The Event Of GHADIR KHUMM
Arrival At Ghadir Khumm
On the return journey from his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet Muhammad (s) stopped at a place between Makkah and Medina, and gave a sermon to a large gathering of his followers about the important matter of his succession.
Appointment of Imam Ali (a)
The Prophet (s) then introduced Imam Ali (a) as his successor after him.
Burayda Angers The Prophet (s)
Burayda b. Husayb complained about Imam Ali (a) to the Prophet (s) in Medina. This caused visible anguish to the Prophet (s) who reprimanded him and reiterated the mastership of Imam Ali (a).
Remembered and Acknowledged
The event of Ghadir Khumm was remembered and referred to on many occasions years and decades later – in protestations (ihtijaj) and Adjurations (munashadah) and in other situations.
Strength and Credibility
The narration of Ghadir Khumm is considered most authentic by a number of leading scholars. There are also several Sunni scholars who wrote entire dedicated treatises collecting all its chains of transmission.
Meaning and Implication
What does the term mawla actually mean? How can it be considered to mean master and not friend?
The Two Weighty Things
The Prophet (s) explained the system of guidance and governance after him by twinning the Qur’an with his Ahl al-Bayt (a). He declared: “I am leaving for you two precious things and if you adhere to them both, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my Progeny, my Ahlul Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise).”
Congratulations and Rejection
After the pronouncement had been made Imam Ali (a) was congratulated for becoming the master of every believer. There was also the one who openly rejected this Divine order and met his fate.
Reminders By The Ahl al-Bayt (a)
Imam ‘Ali (a), Sayyida Fatima al-Zahra (a), and Imams al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a), on several occasions, reminded those who witnessed the event of Ghadir and the tradition of the Messenger of Allah (s)
Concealment and Censorship
This important and polarising event was at times concealed by some people as well as deliberately censored by others.
Blessedness Of The Day
Fasting on the day of Ghadir Khumm is considered very meritorious and the day is also considered a day of celebration.