Thursday 24 January 2013



Suleja maulud pictures

Monday 14 January 2013

Commemoration of Prophet's demise in Pictures


These are pictures taken at commemoration of Prophet(SAWA)'s demise. The gathering took place at Husainiyyah baqiyyatullah Zaria on Thursday the 28th of Safar 1434 (10/1/2013). 

The Prophet's Demise: Sheikh Zakzaky Clears Distortions



The Islamic movement in Nigeria led by Sheikh Zakzaky held commemoration marking the demise of the holy Prophet (SAWA) on Thursday the 28th of Safar 1433 (10/1/13) at Husainiyyah baqiyyatullah Zaria. 
The commemoration was well attended. The Leader delivered a lengthy speech which covered many areas such as the Prophet’s sickness, nursing, passing away, funeral and the happenings afterwards. He also cleared distortions regarding the events.
The event of demise of the holy Prophet was surrounded by many distortions in an attempt to cover important issues regarding the leadership of the Ummah after him to which Sheikh Zakzaky made clarification citing different sources.
Distortions regarding the Prophet’s demise
The chief among the lists of the distortion and fabrications aimed at raising the status of others and or to cover that of others is that the Prophet passed away while in the room of one woman and leaning on her body!  Sheikh Zakzaky cleared this distortion citing different sources. He said in reality, the Prophet passed away in his personal room in the presence of Ali (AS), Fatimah(SA), Hasan(AS) and Husain(AS) as nobody was present apart from them.
His funeral arrangement, washing and enshrouding was also carried by Imam Ali in accordance with Will of the holy Prophet(SAWA) as nobody was allowed to see the nakedness of the Prophet otherwise that person would become blind. So, Imam Ali undertook the entire event. He washed the body of Prophet, as Angel Gabriel turned the body.  After the prophet was enshrouded by Imam Ali, he led the Funeral Prayer with only 7 people. Later the Imam led people in group of 10 for the prayer.  Unfortunately, others went appointing Khalifah even before the Funeral prayer for the body of the Prophet (SAWA). When reporting the incidence they failed to even state that Ali led the funeral prayer of the Prophet(SAWA), neither did they say it was led by someone else, they just kept mute about the important event.
More on the issue of funeral prayer is that only wasiy of a Prophet led his funeral. This is the case since Adam. Ali, being the Wasiy of the Prophet and the Imam of the Ummah after him, undertook the entire event- he put the body inside the grave as Fadal assisted in lifting the body. This rejects distortion which says Mugheerah was the last to bid farewell to the Prophet in his grave. Mugheerah said, according to a report,  his ring fell inside the grave and he entered to take it and in the process embraced the Prophet’s body  thus making him the last to see the body of the Prophet.  Whereas, Ali is the first and the last, to see the holy Prophet(SAWA).
The holy Prophet died as a shaheed ( a martyr) as his death was as a result of poison he was fed with. A hadeeth says’ there is none among us (Prophets/Imams) except that he was either killed or poisoned’. His martyrdom took place on 28th of Safar 11AH.
More issues regarding Prophet’s demise(SAWA)
The holy prophet’s soul departed the world in his room, as Imam Ali said; no soul of a Prophet is taken away except in a place pleased by Allah. If there is any other room, then it had to be the room of Sayyidah Fatimah(SA).
Another matter is an address ascribed to one of the Sahabas regarding the news of the Prophet’s demise; the person said “anyone who worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead; and whoever worships Allah, He is living one…” the manner of the address is an act of disrespect by calling the name- Muhammad. In reality, none among the people who went Thaqeefah joined the funeral prayer of the Prophet or even saw his body.
The death which  Imam Ali described  as a museebah which is the greatest in  weight that cannot be taken by even mountains and rocks, yet others gathered at Thaqeefah to appoint Leader- they were busy after leadership. The Imam said he observed silence in order to carry out the order of the Prophet in his Will which include funeral prayer and the compilation of the holy Qur’an into unified authoritative form. It was Ali(AS) who compiled it not by Ummayyad as they said. It is the same Qur’an we have today.
The holy Imam being the last with the prophet also received special knowledge. The Imam  said the Prophet opened 1000  gates of knowledge to him, and each gate opens another 1000 gates. He also told the holy Imam that his share of khums will be denied to Ahlulbayt(AS), and that  blood  will be spilled.
 Review of events during life time of the holy Prophet (SAWA)
It is important to mention some of the major happenings regarding the holy Prophet(SAWA). His father passed away when the holy was not yet born and he lost his mother, Amina(SA) at the age of 4 or 7 or 8 (variation  due to sources of the reports); she died at a place called Abwah along Makka-Maduna route. The Prophet married Sayyidah Khadeejah(SA) at the age of 25. His brother Imam Ali was born 30 years after the Prophet was born. At the age of 40 the prophet declared his mission. Mi’raj (ascension) of the holy prophet  took place at the age of 45.  Zahra  was born after declaration of his mission. He lost Sayyidah Khadeejah when he was 50. He migrated to Madina at the age of 52.
His demise marked the beginning of the Imamate of Ali(As). It also marked the beginning of the confiscation of the right of succession from him and the beginning of the braking of oath of allegiance to him in Ghadeer.

Sheikh Zakzaky Cautions Against Violent Conflicts


 By Ibrahim Usman
Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqub Zakzaky was the centre of attraction at the just concluded innaugural ceremony of an NGO, Christian/Muslim Alternative to Conflict at Arewa House, Kaduna, as he was among the special guests of honour at the occasion.
 
The innaugural ceremony which was attended by both Muslim and Christian clergies, as well as many of followers of the faiths, discussed roots of conflicts, its management and resolution among other things.
 
Sheikh Zakzaky in his goodwill message, explained that having many ethnic and religious groups in a country is not a problem. “It is not a problem at all, for that is natural and that is how God want us to be, there is no avoinding it. If one views this as a problem, then is there a problem that has no solution? Tell me no, then any “problem” that has no solution is not a problem at all”.
 
He pointed out that having different ethnic and religious groups becomes a problem only when people perceived it to be, adding that the society should reap from the blessing of the diversity through understanding and respect for each other’s culture and beliefs. “There can never be a society with one religion or ethnic group. Dialogue is used when it comes to religion,” he said.  He also cautioned against engaging in violent conflicts, and laterlook for resolution. “Why fight in the first place?”, he asked.
 
Sheikh Zakzaky also said, to get to the root of a problem, the society must find out beneficiaries of the conflict, who he said are the perpetrators of the conflict. He called on both Muslims and Christians not to be used by perpetrators of conflict as agents of destruction. He also warned perpetrators of conflicts: “One day you will be devoured by the same conflict you instigate”.
 
Sheikh Zakzaky commended the organization for the innitiative worthy of emulation and pledged co-operation of the Isamic Movement in Nigeria to achieve the set objectives.
 
Earlier in his presentation, the chief host, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Musa Gashash (Sardaunan Matasan Nijeriya), identified the many categories of conflicts in the Nigerian context and the trauma within.
He pointed out that part of the objectives of the organization was to curb these violent traits and trauma in all shades and colors, and “to examine our own lives and to make our own commitment to live peacefully with all around us and to accept one another as brothers and sisters.
 
He extended invitation to all religious bodies, individual and groups to share experiences and find alternative to conflicts in Nigeria.
 
Chairman of the occasion, Comrade Sheuhu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress, represented by Mohammed Lawal Salisu, innaugurated officials to run affairs of the organization, and called on them to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

Friday 11 January 2013

Sheikh Zakzaky: ethnic groups, regions are NOT Problems at all



During the Inaugural  ceremony of the  Association of  Christian/Muslim Alternative to Conflict(C-MAC)  held at Arewa House Conference Hall, Kaduna on Wednesday the 9th of January 2013, the Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky delivered a goodwill message 
to the attendants comparising of Muslim Clerics, Bishops and large number of both Muslims and Christians participants.In his message the Leader wished the Association the best of success in its endeavour to achieve its goals adding that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria will contribute to the success of the new association.
He further said the problems in Nigeria are perceived by people to be many whereas it is not. He elaborated that having ethnic groups is blessing from Allah as nobody has made an application to choose the ethnic group or area he wants to be. He therefore said, the issue of regions and ethnicity are not problems at all. This is because; he said these are natural things which have no solutions.
 Speaking further on issue of religion he outlined that religion is the matter of believe and conviction and working in accordance with its teachings. He therefore said religion is to do with discussions on areas where adherents of the religions agree and where they differ. He however, stressed that one thing which is very clear is that “we must live together”.
He further called on all people to embrace peace “if we must live together why then must we fight” adding that people must skip the problems and go to the solutions. He further stated that ‘are we going to have a country with single religion?’ the answer is No, he said, adding that then people must live together in harmony.
On the issue of crises in Nigeria, Sheikh Zakzaky stated that whenever there are crises, look for those who benefits from the crises, one can easily arrive at the right answer.  One of the causes of crises in Nigeria is by the leaders just  to maintain their position on Power, the Sheikh said. He therefore warned that those who cause crises for power and selfish interest will be consumed by it one day. He also called on all the people, especially the youths, not to be used or involved in any crises whatsoever. 

Monday 7 January 2013

Sheikh Bin Fodiye Annual Conference: Sheikh Zakzaky Clears Historical Distortions


By Ibrahim usman
Some historical perspectives on life and times of legendary revivalist, Sheikh Uthman Bin Fodiye were distorted and significance of his jihad misconceived over the years.
This was stated by Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky(H), at the 5th Annual Conference of Sheikh Uthman Bin Fodiye, organized by the Resource Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Abuja branch held at the Abuja Central Mosque.
Sheikh Zakzaky pointed out that, right from the onset, Sheikh Bin Fodiye did not bring Islam to the region but fought injustice and innovation through preaching, teaching and examplary good conduct.He said, Sheikh Bin Fodio devoted his 63 year life span in the search of knowledge and teaching, which made him a symbol of learning.
According to Sheikh Zakzaky, Sheikh Bin Fodiye was an Islamic scholar, and not a traditional ruler as he is being portrayed. The name “Fodiye”, he explains, means Islamic scholar and he therefore represented knowledge.
“Sheikh Bin Fodio could not just keep silent on the prevailing situation of injustice and religious distortion by rulers he found himself, being a schloar who was divinely vested with the trust of speaking out against injustice and misrule”, said Sheikh Zakzaky.
 
Sheikh Zakzaky also explained that some mythical historical distortions had given Bawa Jan Gwarzo, the ruler at the time of Sheilh Bin Fodiye’s struggle, supernatural powers over and above Sheikh Bin Fodiye, which he said were unfounded.
He pointed out that, though Sheikh Bin Fodiye was a threat to Bawa Jan Gwarzo, he was however diplomatic with him, til his death and subsequent rulers took over him.
Another misconception cleared by Sheikh Zakzaky was portraying the Jihad of Sheikh Bin Fodiye as a tribal issue, to be specific Fulani versus Hausa. “This is why sometimes they refer to it as Fulani Jihad”, he added. He emphised the Sheikh Bin Fodiye’s Jihad was an Islamic Jihad which changed the course of history, as there were Fulani, Hausa and other tribes among his students and disciples. He cited the example of Shehu’s flagbearer in Bauchi, Yakubun Bauchi, who he said was not Fulani.
“Sheikh Bin Fodiye did not necessarily used sword to successfully actualized his revolution. His, like other revivalists, was a revolution of knowledge and good conduct which he used as basic weapons to change the unjust system of his time. The then rulers were Muslims who mixed Islam with sorcery, bad innovations and tyranny. Sheikh Bin Fodio could not have kept quite silent in the face of these as an Islamic scholar who was looked upon as a role model”, said Zakzaky.
Drawing the lessons to be learned in the life and times of Sheikh Bin Fodiye, Sheikh Zakzaky said in the current Nigerian situation, where traditional institutions similar to the time of Shehu are intent on destroying the remnant of his good work, it is incumbent on those who are now living in the land where the Shehu lived to revive the Jihad of Shehu.
He said, Islam is now portrayed as a religion of terrorists through evil machinations, and that they only way out of this is taking up the model of Sheikh Bin Fodiye.
“This is the land of Shehu and the land of Muslims and Islam, wheather one likes it or not, it is the truth. We are not dead, but in a slumber, and surely we will be awake”.

Pictures of Sheikh Bn Fodiye Annual Conference, Abuja


Pictures taken during Conference on Life and Struggle of Sheikh Uthman Bn Fodio at National Mosque Abuja on Sunday the 6th of Januuary 2013.
Sheikh returned home safely. Pictues below

Copyright @ 2013 Shekh Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zakzaky (H).