*Kaduna Govt buys copies for Shariah Courts
By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
About N9.5 million was at the weekend realised at the launch of the translation of the Qawanin Al-Fighiyyah of Ibn Juzay Al-Maliky, a famous Islamic legal document used in the Lower and Superior Shari’ah Courts in Nigeria for jurisdiction.
According to a statement signed by the Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Sunday, September 25, 2022, the legal document was unveiled and launched at the Centre for Historical Documentation and Research, Arewa House, Kaduna.
The book, “The Canons of Islamic Jurisprudence”, was translated from Arabic into English by the Centre for Islamic Legal Studies (CILS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
CILS is a long-standing research body mandated to train judges and conduct research in Islamic legal studies, especially the Maliki legal principles.
The work is monumental as it carries unique style that creates a harmony between the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
Equally, the book contains general and specific legal principles, precepts and maxims that will certainly aid lawyers, judges and other stakeholders in understanding Islamic law.
This is besides being a symphony of classical methods of legal thinking that combines the methodologies of the Maliki postulations and those of the Shafi’iy, Hanafi and Hanbali schools of Islamic law.
Kaduna State government bought some copies of the book at N2.5 million for use at all its Shariah courts across the state.
Former Governor of Borno State and now running mate of the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu acquired a few copies at N2 million.
APC gubernatorial candidate for Kaduna State Senator Uba Sani was among several others who bought the book. He picked some copies at N1 million.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Nasiru Ahmad el-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, said that the book launch came at a time when the state government was contemplating overhaul of its Shariah Courts.
Governor El-Rufa’i, who was represented by the Director-General, Kaduna Bureau for Interfaith, Barrister Tahir Umar Tahir, also said that the state government would buy copies of the book for guide in the Shariah Courts across the state.
Alhaji Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno State and running mate of the APC Presidential Candidates, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thanked and congratulated CILS for the effort.
Shettima, who was represented by Prof. Haruna Yarima, also said that the book would immensely benefit academics, lawyers and judges.
Wazirin Zazzau Khadi Muhammad Inuwa, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto and Emir of Zazzau, commended the Centre and described the effort as a great contribution to the Islamic legal knowledge.
In his keynote address, the Head of Department of Islamic Law, Nasarawa State University, Prof. Muhammad Sadiq Abubakar, explained that many who had studied the book would testify that it is a work of brilliance, precision and authority.
Prof. Abubakar, who was a one time Director, Centre for Islamic Legal Studies (CILS), Ahmadu Bello University, also pointed that the translation would perhaps be the key to unlocking further developments in the application of Shariah.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, who was represented by the Director, Centre for Historical Documentation and Research, Arewa House, Dr. Shuaibu Aliyu Shehu, thanked and commended CILS for what he described as the “great effort” for the project.
The Director, Centre for Islamic Legal Studies (CILS), Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. M.B. Uthman, had earlier explained that the translation began in 2018 and rounded off this year.
Explaining the rationale behind the work, Prof. Uthman stated that not many understood Arabic, and hence the decision to translate the book from Arabic into English.
The Director described the book as the most reliable in Maliki School of Islamic Law, saying that the book would be of immense benefit to legal practitioners, academics and judges.
The book was reviewed by Hon. Justice Ibrahim Barkindo Al-Kali, the Khadi Shari Court of Appeal, Adamawa State.
