Throughout history, various interpretations and explanations have been offered regarding this event and its importance. However, only the Holy Prophet and Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) have been able to provide a precise and comprehensive account of the station of this occurrence. Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), in one of his sermons delivered on a Friday coinciding with Eid al-Ghadir, elucidated the value and grandeur of this day.
The Ghadir Sermon of Amir al-Muminin as Narrated by Imam al-Rida
Sayed ibn Tawus, in his book Misbah al-Za’ir, narrates from Fayyad ibn Muhammad al-Tusi a tradition from Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) concerning the importance of the Day of Ghadir:
“In the year 259 AH, in the city of Tus, I saw Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) on the Day of Ghadir. A group of his close companions was also present. The Imam had kept them with him so that they could break their fast together, and afterward, he sent food, wheat, gifts, clothing, rings, and shoes to their homes.
Additionally, on this day, the Imam arranged special conditions for those around him, such that the atmosphere of this occasion was completely different from other days.”
Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him), while explaining the virtues and history of this day, narrated:
“My father narrated from his fathers, and they from their predecessors, until the narration reached Imam al-Husain (peace be upon him), who said: ‘One year, Friday coincided with the Day of Ghadir.’
On that day, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) ascended the pulpit and delivered a sermon. It was a sermon that began with the praise of God and contained profound and meaningful sentences—ranging from the expression of divine monotheism and unity to the mention of His affirmative and negative attributes, all eloquently stated.”
Part of the beautiful words of Amir al-Muminin in praise of God was as follows:
“Praise be to God who placed praise upon His servants without any need on His part for their praise, and made it a means for acknowledging His divinity, oneness, lordship, and sole godship, and a cause for the increase of His mercy and a path to His grace. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, without any partner—a witness born of inner sincerity. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger; He chose him from among His creation and made him His trustee over His commands and prohibitions.”
Then Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) spoke about the divine chosen ones:
“Indeed, after His Prophet, God Almighty singled out from His creation a chosen group, raised them and exalted their station, and made them guides to the truth and signs of guidance in every age. He created them as lights before the creation of all things, made them His proofs upon His servants, through them guided people to His knowledge, and made them the interpreters of His will. They are servants who do not precede Him in speech, and they act by His command. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for whom He approves. God did not leave His servants in their confusion, but rather gave them intellect, through which He established His proof upon them, and illuminated the path for them. Then he said: O believers, indeed God has gathered for you on this day two great festivals: Friday and Ghadir, and neither is complete without the other.”
Proof of the Celebration of the Day of Ghadir
When Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) delivered this sermon, the Day of Ghadir coincided with Friday, which is why he referred to the “two festivals” and mentioned both with grandeur and greatness. This is considered one of the best proofs for affirming the eighteenth of Dhu al-Hijjah and for holding ceremonies of celebration, joy, and commemoration on that day. Regarding Ghadir being a festival, numerous traditions have reached us from the Holy Prophet and the Shia Imams.
The Importance of Friday
Regarding the importance of Friday, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“God has made this day a gathering so that past sins may be forgiven, believers may remember one another, and piety may increase in the hearts of the righteous. These goals are only achieved when a person obeys God’s commands and refrains from His prohibitions. Acknowledgment of divine oneness is not complete except by acknowledging the prophethood of the Noble Messenger, and religion is not complete except by accepting the guardianship (Wilayah) of the one whose guardianship God has ordained.”
“On the Day of Duh (Ghadir), God revealed His will concerning His chosen ones to the Final Prophet and commanded him to convey it. He also protected His Messenger from the plots of the hypocrites. Following this event, the believers recognized the truth, while the hypocrites fell into greater misguidance. Thus, God perfected His religion and instilled tranquility and joy in the heart of the Final Prophet and the believers.”
Geographical Location of Ghadir
The word “Duh” in the speech of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) is the plural of “Duhah,” meaning large and sturdy trees. This part of the sermon actually indicates the historical geographical location of Ghadir. (1)
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) says:
“On the day that was the eighteenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, the verses descended under the firmly rooted trees upon the Final Prophet. These verses were an expression of God’s will and wish concerning His chosen and purified servants. On this day, Jibril descended from the Lord and sent down upon the Noble Messenger the verse: ‘O Messenger, convey…’ God commanded the Prophet to convey to the people an important matter directly connected to the truth and guardianship (Wilayah) of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).” (2)
From the phrase “Convey what has been sent down to you,” it is clearly understood that the Master of the Command (Wali al-Amr) had already been appointed by God, and the purpose of this day was merely the public announcement and official introduction of this matter to the people.
- See: Al-Misbah al-Munir; Majma’ al-Bahrayn: entry “DWH” (دوح)
- See: Al-Ghadir, vol. 1, p. 961
