Living a Good Life: The Timbuktu Manuscripts on Morality
In the Timbuktu manuscripts, ‘Usman b. Mohammed b. ‘Usman b. Fudio wrote, “good dispositions include showing affection towards people”
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‘The Morals of Nobles’
This book on morality and ethics describes the “good morals” that guarantee humans happiness on earth and in the hereafter. It urges people to pay attention to their social relationships by providing insightful advice. This is aimed at shaping a model person in terms of how they behave towards their peers, allowing them to feel at peace in both their soul and spirit.
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It was written by ‘Usman b. Mohammed b. ‘Usman b. Fudio (1754–1817), a pious Muslim member of the Qadiriyya brotherhood, religious reformer, writer, and Fulani statesman, founder of the Islamic State of Sokoto. He was the author of several books about Sufism and the Holy War.
MS 09946 P004 MH (1800/1850)SAVAMA-DCI
Obtaining wishes about the morals of nobles
‘Usman b. Mohammed b. ‘Usman b. Fudio wrote:
“You must know, my brother, that all good morals are based on the principle of going against vile pleasures and avoiding all temptation.
This is centered around patience, which we will discuss in the first instance … [having] patience makes the difference between a decent person and an indecent person.
Evil cannot be extinguished by another evil, but rather, by patience and beneficence... Good dispositions include showing affection towards people.
The Prophet, PBUH, said: (The first degree of reasoning, after faith in God, is the affection of people). He [also] said: (The highest level a person can attain, after faith in God, is to be gracious and courteous towards people).”
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Upholding ethics in the city of Timbuktu
From a historical perspective, by the 15th century, the rulers of Nigerian Sudan has already implemented a structure aimed at managing morals and ensuring stability in society.
This was the function of a qadi or judge, a privileged institution for regulating society and maintaining social balance. This Islamic jurisdiction dating from the rulers of Mali and later from the Songhai dynasties appointed qadis in Timbuktu and Djenné.
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The qadi was the first magistrate in the city, charged with dispensing justice according to Islamic rules; he was believed to represent customary powers and had a great reputation as a man of science and integrity, enjoying notable influence. He was invested with powers of conciliation for the settlement of disputes referred to him by the parties.
The qadi also performed notarial duties, drew up and recorded acknowledgments of debts, deeds of emancipation, deeds of bequests, and sale or purchase contracts.
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Master of the city, the qadi supervised religious practices, cracked down on bad morals, and appointed the imams of the mosques.
Commentaire sur le Mukhtasar Khalil (N° 4047) by Mohamed Bagayogo (maître d’Ahmed Baba)SAVAMA-DCI
Commentary on the Mukhtasar of Khalil
The writer Mohammed Bagayogo (1523–1593) was a jurisconsult skilled in all branches of Islamic law. He was righteous and devout, and was undoubtedly one of those who had the most profound influence on Ahmed Baba, a writer known as Timbuktu’s greatest scholar.
“If something is found between two cities, an announcement should be made in both cities. However, if it is picked up between two cities, such as Timbuktu and Kabara, should an announcement be made before waiting for a year to pass? There are said to be two possibilities.
The announcement does not mention the nature of the find, such is the chosen route, as it was preferred by the jurisconsult Al-Lakhami. It is sufficient, only, to ask: who has lost an object? For, if the nature of the object is mentioned, it would be easy to imagine it and claim it by trickery.
If something is found in a city under Muslim protection, it is given to the city rabbi, because the rabbi knows the legal rules of their faith in matters of found objects […].”
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Its hospitality and tolerance based on the principles of Islam made Timbuktu—an eminent example of a city of religious heritage, as well as of a dialog between cultures—a fine example of religious cohabitation.
Throughout its history, it would accept and then subdue religious leaders of other religions, such as Reverend Auguste Dupuis, known as Dupuis Yakouba, and the Rabbi Mardochée. These values explain why Timbuktuans worked to protect non-Muslims.
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In the case of Askia, who ordered the Timbuktuans to expel the Jews from the city, the scholars replied that they too were people of the book. The exceptional tolerance that the citizens of Timbuktu have always had with regard to other religions has therefore not come about by chance, but is inspired by the principles of a tolerant Islam.
