Communication, Conflict, Reconciliation, and the Shehu Usman Danfodiyo and Sarkin Gobir Saga: Communication Fairlure and Its Implication in Escalating Conflicts between Sokoto Caliphate and West African Nations

Abstract

This paper explores the communication approach of Shehu Usman Danfodiyo, a revered leader who aimed to revive Islam in West Africa. It examines the theoretical perspectives on communication, qualities of a teacher, and barriers to Shehu's message in Hausaland. The study highlights Shehu's effective use of encoding, medium, and message to spread Islam, despite challenges like illiteracy, personal biases, and environmental factors. Shehu Usman Danfodiyo was a social reformer who objected to non-Islamic practices in Hausaland. His methodology involved training followers through personal example, preaching, and teaching. He utilized various sciences, including Tawhid, Hadith, Tafsir, and Fiqh, to transform society. Communication involves sharing messages, ideas, and information between parties. The components include sender, encoding, medium, receiver, decoding, and feedback. Effective communication requires timely, brief, and appropriate messaging, with attention to feedback and understanding. Shehu emphasized the importance of a teacher's preparation, conduct, and qualities, such as patience, mercy, and softness. A teacher should prioritize Qur'an and Sunnah, treat others with justice, and avoid wrongdoings. Noise, illiteracy, and personal biases hindered the assimilation of Shehu's message. Environmental factors, like Sarkin Gobir's resistance, also posed challenges.