Department of Islamic Studies

A Brief History of the Department

The Islamic Studies programme started in January, 2006 with 30 students, 2 Assistant Lecturers, 3 Lecturer II and 1 Lecturer I. They were able to set the standard of academic excellence from the inception of the department. Today, the department has 185 students and it is strengthened by the presence of 1 Professor, I visiting Professor, 1Visiting Reader, 3 Senior Lecturers, 1 Lecturer I, 2 Lecturer II and 1 Assistant Lecturer. These lecturers are highly experienced and academics Par excellence. So far, the department has produced ten (10) First Class graduates and some of them are already part of the mainstream of the academic staff of the University while many  of our graduates are pursuing Post Graduate Programmes at different Universities in Nigeria.

Philosophy

The human race,
particularly Muslims, has been under the bondage of secularism and materialism
because religious values have been grossly eroded. In order to liberate them, a
degree in Islamic Studies needs to be introduced with a view to training
personnel in the subject which would help transform the society both in the
religious and secular spheres. In this way, it is expected that the society
will be able to achieve its objective of bringing about the well-being and
happiness of its citizens both here and in the hereafter.

   For a country such as Nigeria where secularism is constitutionally
upheld, the degree programmes in Islamic Studies become quite relevant. Those
trained in the programmes would be expected to create  the necessary awareness on the need for
Nigerians to imbibe the culture of moderation and  to adopt the Divine guidance in order to have
peace and stability in the society.

Objectives

The Islamic Studies
degree programme is designed to:

1.         Train students to acquire sound knowledge
of the Qur’ān and Hadīth as well as their related sciences like
Tafsīrul-Qur’ān (Qur’ānic Exegesis), (Sciences of the Qur’an) ^cUlumu’l-Qur’an,
(Science of Hadith) ^cUlūmu’l-Hadīth. etc, thereby giving them
a good background and mastery of the most important sources of Islamic Studies.

2.         Equip students with adequate knowledge
of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and ‘Usūlu’l-Fiqh (Fundamentals
of Islamic Law), with a view to exposing them to various legal institutions and
jurisdictions from the perspective of the four orthodox schools of thought (al-madhahibul
‘Araba^c) so as to enhance their Islamic Legal Skill and make
them more prepared to face the challenges of the conventional laws in their
society.

3.         Provide students with wide knowledge of
Sīrah (Biography of the Prophet Muhammad), Islamic Theology, Philosophy,
Governance, Administration, History and Revolution as a means of leadership
training , character moulding and development.

4.         Adequately prepare the students for
postgraduate progrmmes in Islamic Studies and to take up teaching and research
at the appropriate levels of education; and,

5.         Assist the students to acquire sound
knowledge of Arabic Language to enable them to consult the original sources in
their studies and researches at various levels of education.

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Available Programmes in Department of Islamic Studies

• B.Sc. Islamic Studies
• Ph.D. Islamic Studies