Highlights on Arabic Sūfī Writing in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Sufism is considered as the inner dimension of Islam which is based on the norms of self-purification, abstinence from evil deeds and discovery of truth, through spiritual training and self-reliance. It has manifested itself in different people from the earliest period of human civilization. However, writing is one of the methodologies used to pass information to people, in prose and poetry; indeed Ilorin scholars are not left out of their contributions to mysticism which became a well-developed genre like other literary themes in Ilorin.  This research work intended to examine Arabic Sūfī writing and the Ilorin leading writers as part of their contributions to the spread of Islam which had been their early cultural norm. This research work revolved around library consultations and field work; the library consultations were to collect data, while the fieldwork was to gather relevant information from relevant people. In a nutshell, collected data together with interview were used for the study. Going by the discussion, the research highlighted the history of Sūfī writing in Ilorin and survey of some selected Sūfī writers, among the previous and current generations with samples of their works. It is therefore suggested the Sufi writers or families of the deceased ones among them, should try to publish all works not only for wider circulation.