THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRES OF QURANIC EDUCATION IN ZARIA, 1860 – 1960

Abstract

The traditional Islamic education system in Birni Zaria is gradually being replaced by Islamiyya schools in different houses and wards in Birni Zaria, and (new) Islamic schools modelled after public schools in Nigeria. This education system was first championed in Birni Zaria by the three oldest Islamic Quarters in Kona, Juma and Zage-Zagi before the Usman Ibn Fodio’s Jihad in 1804. After the jihad and establishment of the Zazzau Emirate, political development, socioeconomic and cultural re-orientations led to the Islamization of all aspects of human endeavour in the emirate through the provision of Islamic education. In Birni Zaria, this development led to the establishment of additional Centers of Islamic learning in Kofan Doka, Limancin Iya, Magajiya, Kakaki, Karfe, Nupawa, Kusfa, and Albarkawa, and the emergence of a classical group of Islamic scholars (Ulama) who constitute the council of Ulama in Birni Zaria. Some of these Islamic scholars include Liman Kona Shaykh Haruna Al-Rasheed, Liman Juma Shaykh Abubakar Al-Futy, Shaykh Abbas, Shaykh Sani Ibn Rilwan, Shaykh Musa Magajiya, Shaykh Yahuza Ibn Sa’ad, Shaykh Shittu Ibn Abdul-Rauf, Shaykh Ma’aji Ishaq, Shaykh Abubakar Ishaq, Shaykh Jubril Sani Mallam Na Iya, and Shaykh Sambo Mai Cassa’in. Today, traditional Islamic schools' composition, enrollment, graduation and patronage have greatly diminished. In some Centres of learning, the traditional education system had disappeared completely. However, the memory of these Islamic scholars is still fresh in their respective communities. The system is managed by prominent female Islamic scholars in their parents or husband residences. The bulk of Arabic/Hausa Ajami manuscripts left by some pioneer scholars remained largely in private hands, some reportedly destroyed due to poor preservation and storage. The importance attached to these veritable sources of the history of Birni Zaria is immeasurable.