The History of Islamic Scholarship in West Africa: An Action Research Study within South African Contexts

Islamic scholarship in West Africa has a rich history, influencing various aspects of culture, education, and governance. Within South African contexts, there is an emerging interest in understanding this historical legacy. The study employs a qualitative approach, integrating interviews with scholars, archival research, and thematic analysis to examine existing literature and institutional practices related to Islamic scholarship in South Africa. A key finding is the significant presence of Islamic studies programmes at several South African universities, indicating an active engagement with this field despite limited historical data on its West African roots. The study underscores the importance of integrating global perspectives into local academic curricula and acknowledges ongoing challenges in preserving and promoting knowledge from diverse cultural traditions. Educators and policymakers should encourage the inclusion of Islamic scholarship histories in South African educational frameworks to foster a more inclusive understanding of the continent’s intellectual heritage.