 11 attacks in 2001, targeting militant Islamist groups like al-Qaeda and the Taliban. In Africa, it has significant implications as it addresses the rise of terrorism, particularly from groups like Boko Haram and al-Shabaab, and affects regional stability and international relations. Was a threat to fragile democracies and setback for human rights.

Tuaregs

The semi-nomadic Berber people are primarily found in the Sahara region, including countries like Niger, Mali, and Algeria. They played a significant role in the spread of Islam in North Africa and the Sahel, particularly through their influence in trade and the establishment of important Islamic centers like Timbuktu.

Madrasa

educational institutions in the Islamic world that primarily focus on teaching Islamic theology and law, along with various subjects such as language, literature, and science. In Africa, they play a crucial role in promoting literacy, providing free education, and serving as community centers, especially in areas where formal schooling is limited.

Modernizing Islam

movement aimed at reconciling Islamic faith with contemporary values such as democracy, civil rights, and social progress. Its importance lies in its effort to adapt Islamic teachings to modern contexts, allowing for a more relevant interpretation of the faith in today's world.

Bori

Pre-Islamic traditional religion of the Hausa people that involves magic and spirit possession, which persisted even after the spread of Islam in the region. Its importance in the Sokoto Caliphate lies in its cultural influence, as it was partially suppressed but still survived in some forms, reflecting the complex interplay between traditional beliefs and Islamic practices during the caliphate's expansion.

Dawa

The act of inviting others to understand and embrace Islam is often seen as a core responsibility for Muslims. Its importance lies in fulfilling a religious obligation, promoting understanding of Islam, and continuing the prophetic mission of guiding others towards the worship of Allah.