By Abdullahi Isah Wasagu
On Tuesday, 1st of September 2015, Kaduna zone of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the spiritual leadership of his eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky organized birth celebration of Imam Aliy Ridha(a.s). The event as first of its kind, took place at Markaz, T/Wada Kaduna and was attended by multitude of people from across the zone.
Speakers at the event include Sheikh Abubakar Maina, Ameer of the zone Sheikh Muhammad Mukhtar Sahabi. In his brief and precised lectures delivered, Sheikh Mukhtar Sahabi began by expressing gratitude to Allah ( the Most Omnipotent) for the blessings bestowed on the zone for marking the first birth Day celebration of the infallible Imam. Speaking on his birth, he enumerated the August line of descent of the Imam to the Holy Prophet(pbuh & hf).
The Sheikh cited Prophetic traditions explaining some unparalleled bounties bestowed and attributed to the Imam Aliy Ridha(a.s). It was
reported to have that, the Holy Prophet described Imam Aliy Ridha as ‘Ibn Rasulullah’ . With divine inspiration, he foretold his birth
adding that an Imam from my posterity will be born bestowed with unparalleled bounty among other Imams. Who ever pays a visit his
shrine, has equally pay a visit to my shrine. Who ever intercedes with him on three Worldly needs during a visit to his shrine, his need has
instantly accepted and granted.
Sheikh Mukhtar Sahabi also briefly explained the unmeasurable amount of blessings seen with the fraternal sister of Imam Ridha(a.s),
Fatimah Ma’asumah during her lifetime.
In his annotation, Sheikh Abubakar made emphasis by calling on brothers and sisters to boost their morale towards sacrifices for the sake of Imam Ridha and his fraternal sister, Sayyidah Fatimah Ma’asumah(a.s). He added that, up till now, visitors and people were witnessing the bounties and blessings of Sayyidah Ma’asumah and that of Imam Ridha(a.s). He recalled a miracle from epoch of history during
the lifetime of late Ruhullah Imam Khumain(Q.S) where during a certain earthquake seen Sayyidah Fatimah Ma’asumah calling for a refuge to inhabitants of a particular area in Qum, Iran. The earthquake took place with non of the houses been collapsed in the area, in addition to recovery of innumberable fatal illnesses when intercede with the infallible Imam at his shrine in Mashaad, Qum, Iran.
Highlights of the event include cake cutting and parade as a mark of honour for the Imam. Presentation of flag, holy Qur’an and pebble from the Shrine of Imam Ridha given out to some visitors from Kaduna, Nigeria, as mark of honour and recognition during the last Arba’een symbolic trek to Karbala.