THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA

The Islamic movement in Nigeria under the revered leadership of Sayyid Ibrahim Zakzaky (H) was established since before the successful Islamic revolution in Iran, meanwhile Sayyid Ibrahim Zakzaky (H) was by then a student at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

            The movement moved through several steps, while receiving new members at the same time working toward activating their moral behavior and religious fundamental knowledge. The most considerable activities of the movement included, Ta’alim (instill knowledge)¸ Ijtima, Daurah and Ribat.

TA’ALIM

It is a form of gathering that mostly occurs in the mosque of various locations, aimed at educating members of the movement. In many places, Ta’alim is schedule twice in a week. Apart from the general Ta’alim, hard working individuals and intellectuals among members attend a separate class for additional lessons.

            During the ta’alim gathering, Amir (representative) of the particular location or any assigned personnel delivered lessons on Hadith at times Qur’anic exegesis.

IJTIMAH

Ijtimah is an important aspect used for stimulating moral attitudes of members of the movement; despite Ijtimah has been initiated at the beginning. Brothers usually congregate in either Kano or Zaria Friday congregational prayer for general Ijtima.

            Later on, as the movement is expanding. Due to some certain reasons Ijtimah was stopped, among the most important reason is that there will be no vacancy which can contained attendees of the Ijtima. To replace the Ijtimah (which served as a system of activating the moral attitude of brothers), Daura was established.

DAURAH

As we have earlier mentioned that Daurah replaced Ijtimah. So, the process followed to organize Daurah is so interesting. It is a 7 day’s programme, in which classes are arranged on various religious aspects.

            Mostly, in every conclusion of the Daurah, leader of the Islamic Movement Sayyid Ibrahim deliver a closing lecture. There are differences between Daurah and Mu’utamar.

MU’UTAMAR

Mu’utamar is another form of congregating members of the movement, aimed at boosting their behavior. It is organize in either a comfortable theatre or central mosque of a particular city. Scholars from different places of Nigeria attend to deliver lectures on important topics. In many instances, the leader of the Islamic Movement, Sayyid Ibrahim Zakzaky (H) delivers the Mu’utamar closing lecture.

FREE KHUDUBA

The weekly Friday preaching is a vital activity of the Islamic movement; members gather in different locations of the country with Muslim Ummah, it is widely known as ‘Free Khuduba’. The free Khuduba preaching focuses on current affairs and issues related to Islamic world and Muslims in general.

            In some locations, where the Friday preaching can’t be done before the congregational prayer, it will be postpone to after the prayers, before everybody left.

CELEBRATIONS AND MOURNING COMMEMORATION

Additional important scheduled programmes of the Islamic movement is the commemoration of annual ceremonies or mourning of the holy Prophet (S) and his household (AS), and also the events of great and other Islamic icons, in other to learn from their lifestyle.

            Every city sometimes organizes its commemoration gathering, while it is mostly organize in Zaria. Amongst the celebration days includes: 17 Rabi’ul Awwal (The birthday of the holy Prophet (S), 15^th Sha’aban (Birthday of Imam Mahdi (AS)), and the birthdays of other A’imma, and noble men.

            While the mourning days are; day of the death of the holy Prophet (S), martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), and other important mourning days.

PROCESSIONS

Processions or demonstrations are also among the important activities of the movement. It is a way of spreading the message of the movement to people. The procession is not done just like that but with reasons and objectives.

            Quds day demonstration is annually organized in solidarity to the oppressed people of Palestine. It is performed nationwide. It is a peaceful procession, but sometimes there is probability of attack by the government forces.