Tens of thousands of Shias made the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of revered Imam Musa Kadhim in the Kadhimiya neighbourhood of Baghdad.
Imam Musa Al-Kadhim was imprisoned and poisoned in Baghdad in AD799 by Harun Al-Rashid, the leader of the Muslim caliphate who feared him as a political rival for power. The annual pilgrimage to his tomb is one of the a sacred Shia commemorations.
Gunmen have opened fire on Shia Muslim pilgrims in Baghdad, killing at least 20 and injuring 300, officials say. At the pilgrimage last year almost 1,000 people died in a stampede sparked by rumors of suicide bombers. Security had been heightened and a ban on cars introduced to try to prevent sectarian violence. Police said there were protected corridors for pilgrims but the sheer weight of numbers led some to try short cuts, where they were ambushed by snipers. Armed Shias of the Mehdi Army militia could be seen protecting some of the route.
The numbers at the pilgrimage remained huge despite the threat of attacks.
Men, women and children, many in traditional Shia black, carried Korans and colourful flags to the imam's tomb. Some beat their chests in a traditional show of grief. Worshippers inside the mausoleum kissed the tomb of the imam to remember his martyrdom in the 8th Century.
One pilgrim, Kareem Risan, who had walked from the southern city of Amara, told AFP news agency: "It took us seven days. We risked our lives and braved all possible danger to reach here."
Imam Musa ibne Ja’far – better known as Al-Kadhim (which means one who swallows his anger), was the seventh light of guidance sent for humanity. He was born in the month of Safar but his birth is not celebrated due to the somber atmosphere which surrounds the months of Muharram and Safar. Rather, ‘Imam Musa al-Kadhim Day’ is marked on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Islamic calendar as a tribute to him.
Born in Madinah, he was also known as Abul Hasan and Abu Ibrahim; however his titles included al-Kadhim, as-Saabir (the Patient one); as-Saalih (the Righteous one) and al-Amin (the Trustworthy). Even the non-Shi’a writers acknowledge the humility and fortitude of Imam Musa ibne Ja’far and his exemplary trait of restraining his anger and rage only for the sake of Allah!
The 7th Imam needed to be careful of his words and actions, lest the political authority kill him and thus deprive the nation of his guidance, he spent much of his time in worship. His routine would include the night prayer followed by his obligatory Fajr Salat followed by recommended prayers until the rising of the sun. One of his most favourite recitations during this long period would be, “O’ Allah, truly I beseech you for ease at the time of death and forgiveness at the time of the accounting (for my deeds).†This Imam also brought us the famous Dua read in the Qunut and Sajdahs which states, “Great are the sins from Your servant, however, great is the pardon from You.â€Â
The martyrdom of the Imam took place on the 25th of the month of Rajab in the year 183 AH in Baghdad while in captivity in the prison of al-Sindi ibne Shaahak at the bequest of Harun al-Rasheed. The tradition in the Abbaside empire was to kill with poison and Harun’s method was no different. He instructed his close associate, al-Sindi, to poison some dates and feed them to the Imam. Forcing the Imam to eat the dates, one after the other, until the poison was deep within him, Harun had finally accomplished his mission in physically removing the Imam from this world. |