By Shuaibu Ahmad
On the occasion of the remembrance of the late Imam Ruhullah al-Khomeini (Q.S), Leader of the Islamic movement Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) met with the representatives of the Academic Forum of the Islamic movement on Wednesday, 1/6/2022 (2,11, 1443) at his Abuja residence.
In his two hours speech, he reminded the visitors about the history of Imam Khomeini (Q.S), his struggle, the kind of contribution he gave to the Islamic world, and the way he became a helper for the oppressed accros the world.
Sheikh Zakzaky explained that just as you know, one can not decide to become a Prophet, such is the case regarding some heroes that you see, from the way he (that hero) looks, you will know that this is a blessing from Almighty Allah to this Ummah (nation). And Imam Khomeini (Q.S) is among those blessings that Allah gave this Ummah, at a time when people are very much in need of that blessing.
Allamah gave an example of how Allah attached (people’s) hearts with love, affection and loyalty to Imam Khomeini, where he said even after his death, almost ten million people as estimated attended his funeral procession. He said even the mainstream media, despite their hostility towards the Imam, they reported that millions of people attended his funeral procession. Which funeral procession have you ever seen even one million people in attendance? But even BBC reported that six million people attended the funeral procession of the Imam. And you know six million people are not small, even if it was six million people or below that attended the processing, even it was a few millions, it’s something peculiar, and that shows how people were attached to this servant of Allah, (a servant) that Allah made him an icon that people got attached to with their hearts. Imam’s influence was enormous.
Sheikh Zakzaky added that the enemies (of Islam) think that the way to achieving success is just by taking up guns and start shooting, but Imam used a different method. So after the Islamic revolution they used all the weapons (methods) at their disposal, but they couldn’t defeat the Islamic revolution (till date.)
Leader reminded the visitors regarding some lessons that can be taken from Imam (Q.S), where he said: "In the message of Imam, he repeatedly used to word ‘Mustad’afin’ (meaning the oppressed), the oppressed people of everywhere, he didn’t said the oppressed Muslims only, be it Muslim or Christian, oppression is not good to whoever it is. You don’t support oppression no matter who the victim is."
He said: "We mean we are not in support of oppression no matter who the victim is, even if the victim happens to be an oppressor himself, we would say this is injustice, because we want justice for him. For example, should they arrest one (oppressor), and execute (or punish) him beyond his crime, we would say this is injustice. Almighty Allah says: "And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight you, and do not transgress, surely Allah does not love those who transgress." (Suratul Baqara, Verse 190.
Sheikh Zakzaky said: "Even if someone is fighting you, even if he’s your enemy, you are not permitted to transgress (and do injustice), you are not permitted to oppress him. This is the order of Islam. So Imam Khomeini reaffirmed that "we should support those that are being oppressed no matter who they are." He (Sheikh Zakzaky) reiterated that: "Imam showed that they are in support of the oppressed, and they are against the oppressors."
The leader continued by saying that: "Up till date, the Islamic revolution of Iran showed the power of the people. You know people think that if you have authority you have everything. That’s how the people of this country think, they will say they’re being oppressed now, and (ironically), they are waiting for the biggest oppressor to come and deliver them fro their predicament. Saying Mr. President you see how we’re being oppressed, help us. So who do you think is oppressing you if not him?" He asked.
Sheikh Zakzaky compared by saying that is like people going to Yazid and ask him to prevent killing Imam Hussain (pbuh), or like the children of Israel going to Pharoah and ask him to prevent the killing of their babies. He said even in folktales, you will never hear where an oppressive king turned into a pious man that helps his people just like that.
The revered Sheikh continued : "What I’m saying is that Imam is still alive, his ideas are what is left for this Ummah to adopt (for their betterment), and his ideas are not only for Muslims, they are for everybody, for the entire humanity. Irrespective of your religious belief. Nobody likes injustice and oppression right? And everybody wants justice right? That’s it! So Imam’s ideologies are for everybody. And wherever an oppressed person is, we are with him and we sympathize with him."
He showed his gratitude to Allah for preserving what Imam Khomeini established till date. He said: "And Alhamdulillah, I will conclude by saying; we thank Allah for preserving the legacy of Imam Khomeini (Q.S) even after his demise. Thirty there (33) years without Imam today, but his legacy still continue, he (Imam) got a successor that replicate him, as if it was the Imam himself.
He said: "The way Imam Khomeini (Q.S) run this affair, Alhamdulillah that’s how Sayyid Ali Khamene’i (H) is running it with Allah’s support. We ask Allah to prolong the life of Sayyid Ali Khamene’i, and help this Islamic Republic."
The leader ended his speech by reiterating that: "I’ve said it over and over again that, some people say that they need their own Khomeini. I said no way! This type of Khomeini is only gotten once. Once you get one, it’s enough. The whole world needs only one Khomeini, and it has gotten, the only thing left for the world is to follow his path. Following his path is following the true path of Islam. His ideologies are still alive.
Translation Team , Academic Forum of the Islamic movement
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