Sokoto Caliphate Scholars and the Classical Islamic Philosophers: Issues in Divine Command Theory of Ethics 1
Studies of the Department of African Languages and Cultures, No 51, 2017 ISSN 0860-4649 Abubakar Zaria Ibrahim Ahmadu Bello University Sokoto Caliphate scholars and the classical Islamic philosophers: issues in divine command theory of ethics 1 Abstract: Western philosophers formulated ethical theories such as egoism, virtue, existentialism, deontology, contractualism and utilitarianism, and illustrated how these are applicable in benefitting individuals and societies in building a complete moral life. Interestingly, there existed some societies that had little or no contact with the West but which have also developed morally acceptable ideas of living. Such are, for example, the Muslims that have established kingdoms and empires all over Asia, Middle East and Africa. The ethical principles developed by these societies may be what we can call a divine command theory, which of course also exists in the West. It is a theory which follows religious beliefs and sources. The Muslims, who practice the religion of Islam, have intellectuals, scholars and thinkers who were philosophically inclined. This paper demonstrates that the Sokoto Caliphate scholars, trailing the classical Islamic philosophers, used the highest book of authority in the religion, the Qur’an , to explain life. The Qur’an is closely supported by the hadith [sayings, actions and approvals of the Prophet of the religion]. For the fact that the Sokoto Caliphate scholars, especially the triumvirates of Uthman ibn Fodiye, Abdullahi and Bello lived a practical life as religious and 1 A paper first presented on the 29 th November, 2016 in the Department of African Languages and Culture, University of Warsaw, Poland. I am indebt- ed to Professor Nina Pawlak who was instrumental to my visit to the Uni- versity of Warsaw on bench research.
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