Contribution Of West African Scholars To Islamic Thought
- Arts
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 130 pages
- 14 units
This course explores the contributions of West African scholars to Islamic thought. It examines the spread of Islam in West Africa, highlighting the roles of itinerant preachers and scholars. Key figures such as 'Uthman dan Fodio, Muhammad Amin El-Kānemi, al-Hājj 'Umar al-Fūti, and Adam Abdullah al-Ilūri are studied. The course also covers Islamic scholarship during colonial rule and after political independence, providing a comprehensive overview of Islamic intellectual history in the region.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ISL471, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1: THE EMERGENCE OF ISLAM IN WEST AFRICA.Page 7
- UNIT 2: COMPOSITION OF ISLAMIC THOUGHTPage 25
- UNIT 3: THE EMERGENCE OF ISLAM IN ANCIENT GHANA, MALI AND SONGHAI.Page 29
- Unit 4: EMERGENCE OF ISLAM IN NIGERIA.Page 38
- UNIT 5: FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF ISLAM AND ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN WEST AFRICA.Page 47
- UNIT 1: ‘‘UTHMAN BN MUHAMMAD FUDI AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN WEST AFRICA.Page 53
- UNIT 2: MUHAMMAD AL-AMIN BIN MUHAMMAD NIMKA AL- KANEMI AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN WEST AFRICA.Page 63
- Unit 3: AL-HAJJ ‘UMAR AL-FŪTI AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN WEST AFRICAPage 67
- UNIT 4: ABDULLAH BIN FUDI AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN WEST AFRICAPage 73
- UNIT 5: SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIASS AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN WEST AFRICAPage 82
- UNIT 6: SHAYKH ADAM ABDULLAH AL-ILURIY AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN WEST AFRICAPage 89
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ISL471 · UNIT 1: THE EMERGENCE OF ISLAM IN WEST AFRICA.
5- Assemble the study materials. You will need your set books and the unit you are studying at any point in time. As you work through the unit,you will know what sources to consult for further information.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the emergence and spread of Islam in West Africa.
- Identify key West African scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought.
- Analyze the impact of colonialism on Islamic scholarship.
- Discuss the role of itinerant preachers and scholars.
- Evaluate the influence of Sufi orders on Islamic thought.
- Compare and contrast different perspectives on Islamic scholarship.
What it prepares you for
- Religious scholars
- Historians
- Cultural analysts
- Teachers
- Researchers
- Education
- Religious institutions
- Cultural organizations
- Research institutes
- Government agencies
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 5: Ibrahim Niass and his contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa.
Advanced Sufi concepts and terminology require deep understanding of Islamic mysticism and spiritual practices.
- Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 6: Adam Al-Iluriy and his contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa.
Complex Arabic literary analysis and historical context needed to fully grasp Al-Iluri's intellectual contributions.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module I: Islam in West Africa
Unit 1: The Emergence of Islam in West Africa. · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the initial spread of Islam to Africa and West Africa.. Describe the initial spread of Islam to West Africa.. Identify ancient West African countries where Islam was established..
- Week 2Module I: Islam in West Africa
Unit 2: Composition of Islamic thought. · 2 hours
Study Unit 2: Discuss the components of Islamic thought.. Explain the beginning and reasons for Islamic thought in West Africa.. Discuss why thinking should align with Islamic guides..
- Week 3Module I: Islam in West Africa
Unit 3: Emergence of Islam in ancient Ghana, Mali and Songhai · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Discuss the emergence of Islam in Medieval Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.. Describe the impact of Islamic thought in Ghana and Mali.. Identify Malian rulers who contributed to the growth of Islam..
- Week 4Module I: Islam in West Africa
Unit 4: Emergence of Islam in Nigeria. · 2 hours
Study Unit 4: Explain the initial spread of Islam to Nigeria.. Describe the spread of Islam to Northern, Southwestern, and Southeastern Nigeria.. Highlight ancient towns where Islam was established before colonial rule..
- Week 5Module I: Islam in West Africa
Unit 5: Factors contributing to the growth of Islam and Islamic thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Discuss major factors contributing to the growth of Islam and its thought in West Africa.. Highlight factors aiding the spread and growth of Islam.. Analyze the role of commercial activities and the struggle against syncretism..
- Week 6Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 1: ''Uthman bn Muhammad Fudi and his contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Study Unit 1: Discuss the biography of Shaykh ''Uthman bin Muhammad Fudi.. Outline his contributions to Islam and Islamic thought.. List key works written by Shaykh ''Uthman bn Fudi..
- Week 7Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 2: Muhammad al-Amin bn Muhammad Nimka al-Kanemi's contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Discuss the life of Muhammad al-Amin bin Muhammad Nimka al-Kanemi.. Explain how he acquired military power.. Highlight his contributions to Islamic thought..
- Week 8Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 3: Al-Hajj 'Umar al-Fūti and his contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Study Unit 3: Discuss the life of Al-Hajj 'Umar al-Fūti.. Explain his contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa.. Analyze his role in the Tijaniyyah Sufi order..
- Week 9Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 4: Abdullah bn Fudi and his contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Discuss the life of Abdullah bin Fudi.. Outline his contributions to Islam and Islamic thought.. Appraise the contents and features of Tazyin al-Waraqat..
- Week 10Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 5: Ibrahim Niass and his contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Study Unit 5: Write the biography of Shaykh Ibrahim Niass.. Outline his contributions to Islam and Sufi scholarship.. Discuss his contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa..
- Week 11Module II: Selected West African Arabic/Islamic Scholars and their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa
Unit 6: Adam Al-Iluriy and his contribution to Islamic thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Read Unit 6: Give an account of Shaykh Adam Abdullah Al-Iluri.. Discuss his contributions to Arabic/Islamic thought in West Africa.. Assess one of his Arabic literary works on Islam..
- Week 12Module iii: Contributions of itinerant preachers/ scholars to islamic scholarship in West Africa under the colonial rule and after political independence
Unit 1: Al-Maghīlī and Ahmad Baba and their contributions to Islamic Thought in West Africa. · 2 hours
Study Unit 1: Discuss the lives of Al-Maghīlī and Ahmad Baba.. Outline their contributions to Islamic thought in West Africa.. Describe the content of one of their Arabic literary works on Islam..
- Week 13Module iii: Contributions of itinerant preachers/ scholars to islamic scholarship in West Africa under the colonial rule and after political independence
Unit 2: Islamic Scholarship in West Africa under the Colonial Rule · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Discuss Islamic scholarship in West Africa under colonial rule.. Explain the state of Islamic scholarship before colonialists.. Identify forms of Islamic education during colonial rule..
Unit 3: Islamic Scholarship in West Africa after Political Independence · 2 hours
Study Unit 3: Discuss Islamic scholarship in West Africa after political independence.. Explain the forms of Islamic education at the time of independence.. Identify Arabic & Islamic schools in Southwestern Nigeria..
Preparing for the exam
- Create timelines of key scholars and their contributions to understand the historical context.
- Develop concept maps linking different schools of thought and their influence on West African Islam.
- Practice essay questions comparing and contrasting the works of different scholars.
- Focus on understanding the impact of colonialism on Islamic education and scholarship.
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises to identify areas of weakness.
- Study the biographies and key works of prominent scholars like Uthman dan Fodio, Al-Maghili, and Ahmad Baba.
- Understand the historical context of Islamic scholarship in pre-colonial West Africa, including the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
- Create flashcards with key terms and concepts related to Islamic thought and West African history.
- Practice summarizing the main points of each unit to improve retention and understanding.
- Allocate specific study hours each week to ensure consistent progress and avoid last-minute cramming.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ISL471 about?
This course explores the contributions of West African scholars to Islamic thought. It examines the spread of Islam in West Africa, highlighting the roles of itinerant preachers and scholars. Key figures such as 'Uthman dan Fodio, Muhammad Amin El-Kānemi, al-Hājj 'Umar al-Fūti, and Adam Abdullah al-Ilūri are studied. The course also covers Islamic scholarship during colonial rule and after political independence, providing a comprehensive overview of Islamic intellectual history in the region.
How many units does ISL471 have?
ISL471, Contribution Of West African Scholars To Islamic Thought, has 14 units across 3 modules, over 130 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ISL471?
ISL471 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Arts.
Is ISL471 hard?
ISL471 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ISL471 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is ISL471 assessed?
ISL471 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ISL471?
Religious scholars, Historians, Cultural analysts, Teachers and Researchers.