about us

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "When a human being dies, his work comes to an end, except for three things: ongoing charity, knowledge benefited from, or a pious child who prays for him" (Sahih Muslim). We wish to revive the Way of Life (sunnah) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him by emulating the great scholar, educator, and Islamic leader, Shaykha Nana Asmau (1793-1864), daughter of the great reviver of Islam, Shaykh Uthman ibn Fuduyé'. Shaykh Uthman was a scholar-warrior, social reformer, the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate and one of Nana Asmau's many teachers. Nana Asmau, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad, systematized the historical Yan Taru over 150 years ago in West Africa with the aim to educate and serve the women of her society. We, the women of the Yan Taru Foundation, are connected to the historical Yan Taru through the leadership of the Sultan of Maiurno, Sudan, Amirul-Mu'mineen Sultan al-Hajj Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad at-Tahir ibn Muhammadu Bello ibn Muhammadu Attahiru ibn Uthman ibn Fuduyé'. Through educational programs, social welfare and the facilitation of enterprise, we wish to follow the example of the pious women of Islam through ages and places, going back to the noble sahabiyyat (women companions) who were taught directly by our beloved Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him .

history

The Yan Taru is an educational network for women. There are evidences that it existed at least since the sixteen century. But Sayyida Nana Asmau systematized it during the reign of her brother Caliph Muhammad Bello (1817 - 1837). So during the Sokoto Caliphate this was a core group of itinerant female student-teachers. The members were women over forty-five and girls from about ten to early teens, who left their homes, primarily on foot, to make the long and arduous journey to Sokoto. They were lead by elderly, knowledgeable women teachers called Jajis who would prepare them for education and remind them to purify their intentions, as this was essential. The Jaji would also accept sadaqa (charity) from the members who could not make the journey, since the one left behind would in turn be taught by the Yan Taru, upon their return. These women, care takers of the household and society had thus access to scholarship without leaving their homes. Therefore creating a distance learning program at a time long before the internet. The collected sadaqa would then be used to fund the charitable works of Sayyida Nana Asmau, ascetic, scholar, teacher, historian and daughter of the great scholar and mujadid, Shaykh Uthman dan Fodio (The Shehu) .

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Over 150 years ago an educational method was codified by a woman for women in the Sokoto Caliphate, in northwest Nigeria, which was geographically the size of western Europe. Those who actively traveled with the Yan Taru lived within a 50 mile radius. The various jajis brought their students to Sayyida Nana Asmau who taught them using poetry. Sayyida Nana was classically trained in the sciences of Islam. She was hafizat al Qu’ran ( one who memorized the whole book) and fluent in four languages: Arabic, Berber, Fulani and Hausa. She utilized her poetic skills to simplify complex subjects such as aqeedah (theology), fiqh (law) and tazkiyyatul nafs (purification of the soul) for laities. This schooling style was so efficient that during her epoch, most women were able to study. They either traveled as a member of the Yan Taru, or were taught in a home by one of these roving teachers who went house to house to transmit their knowledge.

She utilized her poetic skills to simplify complex subjects such as aqeedah (theology), fiqh (law) and tazkiyyatul nafs (purification of the soul) for laities. This schooling style was so efficient that during her epoch, most women were able to study. They either traveled as a member of the Yan Taru, or were taught in a home by one of these roving teachers who went house to house to transmit their knowledge.

What is noteworthy about the Yan Taru is its conduciveness to the life cycle of a woman. Usually a girl would join as soon as she was old enough to memorize until marriage. She would then be able to easily tackle her new role having studied the foundation of the deen (religion). In addition she was still being tutored at home by the Yan Taru teachers and would send sadaqa to Sokoto via the travelers. As time passes and her children are more independents, she rejoins the Yan Taru, travels, studies and teaches, and this is how the cycle goes.

The Yan Taru as an organized structure started with Sayyida Nana Asmau but this schooling approach has deep roots in that community and the greater Muslim society. The ladies of Sayyida Nana’s house were also scholarly in particular her older sister Khadijah, her grandmother Hauwa and great grandmother Rukayat. Female scholarship has emerged from the time of our beloved Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and has continued to this day. At time it is vibrant at other times it is rare, but it is always present. Since each generation needs to learn and transmit Islam and who are the first teachers of humanity except the mothers? Wherefore their education is of the utmost importance.

”Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim and Muslimah”

The Yan Taru Charitable and Educational Foundation seeks to follow this tradition of scholarship and charitable works.