What is Eid al-Ghadeer?
Eid al-Ghadeer commemorates the historic event of Ghadir Khumm, which took place in 10 AH after the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada’). On the 18th of Dhul Hijjah, while returning from Hajj, the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) stopped at a place known as Ghadir Khumm.
At that moment, Allah sent Angel Jibra’il (a) with the following verse:
يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ
Translation:
“O Messenger! Convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not, then you have not delivered His message. And Allah will protect you from the people.”
(Surah al-Ma’idah, Verse 67)
After this, the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) addressed tens of thousands of Muslims gathered there. He then raised the hand of Hazrat Ali (a) and proclaimed:
مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَهَذَا عَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ، اللّٰهُمَّ وَالِ مَنْ وَالَاهُ وَعَادِ مَنْ عَادَاهُ
Translation:
“For whomever I am the master (Mawla), Ali is also his master (Mawla). O Allah, befriend those who befriend him and oppose those who oppose him.”
Following this declaration, Angel Jibra’il (a) descended once again with the following verse:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
Translation:
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.”
(Surah al-Ma’idah, Verse 3)
According to the Shi’a school of thought, at Ghadir Khumm the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) formally appointed Hazrat Ali (a) as the leader, guide, and successor of the Muslim Ummah after him. For this reason, Eid al-Ghadeer is regarded as the day of the declaration of Wilayah and Imamah.
Who Was Hazrat Ali (a)?
Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) was the cousin and son-in-law of the Messenger of Allah (ṣ). After Lady Khadijah (a), he was the first male to embrace Islam.
He was renowned for his bravery, knowledge, piety, justice, and commitment to truth. From the earliest days of Islam until the final moments of the Prophet’s life, he stood by him through every challenge and hardship.
When the enemies of Islam plotted to assassinate the Prophet (ṣ) during the migration to Madinah, Hazrat Ali (a) courageously slept in the Prophet’s bed, risking his own life so that the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) could leave safely.
Regarding the knowledge of Hazrat Ali (a), the Prophet (ṣ) said:
“I am the City of Knowledge, and Ali is its Gate.”
The declaration at Ghadir was the culmination of a lifetime of sacrifice, service, and excellence demonstrated by Hazrat Ali (a).
About The Author
