THE IMPORTANCE OF GHADEER

After performing the last Hajj, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was returning on way to Madinah when the Ayah 67 of Surah al-Ma’idah was revealed saying, “O Messenger, proclaim what is revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not do so, you will not have communicated His Message, and Allah shall protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the unbelieving people.” The tone of the Wahey was very stern. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) directed to congregate the Muslims saying, “Hayya Ala Khairul Amal” meaning “Hasten to the best act” and asked to call back the those gone forward and wait for the people coming behind them. The place was Ghadeer -e- Khumm, it was a thorny desert area which was cleaned and a pulpit (minbur) of the seats of camels was hurriedly erected. 

Guidance is a constant need of humanity which requires a guide. Did he (s.a.w.a.s.) provided a guide to the Muslims after his demise? There are three possibilities; he did not provide a guide, he left it to the Muslims to elect one, and he did provide.

Allah graced the Muslims with Islam and the Glorious Qur’an; it is unthinkable that He (s.w.t.) did not provide a guide through His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). It should be noted that there were hypocrites in Madinah! In fact, he (s.a.w.a.s.) asked for paper and pen on the deathbed to write about future guidance which was declined.

The other alternative was election by Shura for which he (s.a.w.a.s.) never prepared the people. In fact, it was neglected by the first caliph, and he nominated the second caliph. Even the second caliph admitted that it was a ‘slip.’ The second caliph appointed a 6-member committee with a strange directive to kill those who disagreed with the majority which is neither supported by the Glorious Qur'an nor the Sunnah of the great Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) 

The last alternative was the appointment by Allah (s.w.t.) as directed by His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). When Ayah 214 of Surah Shu’ara was revealed saying, “Warn your close relatives.”, a “Dawat” or feast was arranged in the house of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). It is known as “Dawat-al-Zul'asheerah.” After the feast, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) inquired as to who will assist him in his mission, Imam Ali, who was 11 or 13 years of age, stood up and offered his services three times but no one else responded. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “today, whoever offered to assist me will be my brother, my successor and my caliph among you after me.” 

Going back to Ghadeer Khumm, when all Hajis totaling more than 120,000 assembled in the burning heat of the desert, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) gave a detailed and long sermon (3 hours) about Islam, his efforts, and the virtues of Imam Ali (a.s.). In that sermon, he narrated 110 virtues of Imam Ali (a.s.) which is also the number of the name “Ali” according to the science of Ab’jad (An Occult science of numbers; Ain 70+Laam 30+ Ye 10). Then, he (s.a.w.a.s.) asked the mammoth crowd, “Do not I have more right over the believers than they have over themselves?” Everyone cried, “Yes, O Messenger of God.” At that moment he (s.a.w.a.s) raised Imam Ali (a.s.) and said, “Whoever’s I am Mawla, Ali is also his Mawla.” Ayah 3 of Surah al-Ma’idah was revealed saying, “…. Today, the unbelievers have lost hope about your religion. Do not be afraid of them but have fear of me. On this day I have perfected your religion, completed My favors to you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.” 

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) ordered every Muslim to pay allegiance to Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Muslims responded.

This event of Ghadeer is reported in numerous Shi'ah and Sunni books. Some of them interpreted the word “Mawla” as friend. Allah was threatening His beloved Prophet that if he did not proclaim this message, it will be construed as he did not convey His entire message, and that Allah will protect him from people. Was that only to say that Imam Ali was their friend? In the hot desert, people were sweating, and he (s.a.w.a.s.) delivered a long comprehensive sermon just to say that Imam Ali (a.s.) was the friend of the Muslims. Was Imam Ali not friendly to everyone, rich and poor? 

Similarly, Ayah 67 of Surah al-Ma’idah says,” proclaim what is revealed to you.” Normally, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) would narrate the Wahey immediately when received. This Wahey was received earlier but he (s.a.w.a.s.) was reluctant fearing the backlash from the hypocrites and the non-believers. That is the reason Allah guaranteed His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) protection from men. 

The auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Ghadeer was the confirmation of his Wilayat on “Dawat-al-Zulasheerah” as mentioned above. Wilayat of Imam Ali (a.s.) was also affirmed in Hadees-e-Qudsi” (The words of Allah (s.w.t.) addressed to His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) which is not the Glorious Qur’an). It says:

“The Wilayat (loving and following) of Ali ibn Abi Talib is My fortress, and one who enters My fortress is safe from My Wrath.” (Al-Sadouq, Oyoon Akhbar al-Rida volume 1 page 146)

As soon as the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) finished the sermon, the famous poet Hassan bin Thabit, with his permission recited a manqabat in praise of the newly crowned successor. When Harith bin Nauman heard about the succession, he questioned the Messenger if it was from Allah or his personal preference. Then he invited curse of Allah by saying, “if it was a Divine decree then let a stone fly from sky to punish him.” Allah punished him as stated in Surah al-Ma’arij Ayah 1-3, “A questioner questioned about the punishment to fall…” 

Sources: The Glorious Qur’an, Tafsir-e-Namoona by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi, Shi’ism, Imamate and Wilayat by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, al-islam.org/Ghadeer/incident.htm