Boko Haram’s ideological crisis

Solly Rakgomo | Monday August 25, 2025 10:51

This article examines the group’s use of violence in the name of jihad, highlighting how their interpretation deviates from traditional Islamic teachings. The term “jihad” has often been misused by radical groups like Boko Haram to justify violence, contradicting Islamic principles. Boko Haram, founded in 2002 by Muhammad Yusuf, opposes Western civilisation and democracy. Initially named Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, it became known as Boko Haram, meaning “Western civilisation is forbidden” in Hausa.

The group began violent activities in 2009, causing over 350,000 deaths. After Yusuf died in 2009, Abubakar Shekau took over in 2010, intensifying attacks in northern Nigeria. Following Shekau’s death in 2021 during a clash with ISWAP, Abu Umaimata became the leader in 2022. Boko Haram is infamous for killings, kidnappings, and destruction. Its ideology stems from Salafi-Wahabi beliefs, influenced by scholars like Abu Muhammad Al Maqdisi. Yusuf, educated through the informal Al-majiri system, opposed Western education, viewing it as anti-Islamic. Research highlights its misuse of Islamic theology to justify violence and its radical roots in Yusuf’s and Shekau’s doctrine.

Historical contextNigeria is a highly diverse nation with over 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages. It is home to three main religions: African Traditional Religion (ATR), Islam, and Christianity, alongside smaller groups practising Judaism, Hinduism, Baha’i, and others. Before Islam and Christianity, Nigerians practised ATR, passed down through rituals and ceremonies. Islam is predominant in the north and parts of the southwest. At the same time, Christianity, introduced by missionaries in the 19th century, dominates the southwest and southeast, with Protestantism and Catholicism being the main denominations. Most Nigerian Muslims follow Sunni Islam of the Maliki school, but there are also Shia communities and smaller Ahmadiyya groups. Islamic movements like Izala and Shia sects have gained influence, particularly in the north, often diverging from traditional Sufi teachings. Boko Haram arose from these radicalised sects in northern Nigeria, driven by extremist beliefs.

Ideology of Boko HaramIslam arrived in Nigeria long before Christianity, significantly shaping the northern region’s religious and political systems. The Sokoto Caliphate, founded by Usman Dan Fodio’s 19th-century jihad, influenced the area, but Boko Haram rejects its Maliki and Sufi traditions, instead embracing a radical Salafi-Wahabi ideology opposed to Western education, democracy, and culture, viewing them as anti-Islamic..

Ideology and terrorismThe causes of terrorism are complex, but ideology plays a crucial role in driving extremist behaviour. Ideologies provide the beliefs and motives that justify violent actions, often serving as a foundation for terrorism. Terrorism involves planned violence or threats aimed at achieving political, economic, or social goals by instilling fear in a broad audience. Socioeconomic conditions, political grievances, environmental issues, and religious beliefs shape terrorist ideologies. Understanding these ideologies requires examining the root causes, including political deprivation and inequality, rather than attributing terrorism to a single religion, region, or group.

Jihad in Islam:Jihad, from the Arabic “ja-ha-da” (struggle), refers to striving for the cause of Allah, often paired with “fi sabîl Allah” (“in the way of Allah”). While commonly misunderstood as a “holy war” linked to terrorism, Jihad encompasses three aspects:

Verbal struggle – Spreading Islam through preaching.

Good deeds – Practising Islamic principles daily.

Defensive fighting (lesser Jihad) – Engaging in conflict only when necessary to defend Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad prioritised peace and avoided conflict, focusing on self-improvement and teaching. Extremists misuse Qur’anic verses, ignoring context. For example, the Qur’an promotes spreading Islam through wisdom and free choice, which groups like Boko Haram disregard. Islamic warfare rules include strict guidelines such as no betrayal, no mutilation, and no harm to children, women, or the elderly. Additionally, they emphasize the protection of crops, buildings, and religious sites. These principles, which stress humane conduct during warfare, align closely with the Christian concept of a “just war.”

Jihad ideology of Boko HaramBoko Haram’s ideology originated in the mid-1990s when Muhammad Yusuf joined the Shababul Muslim Youth group led by Mallam Lawal. After Lawal’s departure to Saudi Arabia, Yusuf took control, gaining political influence. In 2002, he founded Boko Haram in Maiduguri, aiming to establish a strict Sharia law-based government. Yusuf believed the existing Sharia in Borno was too lenient and opposed Nigeria’s democratic system. Yusuf’s background in the Almajiri educational system influenced Boko Haram’s ideology. Initially designed for religious education, these informal schools were later exploited by extremists and lacked government support. Yusuf rejected modern education, condemning subjects like chemistry and evolution as un-Islamic.

Boko Haram follows a radical Salafi-Wahabi ideology, similar to al-Qaeda, advocating violent jihad. Yusuf’s book, Hādhihi ‘Āqīdatunā wa Minhāj Da’awatina, outlines these beliefs, which Abubakar Shekau spread further after Yusuf’s death. The group often references Ibn Taymiyya’s works to justify their actions, but many scholars in northern Nigeria argue they misinterpret his teachings. Boko Haram is also described as following a “Khawarij” ideology, representing extreme, violent interpretations of Islam. The group labels opposing scholars as unbelievers and rejects any contradictory views.

During Muhammad Yusuf’s leadership, his speeches condemned non-Muslims in Nigeria and abroad, focusing on opposing Western ideologies and their influence. He urged his followers to resist non-believers and anyone supporting Western ideas, calling for armed resistance. After Yusuf’s death, Abubakar Shekau took over and escalated the rhetoric, broadening Boko Haram’s targets to anyone opposing the group, regardless of faith. Yusuf spread his ideology through sermons, using Qur’anic verses to justify violence against non-believers, particularly targeting non-Muslim leaders. Though not considered a renowned Islamic scholar, Yusuf was an effective speaker who used religious references to frame political and religious grievances, radicalising his followers. Shekau amplified this legacy, adopting a more extreme and indiscriminate approach to violence. Abubakar Shekau adopted a more aggressive approach, expanding Boko Haram’s targets to include Muslims who opposed his strict interpretation of Islam. Under Shekau, Boko Haram attacked institutions like schools, media outlets, and religious sites, spreading fear and destruction. Shekau’s speeches, which initially mirrored Yusuf’s calls for violence, grew more brutal. Shekau also condemned Western education as sinful and justified the sale of women after the Chibok kidnapping by referencing Islamic texts. Unlike Yusuf, who focused more on ideological rhetoric, Shekau’s leadership was defined by extreme violence and terror, leading to widespread destruction in Nigeria.

The analysis of Boko Haram’s ideology reveals that terrorism is often justified using religious rhetoric, although the group misinterprets key Islamic texts. Factors such as low education, poverty, political influence, and misguided beliefs drive their violent actions. Boko Haram’s attacks on mosques and churches, where many have been killed while praying, show that their motivations extend beyond religion to self-interest. Many analysts suggest that political power, especially in the impoverished northern regions of Nigeria, plays a central role in their actions. Despite claiming to seek the imposition of Sharia law across Nigeria, Boko Haram’s methods contradict Islamic teachings. Islam encourages people to accept the faith voluntarily, while Boko Haram’s use of suicide bombings violates the Qur’an’s prohibitions on suicide and murder. Additionally, Boko Haram recruits children and youth, often through coercion or financial promises, contradicting Islamic principles that emphasize parental consent and children’s well-being. The group’s misuse of certain Qur’anic verses, such as one from Surah at-Tawbah about fighting polytheists, ignores the context and conditions of these verses. They fail to recognise the verse’s specific allowances for peaceful people and those in truce agreements.