Al-Kibr (arrogance) : its dangers and remedies in the light of `Uthman ibn Foduye`s Shifa Al-Nufus

Abstract

This dissertation centers on arrogance in the light of ‘Uthman Ibn Foduye's Shifa’al-Nufus. It aims at finding out the remedies for the disease of pride/arrogance that has been rampant among the people in contemporary Nigerian Muslim society. This research is based on analytical and critical approach to Shifa' al-Nufus of 'Uthman Ibn Foduye specifically on pride/arrogance. The analysis is not on words and terms, but rather on meaning and ideas with analysis and explanations given by the Mufassirun and other scholars. 'Uthman Ibn Foduye emerged in the late eighteenth century (18th century) with the mission to revive the Sunnah, and to eradicate innovations in Hausaland caused by the deviant teachings. This is the reason why he wrote on spiritual diseases in his book the Healing of the Soul. 'Uthman Ibn Foduye was influenced by al-Ghazali and particularly his ihya 'Ulum al-Din (Revival of the religious sciences). He wrote this treaty in order to make it easier for the people to know the destructive evils of the heart, so as to do what Allah loves and accepts, since pride is one of the attributes of Allah alone. Whoever shares the attributes of Allah will be thrown into Hell Fire. This dissertation is an invitation to the Muslim community to return to the teachings of 'Uthman Ibn Foduye whose Jama'a remained safe until the appearance of the British who destroyed the Khilafa and burnt many of his books for fear that they will inspire his people to rise against the oppressors