Islamic Pacifism in West Africa

The concept of "jihad" in Islam is often oversimplified, and in this episode we explore one example of a "pacifist" tradition within Islam assoicated with Salim Suwari and the Suwarian tradition.

Sources/Suggested Reading:

Babou, Cheikh Anta (2007). "Fighting the Greater Jihad: Amadu Bamba and the founding of the Mouridiyya of Senegal, 1853-1913". Ohio University Press.

Clark, Andrew Francis (1999). "Imperialism, Independence, and Islam in Senegal and Mali". Africa Today, Volume 46, Number 3/4, Summer/Autumn. Indiana University Press.

Creevey, Lucy E. (1985). "Muslim Brotherhoods and Politics in Senegal in 1985". The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 23, No. 4. Cambridge University Press.

Kimball, Michelle R. (2018). "Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba: A Peacemaker for Our Time". The Other Press Sdn. Bhd.

Mbacké, Khadim (2005). "Sufism and Religious Brotherhoods in Senegal". Markus Weiner Publishers.

Sanneh, Lamin O. (2018). "The Jakhanke: The History of an Islamic Clerical People of the Senegambia". Routledge.

Wilks, Ivor (1968). "The Transmission of Islamic Learning in the Western Sudan". In Literacy in Traditional Societies, ed. J. Goody. London.

Wilks, Ivor (2011). "al-Hajj Salim Suwari and the Suwarians: A search for sources". Transactions of the Historical Society of GhanaNew Series, No. 13 (2011), pp. 1-79 (79 pages). Published By: Historical Society of Ghana.

Willis, John Ralph (1970). The Jihād of al-Hajj cUmar al-Fūtī: Its Doctrinal Basis. . . Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of London.

Willis, John Ralph (2013). "In the Path of Allah: The Passion of al-Hajj 'Umar". Routledge.

[aggersoul]

What amazes me... Is not only the topics this channels handles. But also the way it communicates them.
Truly, a work of art. Which is extremely underappreciated. You deserve all the love and respect in the world my dude <3

[Rydonittelo]

as a " person of the book " I can say that the most pacifist people I've ever met were Muslims, they are also some of my favourite people to have theological descusions with. I've had way worse experiences from Evangelical fundamentalists telling me I'm going at me about this rapture concept that the vast majority of Christians dont subscribe to. Muslims seem to have this ability to use such wonderfully grounded logic when they talk about God and I really enjoy " talking religion " with them ( name drop intended 👍🏻) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✝️🤝🏼☪️

[GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

Oh heck yeah, I’ve been waiting for this topic! Thanks for the excellent work once again, Filip!

[Bondebillforlife]

Sheikh Ahmadu Bamba, a legend of his time,
Whose spirit and legacy still climb,
To inspire the faithful, and to remind
That love and peace, in Islam, shine.

[samwill]

Violence comes from any lack of empathy. When we forget that our fellow humans are just that, humans just as complex and unsure as the rest of us
No group of humans is more capable of it than any other, we just like to pawn off the scapegoat on a new group every so often.

[ab.swahenry]

As a great grandson of Alhaji Salim Suwari, I feel blessed to have come from such humble family. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[tomwoods]

Just wanted to say I find your videos extremely beautiful and interesting to the point. I am so glad I found this channel with such great explanations and covering up as many details as possible in a single video. You really put your heart and soul into these videos. Love your work and your videos. ❤

[wrenlittle]

Young man, you give me hope for humanity.
All your pieces no matter the subject make learning enjoyable.

[davelauerman]

Another fascinating story. I don’t know how you keep doing such consistently fine work, but I hope you continue.

[ilfatmaatouk]

Growing up in Senegal, there was a mural next to my aunt's house of who I now (thanks to you) know to be Ahmadou Bamba. For a long time as a kid I thought it was a depiction of God. I'm not sure why, but that's just how my young mind conceptualized it. Anyway, this brought up a lovely memory. Your video taught me so much about the different peoples and traditions of the region. Great stuff!

[cheri]

One of the best informative YouTube videos is " Let's Talk Religion." May I again thank you for the intelligence and wisdom your program brings to our world. Excellent work today on West Africa and Islamic teachings of Islam, before and after al-Sahm Suwaii.

[TimareeMccormack]

Thank you Filip, as always. Nothing changes! So much wisdom has come before us. And here we are still struggling with the same intolerance and ignorance that inspired these mystics and scholars and who left us with their knowledge and direction. I am blessed with have had lived in Islamic countries and had all my ignorance and beliefs challenged. And I changed.

[Sundar...]

1:20 I'm eagerly looking forward to this episode. Please do it ASAP. Thanks for the present one.

[fadigausamamansour]

As a Djakanké of West Africa, also one of the lineage of Mbemba Salimou Souaré through his Cousin Fadiga.
This documentary is 80% accurate.

[muha]

Am West African Muslim . Thanks for taking about 'karang' Salim 💓

[hugodesrosiers-plaisance]

I live in Montréal, Québec, Canada. I unfortunately witness intolerance and anti-muslim sentiments, words and behaviours regularly, including inside my own family. Your videos are so appeasing to the social and familial unease I sometimes feel. The present one being about a pacifist strand of Islam among West African Peoples is especially soothing - and very interesting. The fact that many, if not most West African Peoples speak french means Québec has a special connection with them, we have welcomed many immigrants from that area. I also find the visual depictions you use of the "Black Muslim educator" figure, the ones that look like drawings or paintings, somehow endearing. They make Salim Suwari and Ahmadou Bamba seem like gentle and warm persons. Cheers, friend.

[vaqaarazad]

what at intriguing topic, thank you for bringing light to such unheard of parts of history, especially of Africa which is often overlooked

[Buurba_Jolof]

I love more your channel since you made videos about west African Islamic scholars like Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba. Great thanks for this work.
Where do you get this wonderful illustrations ?

[AfricanTvFilmaker]

I've engaged in extensive research into Medieval West African history and did not find any mention of Al Hajj Salim Suwari. Thank you for providing insight into his person, which does provide a probably explanation for a very unique historical West African phenomenon I call "WAGING PEACE" that occurred twice in the Senegambia Kingdom of Baol Cayor (1600 - 1610 under Ma Khouredia Kouli, and 1763 - 1769 under Mba Compasse). During this time in this place, all disputes where settled and no aggression occurred, giving us a model for the future. I will do more research to find if Al Hajj ir his followers spoke to these Leaders, let me know if you find any connections. Peace to you all.

[SomasAcademy]

If anyone is interested in the earlier presence of Islam in West Africa, I just released a video on the Wagadu Empire, which had a strong Islamic presence alongside its non-Muslim population, even when the kings of the country were still Pagan (they converted to Islam late in the 11th century).