A Survey on the Contribution of Goni Muhammad Bello Boyi to the Development of Qur'anic Studies in Sokoto Metropolis

Knowledge is the noblest thing one can ask for and the best thing one can seek to attain. It is thus through wisdom, knowledge and understanding that Sulaiman (AS) ruled the greatest empire, the world has ever known. The Prophet, Muhammad (SAW) emphasized that acquisition of knowledge, particularly that of Islam was a duty imposed on each and every Muslim. However, there is no gain saying knowledge is the key to success. This proves the fact that knowledge gives one the power to govern oneself, one household and one's communities. Thus, any individual who fails to acquire knowledge which will enable him/her understands why he/she was founded, who he/she serves and what his/her responsibilities are, is indeed destined to fail. It is in line with this fact that a poet described the presence of knowledge as an effective and strong tool which even scares the Satan when he alluded that ‘knowledge is a mighty sword which does not swerve you from striking with it the vital parts of the one who attacks you.1 That is why the Glorious Qur'an is clearly plain with respect to the preferred rank, in the sight of Almighty Allah of those who possess the knowledge.2 This is the case with Goni Muhammad Bello Boyi, a contemporary scholar, who is not only an expert on Qur'anic sciences but also specialist on other fields of Islamic knowledge. Goni had, since his childhood, committed the entire Qur'an into memory, the noble act which gave him an ample opportunity to delve much into the study of Qur'an and other related disciplines. The knowledge, Boyi, acquired earned him recognition as well as respect from the elite and the generality of Muslim Ummah in the area.