Author(s):
Dr. Murtala Abdus-Salam Adebayo AJANI, ajanmurtabs@yahoo.com, 08055624825 or 07083072167

Abstract: Dwindling or lack of unity among the Nigerian Muslims has become a serious matter for which a lasting solution is much more needed urgently to avoid a complete breakup of Muslims within a nation called Nigeria. It has gone to the extent that Muslims are no longer interested in offering prayer behind or with others as Islamic salutations are also limited to those who are familiar or are having affiliations such as in the same area, profession, or Islamic and other organisations. The argument is always based on flimsy and insignificant issues or complains without valid proof backing the action taken. Politics, ethnicity, misunderstanding and lack of Islamic education have been described as the stumbling block for the Muslims’ unity in Nigeria. Consequently, unity is antidote to security, peace and justice in every society. Unity is considered as fundamental for the consolidation of position for the religion and its adherents, the Muslims on the surface of earth. This paper draws the attention to the present state of unity among the Nigerian Muslims, examines the concept of unity in Islam alongside its practice by the Islamic predecessors and addresses the unity issue based on its religious significance. It raises suggestions and concludes that the Nigerian Muslims can be united if the religious dictates on unity is practiced accordingly and history which its essence is to learn from the past for the correction of present situation and serve as lessons for the future generation, is followed in respect of Islamic required unity.