There are no houses of thought, writting, no philosopher among the Somalis unknown

[Zaylici]

There is an element of truth in the above statement. However, over the years I wondered if this was true or if this was just another biased view of the nature of the Black mind. After long years of research and wondering I found Large collection of material written By ancient (about 1000 years ago) and modern( last 400 years) Somali writers who wrote about a wide variety of subjects including sciences, medicine, music and Philosophy. I am also still in the process of collecting them. Now, what was the point of writing all this. Simple, There is tendency and urging inclination among human species to assert conclusions( say Somalis are that and that, or so and so is this) while they have no legitimate grounds to do so.This unjustified conclusion serves as their base of reasoning and guides their thought( I,e Somalis did not have intellectual history therefore, they cannot have one, even if this( preceding argument is true, that is to say if Somalis never had history( though I do no believe it, in view of historical works that I currently posses) it does not follow logically that the Somali cannot create history or produce flourishing civilization right now) .What you will end up if the preceding supposition is true, is people who in essence are useless in any respect conceivable to the human mind. What is the point that I am trying to make any way, We did not cultivate this last 70 years knowledge, neither did we studied, translated our inherited resources. Thus, we reasonably find that all Somali life, (whether religion, politics,discussion) manifest high degree of foolishness and if you do not mind I do not doubt given my long observation of Somali life that foolishness in its crudest form dominates our life regardless our geographical location.

[Sophist]

Zaylici, thanks for the potentially educating topic.

 

Apart from the Sheikh you yourself bear his name, I never knew there had been Somali writers who wrote in the middle ages. Perhaps you can educate us.

 

Please may you name few books and essays which had beenb written 500 years go by Somali individuals?

 

Thanks in advance for your infor.

 

Thus Spake the Old Nomad

[Zaylici]

Zaylac was city before even the introduction of Islam in East Africa. There are inscriptions on stones outside the city, which have not been adequately examined. Having said this. There is entire section of the Modern Egyptian house of Books dedicated to the works of the Somalis hitherto unpublished. Unfortunately there were not published and thus did not come famous and influential. Zaila have been center of commerce and learning over 1000 years thus whoever wrote in Somalia was named Zailci in reference to this great city. Given the current Somali crisis one would think that I am from this city, No, I am from around Galgaduud/Mogadisho Area. But only in Love with Knowledge and being Sufi inclines me to see this city as my spiritual city.

Now, there are many writers whom I have their works. Many of them are named as their last name as Zaylici, while in fact they have not been writing in zaylac, a good example is Sheekh Abdirahman Zaylci who wrote treaties on meditation on the attributes of God( unpublished work) and qasiida and who was also the head of the Qadiriya order was in fact living and writing 1830 in western Somalia as opposed to zaylac. Ironically, people call his tariqa as Zaylciyya while he had been never been to Zaylac. Amongst the msot influential writters are are Jamal Muhamed Zaylci who wrote multi volume book named Nisbu al-raaya li takhriij Axaadiith al-Hidaya( available in the Wilson library in the University of Minnesota with introduction on the life and work of the writer). This was written about 600 years ago. This book is the of major reference to the Hanifi school of law in Asian subcontinent, namely India and Pakistan. In fact his book was not published in Somalia but was published In India 1935 but the original manuscript remains in Somalia. Ibn Zaylici who also wrote on the subject of Music and Philosophy can be found in the Internet. I have his biography and his works and in fact some if you use Google search engine machine you will find some of his work. If you live in UK there is library that has manuscripts of mainly religious and historical narration relevant to the Somali medieval life and works published by Somalis in the ancient period this could give you what life was in the medieval period in Somalia.

So much for first discussion.

[Medley of extemporanea]

Wow, wow... the author of Nasb ur-Raayah was from somali. Tell us more. What other well known scholars were from Somali?

[Medley of extemporanea]

also, where on the internet can a biography of Zaylici be found?

[QUANTUM LEAP]

Very interesting and fascinating.....

Bro Zaylaci thanks for the enlightment...

[Zaylici]

With the exception of this, there is Ikhtilaaf (difference of opinion) amongst the Fuqahaa (Muslim Jurists) on the law of Hunting Game. It is stated in "Khulaasa" and "Muheet": "If a hunter places a knife in a trap and then leaves, after which an animal is caught and killed in the trap, then it is Haraam, and if the Hunter places the knife and is watching the trap, then such game is Halaal." Differing on this, Imam Zaili (radi Allahu anhu) and various other Jurists say that in both circumstances the animal is Haraam. Thus, Imam Shulbi (radi Allahu anhu) writes that the argument of "Kanz" presented by Imam Zaili (radi Allahu anhu) infers that after the hunter places a small saw and whether he leaves or is present makes no difference, since in both cases the animal, through its own strength, was severed and killed by itself and not by the hunter, thus rendering it Haraam. From this it can be well understood that Imam Zaili (radi Allahu anhu) does not accept the opinion of "Khulaasa", and other Kitaabs in this matter. (Tabeenul Haqaaiq, Vol. 6, pg. 226)

this material come from this website, it gives you the extent Imam Zailici influence.

http://www.geocities.com/~abdulwahid/muslimarticles/slaught.html

Just as the quatation indicates the man is refering to the 6th volume.

That gives the impression how extensive the work was.

However, you should be remained that the auther of this work is fakhru diin ZAylic not Jamal ZAylcic. the former auther' work is titled Tabyiin AL Haqaaiq wal kanz Al Daqaaiq. He too is Hanifi. it is as you can see more then 6 Volumes.

Jamal Zailici work is entitiled Nisb rayah

Somalis are said to have been Hanafi followers in the Middle ages why they become shafici can be explained by simply observing how they moved from predominantly from Sufis to modern Wahabis in this century 30 years alone shows that they are moble soceity.

There is musniscript I once shown by Biimaal sheikh who used to compose the Qassida for Dikri he saw in the musniscript which accordin to him was 1200 years old tell story about entire Somali clan entiring the Islamic religion in one day. The clan is Hawiye who were mentioned in the work of IBN saciid who said that marka was their city and 50 villiges surounded them. Other Somali clans mentioned in the medivial BOOks like Tuxfat Zamaan written by Shihaab Diin who was Yamini and writter of Ahmed Guray in the famous fatuxu Al habasha( conquest of Abyssinia)were the following Merxan,Habar magaadle, Harti Hawiye, Harla and many others.

I have felt obligated to mention other clans sicne I mentioned Hawiye in order people not regard me as Clanist and for that matter to consider me as reaction Zealot.

I am currently Sufi and socialist by politcal inlination. I have not problem with the Salifi or wahabis or any other group. I beleive in the ideas of toloretion and understaning.

so much for discussion

[Zaylici]

sorry the previous was not edited

With the exception of this, there is Ikhtilaaf (difference of opinion) amongst the Fuqahaa (Muslim Jurists) on the law of Hunting Game. It is stated in "Khulaasa" and "Muheet": "If a hunter places a knife in a trap and then leaves, after which an animal is caught and killed in the trap, then it is Haraam, and if the Hunter places the knife and is watching the trap, then such game is Halaal." Differing on this, Imam Zaili (radi Allahu anhu) and various other Jurists say that in both circumstances the animal is Haraam. Thus, Imam Shulbi (radi Allahu anhu) writes that the argument of "Kanz" presented by Imam Zaili (radi Allahu anhu) infers that after the hunter places a small saw and whether he leaves or is present makes no difference, since in both cases the animal, through its own strength, was severed and killed by itself and not by the hunter, thus rendering it Haraam. From this it can be well understood that Imam Zaili (radi Allahu anhu) does not accept the opinion of "Khulaasa", and other Kitaabs in this matter. (Tabeenul Haqaaiq, Vol. 6, pg. 226)

this material come from this website, it gives you the extent Imam Zailici influence.

http://www.geocities.com/~abdulwahid/muslimarticles/slaught.html

Just as the quatation indicates the man is refering to the 6th volume.

That gives youan idea on how extensive the work is.

However, you should be remained that the auther of this work is fakhru diin ZAylic not Jamal ZAylcic. the former auther' work is titled Tabyaan AL Haqaaiq wal kanz Al Daqaaiq. He too is Hanifi. it is as you can see more than 6 Volumes.

Jamal Zailici work is entitiled Nisb rayah

Somalis are said to have been Hanafi followers in the Middle ages why they become shafici can be explained by simply observing how they moved from predominantly Sufis to modern Wahabis in th 30 years alone. This shows that they are moble soceity.

There is musniscript I once shown by Biimaal sheikh who used to compose the Qassida for Dikri he shawed me in the musniscript (which according to him was 1200 years old) story about entire Somali clan entiring the Islamic religion in one day. The clan is Hawiye who were mentioned in the work of IBN saciid who said, Ibn Saciid an Muslim Geographer mentioned Marka as city of Hawiye clan and 50 other villiges surounding Marka. Other Somali clans mentioned in the medivial BOOks like Tuxfat Zamaan written by Shihaab Diin who was Yamini and writter of Ahmed Guray in the famous 16th century fatuxu Al habasha( conquest of Abyssinia)were the following, Merxan,Habar magaadle, Harti Hawiye, Harla and many others.

I have felt obligated to mention other clans sicne I mentioned Hawiye in order people not regard me as Clanist and for that matter to consider me as reactionery Zealot.

I am currently Sufi and socialist by politcal inclination. I have no problem with the Salifi or wahabis or any other group. I beleive in the ideas of toloretion and understaning.

so much for discussion

[Haashim]

Zaylici there are many writers, philosophers and even scientits among somalis but the problem is their works which either lost or in the westeren and arab libraries. as you mentioed your article there are many famous religious books which was written by somalis but carrying other authors or their authors are not known by the arabs.

 

For example i know a somali Sheikh who lived in 19th century who wrote more than 10 Islamic books only one of these books is in the hands of his descendants which, in it he mentioed his other ten books at that time, and who knows how many books he wrote after that.

The strange is that i heard a one of these books when i was in Arabia, perhaps with other author even though i am not exactly sure weather it is same book or it had a similiar name, but i will find INSHAALLAAH.

 

In this book, the Sheikh (Raximahulaah)is talking about many knowldeges including, Philosophy, Maths, Astronomy, Medicine, chimistry, physics, biology enz. he is dividing the knowldege in terms of Haram, Halal and Mubah. one of the things he mentioned in this book was that if the Philosophy would not be Haram he would publish many books about it, but he is emphasizing that it's Haram and he is giving many evidences about that including Imam Ghazali who according him learned and teached it, but later when he realised that it's haram left it, and there are also many other modern sciences particularly Astrology and many other knowldeges. I am sure that he was not the only one who wrote such many books, but there were also many other somalis from different parts of somalia who also had some similiar works. even in this book the Sheikh telling other sheikh from other part of Somalia who rejoicing the Sheikh that he finished his own book and called ....

 

So, we had writers, thinkers, philosophers and even scientists but the question is where are their works? ma la bililiqeystay mise ......

[Zaylici]

I am currently cooperating with freind of mine to establish library here in Minisota. God willing I will do whatever in my power to insure such works are collected and stored for future research and transilation, please start doing the same thing. What was the name of the man you mentioned who said Philosophy was haram

Thank you Muridi

Your question Of looting I do think so, there are only dying in the hoty climate of SOmalia

Thanks Muriidi

[Zaylici]

I am currently cooperating with freind of mine to establish library here in Minisota. God willing I will do whatever in my power to insure such works are collected and stored for future research and transilation, please start doing the same thing. What was the name of the man you mentioned who said Philosophy was haram

Thank you Muridi

Your question Of looting I do not think so, there are only dying in the hot climate of SOmalia. Modern Somalis predominantly show no love of Knowledge and this reality is manifested in their enitire life. fooloshness as I said dominates their life.

wakadaalika yafculahu maa yashaa.

 

Thanks Muriidi

[Zaylici]

To

Haniif

may be you can find by using the search engine Google. Or surely you can find the Book Nis Bu ALraayah, In the Introduction( AL muqaddamah they have his Biography and other works.

However, if you are in Cairo, you can find works that more than 1000s unfortunately hitherto unpublished.

Inalaaha la yaqayiru Maa biqawmin xataa yuqatiruu Maa Bi anfusuhim

Qowlulahi

[Animal Farm]

Wud up yal.

 

Much respect to Zaylici, who has relentlessly promoted the growth of our culture, from ancient to present, through enlightenment and his usage of this website. For that I cannot thank you enough. However, it’s interesting to start sharing these ideas through other means of communications, apart from this medium. Reason being is that we need to establish a firm communication medium, though the Internet is an effective medium. However, some of our brothers and sisters don’t have such opulence to delight themselves with such luxury.

 

Well what I am trying to say is that we need to collect such enlightenment as this to establish a Somali archive consisting of our history, our culture, and contemporary thinkers such as Zaylici and other thinkers to broadcast their ideas more efficiently.

 

I have already e-mailed Zaylici to my recollection once. Though he hasn’t replied, therefore, I assumed he was not interested in my proposal. However, if you are (Zaylici and others) please let me know, because I believe you would be a great contributor. (www.somedia.tk) - Though the site is not finished, nor was it suppose to be seen by others, I feel comfortable in sharing the site and its short and ill completed content with you.

[Gediid]

Zaylici

 

I find most of your wrtings quite amazing in light of the fact that you refer to written works that are either availible or can be obtained easily.I have heard of great many writings but I was always under the impression that these belonged to either the Ottomans or the Eygptian rulers of the areas you mentioned.One fact is clear though and that is before the arrival of the Europeans in present Somalia, there were extensive periods of Arab/Turkish rule in places like Zaylac and most coastal towns in Somalia.Another point to ponder is that most writers of either Arab or Turkish descent have predominatly had either aliases derived from the areas where they lived.

Ahmed Gurey's famous wars with the Ethiopains took place in the 15 century and amazinly enough his main suppliers of weapons were the Ottoman empire who were rulers of Zaylac then,this prompted the Ethiopan kings to appeal to the dominant Christain powers of that time who happen to have been the Portugese to help them fend off the Muslim attacks.The man sent to help fight Ahmed Gurey was Christopher Da Gama who was the brother of the famous traveller Vasco Da Gama.Upon arrival the forces of Ahmed Gurey and the Ottoman empire attcked them soon as they set foot into Ethiopia and subsequently killed Christopher Da Gama and seized half the weapons.

To cut a long story short the works you have mentioned are the works of the rulers of that time but were wrtten in areas of Somalia.

The earliest known Somali writings that I have heard are however from Zaylac and were written in the early part of the 20 century in a local script.I had a friend who even told me that he knows people who still know how to write that but I have yet to see it myself.

[Zaylici]

To

Gadiid

You mentioned that the writters that I mentioned were either Arabs or Turkish, I wonder what grounds do you have to conclude that. Surely you are not denying that the Somalis are people who are incapable of producing such works. how can you prove that these were not Somalis. let us put this way how can you prove the work that I cited are the Works of Somalis. Fortuantely I have with me someworks that will prove beyond doupt that Somalis have contributed to the Muslim works. I am however, in the midest of Midterm Exams. so, I do not have the time to respond to you. you also say that due to the presense of Turkish promoted the Ethiopians appeal to the Purtagese intervention what a aggression, the war was continuing for three centuries beging when Solominic dynsty came to in 12th century,It was Iknook Malaak according to both Muslim and Ethiopic sources who accpied Muslim and Somali lands and Somalis and others were only responding.Surely, you do not intend to say as the modern western writters say the war was Turkish/Arab war, what a blasphemy, for the sake of you I have dedicated my life to the history of East Africa, People like you who either self hating Somali or those who beleive we were nothing but nomads wondering through the desert.

I am more then happy to produce shortly the reasons why I think the writters that I mentioned ware Either Somalis or other poeples like Cafar in East Africa but it is also fair that you subtantiate your argument.

Wasalaamu calaa man itabaca Alhudaa

Gadiid I am not clansit I am ******************EDITIED QABIIL NAMES********** so remember that I am only interested in the recollection process of the Somali glorious and Muslim history not any thing else.

 

[ March 11, 2003, 11:41 PM: Message edited by: Admin ]