Research Article

The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism?

Volume: 8 Number: 1 June 15, 2024
TR EN

The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism?

Abstract

The emergence of Boko Haram in Nigeria's heterogeneous society has brought up important concerns about the ideology underlying the group's activities. In this study, the group's use of violence and destruction, together with its assertion that it is operating under the principles of Islamic Jihad is evaluated. Analyzing the ideas of terrorism, jihad, and ideology becomes crucial to comprehend the group's ideology, taking into consideration its transition from a religious insurgency to a full-fledged terrorist organization. It is of great importance to understand that the concept of ‘jihad’ has been and is being misused by different radical entities, especially Boko Haram, to fulfil its radical interests and terrorist activities. However, the prophetic tradition is seen to be contradictory to the activities carried out by Boko Haram. This study argued that while jihad is a multifaceted term that is interpreted differently by Islamic scholars, Boko Haram significantly deviates from the typical Islamic comprehension of jihad. In this context, an extensive review of scholarly works, primary texts, and doctrinal analyses related to the ideology of Boko Haram and jihad is examined in this study. While the paper sheds light on the ideology driving Boko Haram and draws parallels between it and Islamic warfare and jihad, it also attempts to offer recommendations to Muslims on taking ideological initiatives to counter destructive interpretations and misconceptions.

Keywords

References

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  3. Abu Dawud, Sulaiman bin Ash’ath. “Jihad.” trans. al-Khattab Nasiruddin. Sunan Abu Dawud. ed. Zubair ’Ail Zâ’i Abu Tâhir. 3/221. Riyadh: Darussalam, 1st Ed., 2008.
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  5. AI, Amnesty International. “Our Job Is to Shoot, Slaughter and Kill” Boko Haram’s Reign of Terror in North-East Nigeria. Amnesty International, 2015. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr44/1360/2015/en/
  6. Aktaş, Ahmet. “Radikalizm ve Yoksunluk İlişkisi: Boko Haram Örneği.” Anadolu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 23/4 (2023), 6–11.
  7. Allahdad, Abdulhakim. “Perception and Interpretation Problems of Contemporary Approaches of the Concept of Jihad.” Talim: Journal of Education in Muslim Societies and Communities III/1 (2019), 7–30.
  8. An-Nasii’i, Abû Abdur Rahmiin Ahmad bin Shu’aib bin ’Ali. “The Book of Jihad.” Sunan An-Nasâʼi. 1/3096. Riyadh: Darussalam, 1st ed., 2007.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Comparative Religious Studies, Religious Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

June 13, 2024

Publication Date

June 15, 2024

Submission Date

December 24, 2023

Acceptance Date

March 21, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 8 Number: 1

APA
Fahd, A. (2024). The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism? Journal of Analytic Divinity, 8(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.46595/jad.1409244
AMA
1.Fahd A. The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism? JAD. 2024;8(1):1-23. doi:10.46595/jad.1409244
Chicago
Fahd, Ali. 2024. “The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism?”. Journal of Analytic Divinity 8 (1): 1-23. https://doi.org/10.46595/jad.1409244.
EndNote
Fahd A (June 1, 2024) The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism? Journal of Analytic Divinity 8 1 1–23.
IEEE
[1]A. Fahd, “The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism?”, JAD, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–23, June 2024, doi: 10.46595/jad.1409244.
ISNAD
Fahd, Ali. “The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism?”. Journal of Analytic Divinity 8/1 (June 1, 2024): 1-23. https://doi.org/10.46595/jad.1409244.
JAMA
1.Fahd A. The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism? JAD. 2024;8:1–23.
MLA
Fahd, Ali. “The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism?”. Journal of Analytic Divinity, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2024, pp. 1-23, doi:10.46595/jad.1409244.
Vancouver
1.Ali Fahd. The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism? JAD. 2024 Jun. 1;8(1):1-23. doi:10.46595/jad.1409244

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