1.1 Introduction
Islam means to submit freely to the commandments and will of the One and Only God (Allah). This submission should come from within, and from sound belief in and conviction to Allah, with no doubt. It should also come from love, trust and affection. Allah is not a special god for Muslims, but Allah is the Creator of all creatures, including mankind. The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) received the word of Allah (revelation), through the archangel Gabriel (the Holy Spirit). This revelation comprises the religion of Islam. The Qur’an is the authentic collection of this revelation recorded in book form. It is the exact unchanged word of Allah to all mankind. A Muslim is any male or female person who believes in Allah and the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as his messenger who then testifies to that belief to witness announcing his/her acceptance of Islam as his/her religion. Muslim should not be confused with Arab; A Muslim is a person who follows the religion of Islam and he/she can be any race while Arab refers to race of people.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Nigeria police (NPF) is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria with a staff strength of about 371,800. There are currently plans to increase the force to 650,000 adding 280,000 new recruits to the existing 370,000. The Nigeria police is a very large organization consisting of 36 commands grouped in 12 zone and 7 administrative organizations. The agency is currently headed by IGP Solomon Arase.
Nigeria police began with a thirty member consular guard formed in Lagos colony in 1861. In 1879 1,200 member armed paramilitary Hausa constabulary was formed. In 1896 the Lagos police was established. A similar force, the Niger constabulary, was formed in Calabar in 1894 under the newly proclaimed Niger coast protectorate. In the north, the Royal Niger Company set up the royal Niger company constabulary in 1888 with headquarters at Lokaja. When the protectorates of Northern and southern Nigeria were proclaimed in the early 1900s, part of the Royal Niger Company constabulary became the Northern Nigeria Police and part of the Niger coast constabulary the Southern Nigeria police. Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914.
The Nigeria police performed conventional police functions and was responsible for internal security generally; for supporting the Prisons, Immigrations and Customs services and for performing Military duties within or outside Nigeria as directed. Police officers were not usually armed but were issued weapons when required for specific missions or circumstances.
The Nigeria Police is designated by section 194 of the 1979 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country. They maintains a three tier administrative structure of departments, zonal and state commands which include Department of Finance and administration, department of logistics and supply and department of criminal investigation e.t.c
Islam is simple and practical religion it has established, clear and easily understandable beliefs, laws, culture that any follower or student of the religion can easily understand Islam affirms belief in a decent, civilized society Islam does not demand impossible goodness of its followers, but it recognizes that all human beings make mistakes and sin no one is exempt. Islam preaches peace, mercy, justice, tolerance, equality, love, truth, forgiveness, patience, morality, sincerity and righteousness. Islam is the religious that preaches the Oneness of God, the Oneness of mankind and the Oneness of the messages.
The Islamic culture and its civilization are not only significant but also unique if we compare them with other cultures and civilizations of this world, because of its rules, thoughts and system. The personality of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a great symbol for human beings to learn good deeds and procedures of life. It has the cultural aspect too, which covers the ideological, mental and practical matters simultaneously. The morality, good conduct, prevention from sinful acts, spending a pleasant life, brotherhood, equality, justice in society, simplicity, cleanliness, peace and harmony and basic rights etc have been introduced through the Islamic teachings to the society.
The Islamic teachings promote the Islamic culture among the people to identify the best way of life here and hereafter too, which is not possible without the religion, because there is a great association between religion and culture. Due to various technological equipments/advance devices, the non-Islamic thoughts are spreading in the Muslim society rapidly, and produces a miserable condition for Muslim Ummah that dilute the Islamic civilization and culture.Initially, the Islamic economy, politics and trade were getting affected, but now it is gradually spending towards the psyche of Muslims.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the effects of non Muslims Culture on Some Muslim Families.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that it has become a course of concern to the people or Muslim community of Maiduguri Police Barrack that the adoption of western or non Muslim culture caused a lot of problems among the society and also to run away from the actual teachings of Islam and the practices of the Prophet (PBUH).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the effects of non Muslims Culture on Some Muslim Families. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To bring about the societal problem that caused as a result of clash non Muslim civilization of culture with the Islamic one.
- To clarify many must excellent benefits by following Islamic Culture, Islamic mode of life.
- To enlighten the Muslims community on how danger is when imitating the non Muslim culture so that people will obtain from imitating them.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How can Muslims community be enlightened on how danger is imitating the non Muslim culture?
- What are the benefits of Islamic Culture and Islamic mode of life?
- What is the societal problem that caused as a result of clash non Muslim civilization of culture with the Islamic one?
1.6 Significance of Study
This research work is very important because no matter how there is clash of different culture there must be influent which leads to adopt one with another culture either good or bad. So it must make an important contribution towards Muslims that found themselves in such kind of society or community.
Thus, this research work is expected to play an important role in enlighten its readers. Also the research will help parents to supervise the activities of their children and correct them in the form of their lifestyle. And also its will be very important guide to our youth that want to enjoy the Nigerian Police Force, and it would also serve as local literature for those who wants to conduct their research in the related area.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the effects of non Muslims Culture on Some Muslim Families. The research work or area of study is restricted to Police Barracks in Maiduguri Borno State and the research will only focus on the effects of Non Muslims culture on Muslim Families.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.9 Methodology
The methods used in conducting this research work are through participants, interviews of some Police officers and observations.
This research work goes with the foot notes on the paragraphs of the research and it will vividly lead to the point as indicated in the work.
