An Examination of Arabic Rhetoric (Balagha) in the Khutab of Selected Northern Nigerian Scholars

Arabic rhetoric, known as Balagha, encompasses the study of eloquence, figurative language, and stylistic excellence in Classical Arabic discourse, and its application in the public preaching of learned Nigerian Islamic scholars represents a rich and underexplored area of applied Arabic literary analysis. This study examines the rhetorical features of Arabic sermon texts delivered by three prominent northern Nigerian Islamic scholars based in Kano, Sokoto, and Borno, drawing on the classical Balagha analytical framework of Ilm al-Bayan, Ilm al-Ma'ani, and Ilm al-Badi. Fifteen written sermon texts and audio-recorded khutab are purposively selected from the period between 2020 and 2024 and subjected to close textual and rhetorical analysis. The study documents the use of tashbih, isti'ara, kinaya, and other rhetorical devices and relates their deployment to the persuasive and didactic functions of each sermon. Findings reveal that all three scholars demonstrate sophisticated command of classical Arabic rhetorical techniques, though the frequency and complexity of device deployment vary with audience literacy levels and sermon context. The study contributes to the documentation of living Arabic rhetorical practice in Nigeria and affirms the continued vitality of Balagha as a pedagogical tradition in northern Nigerian Islamic scholarship. Keywords: Arabic rhetoric, Balagha, Islamic preaching, khutba, northern Nigerian scholars.