Yoruba Muslim Clerics’ Contributions to Healthcare Delivery in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Islām as a complete way of life lays emphasis on promotion of health so much so that it makes adequate provisions for both preventive and curative health care. In order to be able to appreciate the healing/health system of Islam, it is essential to examine the two main sources of Islam, viz: Qur’ān and Sunnah. The Glorious Qur’ān contains highly effective healing and curative properties for various ailments. The Sunnah of the Prophet is also replete with remedies for a number of ailments and maladies. Quite a good number of studies have been carried out by Muslim scholars on the healing qualities of Islam vis a vis spiritual, psychological and physical ailments. This study, utilizing qualitative approach, focuses on the contributions of Yoruba Muslim clerics to healthcare delivery in Lagos State, south-west Nigeria. The Study highlights physical ailments such as cough, erectile dysfunction in man, bareness and blindness as prominent cases attended to by the Muslim clerics. It also examines methods adopted by them to remedy those cases. The study however finds out that the practice of written exorcism (hantu) serves as a major feature of their healing methods. Sometimes, the written exorcism is mixed with different items and substances, a feature which this study verifies whether it is permissible or not under the Sharī῾ah of Islām.