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HOME 7/12/09

Highlight of Sheikh Zakzaky’Speech on Ghadeer. 18^TH OF Dhul hajj 1430 (5/12/09)

The Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, while congratulating thousands of believers who gathered at Fudiyyah Islamic Center (F.I.C), Zaria on Saturday 18^th of Dhul hajj (5/12/09) to celebrate one of the important events in the history Islam, revisited the historic event and explained the its lessons and significance for the benefit of all.

Sheikh Zakzaky further expressed that the ghadeer day celebrated to mark the day the holy Prophet declared his successors upto the Last Day.

In his speech the leader of the Islamic Movement, briefed the gathering on the historic Farewell Pilgrimage- the only Hajj performed by the prophet Muhammad(SAAW). He added that the prophet thought the Ummah practically all aspects of worship like Prayer and its time, Zakat etc except two things- Wilayah (leadership) and Hajj Pilgrimage.

He said that Knowing God, Prophet and the Successors of the prophet is incumbent upon every Muslim.

Sheikh Zakzaky delivering lecture on Ghadeer

He explained that the holy prophet of Islam ordered every companion with means to go for Hajj, in what is popularly known as Farewell Pilgrimage. There were about 200,000 companions during the time of Prophet (AS) and about 60,000 to 100,000 attended the only Hajj taught by him and heard the message of the prophet of appointing Imam Ali (AS) as his successor. Hajj was known to Arabs as they used to do the annual visit to Ka’aba and perform circumbulation in their own way- naked, according to their pre-Islamic act. Sheikh expressed that Prophet wanted to show them how to perform hajj according Islam.

However the companions knew that the prophet would not only teach them how to perform hajj rites but he would also appoint his successor.

It is also a known incidence amongst Muslims that a beggar came soliciting for help and Imam Ali was seen stretching out his hand and gave a sadaqah to a beggar while performing ruku’;, whereupon a verse was revealed “indeed your waliy is Allah, His Messenger and those who gave Sadaqah(charity) while doing Ruku”.

Just before the verse was revealed the Prophet(SAAW) was heard by the companions praying to God to give him a successor as He gave to prophet Musa(AS) adding that Imam Ali(AS) was performing Prayer at the time the prophet was supplicating to God for a successor .

The verse clearly was revealed on Imam of Ali confirming his successorship after the prophet, Sheikh added.

The leader of the Islamic Movement explained further that it was a most difficult situation faced by the prophet of Islam, as he expected a fierce resistance from Muslims if he declares Ali as his successor; a resistance riskier and worse than the resistance he encountered from unbelievers in Mecca during the early time of Islam.

The Prophet did not declared Imam Ali in Minna, Masjidil Khaif, Arafat and or Muztalifa for fear of what may happen. The fear entertained by the Prophet had nothing to do with his being harm, rather it is a fear out of concern for the Ummah or fitnah.

Inevitably, the prophet was ordered by Allah through angel Gabreil to deliver the message of succesorship to his people and was assured protection from their evils and was also warned that failing to do so will tantamount to failing to deliver the message of God. Thus, the prophet ordered all companions to stop at place called Ghadeer; he also ordered those who had already passed the pool to be called back. And they waited those who had not yet arrived. All companions, their number ranged between 60,000 to 100,000, all going to different places were ordered to converge at Ghadeer.

Ghadeer is a general route leading to major cities and areas from Medina. So people most pass the place before proceeding to their various destinations.

He noted that the holy prophet delivered a lengthy sermon at Ghadeer- a sermon which the holy prophet did not deliver in Minna and Arafat for fear of what may come out of fitnah. A podium made of camel saddles was erected and the Prophet and Imam Ali climbed it. The Prophet(AS), after expressing profound gratitude to Allah , then (AS) declared “whoever I’m his Maulah (leader), Ali is his Leader, who ever I’m his waliy Ali is his waliy too”

After the declaration all the companions, about 60,00 to 100,000 thousands, paid allegiance to Imam Ali. The hadeeth is popular amongst Muslims though some tried to give it a different interpretation, all in vain due to circumstances and events surrounding it. Some of them opined that the hadeeth was said by the prophet to cool Imam Ali after he was angered. Anyway, some confirmed it.

Shiekh Zakzaky added that all companions, including women, paid allegiance to Imam Ali, an act which took the whole of the day to the following morning; some even congratulated him.

During Morning Prayer, the Prophet ordered Aba Zarr to give Adhan(call to prayer), whereupon Aba ZArr added “ash hadu anna Aliyan waliyal Lah” in it. Aba Zarr received positive comment from the Prophet for adding the phrase. The prophet confirmed that what Aba Zarr added was what happened practically at Ghaddeer.

The leader lamented that some of the companions were not happy with the appointment of Imam Ali and even blamed the holy prophet of selfish and of confining leadership to his family upto the Day of Judgement.

Sheikh Zakzaky explained that some people opined that the issue that happened during the prophet regarding the Imamate should not be raised. He howverer called on those people to stop condemning other people belief. He added that what triggers the issue to be discussed is that some people openly expressed that companions are being insulted and those who commit the insult are kafirs (unbelievers).

How can we leave aside the issue of Imamate; the issue of Imam Ali whose the prayers of other people are being answered because of him.!!! Sheikh lamented

He added that why shouldn’t the opponents go into the books of Shiites and know their views?!!

The leader of the Islamic Movement concluded by expressing profound gratitude to Allah for the bounty of following the Imam Ali (alaihis salam).

A ziyara for Imam Ali was read by the Leader and a closing prayer.

Pictures of Ghadeer celebarion in Zaria.