ABSTRACT

Abstract

The growth and expansions in Arabic and Islamic scholarship is marked by the religious activities of Muslims in Yorubaland of Nigeria in the 19th century. This was occasioned by the arrival of Islamic scholars from Islamised areas with varying degrees of contact. The roles played by Muslim merchants, savants, clerics and Muslim slaves had momentous impact on Arabic and Islamic scholarship in Yorubaland as recorded in Arabic documents and other historical materials. This paper is an attempt to present the growth of Arabic and Islamic studies in the 19th century Yorubaland. The significant roles played by Islamic elements in the ways the pre-colonial historical experiences in different parts of the Yorubaland in the nineteenth century were discussed. The role played by the authority of the Muslim political officers varied from place to place with their complex social stratification. Islamic clerics occupied positions of great authority in royal administration. They translated their influence into political power and used it to maximum advantage in the consolidation of Islam. However, the emergence of colonialism and Christian evangelism posed serious challenges, and handicapped the progress of Islam and Muslims for sometimes. The reaction and unfettered struggles of Muslims against European imperialism gives birth to Muslim elites in various fields and production of knowledge in Arabic and Islamic studies.