By Ammar Muhammad Rajab
Hundreds of thousands Muslim’s under the auspicious leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) have commemorated the Eid al-Ghadeer, marking the occasion of the appointment by Islam’s Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) of Imam Ali (PBUH) as his successor.
The auspicious occasion is annually marked by the movement with various ceremonies and rituals on the 18th of Dhu Hijjah on the Islamic calendar. Islamic Movement in Nigeria have been celebrating this great historic event of Islam for a long time. But this year the celebration comes amidst mourning.
The annual commemoration of Eid Ghadir has, however, become affected this year by the recent crackdown on Islamic Movement in Nigeria by the Nigerian government through its army which led the Zaria massacre where thousands of Muslims lost their lives or missed. However, the leader of the movement, Sheikh Zakzaky shot 4-6 times and he is detained for 9 months illegally, his wife also shot, while his three children were brutally killed on a cold blood in the eyes of their father, his elder sister also burn to death.
Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the support of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) have been commemorating this great feast annually at Hussainiyya Baqiyatullah Zaria in a colourful and delightful ways, where brothers and sisters gather and listen poets and the full recitation of the farewell sermon and it’s translation from the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), but this year programme because of the demolition of Husainiyyah Bakiyyatullah by the Nigerian authorities the occasions held at Madarasatu Fudiyya, Babban Dodo, Zaria. Shaikh Abdullahi Zango he is the special guest speaker at the occasions, in his speech he extolled the virtues of Imam Ali (a.s), meanwhile the virtues of Eid Ghadeer day.
He also stressed that this day is is the day of acceptance of prayers, the day of sending ‘SALAWAT’ on the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hf) and his Ahlul Bait (a.s.), the day of praying with utmost attention and commitment, the day of staying away from sins, the day of greeting and embracing other momineen with joy. He added that; Eid Ghadeer is also known as The greatest Eid based on Imam Sadik narrations (Islamic narrations). Sheikh Abdullahi Zango said; on this day Prophets Ibraheem, Isah, Musa where rescued from the tyrants of their time. And Eid Ghadeer day is the day where Prophets of Islam appointed their successors (ausiya). “is a day where prophets Ibraheem, Isah, Musa, appointed their successors.” He added. He also make it clear that; muslims believe that the mission of all the previous messengers of Allah became accomplished on this day.
This year rogramme commences with opening prayer, recitation of the holy Qur’ani and poets. Malam Abubakar Talatan Mafara said the closing prayer. Before the closing prayer, Shaikh Abdullahi Zango recite Amirul Muminin ziyarats. Eidl Ghadeer is a greatest Eid in Islam which is intentionally hidden to most of the Ummah. It is annually celebrated on 18th Dhul_Hajj since the well-known ‘Farewell Hajj’ by the holy Prophet of Islam Muhammad (S) where he appointed Ali (AS) as his successor conforming to the divine command of Allah (T).
In the tenth year of Hijra, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) received a revelation from God, ordering him to halt the pilgrims at a pond called Khum, a place near Mecca, and to designate Imam Ali (PBUH) as his successor in guiding and ruling Muslims.