Sultan Muhammad Bello

السلطان محمد بيلو

(1781 - 1837)Sokoto Caliphate

Sultan Muhammadu Bello (1781–1837) was the second Amir al-Mu’minin (Commander of the Faithful) of the Sokoto Caliphate and one of its most learned and accomplished leaders. Born in 1195 A.H., he was a son of Sheikh Uthman bin Fodiyo, though not his firstborn. From birth, he was immersed in preaching, scholarship, and warfare, growing up fully engaged in all three traditions. Gifted with exceptional intelligence and a remarkable memory, Muhammadu Bello studied under his parents and several leading scholars of his time. He was a member of the triumvirate of the Sokoto reform movement and participated in major military campaigns, including the Battle of Tabkin Kwatto—the decisive confrontation between the Muslim forces and their opponents—as well as numerous engagements across Zamfara. Before ascending the throne, Muhammadu Bello served the Caliphate in several critical capacities: as a diplomat, teacher, army commandant, secretary to the Caliphate, and personal secretary to his father. He was a qualified mujtahid and was deliberately prepared for the office of Caliph long before assuming leadership.

5Volumes
49Works

Volumes

Collected works organized by volume.

Volume 1

Selected Writings Vol. 1

مختارات من مؤلفات السلطان محمد بيلو المجلد الأول

Volume 1 of the *Selected Writings of Sultan Muhammad Bello* brings together foundational texts on history, spirituality, and social ethics — including works on the history of Hausaland, purification of the soul, righteousness and family ties, sufficient counsel, and reflections likened to the midday sun. These writings introduce Bello’s concerns for moral reform, upright character, and understanding the historical context of the Sokoto Caliphate.

Volume 2

Selected Writings Vol. 2

مختارات من مؤلفات السلطان محمد بيلو المجلد الثاني

Volume 2 of the *Selected Writings of Sultan Muhammad Bello* gathers works on family responsibilities, leadership, and protection of faith: discourses on family maintenance, warnings against sorcerers and fortune-tellers, guidance on avoiding imitation of unbelievers and oppressors, reflections on Qur’anic epistemes, ornaments of foresight, poems addressing the soul, principles of leadership, and counsel to rulers and communities. These texts chart a path for preserving Islamic identity, governing justly, and nurturing righteous households in turbulent times.

Volume 3

Selected Writings Vol. 3

مختارات من مؤلفات السلطان محمد بيلو المجلد الثالث

Volume 3 of the *Selected Writings of Sultan Muhammad Bello* focuses on worship, forgiveness, and enduring good deeds: guides to virtues that attract Allah’s forgiveness, expositions on the principles of the worshippers, reminders for the heedless, and treatises on blessed days and nights, the best ways of seeking forgiveness, and righteous deeds that outlast this world. It offers a roadmap for drawing closer to Allah through sincere ‘ibadah, constant tawbah, and steadfast righteous action.

Volume 4

Selected Writings Vol. 4

مختارات من مؤلفات السلطان محمد بيلو المجلد الرابع

Volume 4 of the *Selected Writings of Sultan Muhammad Bello* gathers writings on trade, professions, health, interaction with non-Muslims, pilgrimage, spiritual diseases, love of the world, just rule, and understanding people: descriptions of Shehu Usman’s preaching method, guidance on trade and occupations, treatises on physical and spiritual healing, counsel on dealing with unbelievers, reminders for pilgrims, duties of a just ruler, and insights into people’s states. It addresses everyday life — work, travel, governance, and social relations — through the lens of Islamic law and prophetic guidance.

Volume 5

Selected Writings Vol. 5

مختارات من مؤلفات السلطان محمد بيلو المجلد الخامس

Volume 5 of the *Selected Writings of Sultan Muhammad Bello* centers on creed, supplication, diseases of the body and heart, women’s issues, and spiritual struggle: texts on the illustrious Names of Allah, powerful invocations, temptations of Shaytan, questions concerning women, medical treatises on common illnesses, guidance on speech and silence, portraits of the people of Shehu, and poetic works tied to classical praise of the Prophet. It blends theology, medicine, spirituality, and social guidance into a practical manual for believers seeking sound belief, healthy bodies, and purified hearts.

Featured Works

Selected works from this scholar's collection.

Sultan Muhammad BelloHAUSA, ARABIC, ENGLISH

A Little Light On The History Of Hausa Land

إنفاق الميسور في تاريخ بالد التكرور

A historical account that casts light on the origins, development, and conditions of Hausaland and the wider Takrur region. It records events, rulers, and social changes to help Muslims understand their past and draw lessons for governance and reform.

HistoryLeadership
Sultan Muhammad BelloARABIC, ENGLISH, HAUSA

The Illustrious Names Of Allah

اسم اهلل األعظم

A treatise on the most illustrious Names of Allah and the greatest Name (al‑Ism al‑A‘ẓam), explaining their meanings and effects on the heart. It encourages believers to invoke Allah through His Names with presence and certainty.

TazkiyahAqidah
Sultan Muhammad BelloARABIC, ENGLISH, HAUSA

Medicines Of The Prophet

الطب النبوي

A work on Prophetic medicine (al‑ṭibb al‑nabawi), gathering remedies, dietary guidelines, and preventive practices transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ. It shows how physical healing is tied to faith, trust in Allah, and moderation.

HadithTazkiyahFiqh
Sultan Muhammad BelloARABIC, HAUSA, ENGLISH

Brothers' Information

إفادة اإلخواف

Advice and beneficial information addressed to brothers in faith, covering practical matters of belief, worship, and daily conduct. It aims to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and mutual counsel among Muslims.

TazkiyahAqidah
Sultan Muhammad BelloENGLISH, ARABIC, HAUSA

On The Hub Of Epistemes In Sab_el_mathani

اإلشاراتإلى العلومالتي فيالسبع المثاني

Reflections on the core sciences and meanings contained in the "seven oft‑repeated" verses (al‑sab‘ al‑mathānī), commonly understood as Sūrat al‑Fātiḥah. It points to the epistemic "hub" from which Qur’anic knowledge radiates.

TafsirAqidah