Sheikh delivering speech during Nisf Shaaban celebration.
Poets performing.
Audience at the venue of occasion, FIC.
Audience
Muslim Women at the occasion
Audience
NISF SHA’ABAN CELEBRATION TO MARK THE BIRTHDAY OF IMAM MAHDI(AF).
Nisf Sha’aban (15th Shaában) is an occasion marking the birthday anniversary of Imam Mahdi(AF) which was celebrated in Zaria on Saturday the 15th of Shaában 1429 (16/8/08). The venue of the programme Fudiyyah Islamic Center (F.I.C) was filled with people both inside and outside the premises. Marked with different activities, the occasion was also made colorful with songs in praise of Imam mahdi(AF) by poet group.
Nisf Sha’aban celebration is marked annually in Shia world in remembrance of birthday of Imam Mahdi (AS), the 12th Imam and successor of the Holy prophet of Islam who will emerge towards the End of the Time to raise the status of the oppressed and to save humanity from oppression and injustice.
The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky graced the occasion where he delivered a lecture on the Imam, the importance and significance of the day and the current world crises.
Sheikh Zakzaky who first congratulated the Ummah on the precious birthday anniversary of the most widely acknowledge savior of humanity added that the Ummah is well aware of the significance of the night of 15th as well as the 15th day as it is well documented in both Sunni and Shia sources of Islamic traditions.
The Significance of 15th of Sha’aban
The leader elaborated further that the significance of the 15th night is described in the holy Qur’an as the night in which budgetary activities regarding the creations are being carried out. He said it comprises of everything that is going to happen in the year to come and this goes to show that things on earth don’t happen haphazardly by accident. The maker of the world, God Almighty, Sheikh stressed, designed all predestinations regarding human. It is a blessed night, he added.
Describing the birth of the long awaited Imam, Sheikh said in the year 155 AH during the down time of 15th of Sha’aban, Imam of the Time was born adding that his issue is well known amongst adherents of all the Schools of Thought, although the Ummah differs in some aspects regarding the Imam, but still, he noted, it converges on many aspects on his reappearance. He described it as a general belief by all Muslims that towards the End of Time a savoir from the progeny of the Prophet will appear to rid the world of injustice and oppression at a time when it will be filled with injustice. Still regarding the coming of Imam(AF), Sheikh said that there are volumes of traditions in both Sunni and Shiá sources.
The Issue of a Savior is a Universal one
Sheikh added that the issue of Imam or coming of a savior is a universal one to the extent that Christians, Jews and some other people expect the coming of a savior towards the end of the world, a belief whcihSheikh expressed, made some people known as the Rastafarians in believing Ras Tafari as the expected savior.
Mallam described Rastafarians as a group of people who, after suffering from white dominations as they said, believed that one day a savior will come to save the black race adding that when Ras came they said he is the expected savior and even called him god, a claim which he both died to being god or the savior.
He explained further that the idea of coming of a savior is a universal one accepted by almost all as the world cannot remain for ever in a perpetual state of injustice and oppression.
On the issue of Imam Sheikh argued that both Sunni and Shia speak on his emergence toward the End of Time not that he is going to be born.
The Successors are in succession.
Regarding the Successors after the prophet, the leader of the Islamic Movement explained that early Muslims knew the meaning of word khalifah (a successor) as a leader in succession one after the other without gap expressing that early Muslims knew this very well that was why all the Imams suffered persecution and even met death in the hands of rulers of their time. The rulers knew, he expressed, that they were not the rightful successors of the prophet and for this fact Imam Jawad (AS) was killed by the ruler of his time.
Describing the superiority of Imam Jawad's knowledge, Sheikh described the Imam's encounter with the Ruler of his time where he summoned the Imam to give verdict on the correct way of amputation which he did without a slightest objection from the scholars present in the king's palace.
Seeing this, Sheik added, the chief judge persuaded the king not to follow the verdict of someone who does not recognize his rulership and he in turn accepted the advice and even killed the Imam for fear of loosing his position as a king as he knew very well that he was not suppose to be leader of the believers.
Sheikh explained further that the ruler in the time of the Imam Hassan Askariy(AS), the father of Imam of Mahdi(AJ) and who was killed at the age of 28, confined Imam Hassan(AS) to an isolated area or a sort of garrison (Askar) and kept under serious surveillance to know if a male child is going to be born for him and this, he added, evidently shows that every king knew the Khalifah of his time.
Their effort was fruitless, he noted, as before his death, Imam Mahdi was born and was even introduced to his followers. Sheikh however described this as a point of difference amongst the Muslims. He expressed that Imam Mahdi had spoken to the people at cradle something which is easy in the sight of Allah, as he was not the first to speak at cradle; Prophet Isa(AS) spoke to his people at cradle. The Leader of the Islamic Movement describe this as the belief of the followers of Ahlul Bayt(AS) and not a general one.
Describing the occultation of Imam Mahdi(AF) Sheikh expressed that he was raised to the heaven just like prophet Isa(AS) when the enemies intensified their search for him in order to have him killed and will reappear toward the End of the Time and prophet Isa too. He further expressed that Prophet Isa(AS) will follow the teaching of Quran when he returns during the Imam's Time. He described a related saying of the holy Prophet about Isa (AS) who when he returns will pray behind Imam Mahdi(AS). he added that contrary to what some people argued weather Isa will come back as a prophet or a follower, Prophet Isa(AS) will follow Imam Mahid(AS) based on a hadeeth which says if Musa(AS) should returns he will follow the Prophet(AS) .
Injustice cannot last for ever.
The leader of the Islamic Movement explained further that injustice and oppression cannot remain for ever and the oppression which filled the world will eventually come to an end. He lamented how Muslims are termed as terrorists by the world oppressors who occupied Iraq and Afghanistan and still Bush who is the champion of the cause of oppression, accused Russia in Georgia of what he also did.
Sheikh Zakzaky added that despite the level of injustice there is hope as events are unfolding. ‘Do you think Should Imam emerge now he would not have helpers?’ asked Sheikh as the audience answered ‘NO” on top of their voices.
He explained further that should one says ‘when is the reappearance ?’ his/her answer will be according to the hadeeth from Aímmah(AS) which says the best of deeds is the waiting of re-emergence of the Imam; something which is a very difficult task that is why it is referred to as the best. He noted
He call on Muslims to sincerely work hard as a necessary condition for one to be among the helpers of Imam(AF). Describing the time of his reappearance Sheikh says that when he comes as related in ahadeeth, the believers and wicked who died earlier will be raised in order to relieve the suffering and persecution meted on believers by the wicked.
group prayer after the evening session.
Describing the favour of God on him, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria said God out of His favour made the birthday of Imam Mahdi(AF) to coincide with his’ upon which he expressed his gratitude to almighty Allah for His favour upon his servants.
The anniversary was also made colourful with cake cutting. Two cakes presented by the Sisters Forum with the Imam Mahdi’s inscription on them were cut by the Leader to mark the birthday of the long awaited Imam (AF).
Birthday gift items were also presented to Sheikh by some members of the Islamic Movement.
In attendance were many dignitaries. They include Alhaji Sani Abdullahi a community leader, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Fati an academician and Sani Abdullahi the district head of Igabi. Others are Alhaji Ishaq Abubakar and host of Sheikh’s childhood friends and colleagues. In attendance also were Murthada Karbalae and Muhammadi.
Leader of Islamic Movement(middle), and Murtadha Karbalae(right at the
occasion.
Sheikh at the occasion
Muslim women at the occasion
Sheikh Cuts birthday cake to mark the birthday of Imam Mahdi(AF)
Sheikh reciting Ziyara of Imam Mahdi(AF)
poets performing