EXAMINATION OF SYNCRETIC PRACTICES AMONG MUSLIMS IN NASARAWA STATE FROM ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Different disciplines have explored the history of Islam in Nasarawa State which started in the early 18th century. However, the impact of religious syncretism on its core may have not been given much attention. Therefore, this thesis examined the extent of the involvement of Muslims in syncretic activities in Nasarawa State with a view to identifying the nature of their involvement and its impact on their Tawhid. The research employed interview-based method to obtain data. The study employed the use of eclectic theoretical approach, specifically using Ritual theory, Action theory and theory of Tawhid as the befitting theoretical guide for the analysis of data. The findings of the reseach revealed the prevalence of religious syncretism among Muslims in Nasarawa State, and the study thus concluded on the note that-the impact of their involvement on Islamic syncretism is on the negative side. This is also an indication that the concept of Tawhid (the doctrine of absolute Unity of Allah) is not yet understood and digested by many Muslims within the Islamic and cultural milieu of Nasarawa State. The study thus recommended that some qualified Islamic scholars should participate in making da’awah their sole activities on the eradication of this phenomenon. Concerted effort is necessary among allstake holders to emphasise that the practice of sorcery, divination, magic, sacrifice to idols/spirits and other forms of idolatry, which are reminiscence of the African Traditional Religion (ATR), being intergrated with the spritual and mundane aspects Tawhid, are put to an end.