An Examination on the Sociological Impact of Spiritual Consultancy (Jalb) on the Religious Culture of Yoruba Muslims of Nigeria

Abstract

Spiritual consultancy (Jalbu) locally referred to as Jalabi has been the major vocation of traditional Muslim scholars in Yoruba land apart from teaching and preaching. This is accentuated by the religious culture of permissiveness which allows cross-religious interaction and sharing amongst the adherents of the three religious traditions competing for patronage in this part of the country. Another impetus for the continuous thriving of this vocation in spite of the opprobrium of conscientious Muslims on account of the extraneous practices attached to it is the prevalence of metaphysical afflictions occasioned by socio-economic inequalities, poverty and failure of government. Therefore, anywhere conventional medical care is inaccessible or fails or where meaningful living standard becomes unattainable, spiritual consultancy comes in to fill the void. Understanding this conundrum, this ethnographic work which employs both qualitative and quantitative methods seek to interrogate the practice of Jalabi, its methods and approaches as well as its sociological impact on the practice of Islam and the religious culture of Yoruba Muslims of Nigeria.

Keywords

• Spiritual Consultancy, traditional Muslim scholars, Religious Culture, Metaphysical Afflictions