Event of Ghadir: Difference between revisions

The Prophet (s) moved from Medina to Mecca on 24th or 25th of Dhu al-Qi'dah 10 AH accompanied by thousands of people (some even mentioned this number more up to 120 thousand people). This hajj of the Prophet (s) was also called Hajjat al-Wida', Hajjat al-Islam and Hajjat al-Balagh. In that month, Imam 'Ali (a) was in Yemen for preaching Islam and when he was informed about the Prophet's (s) hajj, he (a) also moved towards Mecca together with some people and joined the Prophet (s) before rituals began. When rituals of hajj finished, the Prophet (s) left Mecca for Medina together with other Muslims.

Muslims arrived at Ghadir Khum on Thursday 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah, but before the people of Levant, Egypt and Iraq leave for their own countries, Gabriel revealed the verse of Propagation to the Prophet (s) when God ordered the Prophet (s) to introduce 'Ali (a) as his vicegerent and guardian to people.

After revelation of the verse, the Prophet (s) ordered the caravan to stop and ordered those who have passed Ghadir return and wait until those who had not yet arrived there join them.

After performing Zuhr prayer, the Prophet (s) made a speech which became famous as Ghadir Speech. In that speech, the Prophet (s) said, "Praise belongs only to God and we ask Him for help and we believe in Him and take refuge to Him from the evil of our selves and ugliness of our actions… God, the Merciful and All-Knower informed me that I will be called (to Him) soon and I will submit to (His call)… I will come to the pond of Kawthar before you do and you come to me beside it; so beware about how you treat Thiqlayn [two great things]; Thiql al-Akbar, the greater one is the Book of God and the other is my household."

Then, the Prophet (s) raised 'Ali's (a) hand so that people could see him and then said, "O people! Am I not more deserved to your guardianship then you yourselves?" and people answered, "yes, O Prophet (s)!" Then, the Prophet (s) said, "God is my guardian and I am the guardian of the believers and I am more deserved for your guardianship than you for yourselves. Therefore, anyone whose guardian is me, then 'Ali (a) is his guardian." The Prophet (s) repeated this sentence three times and said, "O God! Befriend and be the guardian of whom befriends 'Ali (a) and considers me his guardian and be the enemy of those who is his enemy. Help anyone who helps him and leave anyone who abandons him." Then, he (s) addressed people and said, "Those who are here ought to deliver this message to those who are absent."

People had not scattered yet, when Gabriel came to the Prophet (s) once more and revealed the third verse of Chapter Ma'idah to the Prophet (s) which is known as the verse of Ikmal. A part of the verse reads, "Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion." (5:3)

Then, people congratulated Imam 'Ali (a) including Abu Bakr and 'Umar who repeatedly said, "Happy for you O son of Abu Talib (a)! You are my Wali (guardian) and the Wali of every believing man and woman."

The Prophet (s) ordered that a tent was erected for 'Ali (a) and ordered people to go to him group by group and salute him as the Commander of the Faithful (a); and all people, even the wives of Prophet (s) and other women followed this order."

Regarding the capacity of the area in Ghadir Khum, the population of Medina in 10 AH and also the number of people who went to hajj in Hajjat al-Wida', the least number reported which is 10 thousand people is more credible.

The narration of Ghadir has been mentioned in both Shi'a and Sunni sources and some parts of the Prophet's (s) speech are more frequently quoted such as "anyone whose guardian is me, then 'Ali (a) is his guardian." The Companions and many of the Followers have reported the event.

Ahlul Bayt (a), i.e. Imam 'Ali (a), Lady Fatima (s), Imam al-Hasan (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a)

Then a number of 110 Companions of the Prophet (s) can be seen including, 'Umar b. al-Khattab, 'Uthman b. 'Affan, 'Ayisha bint Abi Bakr, Salman the Persian, Abu Dhar al-Ghaffari, Zubayr b. 'Awam, Jabir b. 'Abd Allah Ansari, Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib, Abu Hurayra, etc. who were all present in Ghadir Khum and narrated the event directly.

Also, the event has been reported by 83 of the Followers including, Asbagh b. Nubata and 'Umar b. 'Abd al-Aziz, the Umayyad caliph.

Then, it also can be seen reported by 360 Sunni scholars of 2nd to 4th century AH including, the leader of Shafi'ites, Hanbalites, Ahmad b. Shu'ayb Nasa'i, Ibn Mughazili, Ahmad b. 'Abd Allah and Ahmad b. 'Abd Rabbih.

Also, many Shi'a hadith scholars have narrated the hadith of Ghadir including Shaykh al-Kulayni, Shaykh Saduq, Shaykh Mufid, Sayyid Murtada, etc.

Many scholars consider hadith of Ghadir as Hasan and some considers it Sahih. Also, all Shi'a hadith scholars and some great Sunni scholars consider this hadith as Mutawatir [frequently narrated].