Shaykh Uthman dan Fodio and His Contributions to Islam
Uthman bn Muhammad Fudi popularly called Uthman dan Fodio or Usman dan Fodio is one of the most scholars in the history of lslam in West Africa. He was both a Mujahid (Islamic Warrior) and Mujaddid (Reformer of Islamic teachings). He was born at Maratta, a town in the Hausa State of Gobir which is now in Niger Republic on Sunday 29th Safar, 1168 A.H/15th December 1754. He was a Fulani by tribe. His father, Muhammad Fudi, was a well-known scholar of his time at Gobir. Shaykh Uthman dan Fodio Uthman learnt the Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, Sirah, Arabic and different branches of Islamic knowledge. He learnt all these under different eminent scholars who were renowned in their respective fields, many of whom were his uncles. He was totally dedicated to learning and research. As he advanced in his knowledge and entered his early adulthood, his piety and exceptional intellectual ability began to attract disciples from his society. Uthman was worried about the violations of the Islamic law and the neglect of the Prophet’s Sunnah at that time. He had observed series of heresies and innovations among his people. He decided to them and make positive impact.
At twenty years, he started to teach and preach. He devoted his time to educating the public on the fundamentals of Islam. He was later joined by his brother Abdullah and then his son Muhammad Bello in the struggle. He reformed his society and enlightened the ignorant ones. He corrected some heretical local customs and beliefs that had been mixed up with Islamic teachings. He achieved all these through his teaching, preaching and books.
His da’wah activities were extended to rulers and even some Muslim scholars. He called the traditional rulers to practise Shari’ ah and avoid imposing heavy taxes or other acts of injustice on their subjects. He visited Zamfara and Kebbi areas and travelled as far as Lolo in the Niger to preach Islam. Kebbi Chad Benin cameroon kebbi State Sokoto Katsina State Zamfara Kano
In February 1804 C.E, Uthman and his followers migrated to Gudu, on the outskirts of Gobir in Kebbi territory .Yunfa then declared war on the Shaykh and his followers. He later attacked them but his army was defeated by Allah’s grace at the battle known as Tabkin Kwatto. Subsequent battles were fought between the two parties. At the end, Shaykh Uthman defeated Yunfa and his army. It was from this year 1804 C.E that he started waging wars (Jihad) against the infidels and Hausa rulers who did not want Islam to triumph in their territories.
This Jihad was very successful as many rulers and unbelievers embraced Islam through it. Many became good Muslims. He later established the Sokoto Caliphate. He died on 20th April, 1817 C.E. His son, Muhammad Bello succeeded him as the Amirul- Mu ‘minin. Uthman dan Fodio married four wives and had twenty-three (23) children.
His Works
Shaykh authored more than one hundred books and wrote about 480 poems in Arabic, Fulfulde and Hausa. The most prominent of his works are:
1. ihyaus-Sunnah wa ikhmadul-bid‘ah
2. Nurul-Albab
3. Al-Jihad
4. Hidayatut-Tulab
3. Tanbihul-Ikhwani ‘ala Ahwalis-Sudan
6. Bayanul-Adl
7. At-Tasawwuf
8. Qawa’idus-salat
9. Usulud-din
1 0. Masa’ilu-muhimmah
His Qualities
1. He had profound knowledge of Arabic language and Islam.
2. He was a man of exceptional intellectual acumen.
3. He was God-fearing.
4. He was a man of strong determination.
5. He strictly adhered to the sunnah of the Prophet.
6. He possessed good leadership skills.
7. He used wisdom to call people to Allah.
8. He was moderate in upholding religious matters. He rendered services to humanity.
9. He was fervent in acts of worship.
His Contributions
1. He encouraged literacy, scholarship and authorship among people.
2. He found an Islamic government known as the Sokoto Caliphate.
3. He laid solid foundation and principles for Jihad (a struggle in devotion to Allah).
4. He encouraged women education and exemplified that by producing renowned women scholars one of whom was his own daughter, Nana Asma’u.
5. He emphasized the rights of women and warned men against maltreating them.
6. He explained the meaning and necessity of sunnah (Prophet’s traditions) in the life of Muslims.
7. He educated the ignorant and corrected heretical beliefs among his people.
8. He preached moderation in upholding Islamic tenets.
Summary
Uthman dan Fodio is one of the most influential Islamic scholars in the history of Islam in West Africa.
He was born at Maratta on Sunday 29th Safar, 1168 A.H/15th December, 1754.
He learnt different branches of Islamic knowledge under different eminent scholars renowned in their respective fields.
He started his missionary activities in the year 1774 when he became twenty years old. Shaykh Ibn Fodio encountered a lot of challenges and attacks from the enemies of Islam, the most prominent of which was from Yunfa, the king of Gobi.
He declared Jihad against the enemies of Islam in the year 1804.
He later established the Sokoto Caliphate and died on 20th April, 1817 C.E. His son, Muhammad Bello succeeded him as the Amirul- Mu ‘minin.