The Arbaeen commemoration, marking forty days after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali (AS) at the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH ...
The Arbaeen commemoration, marking forty days after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali (AS) at the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH (680 CE), stands as one of the most profound events in Islamic history. For centuries, it has been a time for Muslims to reflect upon the principles of justice, sacrifice, and resistance to oppression exemplified by Imam Husayn (as) and his companions. In Nigeria, the observance of Arbaeen through mass processions, most notably organized by the Islamic Movement Nigeria, has taken on both spiritual and socio-political dimensions. Under the revered leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, these gatherings have become a platform for religious devotion, moral consciousness, and public education on the historical and contemporary relevance of Karbala.
The Arbaeen walk in Nigeria replicates, in symbolic form, the journey of millions of pilgrims who walk to Karbala from across Iraq and beyond. In the Nigerian context, it has emerged not merely as a ritual act, but as a form of collective moral reawakening. Participants walk for miles, often in challenging conditions, to express solidarity with the oppressed and to remember the injustice meted out to the household of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by the tyrannical rule of Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah. This act of remembrance serves as an open-air classroom in which the narratives of Karbala are retold, the values for which Imam Husayn(as) stood which are: truth, justice, dignity are reinforced, and the duty of resisting modern-day oppression is emphasized.
The Islamic Movement Nigeria, has played a central role in introducing, sustaining, and expanding the observance of Arbaeen in the country. Sheikh Zakzaky’s leadership has been pivotal in connecting the historical tragedy of Karbala to the present socio-political realities of Nigeria. Through sermons, literature, lectures, and the organization of large-scale public processions, the Islamic Movement has awakened millions to the spiritual, ethical, and political lessons of Imam Husayn’s stand. For many Nigerian Muslims—both Shia and Sunni, this has been an invitation to re-examine their relationship with Islamic values and to understand the necessity of confronting injustice, corruption, and moral decay in society.
The Arbaeen walk, under the guidance of the Islamic Movement, is also significant for its inclusive message. It transcends sectarian divisions, inviting people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds to reflect on the universal message of Karbala. Imam Husayn’s struggle is framed not merely as a Shia cause, but as a human cause, one that concerns all who value freedom, justice, and human dignity. This framing has allowed the Islamic Movement to position the Arbaeen walk as a moral and civic event that resonates beyond the confines of religious ritual.
Furthermore, the messages conveyed during the Arbaeen trek has highlighted the political parallels between Yazid’s tyranny and the forms of injustice faced in modern times. Sheikh Zakzaky has consistently drawn attention to the plight of oppressed peoples worldwide, Palestinians under Israeli occupation, communities in war-torn regions, and marginalized groups in Nigeria itself, emphasizing that the moral imperative to resist oppression remains as urgent as it was in the year 680. In this sense, the Arbaeen walk becomes not only a remembrance of past injustice but also a mobilization of conscience against ongoing tyranny.
However, this public awareness and mobilization have not been without consequences. The Nigerian state’s security apparatus has often viewed the Islamic Movement's activities with suspicion, leading to repeated crackdowns, arrests, and violent suppression of Arbaeen processions. These challenges, rather than deterring participants, have deepened their conviction in the righteousness of their cause, echoing Imam Husayn’s steadfastness in the face of persecution.
In conclusion, the significance of the Arbaeen walk in Nigeria lies not only in its spiritual and devotional value but also in its role as a catalyst for moral, social, and political awakening. Through the leadership of Sheikh Zakzaky and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the commemoration of Karbala has been transformed into a living movement of resistance against injustice. It has awakened the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and broader society to the timeless message of Imam Husayn: that dignity is worth more than life itself, and silence in the face of tyranny is complicity. The Arbaeen walk thus stands as both a commemoration of the past and a call to action in the present, ensuring that the lessons of Karbala continue to shape conscience, identity, and struggle in Nigeria and beyond.
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