ABSTRACT

Learning plays an important and significant role in the acquisition of knowledge. In other words,

one cannot acquire knowledge without learning. To this end Islam encourages learning and even

makes  it  compulsory  on  Muslims; males and  females.  Islam  also  recognizes  and  places  the

learned men in high esteem.

            Researches show that seeking of knowledge in  Islam originated from the religion itself.

This is true because the first revelation which came to the Prophet [S.A.W] argues in support of

learning. This means that Islam as a religion is based upon knowledge for it is knowledge of the

Oneness of God combined with faith and total commitment to Him that saves man.

           Since the responsibility of disseminating knowledge cannot do itself, it has to be carried

out  and  practiced  by individuals,  groups  or  even  institutions.  In  this  long  essay  an  attempt  is

made  to  examine  the  concept  of  learning  in  Islam  and  how it has  been  carried  out  by  a

distinguished personality, who has made a landmark in impacting the knowledge of Islam to the

people of a given geographical distribution, Ilorin.

            The  essay  is  divided  into  four  chapters.  The  first  chapter  is  the  introduction  while  the

second chapter is devoted to the biography of the personality in question. His birth, Educational

background, marital life and his contemporaries are examined here.

           Chapter  Three  reveals  his  contribution  to  Islamic  learning.  Here,  his  activities  in  the

establishment of Markaz Nuru Shuadai, his activities in educating women in the Islamic way, his

public lectures and his  prominent  student are examined. Chapter Four  concludes the study and

make some recommendations.

Keywords: Knowledge, Learning, Islam.

 

 



 



 



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                                    CHAPTER ONE



INTRODUCTION 



1.1 Background to the Study


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          The  importance of  knowledge  in  Islam  cannot  be  over-emphasized.  It  is  a


prerequisite to and therefore precedes ritual worship.1The importance of education


and  knowledge  as  means of  transmitting and  sustaining  authentic  Islamic


civilization and culture can equally hardly be over-emphasized. Indeed, education,


from the outset was so much a part of the structure of Islam that the religion has


very  firm  views  on  the  structure,  substance  and  process of  education.  Islam,


through  education,  has  sustained  through  the  ages  a  civilization  that  in  varying


degrees,  has  exercised  spiritual  and  material  dominance  of  the  universe. In  other


words, Islam has aided the course of learning. 



         For  example,  in the  classical  times  when  the  traditional  Islamic  education


was based on the Qur‟an, the Prophet was the first teacher of Islamic education and


his main aim then was to make his converts pray and live as upright Muslims. He


therefore taught them how to recite the Qur‟an and also taught them some of the


Islamic  moral  ideals  like  humility,  honesty,  simplicity  and  perseverance.  The


Prophet  used  to  teach  them  in  the  mosque  or  even  in  his  house.  Gradually,  his


disciples  took  over  the  teaching  of  Islamic  education  from  him.  They  also  made


use of their houses or shops for classes since it was conducted on part-time bases.



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This  means  that  Islam  since its  inception  has paid  full  and  undiluted  attention to


the course of learning and education.



                The text  of  the  Qur‟an  is  replete  with  verses  inviting  man  to  use  his


intellect, to ponder to reflect and to know, for the goal of human life is to discover


the  Truth  which  will  allow the  worship  of God  in  His  Oneness.2 The  hadith


literature  is  also  full  of  references  to  the  importance  of  education  and  learning.


Such sayings of the Prophet as “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”, and


“Verily  the  men  of  knowledge  are  the  inheritors  of  the  Prophets”,  have  echoed


throughout the history of Islam and incited Muslim to seek knowledge whenever


and  wherever  it  might  be  found. This  tells  us  that  education  and  learning  is  not


alien to Islam for Allah is the “All Knowing” and He has enjoined the Muslims to


make learning one of their highest priorities. 



         It is on this note that this study identifies and discusses the contributions of


Shaykh Yusuf Alasalatu to the learning of Islam in Ilorin. The Shaykh was able to


instill the culture of Islamic learning into the hearts of the Muslims. This he did in


accordance with the tradition of the Prophet which says: “The best among you is

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he who learns the Qur‟an and teaches it”



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       Shaykh Yusuf Alasalatu was also instrumental in impacting Islamic education


to  the Muslim  women.  This  he did in  line with  the  tradition  of  the  Prophet  that


says: “Acquisition  of  knowledge  is  obligatory  upon  the Muslims  both male  and

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female”. Also the prophet subsumes that educating women Islamically will go a


long way in the building of an ideal Muslim home.



 

1.2 Statement of the Problem


        Shaykh  Yusuf  Alasalatu  was  well  known  for  his  simplicity  and  excellent


characters during his life time. Though many things have been documented about


him, such as the „life history of Shaykh Yusuf Alasalatu‟by Isah A Idris.However,


none has been done on his contributions to Islamic learning in Ilorin. This gave me


the hunch to assess and investigate his contributions in this particular area.



 

 

1.3   Objectives of the Study



        The  major  objectives  of  this  study  are  to  evaluate  and  examine the


contributions of Shaykh yusuf Alasalatu to Islamic learning in Ilorin. This is done


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with a view to elucidate and at the same time enumerate the key roles he played in


the  establishment  of  a  modern  Arabic  and  Islamic  school-Markaz  Nuru  Shuadai.


An  attempt  is  also  made  to  examine  his  contributions in  the  area  of  educating


women Islamically.



 

1.4    Scope and Limitations of the Study



        This research work focuses on the contributions of Shaykh Yusuf Alasalatu to


Islamic learning in Ilorin. This includes his establishment of a modern Arabic and


Islamic school, his activities at imparting Islamic education to the women through


Alasalatu  programes and  his  journeys  for  the  sake  of  Dawah. It  also  shed  some


lights on his prominent students.



 

1.5   Significance of the Study


   i    This research work will add to the existing body of knowledge.



  ii     It will make exposition of the concept of learning in Islam.



  iii    It fosters harmonization among Muslims in Ilorin and its environments.



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iv    It aids in propagating the true messages of Islam   

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