THE SPIRITUAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE WHEEL OF THE SOKOTO CALIPHATE AND HIS SCHOLARLY WORKS
A. Bukhari Sokoto
Sultan Muhammad Bello
The Son of Sheikh Usman Bin Fodiyo, Muhammadu Bello was born on Wednesday in the Eleventh Month of Hijrah 1195 A.H. Equivalent to December 1780 A.D. Muhammadu Bello had his early Education under his Father, his uncle Malam Abdullahi B. Fodiyo his elder brother Muhammadu Sa’ad. He also received his early Education from his mother and his grandmother.
Muhammadu Bello was the closest Son to his father. This gave him a great opportunity, to know him better than all Shehu’s children also afforded him the right of knowing much about his father and beneficiary from him more than any of his brothers and sisters. Besides the Religious skill he acquired, he also gained politically the favour of his father, who gave him the mandate to hold a meeting with the leaders of the Eastern Part which he later handed over to him.
He was a great warrior and also a scholar who devote all his life to pursuit of knowledge despite his military commitments. He was described as having being a man who would fight all day and then devote the night to study and writing. He also distinguished himself in medicine on which he wrote several works. He was literary figure second only to his uncle Malam Abdullahi. After the death of his father, he succeeded the throne as Amirul Mumina though some Ulamas revolted against him, but he was able to arise and crushed the rebellion within a short time.
Muhammadu Bello was very good administrator and he directed his Emirs to be all good governance and governed according to Islamic injunctions. He first established Bait-Al Mal (Muslim Treasury), paid the salary of the Army, he purchased weapon and horses, and paid the cost of maintaining the cavalry. He built courts and paid the judges the Imam and Mu’azzin also received allowances, in fact he was one of the best leader ever witnessed in the Western Sudan.
Sultan Mohammadu Bello also built Sokoto town and settled there as his own new capital in the year 1224 A.H., 1809 A.D. the old city ends at Yar Katanga by the West after five years and some months. Mohammadu Bello invited his father to witnessed his new capital and bless it. On arrival of his father by the year 1815 Mohammadu Bello expanded the Town by the West, he demolished Yar Katanga the city fence by the West and built a mosque and house to his father at Sabon Birni. The present location his mosque and Hubbare are his house and where he was buried. Sultan Muhammadu Bello died at Wurno after a long illness of about seven months, on Thursday’s evening 23 Rajab A.H. Equivalent to 26 October 1837 A.D., at the age 58years at Wurmo the town he founded to the North East of Sokoto, his new Capital of the Caliphate.
LIST OF MUHAMMADU BELLO SCHOLARLY WORKS
ALIFUN
1. Ad- Duraruz Zaahiriyyah Fi Auraadil Qaadiriyyah
2. Al- Fawaa’idul Mujmilaty
3. Al-Kaafi Fi Ilmil Jafri Wal Khawaafi
4. Al-Khidaaba Ilal Bukaa’i
5. Al-Budurul Musfirah
6. Al-Awaamilul Nahawiyyah
7. As-Baabul Nasri Lil Mujaahidina
8. Al-Qaulul Mauhubu Fi Ajwibati As’ilati Al’amini Ya’aquba
9. Al-Bahas Fi Ismil Lahil A’azami
10. Al-Insafu Fi Zikri Maa Fii Masaa’ilil Khilafi
11. Al-Qaulul Mansuni
12. Al-Qaulus Sanaa Fit Tamashiy Bis Sanaa
13. Al-Qaulul Man’uti
14. Al-Ishaa’ati Fii Hukmi Khaarijiina Anit Taa’aty
15. Al- Nasiihatul Wadii’ati
16. At-Turjumaanu An Kaifiyyati Wa’azi Sheikh
17. An-Nasaa’ihu Wat- Tanbiihaatu
18. Al-Qaulul Mukhtasarii Fii Amril Imaami Mahdi
19. At-Tibun Nabawi
20. Al-Kaukabud Duriyyah Fii Zikri Ba’adi Musdahatis Sufiyyah
21. Annuqulun Nawaadhiqu Fii Sha’anil Bariiri Wat Dawaaziqu
22. Al-Qaulul Marham
23. Al-Qaulul Mabdhul
24. An-Nuquulan Nawatiqin Fi Sha’anil Barbar Wat Tawariq
25. Annasihatu Bit Tarqibi Maa Yajib Alaa A’ammatil Ummah
26. Al-Gaithus Su’ubuubu Fi Tausiyatil Amiiri Ya’aqubu
27. Amlaakum A’amaali
28. Aslul Zaadi
29. Aslul Fullaatina
30. A’amalu Yaumin Wa Lailatin
31. Al-Badrul Lami’I Fii Auraadij Jaami’i
32. Al-Badrul Yamaniy Fii Akhbarii Uwaisul Qarni
33. Al-I’iilam Bimaa Yajib Alal Imami
34. Al-I’irab
35. Ar-Ragabatu
36. Ar-Ribaadu Wal Hiraasa
37. At-Tahriiru Fi Fawaa’iidit Tabsiri
38. As-Saiful Maslul Fi Ahkamil Gululi
39. At-Tanbihaatul Waadhiitu
40. At-Tibul Hayyni
41. At-Tarhiibu Fii Salaatit Tasbihiy
42. Al-Qaulul Muhibbu Fi Jam’in Nuquli
43. Al-Mawaridun Nabawiyyati Fil Masaa’ilit Dhibbiyyati
44. Ishaaratun Wa I’ilamun Ba’adil Umuuri
45. Infaaqul Maisuuri Fi Zikri Bilaadit Tukrur
46. Usulus Siyaasati
47. Ifaadatul Ikhwaani
BAA’UN
48. Bayaanul Arkaani Wash Shurudi Lit Dhariqatus Sufiyyah
TAA’UN
49. Tabligus Saami’I Fii Ahkaami Sukuudi Saqfil Jamil
50. Takhmisu Burdatul Madihi
51. Tanbihul Ikhwaani Alaa Ahkaamil Amaani
52. Tanbihur Raaqidi
53. Takhmiisu Baanat Su’aadu
54. Tanbihus Saahibi Alaa Ahkaamil Mukaasib
55. Tanbihu Ahlil Uquli
56. Tanbiihaatul Waadihati
57. Tawqiful Jahuuli Alaa Anwa’i Mufaasidil Gululi
58. Tanbihu Ahlil Fuhuumi
59. Tanbihul Jamaati Ala Ahkaamis Shafaa’ati
60. Tamhidul Imaadi Fii Maa Zaada Anil Umdatil Ibadi
61. Talkhisul Maqasidul Mujarradati Fil Adwiyatil Fariidati
62. Tanbihur Rawid
63. Tanbihul Ifhaami Alaa Annan Nabiy Huwal Khaatim
64. Takhmisi Hizbil Bahr
65. Tanbiihu Ahlil Uquli Alaa Ijtaabil Khauli Fi Anwaa’i Fuduli
66. Ta’aliqun Wajiizun Alaa Manzumina Allazii Rassamnaahu Bi Silki
Jumaalid Durri (Sufism)
67. Taqribu Masaa’ilul Bai’i
68. Tanbihul Ikhwaani Alaa Adwidatid Didaani
69. Tahriimi Guluuli
70. Takhmiisul Qasidatul Qadiriyyati Li Ammihi Abdullahi
71. Tanbihul Gaafili Alat Tawassuli Bi A’azamil Wasaa’ili
72. Ta’aliiqun Wajizun Fi Sharhi Qasidatit Dhibbiyati Li
73. Tafsiilit Dhu;umi
74. Tahqiqul Mur’ibin
JIMUN
75. Jalaa’us Suduuri
76. Jalaa’us Samami
77. Jamaa’atus Sheikh
78. Jam’un Nuquli Fii Ahkaamil Guluuli
79. Jawabun Lis Sayyidi Ahmad Bin Hamma Labbo
80. Jamalun Munabbihah Fihaa Al Ishaara Muwaqqizah
81. Jamalun Min Al Manani Masaa’i Li Muhammad Al-Jailaani
82. Jawaabun Shaafin Wa Khudabun
HAA’UN
83. Hilyatul Basaa’iri Fil Ahkamil Laazimati. Lil Musaafiri
84. Hisbus Shakwaa Kubraa
85. Hisbus Shakwaa Wusdhaa
86. Hisbus Shakwaa Sugraa
87. Hizbul Amaani Min Sadawatiz Zamaani (Supplications)
KHA’UN
88. Khulaasatul Maqsuudi
89. Khabrul Mahdi Musta’aadu Ahaadiisi Rasulul Lahi
ZAALUN
90. Zikru Man Yu-Sallilaahu Alaihi Wal Mala’iikatuhu
91. Zikrul Mujaahidin Alaa Ra’asi Kulli Mi’a
92. Zikrul Mujaddidin
RAA’UN
93. Raf’ul Ishtibaahi
94. Raf’us Shubhaati Fit Ta’alluqi Billaahi Wa bi Ahlil Laahi
95. Risaalatun Lil Amraadi Shafiyah
96. Risaalatun Ilaa Jamaa’atil Muslimina
97. Raf’us Shubhati Fit Tashabbuhi Bil Kufrati Waz Zulumati
98. Risaalatun Ilal Muhammad Al-Mukhtar
99. Risaalatu Ilal A’alim Adam Waa Jama’atihi
SIINUN
100. Sardul Kalaami
101. Silatir Rahim
102. Su’alul An Ujiratil Qa’sim
SHIINUN
103. Shamsuz Zaahiraty
104. Sharhus Sadri Fii Jinaayatir Raqiqi
105. Shifaa’ul Asqaami Fi Ma’arifati Madaariki Ahkaam
106. Sharhus Sadri Fii Tahriiri Jawaabi
107. Sharhu Jazbul Bahri
108. Sharhul Waaridil Jaami’i Li Nuril Ihtidaa’i Wal Iqtida’i
109. Sharhul Bidmaasi
110. Sha’anil Qutb
DWADUN
111. Diyaa’ul Uquuli Fit Tahziri Anil Guluuli
112. Diyaa’ul Uquli Fii Bayani Gilazi
113. Dibbul Hayyini
DHA’UN
114. Dhaatul Khalaa’iqi Bi Makaarimil Akhlaqi
115. Dha’atul Khaallaqi
AI’NUN
116. Ujalatur Raakibi Fit Tibbis Saa’ibi
117. Ujratul Qasimy
118. Ilmul Jumalin Nahwiyyah
GAY’NUN
119. Gayatus Su’uli Fi Tafaasirir Rasuuli
FAA’UN
120. Faa’idatul Jinni
121. Fathul Baabi Fi Zikri Ba’adi Qasaa’idi
122. Fathul Iglaqi Fi Ma’anal Hadis Bu’ithtu Li Utmima Makaarimal
Akhlaaqi
123. Fardul Ahbab
124. Fawaa’idun Muhmilatun Fil Birri Was Silati
125. Fathul Mu’allaq Fii Ilmil Mandhiq
QAA’FUN
126. Qasiidatu Yaa Nafsi Waihaki
127. Qasiidatun Fi Zikril Muhsab
128. Qidhu Zinadi Fi Amri Haazal Jihaadi
129. Qaulul Mansuuri Fi Bayaani Adiwaayati Illatil Baasuuri
130. Qasiidatu Muhammad Bello Fii Zikril Mauti
131. Qasidaraani Li Muhammadu Bello Ilaa Ahli Kanta
132. Qawaa’idus Salaty
133. Qasiidatun Fii Madhis Sa’ad
134. Qasidatun Fi Madhis Sayyidal Mukhtar
135. Qasiidatut Tawassul B. Khairir Rasul
KAAFUN
136. Kafful Ikhwaani Ittiba’i Khudwaatis Shaidaani
137. Kashful Gidaa’i
138. Kashful Qinaa’i Wal Astaari
139. Kashful Gida’i Was Sitri Fii Muwaalati Alkuffaari
140. Kashful Kaafi Min Ahbaari Al-Imamul Mahdi
141. Kitabul Fitani Al-Muttasila Bil Mahdi
142. Kitabun Fii Sha’anil Idaahi
143. Kitabun Fii Fadli Al-Fatihah
144. Kitabun Nasriyyina
145. Kitabul Adaabi
146. Kitabuz Zikiraa
147. Kifaayatul Muhtadina Fii Ahkaami Al-Muhallafiyah Min
Al-Mujahidina
148. Kitabun Niyyaat
149. Kitaabu Gaisus Shu’ububi Fii Wasiyatil Amiiri Ya’aqub
150. Kitaabul Gaisil Wabli Fii Siiratil Imaamil Aadili
151. Kitaabul Mir’aatil Qalbi Fii Ma’arifatir Rabbi
152. Kitaabu Attahriiru Fii Qawaa’idi Tabsiiri
153. Kitaabu Tamhiidil Imaadi Fii Maa Zaada Alaa Umdatil Ibaadi
154. Kitaabu Turjumaani Ala Ilmit Tabsiiri
155. Kitabul Kaafi Fi Ilmay Al-Jafri Wal Khawaafiy
156. Kifaayatul Muriidi Minas Shaidaanil Muriidi
157. Kitaabul Ma’alumi Fiimaa Yajibu Alal Imaami
158. Kafful Ikhwaani Anit Ta’arrudhi Li Ahlil Lahi
159. Kitabu Jawab Abdul Faqir
160. Kitabun Nasaa’in Wa Tambiihat Alaa Magaasida Muhammad
161. Kitaabun Nasrayn Fii Man Balaga Min Sinnil Arba’in
162. Kitabun Nusuhin Kafin Wa Bil Maqaasid Waafin
163. Kitaabun Tahrir Fi Qawa’idit Tabsir
164. Kitabu Tanbihij Jama’a Alaa Ahkaamis Sa’ah
165. Kitab Tanbihil Ifhaami Alal Mahdi Alaihis Salam
MIIMUN
166. Madaarijis Salaami
167. Maa Qila Fii Abnaa’i Sittina
168. Manzun Addurru
169. Marsiiyatu Ammihi Abdullahi
170. Masaa’ilul Muhimma Wa Fawa’idun Aziima
171. Masaa’ilul Muhimmah
172. Masuugul Lujaini An Dhibbil Aini
173. Miftaahul Basaa’iri
174. Miftaahus Sidaadi Fi Zikri Auliyaa’ul Khawas
175. Miftaahus Sidaadi Fii Aqsaami Ahli Hazil Bilaadi
176. Majmuu’ul Ansaabi
177. Magaamaatus Tasawwufi
178. Miftahus Sidaadi Fil Auliyaa’i Wal Arba’atil Autadi
179. Mahsuulu Fi Jumlati Masaa’ilil Fululi
180. Masa’ailul Jihaadi
181. Manzumu Fii Sha’anil Qudubi
182. Masaa’ilul Najmu Zuhri FI Hafri
NUUNUN
183. Nailul Muraami Anish Shaimil Kiraam
184. Nabzatun Min Kutubir Raqaa’iqi
185. Nas’hun Kaafun Wal Amraadi Shaafy
186. Nuurul Fajri Fil Ayyamil Ma’aluumaati Wa Layaalil Ashry
187. Nushu Kaafin Wa Bil Maqsuudi Waafin
188. Nailur Raqa’ibi Fi Silsilatil Qudbi
189. Nubza
WAAWUN
190. Wasiiqatul Amiiril Muumiina Ilaa Akhihi Abi Bakar Atiq Wa
Jama’atul
Muslimiina Fii Bakura
191. Wasiiqatun Ilaa Shaihi Khamid Ahmad Fii Amril Mahdi
192. Wasiqatu Amiril Muumiinina Muhammadu Bello Ilaa Jama’atil
Muslimina
193. Wurdul Jaami Li Nuril Ihtidaa Wal Iqtidah
Besides these works Sheikh Muhammadu Bello also wrote a lot of Poems both in Fulfilde and House Languages including those translated, which according some are more than 200 hundred. On his notes on the occasion of his first meeting with Sultan Bello on 17th March 1824, Clapperton described Sultan Bello as noble looking man forty years old, although much younger in appearance, five feet ten inches high portly in person, with a short curling black beard, a small mouse, a fine fore-head a Greecian nose and large black eyes. He was dressed in a light blue cotton robe with a white Muslim turban, the shawl of which he wore over the nose and mouth in the Tuaricke fashion. May Almighty Allah Continue to bless their efforts, May He also Grant Him Al-Jannatul Firdausi. Ameen
REFERENCES
A. Alhaji (2007) The Fallen African Heroes. Sokoto But-Bass Educational Books (B.E.B).
A. M.SS/1 Waziri Junaidu History Bureau Sokoto
A. M.SS/2 Waziri Junaidu History Bureau Sokoto
A. M.SS/3 Waziri Junaidu History Bureau Sokoto
M.O.E. (1981) Great Lives. Ibadan: University Press Limited
H.A.S. Johnson (1967) The Fulani Empire of Sokoto.
Abubakar S. (Unpublished PhD Thesis) Sokoto Caliphate A.B.U. Zaria.
Offprint Journal: Institute of Muslim Minority affairs S.U Balogun paper title: Arabic interlectualism In West Africa. The role of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Sky high Journal (2003) An article titled The Sokoto Caliphate
A.S. Malami (OFR) (1989) Sir Saddiq Abubakar III 17th Sultan of Sokoto.
Ibadan Evans Brothers (Nigeria Publishers Ltd).
