Islamic State And Resided In West Africa example essay topic

The African Jihads Jihad, the Muslim word meaning holy war. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this word brought fear to anyone who did not fully believe in the Islamic state and resided in West Africa. The Jihads of this era not only changed the faith of many people, but also the landscape of West African democracy. Although Islamic Jihads had occurred in the past, they never surmounted to the magnitude of those of the 18th century. What factors and leaders caused the West African Jihads, of the 18th and 19th centuries, to be so effective? The people of West Africa were tired of governments who constantly over taxed its constituents, and simply did not care for the well being of common individuals.

The Islamic religion, which was brought to Africa by Muslim traders, provided individuals a new opportunity of promise, equality, and the possibility of becoming a spiritual being. Islam embraced the majority of West African people and became known as the dominant religion of the region. During the end of the 18th century followers of the religion came to the conclusion that it was simply not sufficient to have Islam be the dominant religion of the area. They felt that Islam needed to be part of the government, instead of having the separation of church and state. In the 18th and 19th centuries the Islamic population of West Africa united with the common belief that under Sharia (Islamic law) the government would not oppress individuals, and the law of the Koran would become the law of the land. 'The Sharia provided an alternative model of government with which to compare and confront rulers.

' This movement, which focused on expelling the non-Orthodox Muslim leaders of West Africa, is due to the leadership of Us manDan Fodio and Al-Hajj-Umar. These men paved the way for the expansion of Islam through the creation of the Orthodox Sokoto and Tukolor Empires. The rise of the Islamic Jihad and the expansion of both Empires, are at the outset due to the oppression of the Fulbe people in the early 1700's. The Fulbe were pastoralist nomads who at the time had settled in the region of Futa Jalon, which is present day state of Guinea. In this region the Fulbe were oppressed by the ruling pagan farmers, who considered them intruders to the land. These pagan authoritarians subjugated the Fulbe people to extraneous taxes and enforced several laws to keep them from trading.

Due to these extreme factors, the Fulbe looked to answer their miseries by turning to the religion of Islam, which promised a better future. The answer to the Fulbe problems came in the form of unification. As the population of Fulbe increased in Futa Jalon, they began to forge together and fight against their oppressors. Fulbe leaders united their people by proclaiming that the ruling pagan people were not enforcing the Islamic religion, and the only answer would be to proclaim a Jihad on the ruling government.

The Jihad of the early 1700's was fierce and competitive, but finally ended in victory for the Fulbe. By this achievement the Fulbe created a Sharia run government in Futa Jalon, and a safe haven for all who wanted to live under Islamic rule. The Fulbe victory in Futa Jalon is significant because not only did it create an Islamic run society, but it also demonstrated that victory over a ruling government could be attained through the use of a Jihad. This accomplishments parked great enthusiasm throughout the region, and gave a glimmer of hope to those wishing to live under an Islamic fundamentalist society. An indication of the enthusiasm was revealed by another Jihad in the south of Senegal. This area, known as Futa Toro, was another enormous victory for all who believed in the principles of Islamic Orthodoxy.

These small triumphs inspired great leaders who eventually toppled the formation of West Africa. The first of these leaders was a man by the name of Usman dan Fodio. Usman was born in the Hausa state of Gobir, in what is now northwestern Nigeria. While he was still young, Usman moved south with his family to Devel, where he studied the Koran with his father. Subsequently he moved on to other scholar relatives, traveling from teacher to teacher in the traditional way, and reading extensively in the Islamic sciences. One powerful intellectual and religious influence at this time was his teacher in the southern Saharan city of Aga dez, Jib ril in 'Umar, a radically Orthodox figure whom Usman respected greatly.

Umar educated Usman on the importance of Orthodoxy, and told him stories of how the Fulbe defeated their oppressors through the method of Jihad. It was at this period that Usman discovered that if one decides to live under the Islamic faith, they must follow the Koran from top to bottom. In the upcoming years Usman moved to Gobir where he taught and led a community of Fulbe people. Usman always discussed the importance of Islamic Orthodoxy. ' His two main concerns were the concerns were the conversion of those Fulani pastoralists who still clung to pagan religious beliefs, and the religious and social reform of the nominally Muslim Hausa rulers. ' Throughout the 1780's and'90's Usman's reputation increased, as did the size and importance of the community that looked to him for religious and political leadership.

It was even thought that Usman was the second coming of the prophet Muhammad. Usman at this time became worried at the interest that Hausa rulers gave to his community, and therefore ordered his followers to become armed. The growing influence of Usman and his followers began to cause great fear among Hausa leaders. The Hausa governments fear grew from the belief that a state was growing within a state.

Eventually the Hausa government felt that Usman's influence was too great and began to take military action. Usman, who seems to have wished to avoid conflict, chose to migrate his community. Like the Prophet Muhammad, whose biography he frequently noted as having close parallels with his own, Usman carried out a hegira (migration) to Guru, an area 30 miles to the northwest, in February 1804. Despite his own apparent reluctance, he was elected imam (leader) of the community, and the new caliphate was formally established. During the next five years Usman's primary interest became the organization of jihad. He did not himself take part in military expeditions, but he appointed commanders, encouraged the army, handled diplomatic questions, and wrote widely on problems relating to the jihad and its theoretical justification.

On this his basic position he was clear and rigorous: the sultan of Gobir (A Hausa ruler) had attacked the Muslims; therefore he was an unbeliever and as such he must be fought; and anyone helping an unbeliever was also an unbeliever. Usman knew that if the Jihad against the Hausa government were to be won, support outside of his Orthodox community must be established. Therefore, Usman began to campaign his beliefs, regarding the treatment of the peasantry, acrossGobir. Usman proclaimed that the peasantry were being subjugated to rules that were unjust. One example of such an impropriety is a tax which the government put on cattle.

Following several years of self promotion, vast amounts of people began to join him in his movement. Usman had accomplished his goal of creating a group of followers that would be able to compete against the Hausa land government. It was at this point that Usman believed it was plausible to start the Jihad. After 4 years of heavy fighting Usman's army proclaimed victory, and thoroughly defeated the Hausalandopposition.

All of the Hausa kings were now replaced by Fulbe emirs who acknowledged the supreme authority of Usman. The core of the new Empire was composed of three large former Hausa kingdoms, which include Katrina, Kano, and Z aria (Zegzeg). A Fulbe aristocracy had now taken over the Hausa system of government and brought it into line with the principles of Islam as stated by Usman. However, the new kingdom did not stop at these boundaries. Hausa clerics and adventurers joined with the Fulbe in creating new Muslim kingdoms throughout parts of Western Africa.

Among the new followers were the pagan and largely stateless peoples of the Bauchihighlands, and various groups in the grasslands of northern Cameroon. After these tremendous victories Usman retired from his political life and spent his time concentrating on the study of Islam. Usman decided his work had been accomplished, and he was too old to keep fighting. He passed his leadership role on to his brother Abdullahi, and his son Muhammad Bello. These two individuals learned firsthand from Usman and therefore they were the only appropriate candidates to lead the empire.

By the time of Usman's death in 1817, the Empire had been divided into two parts and governed separately by Bello and Abdullahi. The Empire was formally partitioned between Sokoto, andGwandu. Muhammad Bello eventually took control of the Empire and governed under the same religious ideals as his father. The Empire, which came to known as Sokoto, grew under the control of Muhammad. It was estimated that at one point during Muhammad's reign, the Sokoto population grew to over 10 million people, thus making it the largest West African state up to that point. The next great leader, whom must be discussed is Umar Tal.

Umar Tal was born in the upper valley of the Senegal River, in the land of the Tukolor people. Atthe age of 23, Umar set out on the pilgrimage to Mecca. He was already well known for his faithfulness and intellect and was received with honor in the countries through which he traveled. Muhammad Bello, offered him his daughter Maryam in marriage. Enriched by this princely alliance, 'Umar had become an important personage when he reached Mecca about 1827.

He visited the tomb of the Prophet in Medina, returned to Mecca, and then settled for a while in Cairo. Armed with his prestige as a scholar, mystic, and miracle worker, Umar returned to the interior of Africa in 1833. Trained for political leadership by his father-in-law and Muhammad Bello, with whom he again spent several years, his position as leader strengthened. Umar now decided to obey the voice of God and to convert the pagan Africans to Islam.

By now he not only was looked upon asa miracle worker, but he also acquired a legion of loyal followers. As years passed Umar's influence and followers increased significantly. Umar In 1848 moved with his followers to Dinguiraye, an area on the border of Futa Jalon. There he built up a community of his own, attracting and training military and commercial adventurers as well as religious reformers. His community traded with the Upper Guinea coast for firearms and was consciously conceived as the nucleus for a new state. Umar's state grew to be so powerful, that in 1850 he felt it was his Islamic duty to embark on a jihad against the neighboring pagans.

The Jihad first came into conflict with the Bambara chiefdom's to the north, then two years later moved across the upper Senegal River to conquer the Bambara kingdom of Kaart a. In almost no time at all Umar's territory, which came to be known as the TuklorEmpire, extended their dominion as far north as Timbuktu. Umar, however made a pivotal mistake by extending his Empire so greatly. By having such a vast region under his control, he could not effectively supervise every community. This led to the eventual demise of the Tukolor Empire.

Al-Hajj-Umar's Empire did last 50 years, until it was finally annexed by the French in 1897. The success of the 18th century West African Jihads can be attributed to the guidance of their two leaders, and the weary sentiment of the people regarding their presiding governments. Usman Dan Fodio and Al-Hajj-Umar promised a better life under an Islamic form of government, and people quickly joined their movements. Many people also relished being able to join a movement of spiritual promise. These people believed the Islamic faith gave them the opportunity of achieving a form of social equality. The two leaders preached to their followers that the only possible way to live is under an Islamic government; and any form of government that does not follow Sharia is immoral.

This belief created a great amount fear in many individuals, which caused them to fight for Islam at any cost. Finally, the Orthodox form of government in both Empires, caused the people to unify under a common Orthodox belief. This ideological conviction was a belief Islamic individuals were willing to die for, and eventually produced victory in the 18th century West African Jihads. Johnston, H.A.S. : The Fulani Empire of Sokoto, Pg. 126. Oxford Press, 1989. Robinson, David: The Holy War of Umar Tal the Western Sudan in the mid-nineteenth century.

Pg, 220 Clarendon Press. Oxford. 1985. Shilling ton, Kevin: The History of Africa.

Pg, 227. St. Martins Press. Ny. 1995.