By Mallam Yusuf Abdullahi
In the name of Allah who states “Shall We treat those who
believe and work deeds of righteousness the same as those who do mischief on
earth?Shall we treat those who guard against evil, the same as those who turn
aside from the right?" Q38:28
May the everlasting peace and blessings of Allah be upon his
noblest servant, our master Muhammad (s) and his oppressed progeny.
Let me start with the condolence to the families of the
martyrs and leadership of the Islamic movement over the bomb blast at Dakasoye
village claimed over 23 lives during the symbolic trek to Zaria. Same
condolence is extended to the families of the victims in the earlier attacks at
Borno and Kano that killed many innocent people. We pray to Allah, in His
infinite mercy to cure the injured,uncover and bring an end to the criminals behind theglobal conspiracy meant
to blackmail Islam and massacre Muslims in this country andbeyond.
Of the most important things drawing the attention of the
world at this time is the 40th day mourning of the martyrdom of Imam Husain
(as), at the great shrine in Karbala -
Iraq - where millions faithful annually converge at the largest gathering on
earth.Beside hospitable reception and utmost healthcare accorded the pilgrims
by the management of the great shrine, security is jointly ensured despite the
country's difficult situation. Significant role is played by the religious
authorities, scholars and other faithful in the cause of the symbolic journey
wishing the reward of Allah in
theservices to the visitors.
Equally, the event is commemorated across the world
including Nigeria where millions converge at HusainiyyatuBaqiyyatullah, Zaria
where the leader of the Islamic movement delivers his speech. This is in line
with narration of Imam Ja'far (as) that equated visit to their rightful
followers to that of A'immah for those faithful incapable of the distant
journey.
In contrast to the unscientificand narrow - mindedthought
that Ashura was a bygone historic tragedy, the event denotes an everlasting
warfare between right and wrong, truth and false and of course justice and
oppression. This was the lesson maintained by the late Imam Khomeini in his
popular expression, every day is Ashura and every place is Karbala!
Looking at the increasing attention focused on the oppressed
progeny of the noble prophet (s), the way some people try to misguide the
Ummahon baseless allegations is not only surprising but very disheartening.
Love Of The Prophet's Progeny
The love of the progeny of the noble prophetis unequivocally
mandatory on the Ummah. Allah stated "... no reward do I ask of you for
this except the love of those near of kin...” Q42:23. Itis good to stress the
fact that the companions of the prophet were the first generation of Muslims
obliged to love, respect and pay allegiance to them. So they were in no way
equal to them. With higher degrees, the progeny were elevated above the
companions.Itis pertinent to stress the
fact that love of the Ahlul - baitcannot be merged with that of their enemies.
Infact, the unfortunate Ashura tragedyis directly linked with the episode of
Saqeefa.
In a hadeeth narrated by Muslim, Tirmizi, Musnad Ahmad and
Mustadrak,the prophet (s) said “the messenger of my Lord is about to come to me
and I shall answer. I am leaving with you the two weighty things: the first is
the book of Allah, in which you find guidance and enlightenment, and the people
of my household. I remind you by Allah, of the people of my household, I remind
you by Allah, of the people of my household”
The prophet has also said in relation to Imam Ali in
Mustadrak and Kanzulummal “whoever wishes to live and die like me, and to abide
in the Garden of Eden after death should acknowledge Ali as his patron and
follow Ahlul - bait after me, for they are my Ahlul- bait and they have been
created out of the same knowledge and understanding as myself. Woe unto those
followers of mine who will deny the Ahlul - bait their distinctions and who
will disregard their relationship and affinity with me. My Allah never let them
benefit from my intercession”
He has also said on various occasions, “Husain is from me
and I am from Husain, O Allah do love he who loves Husain". The Imam went
out on the call of his grandfather for a reform “I have not risen up, but to
safeguard the religion of my grandfather, the Prophet.” But for the great
sacrifice of the Imam and his followers, Islam would have been a thing of
history! What a paradox that some equate the two conflicting parties together!
It is completely illogical to claim the love of Imam Ali and that of
Mu'awiya-leader of the unjust group - or Imam Husain and Yazid who did not love
one another to their last minutes.
Denouncing Oppression
Certainly, the murder and mutilation of Imam Husain was the
worst atrocity in human history. However, some people tryshelter- skelter to
exonerate the culprits from their deliberate atrocity.It is in line with
baseless claims they created the widely circulated political joker accusing the
Shi'ah of abusing the companions of the prophets. Evidently, the Shi'ah are
known world over as the vanguards of the noble messenger and Islam entirely.
Those against Shi'ahequate Imam Ali with Mu'awiya,and some
even exonerate Yazid from his devilish action. They attack the way Shi'ah mourn
the Karbala tragedy and speak against them in the name of keeping off from the
acts of predecessors. There is no wisdom in such assertion because Allah has
given us the holy Qur'an as a clear criterion to differentiate right and wrong
and justice and oppression respectively. Allah has prohibited oppression upon
Himself, condemned it among His servants and strongly warned against it. Then
why should we remain silent against oppression? Why can't we speak against
oppressors and mischief - makers? "Is then the men who believe no better
than the men who are rebellious and wicked? Not equal are they. Q32:18
Certainly, we were taught to do right just as we were
enjoined to avoid injustice and speak against it "And do not incline to
those who are unjust, lest the fire touch you, and you have no guardians
besides Allah, then you shall not be helped" Q11 :113
Islam is basically opposed to oppression even against
animals. That is why the Shi'ahare always against it from whichever angle it
comes. Allah states"Shall We then
treat the people of Faith like the people of sin? What is the matter with you?
How judge ye? Q68:35-36
Support For Justice
Our denouncement of oppression expresses our quest for
justice at the same time. “You are the best community raised for the good of
mankind.You enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong, and you believe in
Allah” Q3:110.
The love of the Ahlul - bait condemns oppression and
promotes justice.This was the philosophy behind the first trek to Karbalaby
Jabir ibnAbd-Allah al-Ansari, a reknowncompanion of the Holy Prophet on the
40th day of the Imam's martyrdomwhere he coincidentally met the surviving
members of the prophet's family underImam Ali Zain al - Abideen and his
audacious AuntySayyidaZainab!
Unavoidably, one must sympathize with either of the two
parties. And regardless of all inclinations, people with a common sense of
humanity cannot but side with the oppressed. Edward Granville Browne, the
Englishorientalist, saidis there any heart not to bleed and grieve when told
about Karbala? Even non - Muslims cannot deny the chastity of the soul
manifested in this war under the banner of Islam. On his part, the
India’spoliticalandspiritualleader, Mahatma Gandhi said “I have carefully read
the biography of Imam Hussein and have contemplated the events of Karbala. I am
sure Indians must follow his ideas on the path to victory!
Then, with whom is your sympathy? There is no cause to be
confused on the position of the two parties who never compared. Right from the
occurrence of the incidence, some supported the oppressors and others were
mislead to equate them with the oppressed, which is anobvious form of oppression. Punishing the criminals
and rewarding the good doers is the tradition of Allah. This is what all verses
of the noble Qur’an and sayings of the noble messenger attest.
Therefore, one must clearly analyze the two parties and take
a right stand so that he or she may not be raised with oppressors and enemies
of the blessed prophetic family on the last day. Al - Tabarani related from Ibn
Abbas that “no one shall be able to move from his place of reckoning on the day
of Judgment until he has stated four things: how he spent his life and his
wealth, where he got his wealth from and he shall also be asked about the love
of the Ahlul- bait.
In Answer To The Call Of The Imam
The popular wording of the Imam was “Indeed I went out
claiming reform for the ummah (nation of my grandfather -Allah’s prophet), I
want order all that Islam has ordained and prohibit atrocious behaviors”. But
for the great sacrifice of the Imam and his followers, Islam would have been a
thing of history!
Generally speaking, the commemoration reminds the faithful
on the need foran unflinching stand in the fight against oppression for the
establishment of justice on earth. Obviously, this can bring about change in
the society as Ashura was the catalyst for the success of Islamic revolution in
Iran.Allah states “… verily, never will Allah change the condition of a people
until they change it themselves with their own souls …” Q13:11
As we commemorate the 40th day mourning of the oppressed
Imam we urge the world to embrace the path of justice and righteousness and
reject oppression and exploitation as did the audacious Imam.
Wassalamualaikum.
(Abdullahi wrote from Zaria Kaduna state)
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