In a great number of historical texts, the event of “al-Ghadir” is narrated and emphasized; the most important objective of this event was the designation and appointment of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), by the command of Almighty God, as the true and rightful successor of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family).
The event of al-Ghadir is famous among Muslims; however, we present it as narrated by the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), specifically from the words of Imam “Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir” (peace be upon him), who narrated the event of “al-Ghadir” as follows:
“Gabriel (peace be upon him) descended upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and said to him: ‘O Muhammad! Indeed, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, sends His greetings to you and says: I have not taken the soul of any Prophet or Messenger from among My Prophets and Messengers except that I have first perfected My religion and completed My proof. Two obligations remain for you to convey to your people: the “Obligation of Hajj” and the “Obligation of Guardianship (Wilayah) and Succession” after you. For My earth is never devoid of a Proof (Hujjah), nor shall it ever be.’
Verily, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, commands you to convey the rulings of Hajj to your people and to perform the pilgrimage, and that whoever is able from the cities, surroundings, and desert-dwellers should perform Hajj with you. Teach them the rituals of Hajj just as you taught them prayer, zakat, and fasting, and informed them of those rulings; inform them likewise of the rulings of Hajj.'”
Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) continued:
“Then the herald of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) announced among the people: ‘Be aware, the Messenger of Allah intends to perform Hajj to teach you the rituals of the pilgrimage, just as he taught you the other rulings of the religion and informed you of them.’
Thus, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and the people departed the city, turning their attention toward him to see what he would do and to follow his lead. The Prophet performed Hajj with them, and the number of people from Medina, the surrounding areas, and the deserts reached seventy thousand or more.”
Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said:
“When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) halted at Arafat, Gabriel came to him from God the Almighty and said: ‘O Muhammad, Allah sends His greetings to you and says: Indeed, your life-span is finishing and your term is reaching its end; I am taking you toward that which is inevitable. Therefore, take your covenant, declare your testament, and entrust the knowledge and the heritage of the sciences of the Prophets before you—including the weapons, the Ark , and all the signs of the Prophets that are with you—to your successor and legatee after you, who is My conclusive proof over the people, “Ali bin Abi Talib.”
Raise him as a sign for the people, renew his covenant and allegiance, and remind them of the oath and covenant I have taken from them: that they must accept the guardianship of My successor and know that their master, and the master of every believing man and woman, is “Ali bin Abi Talib.” For I have not taken the soul of any Prophet except that I perfected My religion and My proof, and completed My blessing through the guardianship of My friends and enmity toward My enemies. This is the perfection of monotheism and the religion, and the completion of My blessing upon My creation, which is attained through adherence and obedience to My successor. For I shall never leave the earth without a guardian who serves as My proof over My creation. Thus, this day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My blessing upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.’ [1]
‘My guardianship, and the mastership over every believing man and woman from now on, belongs to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) , who is the servant and legatee of My Prophet, My successor after him, and My conclusive proof over My creation. Obedience to him is obedience to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), My Prophet, and obedience to him and Muhammad is like obedience to Me. Thus, whoever obeys him has obeyed Me, and whoever defies his command has disobeyed Me.
I have placed him as a sign between Myself and My creation; whoever recognizes him is a believer, and whoever denies him is a disbeliever. Whoever associates others in allegiance to him is a polytheist, and whoever meets Me with “Ali’s” guardianship shall enter Paradise, and whoever meets Me with enmity toward “Ali” shall enter the Fire.’
‘So Muhammad ! appoint “Ali” to the guardianship and take the allegiance for him from the people, and remind them of the covenant I have taken from them, for I shall soon bring you toward Myself.'”
The Imam (peace be upon him) continued the narration of the al-Ghadir event, stating:
“However, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) feared…
his people and the people of hypocrisy and division, that they would scatter and return to the age of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), for the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) knew the extent of the enmity this group held toward Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and the grudges they harbored against him.
Consequently, he asked Gabriel to seek immunity from the Lord for Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) against the people, and he waited for Gabriel to convey the Lord’s response. Thus, he delayed announcing the guardianship of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) until they reached ‘Masjid al-Khayf.’ There, Gabriel descended once more, requesting the Prophet to fulfill his oath and appoint Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) as a sign for the people so they might be guided. However, he did not yet convey the assurance of safety for Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) from the people, until they reached ‘Kura’ al-Ghamim’ between Mecca and Medina.
Here, Gabriel came once again, ordering him regarding what had come from God concerning Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) , yet still bringing no letter of protection.”
Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) continued:
“Therefore, the Prophet again said to Gabriel: ‘I fear that my people will deny me and will not accept my words concerning Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).’
He then continued his journey until they reached al-Ghadir Khumm, located three miles from ‘Juhfah,’ a large village on the way to Mecca. Five hours into the day, Gabriel returned from God with a threat and a stern warning, yet accompanied by the news of protection from the people, saying: ‘O Muhammad! Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, sends His greetings and says: O Messenger! Convey that which has been sent down to you from your Lord regarding Ali; and if you do it not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people.’ [2]”
The Imam (peace be upon him) stated:
“The Muslims at the front of the caravan had already reached Juhfah when the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) ordered those who had gone ahead to be brought back and up to wait until the rest arrived, so that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) could appoint Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) as the sign of guardianship and convey what Almighty God had revealed concerning him. Now, Gabriel had informed him that Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, had secured him from the harm of the people.
Thus, with the arrival of the assurance of protection, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) commanded the herald to announce among the people ‘As-Salatu Jami’ah’ (the congregational prayer). He ordered those ahead to return and those arriving to halt there. He then turned from the path to the right toward ‘Masjid al-Ghadir,’ as Gabriel had commanded him on behalf of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
There were several trees there; the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) ordered the area beneath them to be swept and to build something resembling a pulpit out of stones so he would be visible to the people. When the people gathered at that spot, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) stood atop those stones and delivered the sermon known as the ‘al-Ghadir Day Sermon.’ After praising and glorifying Almighty God, he spoke concerning the matter of succession: ‘O people! Ali is my brother, my legatee, and the protector of my knowledge. He is my successor over my Ummah, the interpreter of the Book of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, the caller to it, and the one who acts upon what is pleasing to God.’
‘He is at war with the enemies of God, supports obedience to Him, and forbids disobedience to Him. He is the successor of the Messenger of Allah, the Commander of the Faithful , and a guiding Imam. By the command of God, he fights the oath-breakers (Nakithin), the oppressors (Qasitin), and the renegades (Mariqin).’
By the command of Allah, I say-and by the command of God, this statement shall not change-my Lord has commanded: O Allah, love him who loves him, and be the enemy of him who is his enemy. Curse whoever denies him, and let Your wrath be upon whoever rejects his right.’
‘O Allah, You Yourself revealed to me that the leadership and Imamate of the people after me is for “Ali,” who is Your chosen guardian. I have clarified this matter for the people and appointed him to this position so that You may complete for them the religion of Your servants and perfect Your blessing upon them, and You have chosen Islam as their religion, saying: “Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers.” [3]’
‘O Allah, I take You as witness that I have conveyed Your message to the people.’ [4]”
[1] Surah al-Ma’idah: Verse 3.
[2] Surah al-Ma’idah: Verse 67.
[3] Surah Al-Imran: Verse 85.
