Eid al-Ghadir: Difference between revisions

In [[Shi'a]] [[hadith]]s, the anniversary has been called "Eid Allah al-Akbar", [[Eid]] 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 l-Qa'da 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 Khumm]] on Thursday, [[Dhu l-Hijja 18]] 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.

In [[Sunni]] references, there is a hadith saying that, "anyone who fasts 18th of Dhu l-Hijja, [[God]] regards the rewards of 6 months fasting for him" and that "this day is Eid Ghadir Khumm."

::"the day of Ghadir Khumm is the best [[eid]] of my [[umma]] (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 umma; so that, people will be guided by him after I pass away; and that is the day God perfected the religion and completed blessings upon my umma and chose [[Islam]] as their religion."

::"the day of Ghadir Khumm is the grand eid of God. God has not sent any prophet unless he has celebrated this 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 al-Sadiq (a), he regarded Eid al-Ghadir the greatest and most glorious eid of [[Muslim]]s, in every hour of which, they need to thank God; and that people [[fast]] the day to show their gratitude and that fasting the day equals 60 years of worship."

::"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 [[angel]]s would shake hands with them ten times a day."

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

In his book, [[Mas'udi]] (d. 346/957) wrote that children and followers of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] venerated this day. In a hadith, [[Kulayni]] (d. 328/940) has narrated Shi'a's celebration of this day. Therefore, it is clear that celebration of Eid Ghadir has been common in the 3rd and 4th centuries AH.

Earlier, [[Fayyad b. Muhammad b. 'Umar al-Tusi]] narrated a tradition which suggested that Imam al-Rida (a) celebrated the day of Ghadir. Since Imam al-Rida (a) was living at the end of the second century AH, it becomes clear that the celebrating of the day of Ghadir goes back early centuries of Islam.

Such a celebration has been common among Muslims in the following years and centuries, so that the ceremony of allegiance with Musta'la b. Mustansir (one of the rulers of Egypt) was held on the day of Eid Ghadir 487/1095.

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

* Giving food to believers