BIOGRAPHY OF SHEIKH ISMA’IL IDRIS.
In this page you are going to read the full biography of Sheikh Ismail Idris Jos,
Who is Sheikh Ismail Idris?
Sheikh Ismail Idris is the founder of Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’ati Wa’iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS)
The Establishment of JIBWIS
This Islamic sect was established in the year 1978 in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria by Sheikh Ismaila Idris the son Zakariyya.
The organization was learned in academia within the core of Islamic transform sect in West African states as well as the appearance of Sufi and Anti-Sufi struggle over space in the religious aspect. The JIBWIS is already together by Muslims and even non-Muslims to Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gummi in the year 1922-1992.
Who is the fore father of JIBWIS?
The fore father of JIBWIS is Sheikh Dr Abubakar Mahmud Gummi.
Who is the founder of JIBWIS?
Sheikh Ismail Idris was the founder and architect of JIBWIS and an important part of the history of the movement is related to his person. This is a motion to give a short analysis about his life and work.
His Background
Sheikh Ismail Idris was born in the year 1974 in Gwaskwarom village now in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
His Lineage and Legacy
The lineage and Legacy of Sheikh Ismail Idris and his status is originated from his grandfather who belongs to Jahun tribe (Fulani), precisely he is from Kano State and came with the family to reside in Bauchi State,Nigeria.
Like Many Fulani tribe they were nomads who looked after their cattle. Sheikh Ismail Idris’ father, Zakariyya, was a scholar, chief Imam and a preacher in his society.
Facts about Sheikh Ismail Idris
The facts about Sheikh Ismail Idris began since from his childhood Sheikh Ismail Idris was more attractedand concern by books more than any other thing and he was always very thirsty of seeking knowledge and always very eager to find the facts. At the time he was 15 years old, Sheikh Ismail Idris meet many Islamic scholars in Bauchi in order to seek more knowledge about Islamic perspective
The teachers of Sheikh Ismail Idris.
Sheikh Ismail Idris study under the shadows of the following teachers:
1-Sheikh Kansurawa.
2-Muhammed Bello.
They taugh him Islamic theology as well as Arabic language.
In terms of learning Islamic religious Studies, Sheikh Ismail Idris served as a teacher in Bauchi state before he moved back to Kano in the year 1963 to join the qualitative School of Arabic Studies (SAS).
After completing the school in the year 1967 he came back to Bauchi as a classroom teacher.
He then proceed to Kaduna State as preacher and a classroom teacher under the Jamaʿatu Nasrul Islam (Society for Victory of Islam).
Sheikh Ismail Idris Joined the Military
Sheikh Ismail Idris is an expanded step he entered the Nigerian Army as a main chief Imam.
A side from Fulani language, Sheikh Ismail Idris speaks Hausa language, English language, and Arabic language all In the Nigerian Army camp, Sheikh Idris was transferred to various places because of his foresight, perseverance, endurance and preaching. When he left Kaduna state he was sent to Ibadan and then Kontagora (Niger State), and to Jos (Plateau, Nigeria.
In the year 1970s Sheikh Ismail Idris is also sent to Potiskum in Yobe State.
Before he left the Army and sacrificed his life to preaching and his daily activities to the newly by him to established Izala organization.
Sheikh Ismail Idris ideas and perception could be a result of his knowledge by a particular Muslim scholars. Sheikh Mahmud from Bauchi taught him classical Maliki books like the (Mukhatassar) as well as the notion of Attawheed (Oneness of Allah (God)
Sheikh Ismail Idris could be improved through his two masters Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gummi and Sheikh AlHassan Khalil at the School of Arabic Studies in Kano state, Nigeria.
The JIBWIS founder was focused about Islam and the Muslims. His non-satisfaction with the situation in Nigeria led him to preaching and introduce his understanding of Islamic religion.
He saw his duty not only in reacting to different issues but also to handle them. His decisions and interest to join the military during his time in Kaduna was influenced by his father.
The Comments of the Scholars about the Establishment of JIBWIS.
Many scholars all over the country has praised and comments about the contribution that Sheikh Ismail Idris brought towards the achievement of JIBWIS all over globe and he was alao served as the Imam of Muslim soldiers. Realizing that they have to pay zakat (alms Giving) from their monthly salaries, and they should pay it to the needy people who are in need and other officers whose little salaries can not afford to quench their daily activities Sheikh Idris released an admonitions (legal opinion) condemning the act that’s not in line with the prophetic teaching.
Sheikh Idris displays to many people as “Burden” even for his first day in Ibadan, a local government are of oyo state and his wided criticizing of the Imam for performing additional practices and recitations after the Afternoon prayer.
Sheikh Idris called the attention of the Imam and the congregation that there is no evidence of their practices in the Qur’an or in the prophetic teaching of Muhammad (SAW)
Moreover, he called them to go through the book of Usman Dan Fodio (Al’Ihya’us Sunnah) for future references. After just 3 months he was transfer back to Kontagora.
Sheikh Ismail Idris proceeded his preaching to Army officers in Kontagora and even people from the villagers from very far place use to came and listen to him and they even recorded his sermons and lessons for their private use.
He then put a suggestions in establishing a Jumu’ah Masjeed in the Army barracks and secured the legal approval for this undertaking.
The Masjeed has forced many people caused problems with the local authorities, a dispute between Sheikh Idris and an Imam from the town a Sufi occurred.
The situation escalated and Sheikh Gumi intervened as a mediator and organized a meeting between his former students.
Religious success of Sheikh Ismail Idris in Kontagora.
The next important footstep in Sheikh Idris’ life was his transfer to Jos, the capital of plateau State especially meaningful because of its multi ethnic and religious diversity and tribes and it has a symbolic relevance to many JIBWIS people today.
Not only the JIBWIS as anm organisation was born in Jos, but it also succeeded in a milieu where Christianity has a long tradition.
Sheikh Ismail Idris was under the supervision of Major Alhassan who was warned about the his activities and troubles created by the “new comer” in the last stations he passed through.
Further reading and research.
I deeply advised my dear users, to go through the following references for more infom about Sheikh Ismail Idris, Jos:
1-The JIBWIS Journal 2005, Vol. 1 No. 3, p. 8 and p. 12; see also Loimeier (1997), p. 211.
2- Muhammed, M. Sadis (2001), p. 13-14.
3- See Loimeier (1997); the author himself relies here on Umar (1983), p 51.
4- During my field research in 2006, 2007, and 2008 I spoke to many Izala people in Jos who stressed the success of Sheikh Idris in that town where many tariqa-people, Christians, and Pagans were/are present houses provided by owners who were attracted by the preaching of Sheikh Idris (house of Alhaji Lawal Mai Suga, house of Alhaji Garba Pasali).
The preaching activities were also extended to other areas of the town Dogon Dutse because He attracted more and more people, especially among the Tijanis, the dominant Sufi brotherhood in Jos.
As in other places, there was attempt to transfer Sheikh Idris to Borno State but it failed. The Sheikh was successful in establishing a network of followers that was the basis to establish an organised body.
It is not clear if Sheikh Idris resigned from the Nigerian Army or if he was dismissed,21 but it is a fact that he left his job to form the Izala-organisation in 1978. Sheikh Ismail Idris was a person of protest and rebellion throughout his life.
He was opposed to many problems in the army and outside of the barracks. He was under the supervision of the Nigerian Security Service and was interrogated and jailed in several occasions. Sheikh Ismail Idris was outspoken and more open to criticism on Sufis and Sufism.
He was the first scholar who took the controversial book Al-Aqida as-Sahiha (1972) of Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gummi and preached with it at Ahmadu Bello Mosque in Kaduna to the congregation.
The controversies in town between him and the Sufis Brotherhoods.
After the establishment of Izala and later the split of the movement into two factions in Jos and Kaduna many speculations about the division character. Especially his opponents criticized his style of leadership, his severity and even doubted about his Islamic knowledge.
One of his early followers who split from him later mentions that Sheikh Idris was a strong and severe person and his rigidity led to that many Izala-followers broke with the organization because of him.
His sympathizers as well followers would describe him as a rightful scholar who likes his students and as humble and
The Courageous Persons who respects Scholars
1- Muhammed, M. Sadis (2001), pp. 18-19
2- See Loimeier (1997), 213.
3- Loimeier (1997), p. 214, mentioned that Sheikh Idris was dismissed from the Nigerian Army on April, 7,1978; according to Muhammed, M. Sadis (2001), pp. 22-23, Sheikh Idris decided to resign himself in order to 23 Ibid., p. 214; among others Sheikh Idris was jailed in Kano after preaching in the Radio against Sufism; he was also jailed in Cross River. Issue in Izala started of the 1980s and the split took place in the beginning of the 1990s.
He attended his first ever Interviews with journals on 12th December, 2006.
Sheikh Ismail Idris write the book of Aqeedah (faith) and opposed all innovations in religion. His legal opinions were highly debated among scholars within and outside JIBWIS .
For more details about the legals opinions of Sheikh Idris see Sadis (2003), pp. 62-81; for an Izala internal debate.
Thanks for reading the biographical information of Sheikh Ismail Idris Jos.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace Amen 🙏
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