Eid al-Ghadir: Difference between revisions

''''Eid 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]]/632 in a place called [[Ghadir Khumm]].

In [[Shi'a]] [[hadith]]s, the anniversary has been called "Eid Allah al-Akbar" (great eid of God),<ref>Al-Hurr al-'Amili, ''[[Wasa'il al-Shi'a]]'', vol.8, p.82</ref> [[Eid]] of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] of the Prophet (s)<ref>[[Sayyid b. Tawus]], ''[[Iqbal al-a'mal]]'', p.464</ref> and "Ashraf al-a'yad" (most honorable eid).<ref>[[Al-Kulayni]], ''[[Al-Kafi]]'', vol.1, p.203</ref> 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]]/632 accompanied with thousands of people.<ref>[[Al-Tabarsi]], ''[[Al-Ihtijaj]]'', vol.1, p.56; [[Al-Mufid]], ''[[Al-Irshad]]'', p.91; Al-Halabi, ''[[Al-Sirat al-Halabiyya]]'', vol.3, p.308</ref> 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 [[Dhu l-Hijja 18]] and In this place, [[Gabriel]] [[revelation|revealed]] the [[verse of Tabligh]] to the Prophet (s) and delivered him the order of [[God]] for appointment of [[Ali (a)]] as [[Wali]] and [[Wasi]] (successor) after the Prophet (s) and announcing it to people.

According to [[hadith]]s, the Prophet (s) gathered people in Ghadir Khumm, 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:

== Eid Ghadir in Hadiths ==

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."<ref>Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, ''Tarikh Baghdad'', vol.8, p.284</ref>

::"the day of Ghadir Khumm is the best [[eid]] of my [[umma]] (people) 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."<ref>[[Al-Saduq]], ''[[Al-Amali]]'', p.125</ref>

::"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."<ref>[[Al-Hurr al-'Amili]], ''[[Wasa'il al-Shi'a]]'', vol.5, p.224</ref>

In another 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."<ref>[[Al-Hurr al-'Amili]], ''[[Wasa'il al-Shi'a]]'', vol.10, p.443</ref>

In his book, [[Mas'udi]] (d. [[346]]/957) wrote that children and followers of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] venerated this day.<ref>Al-Mas'udi, ''Al-Tanbih wa l-ishraf'', p.221</ref> In a hadith, [[al-Kulayni]] (d. [[328]]/940) has narrated Shi'a's celebration of this day.<ref>[[Al-Kulayni]], ''[[Al-Kafi]]'', vol.4, p.149</ref> Therefore, it is clear that celebration of Eid Ghadir has been common in the 3rd and 4th centuries AH (10th century AD) .

Earlier, [[Fayyad b. Muhammad b. 'Umar al-Tusi]] narrated a tradition which suggested that [[Imam al-Rida (a)]] celebrated the day of Ghadir.<ref>[[Al-Majlisi]], ''[[Bihar al-anwar]]'', vol.95, p.322</ref> Since Imam al-Rida (a) was living at the end of the second century (early 9th century) , 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.<ref>Ibn Khalkan, ''Wafayat al-a'yan'', vol.1, p.60</ref> [[Fatimid]] caliphs made the Eid al-Ghadir an official Eid in [[Egypt]]. And in [[Iran]], it has been among official holidays since [[907]]/1502, when [[Isma'il I]], the [[Safavid]] king came to throne.