The Birthday of Imam Ali Zaynul Abideen commemorated by Ameerul Mu’umineen Unit of the Islamic Movement in Kano

Action speaks louder than voice. The adherents of the authentic Sunnah
of the prophet, wherever they are, try at all times to demonstrate practically his instructions and abrogation. This is what propels the Muslims all over the World to hold sessions on the eve of 11th Zhul qa’adah each year to commemorate the birthday of Imam Aliyu ar-Ridha (AS). He is the 8th among the twelve rightly guided leaders commanded to be followed after the Prophet. This command was made by the Prophet himself as established from authentic sources. Members of Ameerul mu’mineen (Na’ibawa) unit of the Kano centre of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria were not left behind. They organized a similar occasion on the same date, i.e. last Monday (11th Dhulqa’dah, 1431H equivalent to 18th October, 2010 CE) at ‘Yanlemo quarters, in Kumbotso Local Government of Kano State. Some months ago, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sayyid Zakzaky (H) enjoined brothers and sisters to be observing such occasions as related to the revival of the awareness on the esteemed leadership positions of the Imams. Since then, the Kano centre has assigned the birthday commemoration of each of the twelve Imams to specific units (halqas) as appropriate. Already Fagge, Tudun wada and sabon titi units have conducted same. It is hoped that this would enhance the proper understanding of the real authentic teachings of Islam.
The opening prayer and the usual recitation from the verses of the Holy Qur’an were performed by Malam Tijjani Thabitu and Maryam Siraj, respectively. The guest speaker, Shaykh Sharif Shubliy, dwelt on the life of Imam Ridha (AS). The discussant was Malam Imamu Ya’qub kurna. In his speech, Sharif Shubliy briefly traced the biography of the Imam: Imam Ridha (AS) was the son of Imam Musa bn Ja’afar (AS). It was gathered from one reliable source that he was born at Madinah in the year 148 AH. He lived for 49 years. Another source establishes 53 years. The speaker then quoted some verses from the Holy Qur’an and authentic sayings of the Holy Prophet (SAWA) to establish the fact that mandates the Muslim Ummah to follow the teachings of the progeny of the Prophet ( i.e his Ahlul Bayt). Their followership is the only
true guidance. During their lifetimes, they provided readymade foundations and verdicts on jurisprudence. In this time of the occultation of the last Imam (AF), it is the pious, well-learned
scholars (Mujtahideen), who provide proxy verdicts. This ceases after his long awaited re-appearance. May God hasten it.

The speaker noted that all the Imams are birds of the same feather. Despite the fact that some behaviors are usually exclusively attributed to some of them, it does not imply that the others are
devoid of such ethics. To buttress this point, the erudite scholar gave some examples: Imam Hassan Al-Mujtaba (AS), is known for his perseverance and magnanimity; Imam Hussain (AS), for his struggle against tyranny and injustice; Imams Ja’afar (AS) and Saadiq (AS) for their in-depth Knowledge and wisdom and Imam Zaynul abideen (AS) for his dedicated acts of worship. These did not, however, mean that the exclusive known stark qualities were absent in others.
Malam Imam Kurna, in his remarks, re-iterated the fact that this Ummah should hold fast on the two inseparables: The Qur’an and the Ahlul Bayt. Failure to adhere to this was the cause of the current calamity that befalls the Ummah. He urged the people to go back to their senses
so that the society may prosper once again.

The representative leader of this halqa, Malam Yusuf Abdullahi, donated copies of the Holy Qur’an and a carton of toilet soap to some distinguished alarammas (those who committed the whole Qur’an into memory), on behalf of the brothers and sisters. This was a gesture to
glorify the event. The guest speaker, Sharif Shubliy handed over the gift items.
The vote of thanks was presented by Malam Siraj Habib Wailari. Mal Bashir Ibraheem Sabon titi made the closing prayers.
 

Muhammad Isah Ahmad