A PRESENTATION OF EXTRACTS FROM SELECTED ARABIC ṢŪFĪ MANUSCRIPTS IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

This study presents extracts from three Arabic manuscripts amongst Ilorin Ṣūfī writers. It highlights the major themes in the Ṣūfī literature generally and then specifically points out samples of works produced on some of the themes. The themes identified and briefly analyzed are Madḥ Nabiyy (Prophetic Eulogy) Madḥ r-Rijāl (panegyric of Ṣūfī Shuyukh and Masters), a`t-Tawassul wa`l-Istighathah (Fervent plea for help). The manuscripts studied are in both poetry and prose. The objective of the study is to bring into limelight the Arabic manuscripts of selected Ṣūfīs in Ilorin. The study is based on the analysis of the manuscripts which are in circulation among Arabic scholars and data collected from the private libraries of the Muslim scholars. The research reveals that Ilorin can be projected as a Ṣūfī city of great potentialities.