His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, and His Highness Prince Moulay Ismail, chaired, Sunday at the Royal Palace in Casablanca, the fifth religious lecture of Ramadan.
This lecture was delivered by Tanzania’s Mufti Sheikh Aboubakary Zubeiry Mbwana, under the theme “The symbolism of the Commandery of the Faithful and its presence in the religious thought of the East African Oulema: Tanzania as an example”, inspired by the Quranic verse “O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” (Surah An-Nisa: 59).
At the beginning of the lecture, the lecturer stressed that by His grace and benevolence, Allah made us Muslims, lit our path with the Quran, and guided us to the obedience of those in command, to guarantee the interests of the Ummah under the wing of the Great Imamat.
“The Commandery of the Faithful ensures the protection of religious values and the preservation of the provisions of the Islamic Shariah, in line with the supreme values of Islam,” assured Sheikh Zubeiry, reciting the Quranic verse “O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” (Surah An-Nisa: 59).
The lecturer said that the logical manifestation of this lies in the wisdom that no human society can be established and no stability can be achieved without a man’s submission to an imam who takes care of his condition, handles his affairs, and guarantees his tranquility, adding that the practical manifestation of this is reflected in the Commandery of the Faithful, which was adopted by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb and perpetuated after him by the Muslims caliphs.
Sheikh Zubairy noted that Morocco has not strayed from upholding the Great Imamat, to which Moroccans have been attached since the second century of Hijra, during the Idrisid dynasty, and this attachment has continued to be tied to the Alawid Kings, as demonstrated by His Majesty the King’s leadership of the institution of the Commandery of the Faithful and the preservation of its symbolism. “This is what makes Morocco a unique example in the Islamic world, as it is one of the constants of the nation and a privilege by which Allah has distinguished the Kingdom,” added the Tanzanian Mufti.
Concerning the Great Imamat’s presence in the religious thought of African countries, in terms of belief, behavior, and loyalty, the Mufti of Tanzania reviewed three axes, including the doctrinal, the behavioral, and the loyalist paths.
“Whoever examines the religious authority of African scholars, shall find that it is based on jurisdictional views, unanimous affiliation to Ash’arism, of which one of the most important subjects is the Commandery of the Faithful, with which Allah has honored You,” explained Sheikh Zubeiry, adding that “the Great Imamat is at the center of doctrinal research of Al-Ashʿarī and is supported by evidence and approved by the most distinguished scholars.”
The lecturer also emphasized that the Great Imamate is “present in the religious thought of the Oulema of the Sunna and Jama’a,” noting that African Oulema, aware of the importance of the Great Imamat in Islamic research, have given the Great Imamat primary importance and considered it a duty to be contemplated in the person of one who has been distinguished by this divine honor.
“It is thus, Your Majesty, that eyes are turning towards You from all sides, as Imarat Al Mouminine that Allah has entrusted to you is an application of the Quran and a perpetuation of the tradition followed by the enlightened rulers and the Salaf among Your glorious ancestors,” continued Sheikh Zubairy.
In a similar context, the Tanzanian Mufti highlighted the religious, spiritual and civilizational ties uniting Morocco and Africa, recalling the Sheikhs of Sufi brotherhoods in the different countries of the continent who consider Imarat Al Mouminine as an institution they are proud to belong to and thanks to which they do not cease to implore Allah to shower with His blessings His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who places Africa at the center of His concerns.
The Tanzanian lecturer noted that the majority of Muslims in Africa are related to the institution of Imarat Al Mouminine in Morocco, through scientific travel and through the intermediary of Sheikhs of Sunni Sufism.
Sheikh Zubairy further added that the Sovereign’s efforts to fulfill His duty towards Africa are based “on the spiritual ties uniting Morocco and Africa, manifested in the promotion of affection and loyalty towards the Commander of the Faithful, may Allah assist Him.”
“Our pride as Africans in the institution of the Commandery of the Faithful and what it represents as a religious symbol in African countries in general, is part of the constant importance that our ancestors attach to this institution throughout the history of the Moroccan State,” added the Tanzanian Mufti, stressing that it is a responsibility that has led several sub-Saharan regions and some African countries to perform the duty of Bayʿah allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful in Morocco.
On this occasion, the lecturer also implored Allah to surround with His holy mercy the late His Majesty King Mohammed V, Hero of the struggle for independence, and the late His Majesty King Hassan II, the builder, and all Muslims.
Following this lecture, His Majesty the King, Commander of the Faithful, was greeted by the President of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Indonesia, Yahya Istaquf, Chief Researcher at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, Abdelhakim Al Anis, President of the Union of French Mosques, Mohamed Moussaoui, and Libyan Alem Abdelaziz Al Karoui.
His Majesty the King was also greeted by the President of Fatoni University in Thailand, Ismail Lutfi Japakiya, President of the Mashaikha Islamia in Croatia, Aziz Hassou Fitch, President of the Muslim community in Timur, Arif Abdullah Sakrad, President of the section of Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema in Liberia, Omarou Camara Abou Bakr, President of the section of Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema in Cameroon, Mahmoud Mal Bakary, and President of the section of Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema in Benin, Abderahim Chiit Than.