Eid al-Ghadir: Difference between revisions

''''Id al-Ghadir''' (Arabic: "عید الغدیر") is among important feasts and happy holidays of [[Shi'a]] held on [[Dhu l-Hijja 18]]; when according to reports, [[the  Prophet (s)|the noble Prophet (s)]] appointed [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] as his caliph and the [[Imam]] after himself following an order from [[God]]. That event happened in the Prophet's (s) [[Hajjat al-wida']] ([[Hajj]] of the farewell), in 10 AH in a place called [[Ghadir Khumm]].

In [[Shi'a]] [[hadith]]s, the anniversary has been called "'Id Allah al-Akbar", [['Id]] of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] of the Prophet (s) and "Ashraf al-a'yad". Shi'a celebrate this day around the world with various customs.

The [[Prophet (s)]] began his journey from [[Medina]] toward Mecca for hajj on 24th or 25th of Dhu al-Qi'dah 10 AH accompanied with thousands of people. Since that hajj was the last hajj of the Prophet (s), it was later called Hajjat al-Wida'. When hajj rituals finished and the Prophet (s) left Mecca toward Medina, they arrived at Ghadir Khum on Thursday, 18th Dhu al-Hijjah and before people of Sham, Egypt and Iraq leave, Gabriel revealed the verse of Tabligh to the Prophet (s) and delivered him the order of God for appointment of 'Ali (a) as Wali (guardian) and Wasi (successor) after the Prophet (s) and announcing it to people.

According to hadiths, the Prophet (s) gathered people in Ghadir Khum, raised 'Ali's (a) hand so that everyone sees and asked, "O people! Do I not have wilaya [guardianship] over you more than you have over yourself?" People answered, "Yes, O Prophet (s)!" Then, the Prophet (s) said, "God is my wali [guardian] and I am wali of the believers; and I have wilaya over them more than they have over themselves. So anyone, I am his wali, 'Ali (a) is his wali." Then, the Prophet (s) repeated it three times and said, "O God! Befriend and be the wali of anyone who loves 'Ali (a) and considers him as his wali; be the enemy of anyone who is his enemy; and assist anyone who assists him and abandon anyone who abandons him." He (s) then told people, "Those who are present, convey this message to those who are absent."

The Prophet (s) said, "the day of Eid Ghadir Khum is the best eid of my Ummah [people, community] and that is the day God, the Almighty ordered to appoint my brother 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a) as the standard-bearer of my ummah; so that, people will be guided by him after I pass away; and that is the day God perfected religion and completed blessings upon my ummah and chose Islam their religion."

Also, Imam Sadiq (a) said, "the day of Ghadir Khum is the grand eid of God. God did not choose any prophet unless that day has been an eid, and has glorified it and its name in the heavens is the day of covenant and on the earth is the day of solemn covenant and public presence."

In a hadith from Imam Sadiq (a), he regarded Eid Ghadir the greatest and most glorious eid of Muslims, in every hour of which, they need to thank God; and that people fast the day to show their gratitude and that fasting that day equals 60 years of worship."

Imam Rida (a) said, "the Day of Ghadir is more popular among the dwellers of heavens than among the people of the earth…if people knew the value of this day, undoubtedly angels would shake hands with them ten times a day."

Muslims, especially Shi'a knew the day of Ghadir as one of the greatest eids since the early Islam and this day was famous among them as Eid Ghadir.

In his book, Mas'udi (d. 346 AH) wrote that children and followers of Imam 'Ali (a) venerated this day. In a hadith, Kulayni (d. 329 AH) has narrated Shi'a's celebration of this day. Therefore, it is clear that celebration Eid Ghadir has been common in the 3rd and 4th centuries AH.

Earlier, Fayyad b. Muhammad b. 'Umar Tusi narrated a tradition which suggested that Imam Rida (a) celebrated the day of Ghadir. Since Imam Rida (a) was living at the end of the second century AH, then the oldness of celebrating the day of Ghadir becomes clear.

Such a celebration has been common among Muslims in the following years and centuries, so that accepting allegiance with Musta'la b. Mustansir (one of the rulers of Egypt) was done on the day of Eid Ghadir 487 AH.

In recent centuries, celebrating this day has been considered among the signs of Shi'a.

In Egypt, Fatimid caliphs made the Eid of Ghadir official and in Iran, it has been among official eids since 907 AH, when Shah Isma'il Safavi came to throne.

In Najaf, a great celebration is held every year in the courtyard of Imam 'Ali's (a) holy shrine and noblemen and scholars of Shi'a and ambassadors of Islamic countries attend there and great speeches and odes are recited. In Yemen, Zaidi Shi'a celebrate the day of Ghadir and illuminate and decorate their streets.

The eve of Eid Ghadir is also among important nights among Muslims.

== Recommended Practices of Eid Ghadir ==

* Fasting

* Doing ritual bath

* Reciting the Ziyara of Amin Allah

* Saying the following happy praises when meeting other believers: "اَلحمدُ لِلهِ الّذی جَعَلَنا مِنَ المُتَمَسّکینَ بِولایةِ اَمیرِالمؤمنینَ و الائمةِ المَعصومینَ علیهم السلام" ["Praise belongs to Allah, who made us among the adherers to the wilaya of the Master of the Faithful (a) and the Infallible Imams (a)"]