Understanding the Status, Roles, and Functions of ‘Ulamā in Borno

The paper seeks out to examine the status, roles, and functions of ‘Ulamā in Borno from the seventeenth century to the twentieth century. The high ‘Ulamā in Borno were those who had an official position either in the learned orthodox hierarchy or in the Sufi mystical one. Being an ‘Ulamā is a prime status honor in the Borno. They also have considerable power and a great influence on most Muslims in the Borno society. Thus, they have played a significant role in the propagation, dissemination, and development of Islamic religious knowledge, both Qur’anic education, and Islamic sciences in West Africa in particular and Africa in general. They also serve as intelligentsia, preachers, Imams, teachers, and supernatural endeavors of the state.