Approaches to the Qur'an in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Zulfikar Hirji

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals the rich and diverse ways Muslims across sub-Saharan Africa have engaged with the Qur'an over three centuries, from the 1700s to today. Drawing from multiple academic disciplines including anthropology, history, and art history, this collection presents twelve detailed case studies spanning seven African nations.

The volume illuminates how sacred text transcends its physical form to become woven into the fabric of daily spiritual life. Readers will discover how communities in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania have developed unique approaches to Qur'anic engagement through manuscripts, translations, and commentaries. The studies examine how sacred verses find expression through recitation, music, and poetry, while also exploring their integration into healing practices, protective talismans, and medicinal applications.

Beyond traditional textual analysis, this work investigates the material dimensions of Qur'anic practice, from the textiles, inks, and wooden boards used in learning to the sacred spaces where education, prayer, and healing occur. The research extends into spiritual realms, examining how the Qur'an appears in dreams and spirit worlds.

Each case study employs different methodological frameworks, offering readers multiple perspectives on how diverse African Muslim communities interpret, experience, and embody their sacred text. This multidisciplinary approach provides valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand the dynamic relationship between scripture and lived spiritual experience across different cultural contexts.