Event of Ghadir: Difference between revisions

'''The Event of Ghadīr''' (Arabic: {{iarabic|واقعة الغدير}}), according to [[Shi'a]] beliefs, is among the most important events in th history of Islam, in which on his return from [[Hajjat al-Wida']], the [[Holy Prophet (s)]] introduced [[Imam Ali (a)]] as his vicegerent and people's guardian after himself at a place called [[Ghadir Khum]], where everyone including greatest [[Companions of the Prophet (s)|Companions]] pledged their [[allegiance]] with Imam Ali (a).

This introduction was according to divine command in [[al-Tabligh Verse]] which was revealed a little earlier than Dhu l-Hijja 18, 10/March 19, 632 commanding the Holy Prophet (s) to communicate to people whatever has been revealed to him and if he does not, it is as if he has not fulfilled his mission. Subsequently, the [[Ikmal Verse]] was revealed saying: "Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion." (Q 5:3).

The [[Infallibles (a)]] have referred to [[al-Ghadir Sermon]] and many poets -from the time of Imam Ali (a) onward- have composed poems about this event. Among the most prominent works about the Event of Ghadir and al-Ghadir Sermon is ''[[Al-Ghadir fi l-kitab wa l-sunna wa l-adab (book)|Al-Ghadir fi l-kitab wa l-sunna wa l-adab]]'' by [[al-'Allama al-Amini]]. The Holy Prophet (s) and other infallibles (a) have called this day Eid (Holy Day) and Muslims, especially the Shi'a, celebrate it. (See [[Eid al-Ghadir]])

The [[Prophet (s)]] moved from [[Medina]] to [[Mecca]] on [[Dhu l-Qa'da 24]] or [[Dhu l-Qa'da 25|25]], [[10]]/February 632 accompanied by thousands of people (some even mentioned this number more up to 120 thousand people)<ref>al-Tabrasi, Vol.1, P.56; al-Mufid, P.91; al-Halabi, Vol.3, P.308</ref>. 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<ref>al-Halabi, Vol.3, PP.318-9' al-Mufid, P.92</ref>. When rituals of hajj finished, the Prophet (s) left Mecca for Medina together with other Muslims.

Muslims arrived at [[Ghadir Khum]] on Thursday [[Dhu l-Hijja 18]], [[10]]/March 19, 632, but before the people of [[Syria]], [[Egypt]] and [[Iraq]] leave for their own countries, [[Gabriel]] revealed the Tabligh Verse to the Prophet (s) when God ordered the Prophet (s) to introduce Ali (a) as his vicegerent and guardian to people.

After performing [[Zuhr prayer|prayer]], the Prophet (s) made a speech which became famous as Ghadir Sermon. 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]; [[al-Thiql al-Akbar]], the greater one is the [[al-Qur'an|Book of God]] and the other is [[Ahl al-Bayt|my household]]."

People had not scattered yet, when Gabriel came to the Prophet (s) once more and revealed the third verse of [[Sura al-Ma'ida]] to the Prophet (s) which is known as the al-Ikmal Verse. 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." {{enote|الْیوْمَ أَکمَلْتُ لَکمْ دینَکمْ وَ أَتْمَمْتُ عَلَیکمْ نِعْمَتی وَ رَضیتُ لَکمُ الْإِسْلامَ دیناً}}(Q 5:3)

Regarding the capacity of the area in [[Ghadir Khum]], the population of [[Medina]] in 10/632 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<ref>Sayyid Jalal Imam</ref>.

# Verse 3 of [[Sura al-Ma'ida]] which is known as the [[al-Ikmal Verse]] and says, "Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion."{{enote|اَلْیوْمَ أکْمَلْتُ لَکُمْ دینَکُمْ وَأتْمَمْتُ عَلَیکُمْ نِعْمَتی وَرَضیتُ لَکُمُ الإِسْلامَ دیناً}}

# Verse 67 of the same Sura which is called the [[al-Tabligh Verse]] and says, "O Apostle! Communicate that which has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not, you will not have communicated His message, and Allah shall protect you from the people."{{enote|يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ ۚ}}

# Verses 1 and 2 of [[Sura al-Ma'arij]] which reads, "An asker asked for a punishment bound to befall (1) —which none can avert from the faithless"{{enote|سأل سائل بعذاب واقع للکافرین لیس له دافع}} referring to the event that after the Prophet (s) announced the guardianship of Ali (a), a man whose name was [[Nu'man b. Harith al-Fihri]] came to the Prophet (s) and complained that, "You ordered us to acknowledge [[Tawhid]], your mission, performing [[jihad]], [[hajj]], [[fasting]], [[prayer]] and giving [[zakat]] and we accepted. But, you were not pleased with this much until you appointed this young man as our [[Wilaya|Wali]]. Is this appointment your own decision or from God?!" When the Prophet (s) answered him that it has been the order of God, the man asked God disdainfully that if this order is from God, a stone fells on his head from the sky. Then, a stone fell from the sky on his head and he dropped dead and this verse was then revealed<ref>al-Tabrasi, ''Majma' al-Bayan'', Vol.10, P.530; al-Qurtubi, Vol.19, P.278; al-Tha'labi, Vol.10, P.35</ref>.

[[Muslims]], especially [[Shi'a]] have always regarded the Day of Ghadir as one of the greatest eids and this day is known to them as [[Eid al-Ghadir]]<ref>Abu Rayhan Biruni, P.95</ref>.

It has been esteemed so much that making allegiance with Musta'li b. Mustansar (an Egyptian ruler) was held on the Eid Ghadir Khum [[487]]/1094<ref>Ibn Khalkan, Vol.1, P.60</ref>. Also, it is narrated by Sunni scholars that anyone who fasts [[18 Dhu al-Hijjah|18th of Dhu al-Hijjah]], (which is the day of Eid Ghadir Khum) God will reward him equal to the reward of 6 months of fasting<ref>al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Vol.8, P.290</ref>. The eve of Ghadir Khum is also celebrated among Muslims.<ref>al-Tha'alibi, P.511</ref>

Also, [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] said, "Day of Ghadir Khum is a great Eid of God. God has not chosen a [[prophet]] unless He has regarded that day an Eid and has glorified it; and the name of this day is the Day of Promise in the skies and the Day of Covenant and Public Attendance on the earth."<ref>al-Hurr al-'Amili, Vol.5, P.224</ref>

* The material for this article is mainly taken from [http://fa.wikishia.net/view/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%D9%87_%D8%BA%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1 {{ia|واقعه غدیر}}] in Farsi Wikishia.