The Great Day of "Ghadir"

[با خدا]

The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad ibn `Abdullah
(S.A.) went to Mecca in the last year of his life to perform the
worship of "Hajj'. He also invited all the Muslims to take
part in the Hail ceremonies, and, in response to his invitation,
all those who were able to do so accepted the Prophet's
dictate. In a short while, large numbers of Muslims were
moving towards Mecca. There they performed the glorious
worship of Haji and learned from the Prophet all its customs
and procedures.
When the ceremonies of the Hajj and the visits to the
Holy Ka'aba were over, the caravans made ready their return
and set off. The Prophet, too, accompanied a caravan and set
off for Medina.
The sound of the camel bells had filled the desert. The
weather was hot and the desert scalding. Mid-journey, God's
angel of revelation descended and brought the Prophet this
message from God:
"O Prophet! Deliver to mankind the message that has
descended to you from your Lord. If you do it not, you have
not fulfilled your Divine mission. God will guard you from
the evil of mankind and will not make the unbelievers
successful."
At that very spot, the Prophet dismounted to carry out
the Divine command. He called to a group of Muslims and
told them to tell all the caravans that had advanced to come
back, and to tell those that hadn't yet arrived to hurry up.
This group quickly mounted their camels and hastily
reached the caravans which were advancing and they called
out loudly, "Stop! Stop! Come back! Come back!"
The men of the caravans pulled at the bridles of their
camels and the ringing of the bells stopped. One by one they
asked, "Why must we stop? What has happened? Why must
we stop in this heat? Why return?"
The riders told them that the Prophet had commanded
them to return and come to him at the side of the pool-called
Ghadir.
The caravans returned and arrived at the side of the
pool, and those that hadn't yet come also arrived. In this way
thousands of Muslims who were on their return from the Hajj
all gathered at Ghadir on the 18th day of the month Zil-Hajjah
and offered the Zohr (noon) prayer with the Holy
Prophet.
Then they built a platform of camel saddles and luggage
and the Holy Prophet stood on the top in order to carry out
the Divine command and deliver to the people that important
message.
The people were all silent and still, waiting to hear the
Prophet's speech, and to know what the "important
message was.
After a very eloquent speech, the Prophet asked the
people in a loud voice and heavenly tone, "O People! Who is
your guide and guardian? Who is your leader and ruler? Am I
not your leader and your guide? Am I not your guardian and
ruler?
They replied, "O Prophet of God, you are 6ur leader and
ruler. You are our guide."
Then the Holy Prophet called for `Ali ibn Abi Talib and
gave him a place next to himself. He took his hand and held it
aloft, showing this to the people, and in his loudest voice and
most glorious tones he commanded:
"Those whose guide and leader I am, after me, will be
guided and led by `Ali O People! O Muslims! After me, `Ali is
your guide and master".
Then he lifted his hands to the skies and said: `Lord! Be
friendly with the friends of `Ali Be an enemy to the enemies
of `Ali Lord! Help the helpers of `Ali, and humble those that
wish evil of `Ali"
Then he descended from the platform, wiped the sweat
from his forehead, took a deep breath, stood still for a
moment, and commanded the Muslims to. "Make Allegiance
to my brother and successor. congratulate him on his Divine
appointment. He is `Irnam' and Ami, ul-Muminin'.'
The Muslims came forward in groups and took the
strong hand of `Ali ibn Abi Talib and squeezed it and
congratulated him for his position as "leader of the true
believers" and called him `Amir ul-Murninin.
In this way. on the 18th day of the month of ZiLHijjah.
`Ah ibn Abi Talib was selected for leadership and Imamate.
The position of leadership and Imamate became a part of
religion, and with the introduction of leadership. the religion
of Islam became perfect and eternal. In this way, God
entrusted the guardianship and leadership of the Muslims to
the twelve Imams. And. in the age of the Imam's absence, a
virtuous courageous and aware master of the Divine law
(Mujtahid). who also has the capacity to manage. becomes
the representative and successor of the Imam, guiding the
Islamic society their political, social and religious affairs
while the people accept his guidances and ordinances with
relief and gratitude.
Every year, we make this great day a festival and become
happy due to the Irnamate of Imam `Ali. We recognize `Ali as
Imam and leader of the Muslims and we strive to follow him
in words and deeds.