Also called Eid Al-Ghadeer Type Shia islam | Observed by Shia Muslims Date 18 Dhu al-Hijjah | |
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Significance Appointment of Ali as the successor of Muhammad according to Shia Observances Prayers, giving gifts, festive meals, doing Ghusl,and reciting Du'a Nudba | ||
The event of Ghadir Khumm (Arabic and Persian: واقعه غدیر خم) was an event in February 632, where, among other things, the Islamic prophet Muhammad reportedly announced that "to whomsoever I am leader, Ali is also their leader." Shia Muslims believe this to be the appointment of Ali as Muhammad's successor. Most Muslims accept the historicity of the event, but not all believe that this constituted an appointment of Ali as successor. The day's anniversary in the Islamic Calendar (18 Dhu al-Hijjah) is celebrated by Shias as Eid al-Ghadeer.
Contents
Farewell pilgrimage
Ten years after the migration and on last days of Dhu al-Qi'dah (coinciding with February 632), Muhammad moved from Medina to Mecca accompanied by thousands of his followers. He only once attended Hajj rituals and it was few months before he died. Since, this Hajj took place in the last year of his life, he made farewell to people. Ali was in Yemen for preaching Islam when he was informed about Muhammad’s Hajj, so he moved towards Mecca together with some people and joined Muhammad before rituals began. When rituals of Hajj finished, Muhammad left Mecca for Medina together with other Muslims.
Revelation of the verse of announcement
On Thursday 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah (March 19), Muslims arrived at Ghadir Khumm. Then, the following verse of the Quran was revealed:
O Messenger! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith (5:67).
According to the verse, Muhammad was obliged to proclaim an important message. The verse clearly denotes the importance of the message that if he does not announce it, he did not performed his mission. After revelation of the verse, Muhammad ordered the caravan to stop and ordered those who have passed Ghadir Khumm return and wait until those who had not yet arrived there join them.
Ghadir Sermon
Works related to The Last Sermon of Muhammad by Shia Accounts at Wikisource Works related to The Last Sermon of Muhammad by Sunni Accounts at WikisourceIt was very hot. There were about 10 thousands. By the order of Muhammad a rostrum of camel saddles was made. After performing Zuhr prayer, Muhammad made a speech known as Ghadir Sermon (Arabic: خطبة الغدير). It was a long speech. He recited numerous verses from the Quran and reminded and warned people of their deeds and future. However the well-known sentence was, while he had raised Ali’s hand, "whomever I am his protector, this Ali is his protector (Mawla)."
Revelation of the verse of Ikmal al-Din
According to Shia scholar Sheikh Abdul Hosein Amini’s work, Al-Ghadir, immediately after Muhammad finished his speech, the following verse of the Quran was revealed:
Oath of allegiance
Only then, he left the rostrum and ordered to establish a tent in which Ali would sit to receive allegiance oath of Muslims. Thousands of people group by group, including women, went to him and saluted and congratulated him as Amir al-Mu'minin, commander of the faithful. Umar ibn Al-Khattab was the first to congratulate.
Narrators of the event
The event of Ghadir Khumm has been revealed in both Shia and Sunni sources. However, Sunnis do not believe in the Shia interpretation of the Hadith. Narrators of the Hadith of Ghadir Khum are many including:
This Hadith is considered as Hasan by many scholars and some considers it Sahih. Furthermore, all Shia Hadith scholars and some great Sunni scholars consider this Hadith as Mutawatir. Shia scholar Sheikh Abdul Hosein Amini collected all the references for the event of Ghadir Khum from Sunni sources and issued them together with all other reasons for this event in 11 volumes in his book Al-Ghadir.
Eid al-Ghadeer
Shias celebrate the occasion of Muhammad appointing Ali as his successor. Fasting, doing Ghusl (ritual bath), reciting Du'a Nudba and giving food to believers is among recommended practice of Eid al-Ghadeer. It is a public holiday in Telangana, India.
Aftermath
After the death of Muhammad, a gathering at Saqifah elected Abu Bakr, rather than Ali, to be the successor of Muhammad as the first Rashidun Caliph. This choice was disputed by some Muslims, who believed that Ali had been appointed as successor. This dispute led to the schism between Sunnis and Shias.