TWO PUBLISHED HAUSA TRANSLATIONS OF THE QUR'AN AND THEIR DOCTRINAL BACKGROUND

This article presents an analysis of two written Hausa translations of the Qur'an. Though emphasizing that these endeavours were strictly linked to their authors’ previous careers as oral exegetes, the article argues also that a certain shift may take place in the significance of tafsir through the importance assumed by written translation. These translations were published when a broad dogmatic conflict was taking place in Nigeria, and they feature a strong concern to de-legitimize or defend certain contended issues. The recurring object of debate in the two translations is usually Sufism, but, on a closer look, other related issues emerge as being at stake: the soundness of the local exegetical tradition, and the role of Asaarism as a set of theological doctrines providing the conventional framework for traditional exegetes to speak about God and His attributes. Issues of language and style are also briefly explored.