Yunfa

Article summary

Muhammadu Yunfa (reigned 1801–1808) was a king of Gobir, a city-state in Hausaland in what is now Nigeria. He was the son of a Sultan of Gobir Nafata. He is particularly remembered for his conflict with Islamic reformer Shaikh Usman dan Fodio. Usman was a teacher to Yunfa before his ascent to the throne of Gobir. Usman also had a large following in Gobir which was increasing rapidly. He had a large community of preachers and teachers. It is said the Usman helped Yunfa secure the throne as the number of candidates eligible for the throne were numerous. A year after Yunfa became Sultan, he attempted to kill the Shaikh in fear of his growing influence and proposed religious reforms. Yunfa invited the Shaikh to a meeting of which the Shaikh agreed to. Usman came with his brother, Abdullahi but that did not stop Yunfa from attempting his assassination plot. When they met face to face, he pulled out his pistol and tried to shoot at Usman. The pistol backfired and wounded him in the hand. This act by Yunfa sent a clear message to Usman that negotiating with him was off the table. In late 1803, Yunfa seized some Muslim captives at Gimbana, but when the captives passed dan Fodio's hometown of Degel, the religious leader somehow managed to have them released. When his demands to have the captives returned were ignored, Yunfa threatened to destroy Degel.…

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