Eid Ghadeer is one of the Islamic Occasions duly celebrated by the Followers of Ahlul Bayt(AS) World wide. The name is derived after a water pool called Ghadeer Khoom, a place where the prophet of Islam, after a lengthy speech, appointed Imam Ali as successor after him, thus the name Eid Ghadeer.
The Leader of the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, while congratulating thousands of believers who gathered at Fudiyyah Islamic Center (F.I.C), Zaria on Saturday 18th of Dhul hajj (5/12/09) to celebrate one of the important events in the history Islam, revisited the historic event and explained its significance. Sheikh Zakzaky reciting Ziyara of Imam Ali(AS) after the lecture.
Sheikh Zakzaky revisited history of Islam, where he said there were about 200 thousands companions and about 120,000 of them performed the Hajj with Prophet and paid allegiance to Imam Ali when the prophet declared him as his successor. Sheikh added that the prophet in his lengthy sermon declared:
"whoever Im his Maulah(master), then Ali is his master"
“whoever I’m his waliy(leader), then this Ali is his leader too”;
A saying which is popular amongst Muslims though some tried to give it a different interpretation, all in vain due to circumstances and events surrounding it. Cross section of Muslims during Ghadeer day in Zaria
He added that all companions, including women, paid allegiance to Imam Ali, an act which took the whole of the day to the following morning; some even congratulated him.
After the lengthy sermon, explained Sheikh, the prophet declared believing in the leadership of Imam Ali is tantamount to believe in Allah and his prophet .
The leader lamented that some of the companions objected the choice of Imam Ali and even blamed the holy prophet of selfish and even blamed him of confining leadership to his family adding that those who objected pledged to do all they can to stop Imam Ali from attaining the position. Cross section of Muslims during Ghadeer day in Zaria
In all the cases, sheikh explained, the issue of Imamate is of utmost important. Without it the message of Islam is not complete. This is outlined in the verse revealed to the prophet which says today I have completed your religion for you… It is with the imamate of Ali(AS) the religion of Islam became complete.
The Occasion was attended by thousands of believers from different part of the Country. A feast(walimah) was served to the believers.
At the end, Sheikh Zakzaky recited Ziyara of Imam Ali(AS) and gave a closing prayer.
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