WELCOME TO SIIASI!

The Sankore’ Institute of Islamic-African Studies International (S.I.I.A.S.I) is a non-profit, non-political educational institution founded for the sole purpose of researching into the educational, political, cultural and religious heritage of Islamic Africa. The primary area of concern is that part of Black Africa traditionally known as the Bilad ‘s-Sudan (The Lands of the Blacks). These lands include all the regions located south of the Sahara desert and north of the tropical jungles, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea. The purpose of the S.I.I.A.S.I is to elucidate and evidence the Islamic traditions which were born out of African nations such as Takrur, Songhay, Mali, Ghana, Kanem-Bornu, Wodai, Fur, Funj, Sokoto, Segu, Massina and the Mahdist kingdom of the Nile valley. Read More>

Russian Translations

The SIIASI is proud to present Russian translations of some of the works of our scholars provided by our brothers in St. Petersberg, Russia and the Ukraine. The Ism’l-Adhem, The Dawa’l-Waswas, and The`Alaamaat ‘l-Muttabi`een Li Sunna Rasuulillahi Min ‘r-Rijaal wa’n-Nisaa’ NEW!(The Signs of those who follow the Sunnah from amongst men and women ) are just a few of the completed versions…

The Secrets of Ramadan

“Ramadan Mubaarak to all our visitors and members. We at the SIIASI pray that Allah will open to you all the blessings, good and secrets hidden in this blessed month of sacrifice”

Diya Uluum d’Deen

On Fasting and its Secrets

[Excerpts from the Diya `Uluum’d-Deen of Shaykh Abdullahi ibn Fuduye`]

Its obligations (waajibaat) are three: [1] the first is being in a state of attentive watchfulness (muraaqaba) of the first of the month (of Ramadan) until it is confirmed by the sighting of the new moon (ru’yat’l-hilaal) or with the completion of the thirty days of the month Sha`baan (istikmaal sha`baan thalaatheen); [2] the second is the intention to fast the whole of the month clearly (mubayyana) and with resolution (jaazima), but not during the day of the actual fasting, or with an indecisive intention (niyya muraddida), which invalidates (baatila) the fasting; and [3] the third is avoiding (tark) anything reaching the stomach (al-jawf) by means of food (bi’l-akli), drink (as-shurb), snuff (as-su`ut), or injection (al-huqna), that includes avoiding conjugal relationships (al-jamaai`), releasing of sperm (ikhraaj ‘l-maniyyi) by any means (bi ayyi wajhin), and intentionally vomiting (ikhraaj ‘l-qayi). It is highly recommended (yustahabbu) to rus h to break the fast (ta`jeel’l-fitri), to postpone the pre-dawn meal (ta’kheer ‘s-sahuuri), increase in acts of generosity (taktheer’l-juudi), and to recite the Qur’an. It also highly recommended to make the tongue desist (kaffu’l-qalbi) from reflecting on worldly matters (al-afkaar ‘d-dunyawiyya). It is also highly recommended to avoid everything which preoccupies you from the remembrance of Allah as well as not consuming much permissible food during the breaking of the fast.”

Sura Ya Sin and its Secrets

A Discourse By Shaykh Muhammad Shareef

Calligraphy By Hatumere’ Designs/Shaykh Muhammad Shareef

A Recent Interview with the Political Prisoner Imam Jamil al-Amin

Tanbeeh Al-Ghaafileen

Chapter One: Regarding the Fields Laying Between a Person and Paradise

They are nine: the first is death which actually refers to the pangs of death whichevery soul must endure. Allah ta`ala says: “Every soul must taste of death.” As for its remedy, they are: [1] abandoning all acts of disobedience; and [2] giving abundant charity; as the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace said: “Reduce your sins and death will be made easy for you.” The second is the questioning of Munkar and Nakeer in the graves as Allah ta`ala says: “Allah will establish those who believe with a firmly established pronouncement.” As for its remedy it is to be persistent in reciting: [1] surat’l-Mulk; and [2] surat’l-Ikhlaas. The third is the actual sitting in the graves with its darkness and its desolateness. As for its remedy they are: [1] excellent character; and [2] always being in a state of ritual purity. Read More>>

About Muharram and Ashura

Read Shaykh Muhammad Shareef’s revised treatise here

Excerpt from Usuul’ad-Deen

Indeed the science of Divine Unity is the most honorable of the sciences and the foundation of the sharia. For beilef in Allah, His Divine Unity and knowledge of Him is the sole reason Allah ta`ala revealed His Heavenly Books and sent the Messengers. By means of the Divine Unity and knowledge of Him, its possessor will enter into Paradise which is the ultimate goal for spiritual bliss; as the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace said: “Whoever dies and testified that there is no deity except Allah, will enter Paradise.” It is for this reason that Abd’r-Rahman ibn Muhammad al-Akhdari said in his Mukhtasar: “The first that is obligatory upon the responsible person is the rectification of his belief. Read More>>

The Secrets of Hajj

My objective in composing this small treatise is to acquaint the Jama`at and the remainder of the Muslims regarding the compulsions of Hajj, its obligations, its sunnan, its description, the heretical innovation that have been invented in it, the secrets regarding the Hajj, the merits of the ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, the merits of the Day of `Arafaat, and visiting the grave of the Best of Creation, upon him be the best blessing and most perfect peace, as well as the graves of the Companions at Baqi`a,
and Uhud, in accordance with the minhaj of the Nuur’z-Zamnan, the Mujaddid’d-
Deen and Amir’l-Mu’mineen, Shehu Uthman Dan Fuduye’, may Allah engulf him in
His mercy Amen. Read More>>

African Libraries More Valueable…

Stacks of a collection of African hand written manuscripts

Historically Arabic manuscripts have been among the most important commoditiesimported into the regions of the bilad’s-sudan beginning from the 12th century until the beginning of the 19th century. The majority of these rare books came from the Maghrib, Egypt and was sold at higher cost than any other merchandise. In Kanem- Bornu, rare books were imported from as far as the Hijaz and Syria at an extremely high cost. The most profitable and expensive books no doubt were those that came in to the bilad’s-sudan from the Maliki centers of North Africa. This was attributed to the fact that these lands were and remain adherents of the school of the thought (madh’hab) of Imam Malik. Consequently, the scholars and students of the bilad’s-sudan attached great importance to the purchasing, acquisition, transcription, and possession of books. Read More>>

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