By Ibrahem El-Tafseer
Ameer of Potiskum, Malam Mustapha Lawan Nasidi, has attended pilgrimage to Karbala two years in series. In an interview on return this year, the cleric states the growing fears by enemies of Islam on the ever-increasing population of pilgrims to Karbala, saying there is strength in number.
Malam Mustapha Lawan Nasidi said, though the real intension of the Arba’een Trek was not to demonstrate power of Islam, but obviously the sea of people in Karbala is unprecedented and shows how powerful Islam can be through love and strict adherence to the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (AS).
Asked about the population of the pilgrims, he said an estimate of 20 million pilgrims were reported in 2013, and 50 million were estimated to have attended in 2014, In Iran only, 20 million people were said to have trooped to Karbala”.
Malam Mustapha Nasidi further said, in Iraq it is the whole society trekking endlessly to visit Imam Hussain (AS), while in Nigeria it is exclusively conducted by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria saying, “The difference is very obvious”.
“This endless flow of sea of humans signifies that, the real religion of Prophet Muhammad and his Infallible Progeny is about to envelop the whole world and be firmlyestablished. In Nigeria, it strongly suggests that the future of the country is obviously Islam. There are many lessons associated with the Arba’een Trek”.
The cleric pointed out that, visit to Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala signifies allegiance to Ahlul Bayt (AS) as the sole Heirs of the Holy Prophet (SAWA), which encompasses so much virtures.
He therefore urges Muslims to strive through lawful earning and visit tomb of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala as an obligation.”Sins are forgiven, rewards in many folds are awarded to he who visits Imam Husain in Karbala, and other associated virtures throughout his stay there”, he added.
According to him, it is disservice to profess love to the Ahlul Bayt (AS), when one cannot use resource given to him by Allah to visit Allah’s Beloved.