The people called Isawa are an aberration of Islam living in various communities in northern Nigeria. The question for religionists is whether they are traditional African with a Muslim orientation or Muslim of the “folk” variety. Because of their loyalty to Isa, whom they consider a more worthy prophet than Muhammad, they have, by choice, separated themselves from Muslims. Christians need to understand the history of the Isawa and not make claims that they are an expression of incipient Christianity because of their attachment to Isa. The Isawa must be seen in light of their own practices, beliefs, and self-definition. The Christian approach must be relational rather than confrontative.
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