Usman Dan Fodio
We have heard many a time about life changing events that seemed impossible but simply because holding unto hopes and having faith has made such life events to be a source of motivation to the people of today, the story of Usman Dan Fodio portrays an alike picture. Well described as a bit taller than 6ft, had a lean structure and light skinned in complexion, he was born in 1754 he was a member of the torodbe family and this was a very well prominent family in the Hausa land. Usman Dan fodio has been well grinded with understanding in the science of Islam, he has a good knowledge in Philosophy and also theology. He was regarded as a prominent thinker, lived with the profession of being a teacher and he taught about religion, and also wrote so many books, through which he used as a tool to promote the Islamic religion. Of the few educated, He is classified to be of a superiority in performance when rated. He did follow the Sunni school and the Qadiri branch of Sufism.
Usman Dan Fodio had been better of equipped with knowledge being a student of Jibril Umar who hails from the northern African and also a Muslim. He thoroughly teaches his students of the gradual changes that is experienced in other part of the world as a result of the reign of Muslim religion in these places. Being linked with powerful people that could grant him an legal rights, He was able to set up a community of religious students whom he taught about the true Islamic religion.
Nothing good comes easy, and Usman Dan Fodio soon faced terrifying challenges After twenty years of teaching and preaching about the Muslim religion, he was faced with critics from Yunfa and Yunfa was not just his student whom he taught but also the leader of Gobir. Yunfa had forbidden Muslim's from the use of turbans and veils as he also prohibited religious conversion. As for those people who already are the followers of the Islamic religion but not originally Muslims, they were made to quit following the Islamic religion and go to their old religion. This was contrary to what Dan Fodio's lessons to the people as He never settled with corrupt practises will always teach the true words of the Holy Quran without exemption of any kind. He was against the unrestricted community of men and the opposite sex, he considered superfluous celebration during marriage feast immoral as he desired that the Maliki law be taken into cognisance.
Yunfa had gone far with his critics against Usman Dan Fodio by making attempts of assassinating Dan Fodio.
Dan Fodio in his words had once stated that "The leader of has a unique style which he exhibits to lead the people of that country as his vocal words makes up the written commands that guards the country. So therefore, If the leader believes in Islam, the land will be ruled by principles of the Islamic doctrine, and if the leader is a pagan, the people whom he governs will be guarded by laid down rules from the heart of an unbeliever" and if anyone who lives in the land does not find the teaching appropriate with he belief, he will not be penalized if he chooses to leave the country to an entirely different place. He didn't just speak these words but also showed an example when he decided to leave his hometown to a different place. he was accompanied by his followers who believed in his words and teachings, Into the western grasslands of Gudu, he settled with his people.
As he strongly followed the pathway of his religion, Usman Dan Fodio was favoured by supreme creator who gave him the privilege to have mythical visions which was referred to by the Muslims as Mushahada, he believed in his visions and this strengthen his faith. He once considered himself to have the power to perform miracles as he was made to understand so while in a trance. At another time he had an encounter of the Abdul-Qadir Gilani who founded the Qadari Sufi Brotherhood which is among other Brotherhood of the Muslim. Some people believed Usman Dan Fodio was the Mahdi that has long been expected through words of prophecy by the prophets. But Mahdi's reign is known to be a sign that the end time is come as stated by the Holy Quran. As stated by the Holy Quran, many people will not get to see him before the world finally comes to an end as his coming shall be followed by the world's end almost immediately.
Meanwhile, Yunfa had gone to inform the other Hausa states proclaiming the possibility of a Jihad that will take place. "A jihad is a fight that results between Muslim's and it's enemies". He had feared that Usman Dan Fodio will start a fight with his people. ". At the western grasslands were Usman Dan Fodio has found to be a safe place for him and his followers, he seeked for help from the local Fulani people who were the inhabitant of the community, these Fulani people were mainly cattle rearers and they were lead by a religious leader. Usman Dan Fodio was seen to have a just course as all he seemed for was the pursuit of justice to the poor people and also a morally guided society in his hometown of Degel as this will make it a better place for them all.
Considering his plea while he was at Gudu, Usman Dan Fodio was made to be the Almir Al-muminin. This made him to be considered as a religious leader and after raising an army for battle, he was now prepares to declare a "jihad" as the authority has been bestowed upon him. His army was built mostly of the Fulani and the Hausa people, who being impoverished rural farm workers were also over taxed and they experienced a burdensome cruel government by their leaders. The Fulani had better weapons of war having horses who were trained for battle.
The call for the Jihad which started in 1804, went through the Hausa states and it went far extending even beyond to other places such as Illorin, Nupe, Adamawa, and it's environs. These places had Fulani habitants in it but in most case they were few in numbers. Usman Dan Fodio soon became in control of the largest state in Africa just few years after the Jihad had begun as he has succeeded in forming the Fulani empire after he conquered the rulers of most of the northern regions and other Hausa kingdoms. He worked to create a system of government that practises the true Islamic religion without deviating from the instructions given by the Holy Quran. whilst he was at this, his son Muhammed Bello and his brother Abdullahi carried on with the Jihad. Majority of the Fulani population that made up the army of Usman Dan Fodio were bittered knowing that the Hausa leaders were not practising the true Islamic religion as it has been dwindled by mixing up Islamic religion with other traditional religion. But Usman Dan Fodio was able to create a style of government that was seen to be ruled by God as he was very strict in discipline and never compromised illegal and immoral acts.
In 1811, Usman Dan Fodio relieved himself from all duties and only concentrated on writing. He wrote about the upright conducts exhibited in the Muslim religion, he also wrote about the lapses and possible detriment of the African leaders who were not Muslim. He never supported over taxes and he was against burdensome cruel government by the leaders. some of the accusations he made was against corruption.
After his death in 1817, his son took over his duties and he was made the leader of the Sokoto caliphate while his brother was titled Emir of Gwandu as he was lead the people that were in the western emirates, Nupe and Illorin.
The Jihad of Usman Dan Fodio had a significant influence on West Africa as he built an heritage for the generation on born. The acts of Usman Dan Fodio also sprung up other Jihad in other places an example can be sighted among the people of Senegambia as El Hadj Umar of Senegambia also led a Jihad through the inspiration gotten from Usman Dan Fodio.
Just a little faith and hopes brought Usman Dan Fodio's dream into reality. If he had fled in fear and not approach life with a bold step, what possibly could have happened to the muslim of today?
Sources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usman_dan_Fodio
http://naijasky.com/-sokoto/2220/life-and-history-of-usman-dan-fodio/9339/