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Are Yoruba Muslims forbidden to lead prayers in Northern Nigeria?

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Claim: An X user claimed Yoruba Muslims are forbidden to lead prayers in Northern Nigeria. 

Are Yoruba Muslims forbidden to lead prayers in Northern Nigeria?

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Religion and ethnicity have always played an integral role in the socio-political realities in Nigeria, however contemptible. The interaction of the two concepts in Nigeria’s geopolitical space has undeniably influenced and stirred the course of the country’s territorial sovereignty.

However, the existence of multi-ethnicity and religious diversity has somewhat created a social rift and discord in Nigeria, with each claiming his tribe or religion is superior or more morally upright than others. Worse still is the belief that some citizens should receive certain privileges, including political leadership, official portfolios, national allocation, etc., due to their social backgrounds.

In light of the foregoing, an X user, Omo Oodua (@yomiable), claimed that Yoruba Muslims are not permitted to lead Islamic prayers in Northern Nigeria. 

He wrote, “Yoruba Muslims are forbidden to lead prayers in Northern Nigeria.”

He further mentioned that this happened because of Usman Dan Fodio’s teachings. 

Indeed, the X post stirred controversy amongst other users, earning a fair amount of engagement, including 716 comments, 903 retweets, 1,500 likes, and 90 bookmarks. This data was as of Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.

DUBAWA observed the comment section and discovered that some other X users strongly agreed with the claim, suggesting that it was the reality in Nigeria. Meanwhile, other users discountenanced the claim.

“It (is) shameful that some Yoruba Muslims are doing everything possible to remain the second fiddle even in their own land…my own is they should not turn our region to North East,” Asiwaju of Owoland (@egtapere) reacted.

“But they would come here and want to have their way,” Akintayo (@Morre) agreed.

“I don’t think this is true,” Ismail Asiemu (@ismailaniemu) differed. 

Due to the sensitivity of the post and the controversy it has generated, DUBAWA decided to verify its authenticity. 

Verification

DUBAWA researched the Quran’s position concerning who leads prayers. The Islamic resource Iium.edu.my references it in chapter 11, verse one, that a person (male) who must lead prayer should be the best and most knowledgeable amongst the group about to pray. It further mentions that the most virtuous would lead the prayers.

“The man who should lead a group of people in prayer is the best and most knowledgeable one among them,” the Quran mentions.

IslamQA also mentions that a person is qualified to lead the rest of a group in prayers if he is more knowledgeable in the rulings on prayer and has mastered the Quran’s dictates.

“The one who most deserves to lead the prayer is the one who has the most knowledge of the ruling on prayer and has memorised the most Quran,” the outlet stated. 

What Islamic scholars say 

DUBAWA contacted a few Islamic scholars who reside in Northern Nigeria and inquired from them if Muslims of Yoruba descent are indeed forbidden to lead prayers in Northern Nigeria. 

We contacted Aminu Numan, an Islamic scholar who resides in Adamawa State, concerning the claim. He explained that among Muslims, as long as a person knows the Quran and is well-grounded in it, he is qualified to lead prayers.

“Wherever we find ourselves, a person that is vast and knowledgeable in the recitation of the glorious Quran is the one the prophet Sallallahu Alaihu Wa Sallam permits us to follow while performing our prayers,” Aminu stated. 

He further divulged that he had visited many states in Nigeria, especially in the North, and had never seen the reality of the X post. He described the statement as “un-Islamic,” which “would not come from a scholar that knows Islam.” 

Another Islamic scholar, Haruna Yawale, an Adamawa State resident, about the claim. Haruna, who assessed the post as “not a mere claim,” divulged he has lived in many places in Northern Nigeria where many Yoruba Muslims have led prayers on many occasions.

“It is not a genuine claim. I (have) resided in many places in Northern Nigeria, where I (have) mingled, where I (have) interacted with so many Yoruba Muslims who lead us in prayers on so many occasions. Some are even the Imams of some mosques.” Haruna told DUBAWA.

“For instance, here in Moddibo Adamawa Teaching Hospital, Yola, our Chairman (Muslim committee) is a Yoruba man. He is among the Imam of the Masjid. He does lead prayers,” Haruna further buttressed.

Awwal Salusu, a lecturer at Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, dismissed the claim as untrue. He explained that the criteria for being an Imam who carries out the assignment of leading prayers are to be a devout Muslim and recite the Fatiha and some verses of the Quran. 

“This claim is not true actually, and it is totally misleading. The only condition of being an Imam here in Northern Nigeria is to become a good, sound Muslim who can read Fatiha and some verses of the Glorious Quran. (You must) have a basic knowledge about prayers according to Islamic jurisprudence law no matter what tribe, state, or colour you may belong to,” Awwal expounded.

DUBAWA then asked the university lecturer if he had witnessed or heard a situation where Muslims had cause to determine who would lead a prayer session. He responded that the Mosque committee may do so in some cases, although it is common knowledge that either the chief imam or deputies are assigned that role. 

“If you meant all the congregation, the answer is no. But if you meant the Mosque committee, the answer may be yes, in some cases.” He responded.

“Because normally, the issue of who will lead prayers is well known to everyone in the mosque— the chief imam, the deputy (1), and the deputy (2). In the absence of all, there are some alternatives to who will lead the prayers. This is in normal circumstances,” Awwal explained. 

Ibrahim Damare, the Head of Department (HOD), Islamic Studies, Adamawa State Polytechnic, told DUBAWA that the claim was unfounded. He explained that, generally, there is no disparity among worshippers in Islam and that certain conditions must be met to become an imam. He stated that these conditions apply to all Muslims worldwide.

“Actually, what I want to tell you is that it is a mere allegation. In Islam—not only talking about the Northern part of the country, I am talking about Islam in general— when a person becomes a Muslim, there is no dichotomy between you and any other person in the Mosque. To become an Imam in a Mosque, there are conditions as Islam has described. These conditions cut across all races. There is no barrier at all,” Ibrahim explained.

We inquired about the Quran’s provisions concerning an individual’s legibility to lead prayers. In response, Auwal quoted the Quran and stated that the same parents create all human beings. He also mentioned that anyone who must lead prayers must be a Muslim, knowledgeable about the Quran, and upright.  

“Hear me as one people; we have created you from a single man and woman, and we made you nations and tribes so that you should know each other.” Ibrahim referenced the Quran

“That is why I told you that there are conditions prescribed. One of the conditions is that one has to be a Muslim. (Secondly), you should be the most learned of the Quran. (Thirdly) you must be upright,” the Islamic scholar further stated.

Conclusion

References to the Quran and consultations with Islamic scholars denote that a person is only qualified to lead a group in prayers if he is the most knowledgeable and learned in the teachings of the Quran. 

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