THE SPIRITUAL FOUNDING FATHER OF THE SOKOTO CALIPHATE AND THE SCHOLARLY WORKS
A. Bukhari Sokoto
Shehu Usman Bin Danfodiyo was the founding father of the Sokoto caliphate a Saint revolutionist a theologian, an Islamic jurist an educationist a prolific writer, a psychologist, a philosopher, a teacher a preacher and a statesman. Sheik Usman Danfodiyo was born on Sunday at the end of Safar the second month of Islamic calendar equivalent to 15th December the 12th month of western calendar in a town called Maratta in the present Republic of Niger near kwanni city in the year 1168 A.H/1754. A.D. from a Fulani Clan called the Torankawa, his father Malam Mohammadu Fodiyo was a learned scholar from a learned family because of the fathers names Sheik Usman was nick named Damfodiyo.
Shehu Usman started his early Education from his father where he learned the Holy Qur’an and some Islamic Jurist book and many more from his childhood. Shehu Usman was self controlled, well behaved, obedient to his elders and teachers he developed the habit of learning and devoted his life to it. When he grew older he studied with many Malams among which are Abdurahman B. Hammada, Usman B, Bindowo a Kebbi scholar, Usman Bindoore, his uncle from both maternal and paternal sides, Imam Muhammadu Sambo his uncle, also went to Malam Jibrin Ibn Umar and his uncle Muhammadu Raji Ahmed Ibn Mohammadu and finally Sheik Hashim Alzanfari. Shehu travel far and wide throughout West Africa in search of knowledge. After acquiring knowledge from difference areas and branches of Islam, theology, Fiqh, Arabic Hadith and many other areas, he become an expert in almost all the areas on Islamic knowledge. He started teaching and preaching when he was twenty years old and later he became famous preacher and scholar to whom student in search of knowledge came.
SHEHU’S PREACHING’S: As it was earlier said, Shehu started preaching when he was 20 years old. Shehu’s preaching focuses centrally on unreligious Practices of Hausa People i.e. mixing Islamic activities with Pagan Practices such as belief in sacrifices to idles, stones, tombs of Pious People, trees and stream, magic or bori. He started preaching at Degel when many people gathered day after day to listen to his sermons and preachings. He also visited many places in the course of preaching which include Zamfara where he spent five years there calling people into purely and correct Islamic practices he stayed for some time at Dauran and Faru, Shehu become popularly known through the preaching it’s rapidly increaching with numerous supporters and his influence destabilized the then ruler of Gobir Bawa Jan Gwarzo, he Plan to get rid of Shehu he invited all the ulamas on Id’ul Kabir, he plan to give them some gift and present’s Shehu rejected the present of Five hundred measures of gold which his comterpart collected, instead he requested five things, that he went Sarkin Gobir to grant him: these are:
1. Permission to Propagate Islam in his land
2. An assurance that he will not prevent People from Islam if willing to be converted
3. An assurance that all male Muslim with turban or Female with Veil or any Islamic symbol with not be harassed or humiliated they should be treated honourably and respectfully.
4. A request that all Muslims Prisoners will be released unconditional, and should be allowed to Practice their religion and believe freely.
5. A request to harmonize the taxation for all and Sundry. It should not be too heavy to a common man.
The Sarkin Gobir assumed the Shehu that he would honour and grant all the request, these serve as a new beginning to the Shehu’s Preaching where he expand his preaching’s, he went Kebbi to Illo from there he crossed the Niger and Preached, later moved to South of the Niger, he preaches in Zoma and Zugu (Near Gumi) present Zamfara State. Gradually Shehu teaching and preaching circulated throughout the Gobir, Kebbi and Zamfara, these rapid Increasement of the Shehu’s followers from all angle attract chiefs or the Sarakuna’s attention to take a very strick measures to overcome the development of Shehu’s daawah.
SHEHU’S HIJRAH:
After the death of Sarkin Gobir Bawa Jan Gwarzo his brother Yakubu succeeded him, after a short while he too died, and Nafata become the Sarkin Gobir, He took very strick measures to reduce the Shehu influence. It was said Nafata announced throughout Gobir that, these three measures must be taken against Shehu’s Followers, they are:
1. No one shall preach other than Shehu alone.
2. You can only be a Muslim, if you inherited it through your parent i.e. Pagans and non Muslim cannot embarrass Islam.
3. Men must not wear turbans as women must not wear Veil or enveloping clothes.
Nafata died, 1802, his Son Yunfa succeeded him; Yunfa follows his fathers footstep in planning evil against Islam and trying to destroy Shehu and his followers. In 1804 Yunfa sent his army to attack a town called Gimbana where a Malam called Abdussalami and his followers had taken a refuge from Yunfas harassment. The hamlet was destroyed and copies of the only Qur’an were burnt, the Gobirawa took many of the Muslims Inhabitants Prisoners but the Shehu’s followers came out from Degel and released them.Yunfa was very angry with what Shehu’s followers did, so he ordered Shehu and his family to quickly leave his land i.e. Degel. But Shehu refused to leavce without his entire community. On Thursday 21st February 1804, Shehu made his historic Hijarh people begun to follow Shehu they move towards Gudu troops upon troops. Yunfa was curious and earger to terrorized the people. He instructed all the chiefs under his domain to do everything possible to prevent people from the massive emigration to Shehu, the chiefs embark on killing capturing the migrant, but all in vein, rather People went to Shehu and plead him assume leadership. They swore an oath of loyalty to him on the Qur’an and Sunnah, subsequently they did bay’at to him (oath of allegiance), and thus, Sheik Usman Bin Fodiyo became the Amirul Muminin.
THE JIHAD
Many battles were foght before the establishment of the caliphate among which are: The battle of Tabkin Kwatto headed by Sheik Abdullahi Bin Dan Fodiyo. This was the first major encounter between the forces of Gobir and the Shehu and his followers. The battle takes place in June 1804. Shehu and his followers becomes Victorious, the victory won him many supporters. The battle was just like that of BADR in the Islamic calendar in terms of it’s shape and structure. Shehu was not strong enough to take active part in all the encounter due to his age, Shehu was already at fifty when the Jihad stated, his major role in the Jihad was to instruct, advice and consult in matters affecting the Jihad and in administration of the new community according to the strick dictate’s of Islamic law. He relied mostly on his brother Abdullahi B. Fodiyo who acted in the capacity of prime minister. Some of the battles were:
1. Battle of Dubawa: Headed by Abu Hamid.
2. Battle of Katsina: Headed by Ummani Dallaji, Muhammadu na Alhaji and Muhammad Mahmud Namodi.
3. Battle of Alkalawa: Headed by Sheik Abdullah Bin Fodiyo.
4. Battle of Kurfi: Headed by Majedo Son of Dawuda.
5. Battle of Bossa: Headed by Sarkin Kabi Moyijo
6. Battle of Dandi: Headed by the Sultan Muhammedu Bello.
7. Battle of Agungu: Headed by three personalities namely:
Abdullahi Bin Dan Fodiyo, Sarkin Yaki Aliyu Dan jedo and Malam Abdussalam. As a result of these battle and some un mentioned ones resulted to establishment of the caliphate under the Sheik Usman Bin Fodiyo leadership.
Sheikh Usman Bin Fodiyo divided the caliphate at Gwandu into two, between his younger brother Sheik Abdullahi placing him by the western part and his Son Muhammad Bello by the Eastern part of the caliphate, thus was the most authentic statement as confirmed by Nana Asma’u the daughter of Sheik Usman Bin Fodiyo in her fulfilled poem translated by her decendent Mal. Ibrahim Junaidu one of our highest authority on the caliphate and their scholarly activities: He said:
“The Shehu divided the responsibility (for the territories)
The west to his brother, the Eastern Part to Bello his Son.
It was at Gwandu that Imam Zangi died, and also Kwairanga.
Then Shehu left Gwandu and settle at Sifawa Opportunity and Prosperity Increased.
After the division Muhammadu Bello left Gwandu to Sokoto in 1224 A.H. 1809 A.D. Bello and his people built Sokoto town and settled in as his new capital, the city ends at Yar Katanga by the West as an old city of Sokoto. After Five years and some months Muhammadu Bello invited his father to his new capital i.e. Sokoto by the year 1815. When Shehu arrived Sultan Muhammadu Bello expand the city by the West he built Mosque and a House to his Father at Sabon Birni. He died at Sokoto on Monday 3rd Jumada Akhir 1232 A.H 1817 A.D at the age of 63.
LIST OF SHEIKH USMAN BIN FODIYO SCHOLARLY WORKS
ALIFUN
1- Al- Adab
2- Adaabul – Akhirah
3- Adaabul – Adat
4- Amrussa’at Wa’ashraatiha
5- Asaanidul Faqiiri
6- Asaaniidul daiifi
7- Ajwibatu Muharrarah an’as’ilati Muqarrahah (Shisumus)
8- Anwa’u Malil Lahi
9- Adabud daa’i ilad dini
10- Al’abyat Alaa Abdulqadiri Jailani.
11- Alfusuulul Awwal
12- Alfarqu bain Ilimit tasawufi littakhaulluqi Wallazi littahaqquqi
13- Al-masaa’ilul Muhimmah
14- Assalaasilu Zahabiyyah
15- Assalaasilul Qaadiriyyah
16- Al-Usulullati Fii Kitabil Allaamaati Zarruqi
17- Al-amru bimuwaalatil Muminina
18- Al-Farqu baina Wilaayaati Ahlil Islami Wa Ahlil Kufri
19- Al-Khabarul Hadi ila Amril Imamil Mahdi
20- Al’amru Bil Ma’aruufi Wan Nahyi anil Munkari
21- Akhlaaqul – Mustapha
22- Al-Ajwabatul – Muharrarah – anil As’ilatil Muqarrarah
23- Alaamaatul Muttabi’in li Sunnati Rasulil-lah
24- Al-Aqlul Awwal
25- Al-Fatawaan lis – Saa’il
26- Al-Farq baina ilmi Usuulid Din Wa ilmil Kalaam
27- Al- Usulud din
28- Al-Usulud Duniyah
29- Al-Usulul Wilaayati
30- Al-Wurdi
31- Al-Qawaa’iduz Zahiriyyah
32- Aqidatul – Awwam
33- Asaanidu’d Daa’i Fil Mutashaffa bil Mushaffiy Ahmad Ash-Sharif
34- Aj-jaami’i
35- Afhaamul Munkiriina
36- Ida dud daa’i
37- Irshaadul Ibaadi ilaa Ahammi Masaa’ilil jihadi
38- Ihyaa’us Sunnati Wa Ikhmaadil Bidi’ah
39- Iqtibaasil Ilmi
40- Irshaadul Ikhwaani ilaa Hukmi Khurujil Niswati
41- Irshaadul Ummatil Ahmadiyyah
42- Irshaadu Ahli Tafridi Wal-Ifradi
43- Irshaadus-Salikina
44- Irshaadus Saalikir Rabbani Ila Ahli Sheikh Abdulqadiri
45- Ittibaa’us Sunnati
46- Irshaadul Ibadi Ilaa Hadaratil Ma’abudi
47- Ish’riniyyatis Sheikh
BAA’UN
48- Bayaanul Bida’I Shaitaniyyah
49- Bayanu Adaabil Ibaadati Wal’aadaati
50- Bayaanul - Adal
51- Bayaanu Abwaabi Millatil – Muhammadiyyah
52- Bayaanu Wujubil Hijrati
53- Bayaanul Haadii Ilaa Umuurul Mahdi
TAA’UN
54- Ta’alimul Ikhwani Bil Umuril laati Kafarna Bihii Mulukus Sudaani
55- Tahziru Ahlil Imaani
56- Tahzirul Ikhwaani Min Iddi’aai’i Mahdiyyah
57- Tabshiirul Ikhwan
58- Tahqiqul Ismati Li Jamii’i Dabqaatil Ummati
59- Tahzirul Insani
60- Tahzirul Ikhwani
61- Tabshiirul Ummatil Ahmadiyyah
62- Tanbihul Ummati an Qurbi Hujumi Ashradis Saa’ati
63- Tabshirul Mubtadi Fi Umurid Dini
64- Tanzihu Rabbina Quddusi
65- Tanbihul – Ummah
66- Tanbihul Faahimi Alaa Hukmi Tarikhi Muddati Duniyah
67- Talkhis Asraari Kalam Abuu Hamid Al-Ghazaali
68- Tanbihul Ikhwani Ala Ahwaali Ardis Sudaani
69- Tabsiratul Mubtadi Wat Tazkiratul Muntahi
70- Tanbihul Dalabi Ala Annal Laha Ma’arufun bil Fidrati
71- Tanbihul ikhwaani Alaa Jawaazi Ittikhaazil Majalisi
72- Tanbihul Ghafilin
73- Tanbihul Faahim
74- Tamyiz Ahlis Sunnah
75- Talkhis Kitaabil Haarith Al-Muhaasib
76- Jami’u Khisasin
77- Jami’u Hisasin Fiihi Zikri Abyaatil Muhassalati li’ibni Zakariyyah
78- Tibyan
79- Tawqifu Muslimin Alaa Hukmi Mazaahibil Arba’ati
80- Tarwihul Ummah Bi Bayaani Taysiiril Millah
81- Tuhfatul Habibi Lil Habibi
82- Tamyiizil Muslimin Minal Kaafirin
83- Taqribud Daruuriy
84- Tadyiibu Quluubu Ummatil Ahmadi
HAA’AUN
85- Haqiqatul Iman
86- Hisnul Afhaami Min Juyushil Auhami
87- Hidaayatul Dullabi
88- Hidayatul Daalibin
89- Hukmu Juhhalil Baladi Hausa
KHA’AUN
90- Khamsatu Qasaa’id Fil Fulatiyyah
91- Khamsatu Kalimah
DAA’LUN
92- Dalaa’ilus Sheikh
93- Da’awatus Sheikh
94- Daaliyyatus Sheikh
95- Daaliyyatul Madhi
RAA’UN
96- Risalatus Sheikh Usman Ilas Sheikh Al-Aminu Al-Kanemi
97- Riyaadus Salikina
98- Ruju’us Sanusi
99- Raf’ul Ishtibaahi
SII’NUN
100- Sauqul Saadiqiina
101- Sauqul Ummati
102- Sirajul Ikhwani
SHII’NUN
103- Shamsul Ikhwani Yastadii’una Bihaa Fi Usuulil Adyaani
104- Shifaa’ul Ghalil
105- Shifaa’un Nufusi
106- Shifaa’un Naasi Min Dawaa’il Waswaasi
DHAA’UN
107- Dhariqul Jannah
AI’NUN
108- Umdatul Ulamaa’i
109- Umdatul Ubbadi
110- Umdatul Bayaani
111- Umdatud Duniya
112- Umdatul Mutaa’abbidina
113- Ulumul Mu’amalati
114- Usulil Latif Fi Kitabil Allaamaatil – Fasiy
115- Usulul Adli Li Wilaatil Umuuri
116- Aqdu Aqiidatul Awwami
FAAUN
117- Fathul Basaa’iri
QAAFUN
118- Qat’ul Khisaani Fi Maa Waqa’a Baina Dalabati Ilmil Kalami
119- Qawaa’idus Salati
120- Qawaa’idud Dalabati Alwusuulu Ilal Lahi
121- Qasidatus Sheikh Usman Ilas Sayyidil Mukhtar Alkunti
KAAFUN
122- Kashfu Ma Alaihil Amal
123- Kashfu’l Gummah
124- Kashful Yasiirah
125- Kifaayatul Muhtadin
126- Kifaayatul Muslimin
127- Kitaab Amris Sa’ah
128- Kitaabul Hijrah
129- Kitaabuj Jihad
130- Kafful Ikhwani An Takfiiri Awaamil Muslimina
131- Kitabut Tafruqati Bainal Waa’izil Mahmudiina Wal Mazmuumiina
132- Kifayatul Muslimina
133- Kitabul Alfarq Baina Ilmi Usuulid Dini Wa Baina Ilmil Kalaami
134- Kitabu Da’awatil Ibaadi Ila Kitabil Lahi
135- Kitabut Targiibi Ibaadil Lahi Fii Hifzi Ulumid Diinillaahi
136- Kitabut Tasawwufi
137- Kitabul Usuuli Latiy Fi Kitabiy Allamatil Faasiy
138- Kitaabul Masaa’ili Min Shaikhinaa Usman (Kitabuz Zubabi)
LAAMUN
139- Lamma Balaqtu
MIIMUN
140- Masaa’ilul Muhammadiyyah
141- Manzumatus Sheikh Usman
142- Mi’irajul Awwami Ila Samaa’i Ilmil Kalami
143- Mir’atud Dullaabi
144- Muddatud Duniyah (Tanbihul Fahimi)
145- Misbahu Li Ahli Haazihil Azmani
146- Mi’irajul Awwami
147- Muwafaqatu Kalami Dufaili
148- Mulakkhas Min Asraari Kalamis Sheikh Mahasibi (Minhajul Abidin)
149- Misbaahul Muhtadiina
150- Mawadu Auhamid Dalabati
151- Mi’irajul Uluumi
152- Munaajaatus Sheikh
153- Manhajul Abidun
NUUNUN
154- Nasiihatu Ahliz Zamani
155- Najmul – Ikhwani
156- Nurul Albabi
157- Nasihatu Sheikh Usman
158- Nasaa’ihul Ummati Muhammadiyyati
159- Nurul Auliyaa’i
160- Naba’ul Haadi
WAAWUN
161- Wasiqatu Ibn Fodiye Ilaa Jamaa’atil Muslimina
162- Wasiqatut Targibi Wat Tarhibi
163- Wasiqatu Ahlis Sudan
164- Wasiqatul Ikhwani
165- Wasiqatu Sheikh Usman Ilaa Rajulin Yadda’i Annahuu Alimin
Apart from Arabic Publications Shehu Usman has written many poems both in Hausa, Arabic and Fulfulde. His Hausa Poems are not much, but according to some scholar assertion the poems are over 57 or so. But Fulfulde Poems his descendant Mal. Ibrahim Junaidu has said: As we earlier mentioned Shehu Usmanu his children and his lieutenants, produced hundreds of Fulfulde Poems. He himself alone composed over two hundred Poems dealing with various aspects of knowledge. Among the fields he covered are:
1. SCIENCE OF UNITY (TAUHID): On this Shehu Usman wrote many Poems, among them his Poem Nyimre Asli Diina (Fannuwol Tawhiidi) where Shehu Usman discussed the necessity for the existence of God and his attributes. He also dwelt on the messengers and Prophets of God as well as the messages God sent them with.
2. ON THE SCIENCE OF QURANIC EXEGESIS: In this field of knowledge too, Shehu Usmanu had written a number of Fulfulde Poems, among them is his Poem Kodol Zabarjadu. It is this Poem (or so it is believed) that his brother Sheikh Abdullahi translated into Arabic with the title of Miftah Al-Tafsir.
3. SCIENCE OF POLITICS: The Shehu composed many Poems on politics, among them was his Poem Fiiji Laamu In which he extols the virtues of good leader as well as the other aspect of leadership. In particular, he discusses the Prophet (S.A.W) style of leadership, questions of leadership through lineage and imamateship as well as other forms of political authority.
4. ON ASTRONOMY: On this subject too Shehu Usman composed many poems, among them, is his poem Nymire Sa’aadaa in which he discussed the number of days in a year according to the local seasons. Comparing it with Islamic calendar. He explained that the Islamic calendar has 354 days while the seasonal calendar has 365 days. He also explained the duration of each season.
5. ON VARIOUS ASPECT OF HISTORY: Among his Poems on this aspects is his poem Nyimre Tsamiya in which he gave an account of what transpired between his community, the people of the Hausa land and their rulers from the beginning of their struggle up to the time of their victory.
6. ON SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: On this topic too, Shehu Usmanu composed many Poems, one of which was his Poem Nyimre Bahru – here he gave a description of the conceited man (beast) whose learning made him pompou and conscious of his superior to others. Shehu Usman gave many descriptions of such a beast. One is that such beast is above ever replying I do not know lest the ordinary man takes him to be an immature Malam or Scholar. May Almighty Allah bless and have mercy on this our great leader and founding Father of the caliphate, may He also grant him Aljannatul 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).
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