Audience

in handshake with district heads of makera
and Barnawa.

farewell from kaduna

The Annual Maulid Lecture was organized by the Resource Forum of Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

 The Resource Forum of Islamic Movement in Nigeria organised the annual Maulud Lecture at General Hassan Usman Katsina Hall, Gamji Gate Kaduna on Saturday, the 29^th march 2008.

As usual the guest speaker was the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky(H).The Leader started his lecture with a brief explanation on the annual Maulid programme, where he said he is only going to emphasized what he used to say during the previous similar gatherings.

Period Before the Prophet(SAWA).

The leader of the Islamic Movement revisited the Arabian history before the coming of the Prophet(SAWA), where he said the Prophet came at a time the world was in darkness; the books of Musa(AS) and Isa(AS) were interpolated and their teachings were adulterated. Then, Allah out of His mercy sent the best of His creatures, Muhammmad Bn Abdullah (SAWA), to guide mankind at a time such guidance was in a dare need.

   
Sheikh during the lecture in kaduna Districts heads of Barnawa and makera listening to Sheikh's lecure

Describing the Arabian society, the leader said the Arabs left the religion of Ibraheem(AS) and became polytheists, They were in all sorts of superstitions which they ascribed to prophet Ibraheem(AS). 

Mecca Was Protected.                                                                    

The Sheikh explained further that two powerful empires were in existence before the coming of the prophet- The Roman and Persians empires which were ruling the world. Most of the Arabs were either under the rulership of Rome or Persia as they were brought under them by force, with exception of Mecca which enjoyed natural protection by God as it is surrounded by vast desert, thus making it difficult to be attacked by foreign armies. None of the empires ever attack Mecca. The second protection was by God because of His sacred house in Mecca. When Abraha with powerful elephant army attempted to attack Mecca, he was destroyed. The Meccans enjoyed the protection not only within its vicinity, but even when they traveled out. 

God did not raised  His prophet from one of the two leading empires. He rather raised him from a people who were not known with defined leadership or power-the Meccans.

The Arabs had a System of Governance.

 Despite all this, the Arabs had a system known as oligarchy. The most powerful was the leader- powerful in terms of wealth and large number of family and or supporters.  They had council of elders from every clan whose only qualification is to be strongest.

 The Jahilyyah setup was characterized with tha’ar  ie killings for revenge on anything whatsoever. They buried female daughters alive for it was considered a shame to have baby girl in the family.

 However, one thing that is very clear among the Arabs was that they respected an honest and trustworthy person and these, incidentally,  are the qualities of the noble prophet(SAWA) even before he declared his message to them. They respected an honest man even if he be poor.

Born orphan and later lost his mother at infant, the prophet was know to them as a trustworthy and an honest person. Thus, nicknamed him al-ameen ( the trustworthy) by all the Arabs. God trained the prophet in order to guide mankind and to deliver His message. The leader explained.

 Also known as man of excellent qualities and honesty, the Arabs made the prophet a Judge, when they disputed after  rebuilding the Kaába, as  who would place the black stone to its original position. Subsequently, they all agreed upon the judgment of the prophet(SAWA).

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Sheikh giving closing prayer

The Arabs leaders Went Against the prophet(SAWA)

 For fear of losing their position the leaders in Mecca refused to accept the message of Islam. The prophet (SAWA) declared the kalimah- la’ilah Ilallah, meaning there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. The leaders in Mecca knew and understood the kalimah very well. They knew the implication. They told lies to people on behalf of their false gods, thereby enjoying wealth and leadership. As for the masses they believed that the message of Islam would emancipate them from injustice. Consequently, they accepted him in spite of persecution and molestation.

 Realising the implication the Arab elites later were unanimous on killing him. They all agreed that each tribe should bring a person so that all the tribes would be responsible for his killing. God saved His prophet from their entire devilish plan.

 Lessons to be derived.

Altogether, the Prophet(SAWA) gained victory through his excellent manners and honesty as opposed to what some people asserted that he succeeded with swords. His excellent  character made him victorious. Let Muslims bring these lessons of the prophets into their lives. The Sheikh added.

On the other hand, there is a complete resemblance with the then jahillyah society. Even today there are two existing powers, the Capitalist West, which has nothing to do with Christianity , and Communist East which denies existence of God.

The slogan nowadays is money, money….,all kind of sabotage are perpetrated to make money. Are we changing for better or for worst? Only the wealthy one enjoy respect. Most people choose not to work for money but only want to amass wealth. The weak is oppressed. Unlike the Jahiliyyah of the Arabs,  where honest and trustworthy people enjoyed respect, in our society contrast is the case.

The Sheikh expressed that let every one knows that religion can not be exchanged with money. It can not be bought. It is based on selflessness and sacrifice.   But unfortunately, these days, everyone is concerned with himself only.  The leaders have no concern with their subject.

Is there any solution?

Yes, there is solution- Islam is the only answer. The sheikh explained that at several occasions that he has been warning this Ummah on the need to be careful lets their enemy have an upper hand on them. He further warned if they remain heedless the consequence will be so devastating. As it was to be the most corrupt leadership (according to sources) was imposed by few elitist club on the Nigerian masses, in which the most affected throughout the tenure of such unpopular regime were the Muslim masses. Their identity in terms of integrity, cultural ethical values, etc, were compromised.     

On the Nigerian Census result, the Sheikh asserted that all available data on the Nigerian Census from 1922 to 1952 shows Muslims were clearly in majority. The 1952 Census shows that the Nigerian Population was 55 Millions – 10 Millions as traditionalists, 12 Millions as Christians, and 23 millions as Muslims. He quote chief Awolowo when  he said “1963 census is the best of our bad”.  due to abnormalities of the subsequent 1973 census and in response to Awo’s comment, General Murtala cancelled the 1973 census.

  He further went on to quote a renown Nigerian Historian by name Samuel Ajayi Crowther, whose works further confirmed that Muslims in Nigeria were in majority and they are always on the increase. He pointed to the anomaly presented as census figure under the military regime of Babangida, which depicts the Nigerian Population as a mere 88 Millions, while on the other hand even the figure of the then eligible registered voters in the country was 66 Millions. What belies the census figure was the UN estimate of 140 Millions as Nigerian Population.

The Sheikh added that, the only acceptable figure of the Muslim population in Nigeria to us is 66-70%. He dismissed the last conducted 2006 census, which some reports shows that non-Muslims are majority as rubbish and a blatant lie which can never be accepted. He concluded by warning all those concerned to desist from upholding such census result as posterity will not forgive them.

The enemies of Islam employ all sort of plans and strategies in order to dominate the Ummah. They should know there is a certain power – Islam that can never be destroyed. And once it rises no power (on earth) can stop it.