On the 18th of Thul-Hijja (the 12 month of the Islamic calendar), Muslims all over the world celebrate the anniversary of the occasion of Ghadeer. This occasion is highly significant in Islam because it marks the completion and perfection of the religion through the appointment of Ali son of Abu Talib as the successor of Prophet Muhammad by the command of God*.
The Event of Ghadeer
In the year 10 A.H. (After Hijra; 632 A.D), Prophet Muhammad performed his last pilgrimage to Mecca (referred to as Hajj) accompanied by 120,000 other pilgrims (1). After completing Hajj, he received an order from God and the following divine revelation (1,2):
“O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people." (Holy Quran 5:67) (3)
On the way back from Mecca to Medina, the Prophet stopped in a place called Ghadeer Khum (the Pond of Khum), an area where pilgrims split up and go on to their respective cities (1). He asked all those who had been ahead in the journey to make their way back to the Ghadeer, and waited for those who lagged behind. When everyone was gathered, the Prophet read some verses of the Quran, reminded people of their religious and social obligations and gave his final sermon (1,2)**. This sermon is the most widely narrated (mutawatir) tradition in Islam and is found frequently in the books of the two major schools of thought in Islam (1,2). In it, he announced:
'“It seems the time approaches when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious [weighty] things (Thaqalayn) and if you adhere to both of them, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my progeny, that is my Ahlul-Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise)."
Then the Messenger of Allah continued: "Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?” People cried and answered: "Yes, O' Messenger of God.” Then the Prophet held up the hand of ‘Ali and said: "Whoever I am his master/guardian (Mawla), ‘Ali is his master/guardian (Mawla). O' God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him."'
After completing his sermon, the Prophet asked everyone to give their allegiance to Ali and to congratulate him (1). In addition to this, the following verse was revealed (1,2):
“Today I have perfected your religion and completed my bounty upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion.” (Holy Quran 5:3) (3)
Significance of the Event of Ghadeer
The significance of this event is immense and the announcement made is unique (2,4). That is because, as evidenced by the revelation of verse 67 of chapter 5 of the Quran (3), if this announcement had not been delivered, it would stand as if the message of Islam has not been conveyed at all (1,2,4). Through the appointment of a divinely chosen successor, the message of Islam can be carried on and conveyed in its perfect form after the Prophet. Furthermore, with the appointment of Ali came the perfection of Islam and the completion of the blessings of God on human beings (2,4,5). We see this reflected in verse 3 from chapter 5 of the Quran (3), which was revealed after the announcement of succession and indicates the perfection of religion through this message (1).
In his sermon, the Prophet asked those who were present to deliver the message of the succession of Ali to those who were not present, and to inform those who heard it indirectly to pass it on to their children and others who have no knowledge of it (2). This indicates that the message of Ghadeer Khum, is one for all human beings, of all generations, and in all lands, as is all of Islam (2). Through the appointment of Ali as the leader, successor, and deputy of the Prophet, God saved his final and complete religion from corruption and sabotage after the passing of His last Prophet (2,5). Ali, being the first male Muslim after the Prophet (6), had been taught and raised by the Prophet. He had, on countless occasions, proven his loyalty and selfless devotion to Islam and its prophet, and as such was worthy of being the leader after him.
Eid al-Ghadeer is one of the most joyous events of the year for Muslims all around the world. It is a time of remembering all of God’s mercies on us as human beings and as a community. It is also a time of celebration and reflection, as we celebrate God’s blessings and reflect on our roles and duties as human beings and Muslims.
Happy Eid al-Ghadeer to everyone!! :)
*It must be made clear that Ali was not to succeed Prophet Muhammad as a prophet but as an Imam/leader.
**The direct quote is taken from reference 1, however, reference 2 also records the event with slightly different wording.
References
1. AhlulBayt Digital Islamic Library Project Team. GhadirKhum in A Shiite Encyclopedia.Retrieved from http://www.al-islam.org/shiite-encyclopedia-ahlul-bayt-digital-islamic-library-project-team/ghadir-khum-part-1-3 (Accessed October 2013)
2.The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) at GhadirKhum. (2005). (VahidMajd, Trans). Tehran: Naba Cultural Organization (link to book: http://www.dartabligh.org/books/ebooks/Ghadir%20Sermon.pdf)
3. The Holy Qur'an, Suratal-Ma’idah
4. Ali Jamaleddine. (2011). The Message of Ghadeer.Islamic Insights. Retrieved from http://islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/the-message-of-ghadeer.html (Accessed October 2013)
5. Masooma Beatty (2008). Eid al-Ghadeer: the Culmination of Islam. Islamic Insights. Retrieved from http://islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/eid-al-ghadeer-the-culmination-of-islam.html (Accessed October 2013)
6. Ayatullah Jafar Subhani. Chapter 13: Who were the First Persons to Embrace Islam, The Message. Retreived from http://www.al-islam.org/the-message-ayatullah-jafar-subhani/chapter-13-who-were-first-persons-embrace-islam#first-amongst-men-adopt-islam-was-ali (Accessed October 2013)
The Event of Ghadeer
In the year 10 A.H. (After Hijra; 632 A.D), Prophet Muhammad performed his last pilgrimage to Mecca (referred to as Hajj) accompanied by 120,000 other pilgrims (1). After completing Hajj, he received an order from God and the following divine revelation (1,2):
“O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people." (Holy Quran 5:67) (3)
On the way back from Mecca to Medina, the Prophet stopped in a place called Ghadeer Khum (the Pond of Khum), an area where pilgrims split up and go on to their respective cities (1). He asked all those who had been ahead in the journey to make their way back to the Ghadeer, and waited for those who lagged behind. When everyone was gathered, the Prophet read some verses of the Quran, reminded people of their religious and social obligations and gave his final sermon (1,2)**. This sermon is the most widely narrated (mutawatir) tradition in Islam and is found frequently in the books of the two major schools of thought in Islam (1,2). In it, he announced:
'“It seems the time approaches when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious [weighty] things (Thaqalayn) and if you adhere to both of them, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my progeny, that is my Ahlul-Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise)."
Then the Messenger of Allah continued: "Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?” People cried and answered: "Yes, O' Messenger of God.” Then the Prophet held up the hand of ‘Ali and said: "Whoever I am his master/guardian (Mawla), ‘Ali is his master/guardian (Mawla). O' God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him."'
After completing his sermon, the Prophet asked everyone to give their allegiance to Ali and to congratulate him (1). In addition to this, the following verse was revealed (1,2):
“Today I have perfected your religion and completed my bounty upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion.” (Holy Quran 5:3) (3)
Significance of the Event of Ghadeer
The significance of this event is immense and the announcement made is unique (2,4). That is because, as evidenced by the revelation of verse 67 of chapter 5 of the Quran (3), if this announcement had not been delivered, it would stand as if the message of Islam has not been conveyed at all (1,2,4). Through the appointment of a divinely chosen successor, the message of Islam can be carried on and conveyed in its perfect form after the Prophet. Furthermore, with the appointment of Ali came the perfection of Islam and the completion of the blessings of God on human beings (2,4,5). We see this reflected in verse 3 from chapter 5 of the Quran (3), which was revealed after the announcement of succession and indicates the perfection of religion through this message (1).
In his sermon, the Prophet asked those who were present to deliver the message of the succession of Ali to those who were not present, and to inform those who heard it indirectly to pass it on to their children and others who have no knowledge of it (2). This indicates that the message of Ghadeer Khum, is one for all human beings, of all generations, and in all lands, as is all of Islam (2). Through the appointment of Ali as the leader, successor, and deputy of the Prophet, God saved his final and complete religion from corruption and sabotage after the passing of His last Prophet (2,5). Ali, being the first male Muslim after the Prophet (6), had been taught and raised by the Prophet. He had, on countless occasions, proven his loyalty and selfless devotion to Islam and its prophet, and as such was worthy of being the leader after him.
Eid al-Ghadeer is one of the most joyous events of the year for Muslims all around the world. It is a time of remembering all of God’s mercies on us as human beings and as a community. It is also a time of celebration and reflection, as we celebrate God’s blessings and reflect on our roles and duties as human beings and Muslims.
Happy Eid al-Ghadeer to everyone!! :)
*It must be made clear that Ali was not to succeed Prophet Muhammad as a prophet but as an Imam/leader.
**The direct quote is taken from reference 1, however, reference 2 also records the event with slightly different wording.
References
1. AhlulBayt Digital Islamic Library Project Team. GhadirKhum in A Shiite Encyclopedia.Retrieved from http://www.al-islam.org/shiite-encyclopedia-ahlul-bayt-digital-islamic-library-project-team/ghadir-khum-part-1-3 (Accessed October 2013)
2.The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) at GhadirKhum. (2005). (VahidMajd, Trans). Tehran: Naba Cultural Organization (link to book: http://www.dartabligh.org/books/ebooks/Ghadir%20Sermon.pdf)
3. The Holy Qur'an, Suratal-Ma’idah
4. Ali Jamaleddine. (2011). The Message of Ghadeer.Islamic Insights. Retrieved from http://islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/the-message-of-ghadeer.html (Accessed October 2013)
5. Masooma Beatty (2008). Eid al-Ghadeer: the Culmination of Islam. Islamic Insights. Retrieved from http://islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/eid-al-ghadeer-the-culmination-of-islam.html (Accessed October 2013)
6. Ayatullah Jafar Subhani. Chapter 13: Who were the First Persons to Embrace Islam, The Message. Retreived from http://www.al-islam.org/the-message-ayatullah-jafar-subhani/chapter-13-who-were-first-persons-embrace-islam#first-amongst-men-adopt-islam-was-ali (Accessed October 2013)