Future Journal of Social Science
Abstract
Religion and politics in Islam are not watertight compartments. In Islam, it is impossible to separate the state from religion because Islam is a state in the political sense and a religion in the spiritual sense. It is true that state-religion-separation is the norm in the secularist West. It is not true in Islam where state and Islam are indivisibly connected. Despite the interconnectedness between Islam and politics, a lot of people see participation of ulama in politics as an abomination due to the current of apolitical Islam that is sweeping across the circle of ulama. Focusing on Nigeria, this paper reviews the roles of ulama in Nigerian politics and nation building. It posits that since the ulama are the custodians of the Islamic tradition, the jurists of its legal philosophy, the teachers of its doctrines, ethics, and sciences, the advocates of its justice system, and more importantly the inheritors of the prophets, they should be seen in politics giving direction and managing state affairs. Their political participation will also help to promote the option of sharia as a veritable alternative—to the failed democratic system—towards nation building. This paper finds that, in Nigeria, the norm is for the ulama to steer clear from politics and the few that participate are viewed by their peers with scepticism. It concludes that the ulama are religiously obligated (collectively) to participate in politics towards nation building. It recommends more political participation and constitutional roles for the ulama.
Recommended Citation
Salaudeen, Abdulkadir and Dukawa, Saidu Ahmad
(2025)
"Roles of Nigerian Ulama in Politics and Nation-Building: The Controversy, Achievements and Recommendations,"
Future Journal of Social Science: Vol. 4:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/fjss/vol4/iss1/1