Attitudes and Practice of Divinations among Yoruba Muslims in South West, Nigeria

Abstract

The practice of divination is universal among different religions and cultures. Many Yoruba Muslims of South West Nigeria will hardly take decisions on important issues without seeking spiritual guidance from diviners. In this respect, this study investigated the attitude and the practice of divination among Yoruba Muslims of South West Nigeria. This study adopted the descriptive method of a survey type where a self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data. Yoruba Muslims in South-West Nigeria constituted the population of the study. Using a multi-staged sampling procedure, a sample of 2,700 Yoruba Muslims was drawn from three States, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti, at nine hundred (900) respondents per State. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, pie charts and weighted mean (W.M.) for demographic data and research questions. In contrast, the t-test was used to analyse the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed a positive attitude towards divination (W.M. = 2.14) and a high level of divination practice (W.M. = 3.32) Yoruba Muslims in South-West Nigeria. Findings also indicated a significant gender difference in the attitudes towards divination (t-cal = 2.83, df = 2,619, p<0.05) and practice of divination (t-cal = 5.77, df = 2,619, p<0.05) among Yoruba Muslims. This study, therefore, concluded that Yoruba Muslims in South-West Nigeria exhibit a positive attitude towards and, to some extent, have a high level of engagement in practice outside the confines of Islamic principles for divination. It was recommended, among others, that Imams and Missionaries should counsel and give Muslims practical solutions such as special prayers from verses of the Glorious Qur’?n such as aayatal Kurisiyy (Qur??n, 2:255), Ma’udhatayn (Qur’?n, 113 and 114) whenever they are faced with life challenges.