Imam Ali b. Abi Talib (a): Difference between revisions

When the hajj ended, on the way back to Medina, in an area called [[Ghadir Khumm]], where people would part and go to their respective towns, God commanded the Prophet (s) to stop and proclaim to the people the message that He had given him.  

The Prophet (s) performed the noon prayer and then delivered a sermon. In his sermon, he asked the Muslims, "Do you not know that I am closer to the believers than their own soul?"{{enote|«أَلَسْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنِّی أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِینَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ؟}} The people said, "Yes indeed, we know." Then the Prophet (s) raised the hand of Ali (a) and stated, "For whomever I am the master, Ali will be his master. O God! Support whomever supports him, and be the enemy of whomever shows enmity to him."{{enote|«مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ، فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ، اللَّهُمَّ وَالِ مَنْ وَالَاهُ، وَعَادِ مَنْ عَادَاهُ»}} It is reported that some of the Companions asked the Prophet, "Is this the command of God and His Prophet (s)?" and the Prophet answered, "Yes, this is the command of God and His messenger." When Prophet Muhammad (s) finished his sermon, a number of Companions, such as [[Umar b. Khattab]], congratulated Ali (a).  

According to Shiite and some Sunni commentators, the verse "Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion" ([[Qur'an 5:3]]) was revealed on this day.

After the demise of the Prophet (s), Imam Ali (a) reminded the people of this event on several occasions and of the sayings of the Prophet (s) in Ghadir Khumm to emphasize his right to caliphate.  

Considering the context and the details of this event and other evidence (including the subsequent conversations and poems related to the event), the Shia believe that the message that the Prophet (s) delivered on the day of Ghadir was clearly the appointment of Imam Ali (a) as his successor by God's command.