By Ahmad Nafiu Aljawhari, Ph.D.
Recently, a social media polemics ensued among Muslims in Yorubaland over the emergence of a spiritualist cult, popularly known as RMQK, an acronym for Rawqayail and names of other demonic spirits.
The media attention attracted by this issue was probably caused by a formal rebuttal made by our father and teacher, Mudeer Markaz of Agege(may Allah protect him from all evils) against this new evolving cult, which has successfully recruited some teachers and alumni of his institution. Since then, probably last week (end of April 2025), there was an increasing noice over the matter. I was not initially interested in the whole matter until I recieved a phone call from a long-time course mate at the aforementioned institution, gisting me about the matter and the damage this issue has created. I was informed that the vanguards and mouthpiece of this paganistic group are majorly products of our alma mater, some of them even graduated from Al-Azhar University, Cairo. The last point actually ignited my interest to know more about the group and the whole issue.
I have since watched some videos uploaded by members of this spiritualist cult and their affiliates. Surprisingly, I could identify some faces of former allies and friends. Indeed, I couldn’t hold my eyes from weeping. This is calamituous and disastrous for every believing hearts.
Undoubtedly, the worse has happened in the past. The injury is yet to be cured in me. In 2003 and 2004, while still living in Agege as an Arabic pupil, I attended a Tijaniyyah Zawiyah in Isale-Oja. All those I met there were friends from the same institution I came from, and the leader too was a proud alumnus, having published a book in Arabic. They claimed to be a spiritual group like this RMQK with all sorts of deviant beliefs. Fast forward to 2009, they all became Christians, and the leader died in a village at Abeokuta where he was pastoring some congregations. The rest of them, who are all holders of Thanawiyyah certificate from my institution are still Christians. Interestingly, some of them are Ilorin and Saki indegines. The only man from Ogbomoso, who has not converted among them, is still a confused Muslim.
Having narrated this worse scenario, I see it as a religious obligation to share my personal views on the emergence of RMQK, the factors responsible for its thriving among the affiliates of Arabic schools, most especially my former institution and the way forward. The following numerical points capture my submissions:
1. What the deviant RMQK group is propagating, no doubt, takes one out of the fold of Islam. Some of their beliefs are seeking assistance from the unseen spirits, astrology and believing that you can worship Allah through a channel not sanctioned by Prophet Muhammad.
2. The three aforementioned practices of RMQK are not peculiar to its members. A large number of Muslims in Yorubaland, particularly our brothers from Arabic institutions including our own institution where the vanguards of RMQK also graduated, ardently subscribe to these beliefs. Let Arabic institutions in Yorubaland come out plainly and declare that those calling demons among their products have committed an act of disbelief, then we will see the few number of innocent. The truth of the matter is that, expertise in the names of demons and calling on to them, is a system that produces “great scholars ” in Yorubaland. Muslim clerics do embark on journey to get the link of demons and spirits for securing spiritual power. Then, come to astrology, sorcery and fortune-telling, you still have among those condemning RMQK who are strong defendants of these practices. You are all on social media. The clapping and dancing of this group is not a strange phenomenon, it is a continuation of using Bandiri and introduction of entertainment to ritual acts, which are normal thing we see on a daily basis among our brothers.
3. Now, why is the noise over some of our products who have joined the group? I want to belief, the noise is all about shift of loyalty. Many of these boys who joined the Satanic group are now displaying their respect and loyalty to their leader, Emi Agba. Funnily, I was told the man is not even an Alfa who possesses Idadiyyah certificate!. I watched many of these converts and saw that, as against last two years when they would always mention their teacher before anything, they have shifted such reverence to the philosophical man.
4. Way forward: our Arabic institutions, without exception, should go back to the drawing board. Let’s embrace the idea of overhaul reformation of Islam bequeathed to us by our forefathers. Let us start focusing on the monotheistic aspect of Islam. Let’s instill the Sunnah in our students. Let’s formally condemn praying to demons, spirit, astrology, fortune-telling, sorcery and let us condemn all our products who have become agents of demons, spirit and religious entertainment, without any discrimination. It is unfortunate that, our Arabic institutions in Yorubaland are now producing and promoting singers, entertainers who have become preachers and desperate spiritualists.
We pray Allah to guide those converts and protect our religious institutions from deviations.
