According to Abu Dawud (36:1), one of the six authentic and highly reputed books of Muslim traditions (Ahādīth), the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that God will always raise for the Muslims at the beginning of every century of the Muslim era, a Mujaddid (Reformer) who will renew their religion, Islam, for them. This tradition is famous among Muslims all through the course of the development of Islam as a religion and a way of life. And true to its promise, it was since the end of the first century and the beginning of the second century after hijra that such reformers have been appearing among the Muslims.
The first of such recognised reformers was the Umayyad Caliph, 'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz who reigned from 99 A.H.—102 A.H. (717-720 A.D.). He was renowned for his piety amidst the corruption of his time. Others among the recognised reformers included Muhammad b. Idrīs al-Shāffi'i (d. 205 A.H./820 A.D.), the founder of the Shāfi'i School of law; Abu- al-Hasan 'Ali al-Ash'arā (d. 324 A.H./935-6 A.D.), the stabiliser of Islamic theology, and a number of others including al-Ghazzāli (d. 505 A.H./1111 A.D.) and Jalāl al-din al-Suyūtī (d. 911 A.H./1505 A.D.) etc.
Some of the reformers were universally known among the Muslims during their times, while some others were known only in their localities where they made great impact on areas around them. One of such reformers who made local, rather than universal, impact on Muslims was Shaikh 'Uthmān dan Fodio. He worked among the Muslims of an area corresponding to Northern Nigeria today, and his impact was felt throughout West Africa.
Shaikh 'Uthmān dan Fodio was renowned for his piety and learning. He is, as of right, an historical figure in the annals of West Africa because of his political as well as religious impact on the area. Unfortunately, however, more is known and taught today about the political results of his efforts than the religious thoughts he left behind. Whereas, from his own point of view, whatever political achievements he and his aides made, they were only side-effects to their religious pursuits. His aim was to reform the practice of Islam as obtained among his people.
The aim of this book, therefore, is to call attention to some aspects of his religious thoughts as contained in one of his major works, the Ihyā'al-sunna wa-ikhmād al-bid'a. Since this aim cannot be achieved in a vacuum, it becomes necessary and important to consider the reformer's background along with his life and works. In doing this, attention is called to his environment both from his racial point of view as well as from the point of view of the people among whom he lived and worked.
Consideration is also given to his early life with particular emphasis on those who had influenced him in one way or another, leading eventually to how he made up his mind to reform the Muslims, and in what ways he tried to achieve this aim.
'Uthmān dan Fodio was a prolific writer on various subjects as affected the people of his time. It is largely through his writings that much can be discerned of his character and attitude both to life and to those around him. Scholars will need to find such writings and probe into them in order to know more of this personality.
Consequently, a chapter is devoted to his works; indicating the location of his writings, and also giving a complete list of the writings as far as we know.
This is followed by a synopsis of his magnum opus, the Ihyā'al-sunna wa-ikhmād al-bid'a (lit. The revival of the Prophetic practice and the obliteration of innovation), already mentioned. In this chapter references are made in footnotes to some others of his writings in which certain topics are further discussed.
The final chapter comments on certain traits of character discernible from 'Uthmān as depicted by the introduction to the Ihyā'al-sunna wa-ikhmād al-bid'a. This links up with the method he had used in achieving his aim of reforming the people as indicated in his biography traced in the earlier chapters ofthe present book. A chronology of events in the reformer's life is given at the end.
Among other things, it is hoped that this book will provide an easy and straightforward reading on the life, works and achievements of the renowned Muslim Reformer of West Af'rica, 'Uthmān dan Fodio, the first Amir al-mu'minin (Commander of the Faithful) in Western and Central Sudan.
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
August 1973
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