Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna State governor, in a recent interview, said a new Islamic sect with headquarters in Makarfi local government area of the state had emerged. The governor said he was alarmed because the sect was recruiting youths, who if not properly guided, can become problematic. Not only that, el-Rufai said, allowing such type of groups to operate without a law guiding their activities usually results to disruption of peace. The statement from the number one citizen of a state like Kaduna of course caused concern among not only citizens of the state, but Nigeria in general.
However, Daily Trust’s investigation revealed that the spiritual leader of the sect is living in a remote village on the outskirts of Zaria. When our correspondent visited Makarfi for the first time, the leader of the sect in the area was not on hand to speak. On a second visit, Malam Salisu Abubakar declined to speak, saying that the right person to do so is the overall leader of the sect.
In company of the Makarfi sect leaders, Daily Trust took a ride to Madinatu Zaria. Named after Madina, in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Madinatu Zaria is where the spiritual leader of the Gawsiyya sect resides. It is an isolated settlement that only members of the sect dwell in.
Madinatu Zaria is located between Zaria’s ancient gate of Kofar Gayan and Amana Mai Kasuwa town in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State. To get there from Kofar Gayan takes a 20-kilometre journey through the villages of Yaskwaki, Mangi and Turunku. At Siddi village, a traveller to Madinatu Zaria diverts from the main road to take a bush path that would lead him to the settlement, which is another journey of about five kilometres.
Because of the distance and the condition of the narrow un-tarred road that passes through the bush path, this reporter arrived Madinatu Zaria when it was already dusk, as such the cleric and his followers had commenced their Magrib prayers. Escorted by over 100 faithful, Sheikh Isma’il Bn Sayyadi Yusha’u emerged from the sect’s gigantic Juma’at mosque, built with mud. Amidst Zikr (loud praises of Allah), Sheikh Yusha’u retired to his seat at a special location outside the mosque. Immediately, the evening Wazifa (group recitation of Allah’s praises) began. After about 40 minutes of Wazifa, the Sheikh suddenly thundered: “Where is the journalist?”
While the Wazifa was going on, it was observed that the cleric commands unusual loyalty and respect among his followers, most of whom remove their shoes about 50 metres away from he sits a large mat made of used sacks. This reporter, summoned, followed suit before moving close to the Sheikh. The faithful had all removed their caps and sat attentively, similar to the manner which palace assistants and counsellors sit in a typical Hausa palace.
Sheikh Yusha’u explained that the Gawsiyya sect is not a new one as alleged by the Kaduna State governor, and other Nigerians. He said they are adherents of the Tijjaniyya sect, and their leaders are Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani, a 19th Century North African cleric, and Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, a 20th Century Senegalese cleric. “I am not an alien in Zaria. I was born and bred at Kaho Zaria to the family of Sayyadi Yusha’u and Sayyada Hindatu about 50 years ago. I started my Qur’anic education in Kaho in Zaria city and I completed my Qur’anic education in Igabi. I have been to many places in this country in search of knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence before I finally settled in the school of Sheikh Atiku in Sanka, Kano.”
“After the demise of Sheikh Atiku, I met one Sufi (saint) by name Dalhat Bn Dahiru Al-Kanawee. It was in his school that I learnt many things about Tijjaniyya. After my sojourn in Kano, I returned to Zaria where I met Malam Usman Na Malam Na Iya. I learnt many things about Islamic jurisprudence, the science of Hadeeth and Qur’anic commentary (Tafseer) in Malam Na Iya’s school. After my pursuit for knowledge, I began teaching where I started with Tafseer and these continued up to the time I was divinely anointed as Gawsiy,” Sheikh Yusha’u said.
Gawsiy, according to Sheikh Yusha’u, is a divine anointment that usually takes place every century. He said Allah chooses one of his servants to lead Muslims globally. He said before his anointment as Gawsiy, the last one that the world had was Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass of Senegal. He said age, wealth or other social status is not prerequisite to the attainment of the position. He added that since Allah has anointed him as the new Gawsiy, Muslims all over the world are obliged to accept and give their allegiance to him.
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