Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory (1917 – 3 May 1992) was a Beninese-Nigerian Islamic scholar, author, and education reformer. He played a leading role in the modernization of Islamic education in Nigeria and was the founder of the Arabic and Islamic Training Centre (commonly known as Markaz) in Agege, Lagos.

Early life

Al-Ilory was born in Waza, in present-day Benin Republic, into the family of Abdul Baqi Al-Ilory. He was of Yoruba ancestry and later moved to

Ilorin Ilorin is the capital city of Kwara State located in the Western region of Nigeria. The city is a major hub for transportation and commerce in the region. . Retrieved 18 February 2007 Although Ilorin is classified under the North-Central g ...

, Nigeria, where he began his Islamic education under his father and other scholars.

Education and reform

He pursued higher Islamic studies at

Al-Azhar University The Al-Azhar University ( ; , , ) is a public university in Cairo, Egypt. Associated with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Islamic Cairo, it is Egypt's oldest degree-granting university and is known as one of the most prestigious universities for Islamic ...

in Cairo, Egypt. In 1952, he founded the Arabic and Islamic Training Centre (Markaz) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, before relocating it to Agege, Lagos in 1955. At Markaz, Al-Ilory introduced a structured, modern system of Islamic learning—using classrooms, blackboards, written exams, student uniforms, and a subject-based curriculum. This marked a departure from traditional Qur’anic methods of education in Nigeria.

Writings

Al-Ilory authored several works in Arabic, including: * ''Naseem Soba'' (Morning Breeze) * ''El Islam Fi Naijiriyya'' (Islam in Nigeria) * ''Hukukul-Insaani'' (Human Rights) * ''Al Islam Dinu Wa Daolat'' (Islam is Religion and Government) * ''Aslu Kobaail-Yoruba'' (The Origin of Yoruba Tribes) * ''Aatharulilmi Watasowuf Fil-Islam'' (The Role of Knowledge and Sufism in Islam) * ''Dahoru Tasowuwasofiyat'' (Purpose of Sufism) * ''Nizoomu Tahalimul-Arabiy Wahlislamiy'' (System of Arabic and Islamic Education) * ''Al Islam Wa Taqoolidil-Jahiliyyah'' (Islam and Pre-Islamic Traditions) * ''Lamhada tul-Balury fi Ulamaai al-Ilory'' (Overview of the Scholars of Ilorin) * ''Ali Heedu Al'Arbahuna min Taasisil-Markaz'' (Markaz 40th Anniversary, 1985)

Religious influence

He was a follower of the

Maliki The Maliki school or Malikism is one of the four major madhhab, schools of Islamic jurisprudence within Sunni Islam. It was founded by Malik ibn Anas () in the 8th century. In contrast to the Ahl al-Hadith and Ahl al-Ra'y schools of thought, the ...

school of Islamic jurisprudence and a member of the

Qadiriyya The Qadiriyya () or the Qadiri order () is a Sunni Sufi order (''Tariqa'') founded by Abdul Qadir Gilani (1077–1166, also transliterated ''Jilani''), who was a Hanbali scholar from Gilan, Iran. The order, with its many sub-orders, is widesp ...

Sufi order. He served as Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta regions.

Markaz legacy

The Markaz institution introduced innovations such as blackboard teaching, exams, school uniforms, and certificates in the Southwest region of Nigeria. In 1957, the center held its first graduation, attracting a new wave of Islamic students and reformers who would go on to replicate the model.

Personal life

Sheikh Al-Ilory married six wives and had 23 children. Their names include: * Ridwanullah (deceased) * Maryam (deceased) * Habeebullah * Jamaldeen * Thaoban * Halimah * Fadeelah * Rahmatullah * Soffiyah * Sekinah * Abdullahi * Radhiyyah * Bashir * Jummah * Medinah * Ahmad (deceased) * Aisha * Khadeejah * Arafah * Hajarah * Yusuf * Sufyan * Adnan

Death and legacy

Al-Ilory died in London on 3 May 1992. His death was widely mourned across West Africa. In 2017, his centenary was celebrated in Nigeria, attracting national and religious leaders.

References

{{Authority control 1917 births 1992 deaths Nigerian Islamic religious leaders Nigerian Muslims Yoruba Islamic religious leaders Al-Azhar University alumni People from Ilorin