SYNCRETISM AMONG IDOMA MUSLIMS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Islamic Monotheism, known as tawhid, is a foundational concept that defines Islamic faith. It is with it that all righteous performance of a Muslim is accepted, while the absence of it nullifies and invalidates it. It represents the unwavering belief in the oneness of Allah and encompasses principles of worship, devotion, and ethical conduct prescribed in the glorious Qur’an and exemplified by the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islam is a substantive religion that deals with all aspects of life with total submission to the will of Allah, whose tenets also negate the concept of polytheism or heterogeneous belief in any form of divinity. This paper aimed to look into the various beliefs and cultural practices aside from Islamic monotheism (Islamic faith) in Idoma, with a view to bringing out the real concept of Islamic monotheism (Tawhid), i.e., the oneness of Allah as the major priority from the perspective of the Qur'an, Hadith, and the scholars' and researchers' views on the concept of syncretism. The study reveals that there is a prevalence of religious heterogeneity among many Idoma Muslims and the impact affects them negatively; if a continuous awareness and campaign against these beliefs is not carried out, this phenomenon will continue among these Muslims. Hence, this research work is a possible outcome and solution. This paper gives a brief history of the Idoma tribe, including their population, and further identifies and analyzes the syncretic nature of the practice of Islam among the Idoma tribe. The research employs a historical and descriptive approach to analyze the collected data, focusing on reconstructing and interpreting the past to understand current practices and predict future trends. The findings reveal significant insight into the practice of monotheism among this tribe, highlighting the role of religious institutions and community leaders in shaping the beliefs and practices of the Muslim. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous education and religious guidance in reinforcing the principles of tawhid, Islamic monotheism, among Idoma Muslims. It provides recommendations for enhancing religious understanding and promoting adherence to monotheistic principles, contributing to the broader discourse on Islamic practices among the Idoma Muslims.
Keywords: Syncretism, Idoma, Muslim, Benue.