Shaykh Abubakar Gumi

Shaykh Abubakar Gumi

Introduction

Shaykh Abubakar Gumi (d. 1992) was a significant Islamic scholar and leader within Nigeria, known primarily for his role in founding and leading the Izalah (Izalat al-Bid’a wa Iqamatus-Sunnah) fundamentalist movement. As Grand Qadi (Chief Judge) of Northern Nigeria during the First Republic, he became a prominent figure who championed a return to Islamic roots by emphasizing the Quran and Hadith, and rejecting local practices and Sufi traditions often integrating indigenous culture.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: الشيخ أبو بكر غومي (Al-Shaykh Abu Bakr Gumi)
• Turkish: Şeyh Ebubekir Gumi

Biography

After retiring from his judicial role in the 1960s, Shaykh Abubakar Gumi dedicated his life to teaching and preaching through a variety of platforms, including radio, which made him a well-known celebrity. He emphasized non-Arabic interpretations of the Quran, significantly contributing to a modern, localized Nigerian understanding of Islamic teachings. His Quranic exegesis and translation work enabled direct access to Islamic scripts for Hausa speakers.

Major Contributions

1. Leader of the Izalah Movement:

   • The Izalah movement’s core mission was to correct deviations in Islamic practice, combating what they saw as heretical innovations (‘bidʻah’) and rigorously promoting adherence to orthodox Sunni teachings.
   • Criticized traditional Sufi orders and local religious practices for deviating from Quranic precepts.

2. Promotion of Quranic Teachings:

   • Advocated for direct engagement with the Quran and Hadith without intermediary religious authorities, encouraging personal interpretation.
   • His efforts culminated in the translation of the Quran into Hausa, which expanded scriptural access among Hausa-speaking Muslims.

3. Non-Arabic Quranic Interpretation:

   • Dominated the push for indigenous interpretations of Islam to suit Nigerian perspectives, reminding followers that authentic Islam could thrive outside Arab cultural confines.

4. Educational Reforms:

   • Emphasized reviving the education of women in line with the early Islamic ethos that encouraged and valued female scholarship.

5. Legalistic Approach:

   • Opposed all forms of religious innovation, promoting returning strictly to the prophet’s traditions (sunnah) and rulings (sharia).

6. Socio-political Activism:

   • Advocated for the recreation of political entities like the Sokoto Caliphate or emulated the Medina model to bring the society in line with early Islamic communities.

Recommended Further Reading

1. Islam in Nigeria by Isaac Smith
2. The Political Philosophy of Shaykh Abubakar Gumi by Al-Amin Muhammad Adamu
3. Izala: The Rise of Muslim Reformism in Northern Nigeria by Roman Loimeier
4. Islam and Christianity in Northern Nigeria: Encounters from the 1960s to the 2000s by Ahmad Bello

Takeaways

• Shaykh Abubakar Gumi played a pivotal role in shaping modern Islamic practices in Nigeria.
• His leadership in promoting a return to Quran and Hadith while rejecting local traditions marked a significant religious reformation.
• The establishment of the Izalah movement contributed to developing a distinct Nigerian Islamic identity, integrating education reforms and women’s rights within religious frameworks.

Conclusion:

The far-reaching influence of Shaykh Abubakar Gumi’s teachings and activism have left an indelible mark on Nigerian Islam, embodying a blend of legalistic rigor and sensitive engagement with modernity to create a contextual, purist Islamic tradition. His legacy persists as Nigerian Muslims continue to navigate between the poles of traditional practices and contemporary challenges.