Effects of Superstitious Beliefs and Syncretic Practices on Yoruba Muslims: Islamic Teachings as a Way Forward

Abstract

This study finds out the effects of the various levels of superstitious beliefs and syncretic practices on Yoruba Muslims. It determines the cause and effects of superstitious beliefs and syncretism on spiritual development of Muslims with a view to eradicate the menace among Muslims in Yorubaland. A self-developed questionnaire titled “Superstitious Beliefs and Its Effects on Yoruba Muslims” was adopted and administered on 110 Muslims (Male and Female). Chi-square (x2) was employed to test the hypotheses at P = 0.05; df = 3. The statistics of percentages was also used to describe the situation as implicated by the data. The result showed that all the hypotheses formulated were significant (P<0.05) and thereby concluded that all the four variables were actually affects of superstitious beliefs and that they are impediments to Muslims faith in Yorubaland. Considering the findings, it was recommended that Islamic teachings should be elevated among Yoruba Muslims to understand why they should be effectively involved in the teaching and learning of Islamic studies in Schools to educate Muslims on the negative effects of superstition on their faith (Islam).