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Arbaeen Refreshes the Revolutionary Inspiration of Karbala-Highlight of Sayyid's Zakzaky's Arbaeen Lecture. By Dauda Nalado
The fortieth day majlis after the Karbala tragedy, popularly tagged arbaeen was observed worldwide.
The
Islamic Movement in Nigeria was not left behind. Muslims trooped in
multitudes to Bakiyyatullah Husainiyya at Zaria on Saturday 20th Safar,
1433 H/14th January, 2012.
This
year there were many brothers and sisters from different parts of the
country notably those from Zaria periphery, Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi Kano,
Bichi, who trekked to the venue in order to grace the occasion. In his
speech, the revered leader of the Movement, his eminence, Sayyid
Zakzaky (H) identified with the Muslims in mourning on this date. He
noted the increase over the years of the population of people trooping
to Karbala during arbaeen. The official number quoted was 18 million.
In Lebanon multitudes of people including women, children and the aged
trekked to ba’al bakk, an ancient terminal which the progeny of the
Prophet were arduously dragged through on their roundabout route to
Damascus after the Karbala tragedy. The tomb of Hawlah, who died on
transit, is located at this important terminal.
Sayyid (H) noted that whosoever observes, keenly, the arbaeen
gatherings worldwide, will ponder on the moving force inherent in the
minds of participants. The ‘mind’ surpasses every force or money
bargain. Those attendant humble minds were reiterating their
unflinching loyalty to the cause of the Imam. They wished that they
were at the plains of Karbala then. The issue of the sacrifice of Imam
Husain (AS) transcends beyond Islam. Hitler of Germany, India’sMahatma
Gandhi and some Christians hold Husain sacrifice as a Model.
Husain,
therefore, continues to be a rallying point for the salvation of
mankind. In his speech Malam (H) noted, rather with dismay, that some
Muslims consider the issue of Husain as exclusively for the ‘Shi’ah’.
The Muslim Ummah is unanimous on the narration that Hasan and Husain
are the leaders of the youth in paradise. It may not be an
overstatement to say that whosoever thinks Karbala concerns only the
Shi’ah should reexamine his belief with the Holy Prophet (SAWA).
Sayyid
(H), as the tradition in such gatherings, briefly reviewed the Ashura
happenings after the final severing of the head of Husain (AS), the
humiliating display of the progeny of the Prophet through major towns,
the inhuman journey to Damascus and the encounter of the cursed Yazeed
(LA) with Zainab and Aliyu zainul abideen (salamullah wa salamuhu
alaihim).
On the issue of the number ‘arbaeen’ (40), his Eminence explained that
there is a special divine marvel behind it. He cited some examples: The
prophet started to receive revelation at 40. Musa (AS) prepared
(miqati) for 40 days before ‘talking’ to his Lord. Sulayman (AS) made
special prayers when he reached 40.
In the ahadith, it was reported that man metamorphoses at the mother’s
womb in stages each 40 days interval before he becomes a living embryo.
There is also the famous narration from Imam Hasan Askariy (AS) that
there are five distinctive signs to identify a true believer: Near and
far Ziyaratu arbaeen (40); putting on rings on the right wrist finger
(s); regular observance of a total (obligatory and optional) 51rakats
in day and night; shukr prostration (at the end of prayers) on piece of
sand and finally recitation of Basmalah (bismillahirrahmanirraheem)
openly in both silent and quite recitations in obligatory prayers).
Also whosoever secludes himself for 40 days, Allah would bestow him
with marvelous wisdom. Sayyid Zakzaky in his remarks also emphasized
that the actions of Yazeed and those of Husain continue to manifest and
draw parallels in our lives today.
He cited the sad development where some Yazeedistelements implant bombs
which kill innocent men, women and children. Hence Ashura lives on.
Again, Malam (H) provided a food for thought to the advocates of
removal of ‘bidiah’ by explaining the fact that it was Jabeer bn
Abdullah al ansariy (RA), the renowned companion of the Prophet, who
was the first to visit the tomb of Imam Husain at Karbala on the
fortieth day after Ashura. So even according to their supposedly set
standard, ziyaratu arbaeen is an established Sunnah. Sayyidah Zaynab,
Imam Zaynul abideen and the remaining members of the progeny of the
Prophet, after being released, met Jabeer at Karbala. They brought
along the severed heads of the Imam and other martyrs and linked them
with the respective bodies. They stayed for three days and mourned.
Sayyid
Zakzaky, before the final note, translated a narration of the letter
sent by Imam Ja’afar as Saadiq (AS) to his cousin Abdullah bn Hasan.
The latter, together with members of his family were jailed. So the
Imam sent the letter in order to soothe the aggravations of his kin. He
tried to persuade them to persevere on the calamity that befell them.
For every museeba, there is a corresponding reward. He cited many
verses from the Holy Qur’an exhorting man to perseverance. The letter
also touched on the fact that this world is worthless in the ‘eyes’ of
God. If it has a value, the unbeliever could never get even a drop of
water. Allah usually tests the believers with museeba. Their
perseverance raises their status with God. Imam Sadiq cited great
museebas that were inflicted on his grandfathers Ameeril mu’umineen,
Imam Hasan and Imam Husain. They all persevered. Sayyid Zakzaky (H)
urged listeners to derive and act upon the valuable lessons from this
golden letter.
On
a final note, Malam (H) noted that one stands to get sa’adah as a
result of sympathy to the Karbala museeba. On the other hand, one
stands to get shaqawah as a result of affirming the museeba. There is
no NEUTRAL position. Those who claim neutrality are actually for
Yazeed. Either be for Husain or be for Yazeed. Imam Mahdi (AF) will
take vengeance on those that follow the ‘aqeedah’ of Umayyads. They are
pleased with the actions of the Umayyads.
Maghrib and Isha’i prayers were conducted. After that Sayyid (H)
recited the Ziyarats of Arbaeen and Ashura. Then Du’a Alqamah was
recited. The majlis was closed and people set for their respective
destinations hoping for a similar chance years to come.
