https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/issue/feed Voyages Journal of Religious Studies 2025-05-07T16:10:32+00:00 Aliyu Rabi'u aliyu.rabiu@voyagesjournalgsu.ng Open Journal Systems <p>Voyages Journal of Religious Studies (ISSN: 2504-9046) is a reputable annual print and online open access blind-peer-reviewed academic journal. It is a publication by the Department of Religious Studies, Gombe State University, Gombe, P.M.B. 127, Tudun Wada, Gombe, Nigeria. Since 2015, it has been consistently publishing quality well-researched academic articles. Over the years, the journal has been able to attract the interest of researchers in various aspects of religion across the globe. It accepts articles of relevance to religion (Islam, Christianity and African Traditional Religion) in English and Arabic languages.</p> https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/69 Preliminary Pages 2025-05-07T16:10:32+00:00 Voyages voyagesjournal@gsu.edu.ng <p>Preliminary Pages</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/56 Tafsir: Origin, Schools and Trends 2025-05-07T06:51:43+00:00 Jaafar Saad jaafarsaad10@gmail.com Dahiru Inuwa Ibrahim abusumayya74@gmail.com Ahmad Abubakar ahmedbuba19@gmail.com Huraira Abubakar Muhammad huraira@gmail.com <p align="justify">New trends in Qur’an exegesis Tafsir are increasing nowadays, resulting to wrong</p> <p class="p1">interpretations Ta’wilun Bad’ilun of the noble Qur’an. This is becoming so serious</p> <p class="p1">and worrisome in contemporary societies. Muslims respect the glorious Qur’an as</p> <p class="p1">the final divine message sent by Allah to the generality of mankind, thus, they give</p> <p class="p1">maximum consideration in studying its sciences and servicing its meanings, hence,</p> <p class="p1">the Prophet (SAW) Himself introduced the science of Tafsir, which as time goes,</p> <p class="p1">Muslims developed this science into a complete educational institution, they</p> <p class="p1">developed trends for this institution and compiled voluminous works on the</p> <p class="p1">science. This paper discussed the trends of Tafsir, and its development through the</p> <p class="p1">generations of Islam. It discusses the definition of Tafsir, its origin, brief history of</p> <p class="p1">Tafsir during the time of the Prophet (SAW), the companions and the Tabi’oon, the</p> <p class="p1">three schools of Tafsir, thus; Makkan, Madinan and Iraqian schools, the trends of</p> <p class="p1">Tafsir; the creed, scientific, linguistic, and logical trends, literature and deviant</p> <p class="p1">trends, the paper concluded that, there is possibility of the emergence of new trends</p> <p class="p1">in Tafsir, due to the different ideologies and creeds some Muslims may hold as time</p> <p class="p1">passes. A descriptive research method was used in the work.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/57 Ethics of Peace, Religion and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria 2025-05-07T11:44:26+00:00 Ewere Nelson Atoi nelsonewere.atoi@gmail.com Mark Danjuma Ajiji markdan4reel@gmail.com <p align="justify">Many individuals, families and organizations have continued to experience</p> <p class="p1">conflicts of greater and lesser impacts. The imperativeness of synergizing concepts</p> <p class="p1">to address this problem cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, this study examined</p> <p class="p1">the nexus between ethics of peace and religion with a view to build peace and</p> <p class="p1">resolve conflicts in Nigeria. Data were collected through observations, news media,</p> <p class="p1">text-books and journal articles, and subjected to historical, contextual and</p> <p class="p1">constructive methods of analysis. This essay posited that most of the values inherent</p> <p class="p1">in religions are essential ingredients needed to build peace and resolve conflicts in</p> <p class="p1">the society. These include values of non-violence, empathy, repentance and</p> <p class="p1">forgiveness, social justice, reconciliation, and dignity of human life. Some religious</p> <p class="p1">organizations operating in Nigeria are making impressive move toward utilizing</p> <p class="p1">these values to promote peace and resolve conflicts in the country. Religious</p> <p class="p1">adherents are encouraged to promote the aforementioned values for successful</p> <p class="p1">conflict resolution in Nigeria.</p> <p><!--a=1--></p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/58 Islam and the Legitimate Means for Attaining Sustenance 2025-05-07T12:16:28+00:00 Kabiru Adamu kabirugora@gmail.com Maunde Usman Muhammad usmanmaunde@gmail.com Auwal Adam Sa’ad auwal@iium.edu.my <p align="justify">Islam is a religion that promotes pro-activeness day and night and seeking for</p> <p class="p1">means of life through legitimate ways. Islam has zero tolerance to laziness and</p> <p class="p1">begging. The focus of this paper is to demonstrate that seeking sustenance (rizq) is</p> <p class="p1">a legitimate endeavor when done through permissible means. It emphasizes that</p> <p class="p1">Allah, who created human beings, has promised to provide for them, with their</p> <p class="p1">provision being predestined and written even before their birth, at the time the soul</p> <p class="p1">being breathed into their body. The lawful means of increasing sustenance in Islam</p> <p class="p1">include various actions and virtues encouraged by the religion, such as piety</p> <p class="p1">(taqwa), reliance on Allah (tawakkul), seeking forgiveness (istighfar), maintaining</p> <p class="p1">family ties (silatar-rahim), marriage, charity (sadaqah), kindness to others, and</p> <p class="p1">other approved actions in Islam. The main objectives of this paper is to disclose</p> <p class="p1">how Islam is encouraging Muslim Ummah to be highly dedicated in their life</p> <p class="p1">sustenance and also to look for halal. It also shows concern about the human lives</p> <p class="p1">being as vicegerent of Allah on earth, he must be highly pure so also his sustain</p> <p class="p1">must be pure for Allah to accept it.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/59 A Philosophical Reflection on the Challenges of Ethno-Religious Diversity and its Implication for National Unity in Nigeria 2025-05-07T13:21:10+00:00 Osawaru Osamede Christopher chrisosawaru4@gmail.com <p align="justify">In point of fact, the question that agitates the mind is; Can Nigeria ever be free from</p> <p class="p1">the virus of ethnic consciousness and religion? The need to answer this question is</p> <p class="p1">fundamental to the future of Nigeria as a nation. This paper therefore examines the</p> <p class="p1">effects of ethno-religious diversity on the national unity. It examines the future of</p> <p class="p1">the political, social and economic status of Nigeria given the present experiences in</p> <p class="p1">the country. This paper employs the analytic and critical method of philosophy with</p> <p class="p1">the view of showing both the positive and negative influence of ethnicity and</p> <p class="p1">religion on the overall development of Nigeria. The central argument of this paper</p> <p class="p1">is that ethnic and religious consciousness is so high that every policy of government</p> <p class="p1">at different levels is assessed from the standpoint of its impacts on the wellbeing of</p> <p class="p1">particular ethnic groups rather than on the country as a whole. Our position is that</p> <p class="p1">effort should be made to address the issues which promote negative ethno- religious</p> <p class="p1">consciousness in order to effectively reduce the problem of uneven development in</p> <p class="p1">our nation.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/60 Digital Transactions in Islam: A Comparative Study of SharīՙAh Compliance in Contemporary E-Business Practices 2025-05-07T13:36:52+00:00 ISA Abubakar Dutsin-Amare adisa@fudutsinma.edu.ng . Ibrahim Shua'ibu Sa’id smalamaisafana@gmail.com <p align="Justify">This study investigates the Sharῑՙah compliance of digital transactions within</p> <p class="p1">contemporary e-business practices, identifying both alignments and gaps between</p> <p class="p1">modern financial technologies and Islamic finance principles. The primary</p> <p class="p1">objective of this research is to explore the Islamic perspective on e-business</p> <p class="p1">transactions. It aims to identify the key principles of Sharῑՙah law applicable to</p> <p class="p1">digital commerce, analyze how contemporary e-business practices align with these</p> <p class="p1">principles, and suggest frameworks or guidelines for ensuring Sharῑՙah-compliance</p> <p class="p1">in online business operations. Employing a comparative methodology, the research</p> <p class="p1">analyzes various case studies of digital transactions across different Islamic</p> <p class="p1">jurisdictions. Findings indicate a substantial variance in compliance, influenced by</p> <p class="p1">regional interpretations of Sharῑՙah and the technological frameworks in use. The</p> <p class="p1">study observes that while some digital platforms have successfully integrated</p> <p class="p1">Sharῑՙah-compliant features, others exhibit significant non-compliance, particularly</p> <p class="p1">in sectors involving speculative transactions. Recommendations include the</p> <p class="p1">development of uniform Sharῑՙah compliance guidelines for digital transactions, the</p> <p class="p1">enhancement of technological infrastructures to support these guidelines, and</p> <p class="p1">increased collaboration between Islamic scholars and fintech developers to foster</p> <p class="p1">innovations that align with Islamic ethical values.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/61 Re-Reading Numbers 27:8 on the Protest of Zelophehad’s Daughters in Light of the Challenges of Inheritance in the Contemporary Patriarchal Society 2025-05-07T13:49:34+00:00 Sadiku Andrew Ohifemen sadikuomoreohi@gmail.com <p align="justify">Ancient Israel was predominantly a patriarchal society where men are in total control of every aspect of the community, and they are regarded as the sole authority within the family, and in which power, inheritance or successions are transferred from the father to son. Women are almost totally relegated. The rights of women were very limited in the aspect of property distribution in ancient Israel, though they can get some token through diaries whenever they intend to marry. It was against this, the Zelophehad’s daughters had to protest, not against the law, but against the tendency to deny them their rights to their father’s estate. In an attempt to curb the excesses of patriarchalism as against justice in the distribution of patrimony, the paper explores the style used by the Zelophehad’s daughters in navigating the intricacy in a patriarchal community as ancient Israel and became victorious. The paper adopted historical and exegetical methods in its approach. The paper is of the view that there is always justice for women, girls and widows who decide to challenge any denial of inheritance to their deceased parents’ property or estate because equity will always aid the vigilant</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/63 Christian Association of Nigeria: An Indispensable Tool for National Unity 2025-05-07T14:15:19+00:00 ADESUPO Paul Adedotun pauladesupo2015@gmail.com WAHAB Elizabeth Ikeola wahabikeola@gmail.com <p align="Justify">In Nigeria, there are three prominent religions; African religion, Islam and Christianity. The role of these religions cannot be divorced for the peace, unity and growth of the society. Christianity for example is the religion based on the ideas of Jesus Christ and has its followers as Christians. Meanwhile, part of the tenets of the religion is to preach love and peace for the unity of the nation which remains a sacrosanct element for nation building. But a look at Nigerian society revealed that despite the fact that many Nigerians are adherents of one faith or the other, there are still lack of unity among the populace, misunderstanding, intolerance, among others which to some extent negate the tenet of the religions prevail. It is on this premise this work examined the role of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a body which comprises members who profess Christ as the Lord and Saviour, as a way of promoting the unity of the nation. The work adopted historical method, and the findings of the work revealed that, it is not only Christians that exist in the country, the body (CAN) has been searching for ways of uniting members, extending the hand of unity to people from others faith for the growth of the nation. The work recommended that Christians should lead by example worthy to be emulated by all; the leadership of the association should do away with act of sentiment either within or outside of the association. The work concludes with the view that harmonious living is one of the elements that can bring about national unity.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/64 Emigration And Exportation of Benin Traditional Religion: A Contemporary Phenomena 2025-05-07T14:31:07+00:00 Ajele Joseph cocIyola@gmail.com Jalo Ayuba Solomon malambore4christ@gmail.com <p align="Justify">The emigration and exportation of Benin Traditional Religion (BTR) represent complex phenomena with profound implications for both the Benin Kingdom and global cultural dynamics. Through qualitative approach the paper examines the factors driving the emigration of BTR adherents from Benin, exploring the mechanisms through which elements of the religion are exported internationally, and discusses the impacts of these processes on the preservation and adaptation of Benin Traditional Religion in global contexts. The research findings revealed that Benin Traditional Religion has been transformed through migration and globalization, influencing both local practices and global perceptions of African spirituality. The paper recommended that various agents should be introduced to help educate others to reduce the constant migration and subsequent exportation of the Benin culture, Traditional Religious practices, in other to sustain Benin Traditional Culture and artifact as our identity. The paper draws its conclusion on the fact that transporting leads to exportation of the both cultural and religious practices, which led to copying and modification of spiritual contents as well as making it ineffective.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/65 Islam in the Nigerian Media Discourse: A Linguistic Analysis 2025-05-07T15:10:52+00:00 Ahmad Hassan ahmadassahafiy@gmail.com <p align="justify">The power of language in setting and framing perceptions cannot be overstated. Scholars and experts have highlighted how the use or misuse of language could be either constructive or destructive, depending on the approach and intent of the communicator and how he/she uses the dynamics of language. Islamic terminologies such as Jihad, Islamization, and Almajiri have often been misrepresented within the Nigerian media discourse. This study examined some of these terminologies and labels; linguistically analyzed some of their root causes in the Nigerian media discourse by focusing on the salient linguistic features. Through lexical and morphological analyses, the study uncovered and found nuanced variations of those terminologies that might be difficult to perceive and often overlooked. Specifically, the analysis encompassed etymological discussion, literal and contextual meanings, various usages in the media, the actual meaning within Islamic literature and practices, perception of these terms among the public and the implications of their usages on the Nigerian Muslims. Imperatively, standardizations and recommendations for using these terminologies were provided respectively.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/66 Role of Mass Media in the Promotion of Da’wah in Lagos State, Nigeria 2025-05-07T15:28:03+00:00 Nafiu Ahmed Arikewuyo Arikewuyo@gmail.com Agbabiaka-Mustapha Muinat Abiola Muinat@gmail.com <p align="justify">Islamic scholars employ various means and channels to disseminate the teachings of Islam including using the mass media. However, this same mass media is being misused to portraying and blackmailing Islam in different places. This paper aims at assessing the role of mass media in the promotion of Da’wah focusing on Lagos State, Nigeria. The descriptive method was used to explain the role of mass media in the promotion of Islam in Lagos through the data collected from scheduled interviews. The study concludes that electronic media such as radio and television are important tools of Da’wah in Lagos state and every other community because they are capable of influencing people’s mind and can be accessed by the literate and illiterate unlike the social media which requires some level of literacy. Moreover, the mass media has increased the visibility of Islamic teachings and practices in Lagos State while programs focusing on Islamic values, ethics, and current issues resonate well with diverse audiences.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies https://voyagesjournalgsu.ng/index.php/vjrs/article/view/67 أصول الكسب من منظور قرآن وأثرها يف التقدم واألمن القومي النيجريي 2025-05-07T15:41:05+00:00 Nuhu Abdullahi Usman nuhuaugiwa@gmail.com Muhammad B. Muhammad abunazir73@yahoo.com <p align="justify">The study examines the principles of earnings from the Qur'anic perspective and its impact on development and national security in Nigeria. The problem addressed is the lack of attention to Islamic legal sources when seeking reasons for national physical development, as well as people's deviation from divine guidance when solving economic problems, especially during financial or economic crises. The significance of the study lies in its connection to understanding the essential methods of earning, which are indispensable for human life. The study aims to demonstrate that the sources of Islam, including the Qur'an, Sunnah, and sound reasoning, offer the best solutions to crises and the best foundation for development. The research employs a descriptive and analytical methodology. Among its findings is that there are four fundamental ways of earning: farming, fishing, industry, and trade, all of which are accessible in Nigeria. The study concludes that paying attention to these sectors by both governments and individuals will lead to progress and safeguard national security, while neglecting them will result in underdevelopment. Additionally, it highlights the precedence of Islamic legislation, through its original sources, in laying the foundation for a productive and superior economic system. The study recommends mastering the methods of earning to fulfill their progressive roles, encouraging people to engage in lawful work to achieve security, and advising governments and the wealthy to facilitate available means of livelihood for the people.</p> <!--a=1--><!--a=1--> 2025-05-07T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Voyages Journal of Religious Studies