IMAM IS STILL ALIVE WITHIN US!!!

          Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) was the special guest speaker on Sunday 1^st June 2008 at Kongo conference hotel Zaria in the annual Imam Ruhullah Khomeini (QS) week conducted by the Academic forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (AFIMN), where he delivered a lecture on “The struggle of Imam Khomeini” drawing audience from across the nation with Prof Maigandi as the chairman of the occasion.

          Sheikh in his introductory remarks expressed that talking on the struggle of Imam Khomeini is indeed vast but will however touch a little of the struggle of Imam. Sheikh went on to talk at length on the main contribution of Imam on changing the thinking of the world in the last Christian era towards religion. This is so at a time when being intelligent, progressive, wise, not belonging to the bourgeoisie and what have you in the 1970’s was only considered to be characteristics of those that belong to any of the two dominating ideologies in the world i.e. capitalism spearheaded by America and their cohorts or socialism spearheaded by the former USSR (Soviet Union). Thus inspite of the differences that exist in these ideologies of modernism, they see al-Islam as an ideology of the past that has no contemporary bearing in the present world scenario thus being progressive is by adopting either of the ideology. However Imam showed practically the relevance of al-Islam (Religion) in the running of the affairs of the society not seen as an ideology of the past that is only remembered and stays within the places of worship.

          Despite the fact that Imam Khomeini came to be known as a hero in the 1980’s he partook in   various form of struggle thus he reviewed in summary who was Imam. Imam was born in khomein with his great grand parents migrating from Kashmir, Iraq and Madinatul Nabiy. Starting his studies with his senior brother Ayatullah Parsendidi, and latter distinguished himself in studies in the renowned Islamic learning centre of Qum. In Qum he distinguished himself as a scholar by bringing change in the approach taken on the status quo of rulership and leadership i.e. a leadership belongs only to a person that is Islamic theology, Fiqh, trustworthy, has fear in Allah (T) a zahid, which was expatiated in the writing of Imam (QS) in “Wilayatul Faqih”.  Other instrumental writings of Imam that help reshaped the thought of many included “Kashful Ashrar (reviling the secret) and “hukumatul Islamiy” (Islamic government). Sheikh also went to explain the struggle Imam with those in authority while guiding people on the right path which history has recorded up to the revolution and beyond until his return back to Allah (T).

          Major lesson that could be derived from the struggle of Imam include;

·         Reformation of the thought of people that “religion is not the opium of the masses” rather as a tool to having success of life in this world and the hereafter, i.e. use in running the affairs of world, contrary to the dictate that progress  and running the affairs of the world lie with  the ideologies of capitalism or socialism. The comment of non-Muslims like Kim en Sung of Korea that the struggle of Imam has shown to us that Religion was never the opium of the Masses but as a means to running the affairs of humanity and that of Kurt Weilderham saying Imam has made him to be proud of Christianity and there is hope in religion suffice to point out the role Imam played.

·         Religion was now taken and considered to be as a means of liberation of all oppressed as shown by Imam when tyrannical rulership of Shah was changed to the dictate of Allah (T) under the guidance of the just servant of Allah (T) with peace and tranquillity prevailing. Thus emphatically showing every society could equally follow the foot-step of Rasoul (S) as shown in this contemporary society of us by one of his progeny. The faith of Iran and Lebanon under the Hizbullah is well known to everyone.

While making concluding remarks Sheikh thanked Allah (T) for making us follow the footsteps of Imam (QS) one of his devoted servant. The influence of Imam Struggle has spilled all over the globe, for example in Lebanon, Iraq, Nigeria, even in the western countries, just name them. The collapse of the former Soviet Union as foretold in the historic letter of Imam to the then President of Soviet Union Gorvachev that  any nation that denies the existence of God in its ideology will indeed crumble is recorded by history, of course we await while struggling the collapse of capitalism biizinillah! IMAM IS STILL ALIVE WITH US because he has revived back that thought that our entire life belongs to Allah (T) only which is the only antidote to the world problems. Thus the world has had one Imam Khomeini (QS) and does not need another, having various followers across the globe.

Muhammad Isa Ahmad