A Study of Activities and Religious Impacts of As-Salafiyyah At-Ta‘alīmiyyah in Yorubaland

Abstract Generally, Salafiyyah da‘wah groups in Yorubaland belong to Salafiyyah Ta‘alimiyyah. However, the negative impacts of some extreme groups within the fold of this group of Salafiyyah over-shadow the positive impacts of moderate group especially at the perspective of average Muslims in the society. Ordinary Yoruba Muslims view Salafiyyah to be a sect that practices Islam with extremism, factionalism and condemnation. However, Salafiyyah groups generally have tremendous achievements in the aspect of pristine creeds of Islam. The creeds ideological revival of Salafiyyah groups in Yorubaland has turned many Muslims away from polytheism and syncretism. This research unfolds the impacts of Salafiyyah groups in the area of creeds (‘Aqeedah) through teaching and preaching. The educational activities of some of the groups of Salafiyyah are also enumerated. The study employs a qualitative approach which integrates both the use of library and ethnographic method for data connection. Data collection involved literature reviews, digital sources and in-depth interviews with Salafiyyah group leaders and members in Yorubaland. Visits to relevant locations and participant observations were done to enrich the data collection. The findings reveal that all Salafiyyah groups in Yorubaland of Nigeria belong to Salafiyyah Ta’alimiyyah; so they focus on Islamic education. They preach Islamic creeds (‘Aqeedatul-Islamiyyah) as laid down by early pious predecessors (Salafus-Saliheen). They established Halaqaat (study-circle), schools, Islamic foundations and mosques. Ancient books of Sunnah of early pious Muslims like are being used to disseminate the message of Islam. The research recommends fostering a unified da’wah identity under “Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama’ah” to reduce exclusivism. Additionally, the unity of Islamic-creeds as the foundation of Islam should be used to accommodate other Muslims especially within the fold of Ahlus-Sunnah. A balance moderate approach in interpreting religious text and preaching should be adopted to achieve greater cohesion and change out-look perspective in the society.