THE IGNORED, YET MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE ISLAMIC HISTORY “GHADEER E KHUM” IN THE EYES OF QURAN AND SUNNAH
In the name of Allah The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
PREAMBLE:
Alhamdulillah, being a humble student of knowledge, while going through the noble traditions of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s), I learnt that on 18th Zulhajja (12th month of Islamic calendar) in 10th Hijri / 632 CE (while returning from Mecca to Medina, after performing the Farewell Hajj), he (s.a.w.s.) was summoned by Allah (S.W.T.) in the scorching heat of desert in a place called “Khum” (within an oasis called “Ghadeer”, three miles apart from Johfa) to stop and deliver a Special message!
There, our beloved Prophet (s.a.w.s) delivered the longest and most comprehensive sermon of his life in the presence of over 120,000 companions. This Sermon was reported by more than 100 companions through various chains, hence treated as utmost authentic Hadees (mutawatir). No tradition (Hadees) has acquired the authenticity of this level!
After reading and listening to this amazing Sermon, felt deeply regretted and sorry for myself about its sinful ignorance on my part that how ignorant was I to miss the most important Message / Hadees of Prophet’s prophethood era (almost 23 years)? In that Sermon, I learnt that Allah SWT commanded Prophet (s.a.w.s) to announce the Wilayah / Imamah of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s) as his true successor for leading the Ummah after him (s.a.w.s) explicitly, Allah o Akbar!
Now the reader must be wondering that I may be propagating some Shia belief [who firmly believe in it, as their Principal (Usool) of Deen], certainly not. Rather, it is our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) who explicitly announced the Successorship / Imamah of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s) by the Commandment of Allah SWT mentioned as follows:
"O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you don't do it, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people ..." (Qur'an 5:67)
The last sentence in the above verse indicates that the Prophet (s.a.w.s) was mindful of the reaction of his people in delivering that critical and sensitive message, but Allah SWT informs him not to worry, for He SWT will protect His Messenger(s.a.w.s) from the (mischievous) people.
With this background, three possible questions arise:
- Are the Shia’s misguided toward believing that Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) was the true and legitimate successor / Imam of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s), appointed by Allah (SWT) and announced by him (s.a.w.s), as against Hazrat Abu Bakar, who according to majority Sunni belief was rightly elected in the meeting held at Saqifah Bani Saida and affirmed by Ijmaah thereafter?
- Secondly, is there any Muhkam Ayat (verse having plain and clear meaning) in Quran that confirms about the Imamah or Khilafah of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.)?
- Thirdly, did Nabi Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) ever appointed his successors during his lifetime or left this great responsibility of preserving the Deen and leadership upon the Ummah for choosing / electing amongst themselves?
Here, I would humbly request the reader to please go through my humble submission till the end without any bias, in order to draw your own kind conclusion based on facts from Quran, Hadees and Authentic History from Sunni sources. As the understanding toward accepting or rejecting this subject / event will have very serious consequences in the life here-after (Akhira)!!
Alhamdulillah, after doing tremendous research (reading several books, listening lectures / debates of both sides) and doing critical thinking, I found out that the reason for this grave misunderstanding and misconception of treating Hazrat Abu Bakar’s Khilafah as the first rightful caliphate and totally ignoring the Imamah / Khilafah of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) in the first place, is due to sheer and sinful negligence by the respected Ulema by not going through the most important event in the Islamic history (during the life of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s).
The complete study and understanding of this glorious khutbah by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) has nothing to do with Sunni or Shia version of Islam, rather it is a binding for every Muslim, who thinks to be a true believer of Prophet (s.a.w.s) to read / listen and obey! Here, I will beg the reader to kindly go through the Khutbah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s), if no one has ever pointed out to you as yet and then decide whatever you like to believe in, you may find the link mentioned later in this blog.
It may be late but never too late to acquire knowledge (Truth), insha Allah!
Unfortunately, majority of Sunni Scholars (who have lot of time to study, discuss and debate everything, but least bothered about this great Event / Hadees of Ghadeer) tend to debate and defend the Khilafat, which was decided by few individuals in Saqeefa Bani Saaida, on the very same day of the sad departure of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) from this world (while only few loyal companions were busy in his s.a.w.s burial) and did not even bother to attend the janazah of our beloved Prophet (s.a.w.s) at that moment!!! - Kindly read some authentic history book for further details in this regard, like Tarikh al Tabri etc.
These scholars do this and propagate the same to the masses without seriously attempting to explore and research with their intellectual honesty about the said Event. Secondly, even if they discuss or narrate few excerpts (selective segments) of Hadees e Ghadeer mentioned in the Saheehain and / or other sources, get stuck on the word “mawla” (full stop), what a misery and pity on their scholarship!
Had the majority of Muslim scholars just read the complete Khutbah of Ghadeer e Khum by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) only, there would have been no confusion about the legitimacy of Imamah / Khilafah of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s), hence no sectarianism, as it is self-explanatory (plain as daylight). I feel sorry for this attitude by majority of Sunni scholars!!!! If I being a humble and ordinary student of knowledge can understand, then why cannot these scholars?
The primary reason is the bias and pessimist attitude toward Shia belief, rather than gaining knowledge (truth). Therefore, they never indulged themselves in its studying and pondering, rather ignoring and continue to defend the wrong premise on this subject. They always start from the appointment of Hazrat Abu Bakar’s khilafah, but never ever attempt to study thoroughly or try to explore the biggest and most important event (happened just couple of months earlier), which will be further elaborated.
Just perceive, that large number of pilgrims stayed in that area (Ghadeer Khum) for three days giving allegiance to Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) post announcement by no other than, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and still no study, no discussion, no pondering, and no propagating of this Event in the Jummah sermons. Still we claim to be true followers of Nabi Muhammad (s.a.w.s)!! On the contrary, these Ulema dare to challenge and debate the commandments of Allah (SWT) and the announcements of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) pertaining to this Event!! With heavy heart and deep sorrow, what a pity on account of the majority of Sunni scholars!!!
It may be reminded that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) in the house of Abu Talib, on the day of Warning (famously known as Dawat e zul asheera), which was the first day of his public “dawah”, gathered his clan (Bani Hashim) in the house of Abu Talib and declared as follows:
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) said, indicating Ali. “This is my brother, my trustee and my deputy [caliph] after me, so listen to him and obey him."
We can very clearly see that he (s.a.w.s) announced the successorship of Ali Ibn Ibi Talib (a.s.) from the day one, which was eventually and formally announced before 120,000 pilgrims / companions on specific command by Allah SWT on the Day of Ghadeer. Do Muslims still doubt, debate and fight with each other?
References: Tarikh, al Tabari, vol 2 p319, al Sirah al Halabiyah, vol 1 p 311, Shawahid al Tanzil, vol 1 p 371, Kanz al Ummal, vol 15 p 15, Tarikh, Ibn Asakir, vol 1 p 85, Tafsir, Ala al Din al Shafi'i, vol 3 p 371, The Life of Muhammad by Hasanyn Haykal, First Edition (Section on: And admonish your nearest, your kinsmen)
THE EVENT OF GHADEER E KHUM:
Upon completion of Hajj (Farewell Pilgrimage) on Zhul-Hijja 18, 10 A.H./ 632 A.D., the Divine order (revelation) came to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) as mentioned in verse 67 of Chapter 5 (Al-Ma'ida), saying: “O Messenger! Convey what has (just) been revealed to you (with regard to 'Ali), and if you do not do so, you will not have conveyed His Message at all, and Allah shall protect you from (evil) people.”
It was of the morning on that day, the Prophet and his 120,000 companions went to Ghadir Khum. Ghadir Khum is located near the crossroads of trade and pilgrimage caravans coming from Medina, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Nejd on their way to Mecca.
The presence of water and a few old trees there served as a resting place for trade caravans for centuries. A mosque, called Masjid al-Ghadir, was later built on the same spot where the great gathering took place to commemorate that momentous event, an event which has unfortunately been forgotten and neglected by the vast majority of the Muslims who, by thus forgetting, forgot the most important part of their creed, without which their faith is not complete at all according to the Prophet's (s.a.w.s) sermon.
The Azan for the prayers was recited, and the congregational (jama 'a) prayers were led by the Prophet (s.a.w.s). After that, the Prophet (s.a.w.s) ascended the pulpit and signaled to' Ali ibn Abu Talib to stand on his right. ' Ali did so, standing one pulpit step below the Prophet (s.a.w.s). Before saying anything, the Prophet looked right and left to make sure that people were prepared to listen to every word of his. The sun was so hot that people had to pull some of their outer mantles over their heads and under their feet in order to be able to somehow tolerate the heat.
During this lengthy Khutbah, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) said:”...Ali is the master of all those of whom I am master. O Allah! Love him who loves him and hate him who hates him, help him who helps him, forsake him who forsakes him, and turn justice with him wherever he turns”.
This tradition alone is enough to reply to the allegations concerning the seniority of Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Usman over Mawla Ali, who was appointed by the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s) as the guardian after him of all the faithful. It is of no consequence for whoever tried to interpret the saying “mawla” as the “friend” or “the supporter”, in order to divert it from its original meaning, “authority”. The Messenger of Allah stood up in the terrible heat addressing the people, saying, "Do you witness that I have a prior right to and superior authority over all the faithful?" They replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah. " Thereupon he said, "Ali is the mawla (master) of all those whom I am a mawla (master) . . etc."
This is a clear text indicating that the Messenger of Allah had appointed Ali as his successor to lead the Ummah, and only the fair and sensible person could not but accept this interpretation and refuse all others at this point, thus preserving the integrity of the Messenger of Allah SWT, rather than preserving the integrity of the Companions.
Those who give an alternative interpretation to the saying are in fact ridiculing the wisdom of the Messenger of Allah SWT, who gathered the multitude of people, in that unbearable heat, to tell them that Mawla Ali was the friend and supporter of the faithful. And what do those, who misinterpret the text in order to preserve the integrity of the appointed caliphs say about the procession of congratulation that the Messenger of Allah organized for Mawla Ali?
It started with the wives of the Messenger, the mothers of the faithful, then Hazrat Abu Bakar and Hazrat Umar came and said to him, "Well done Ibn Abi Talib, overnight you became the guardian [master / mawla] of all the faithful."
For complete text of the Sermon, please must click link below for gaining complete and unbiased understanding for forming his / her own belief insha Allah:
Alternatively, those interested in watching and listening to the longest, comprehensive sermon delivered under the scorching heat of desert by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) may please find sometime and kindly watch the videos (linked below), covering the original speech at Ghadeer (mostly covered), hopefully with the mind that “don’t see who is talking, but see what he is talking”, insha Allah:
In my opinion all doubts will be resolved for a true believer after reading or listening to the Sermon (links mentioned above), however if he /she still objects the appointment of Ali (a.s.) as “Maula (meaning Authority / Khalifah”) from Allah (S.W.T.) and insists to bring proof (Ayat e muhkamat) from Quran about may please watch the video linked below:
On one occasion our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) said: “Ali is from me and I am from Ali and no one can discharge my duty except myself or person like me.”
This honorable tradition is another clear indication that Imam Ali (a.s.) was only one whom the Messenger authorized to discharge his duties. The Messenger said it on the day of the great pilgrimage when he sent Ali (a.s.) with Surat Bara'a instead of Hazrat Abu Bakr, who came crying and asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Reveal something for me." The Messenger answered, "My Lord ordered me that nobody can discharge my duty except myself or person like me."
References: Sunan, Ibn Majah, vol 1 p 44 , Khasais, al Nasai, p 20, Sahih, al Tirmidhi, vol 5 p 300, Jami al Usul, Ibn Kathir, vol 9 p 471, al Jami al Saghir, al Suyuti, vol 2 p 56, al Riyadh al Nadirah, Tabari, vol 2p 229
CONSEQUENCE OF REJECTING THE WILAYAH OF ALI IBN ABIL TALIB (A.S.)
Some Sunni commentators report that the first three verses of the chapter of al-Ma'arij (70:1-3) were revealed when a dispute arose after the Prophet (s.a.ws.) reached Madinah.
It is recorded that:
On the day of Ghadir the Messenger of Allah summoned the people toward 'Ali and said: "Ali is the mawla of whom I am mawla." The news spread quickly all over urban and rural areas. When Harith Ibn Nu'man al-Fahri came to know of it, he rode his camel and came to Madinah and went to the Messenger of Allah [s.a.w.s] and said to him: "You commanded us to testify that there is no deity but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah. We obeyed you. You ordered us to perform the prayers five times a day and we obeyed. You ordered us to observe fasts during the month of Ramadhan and we obeyed. Then you commanded us to offer pilgrimage to Makkah and we obeyed. But you are not satisfied with all this and you raised your cousin by your hand and imposed him upon us as our master by saying `Ali is the mawla of whom I am mawla.' Is this imposition from Allah (SWT) or from you?"
The Prophet [s.a.w.s] said : "By Allah (SWT) who is the only Deity! This is from Allah (SWT), the Mighty and the Glorious."
On hearing this Harith turned back and proceeded towards his she-camel saying: "O Allah (SWT)! If what Muhammad (s.a.w.s) said is correct, then fling on us a stone from the sky and subject us to severe pain and torture." He had not reached his she-camel when Allah SWT, who is above all defects, flung at him a stone which struck him on his head, penetrated his body and passed out through his lower body and left him dead. It was on this occasion that Allah, the exalted, caused to descend the following verses:
"A questioner questioned about the punishment to fall. For the disbelievers there is nothing to avert it, from Allah the Lord of the Ascent." (70:1-3)
References: Al-Tha`labi, Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Ibrahim, Abu Ishaq al-NisaPuri Tafsir Kashf wa'l-bayan, Sufyan b. `Uyaynah b. Abi `Imran Maymun, Abu Muhammad al-Hilali al-Kufi (d. 198 AH/814 CE)
AUTHENTIC SAYINGS OF PROPHET (S.A.W.S) PERTAINING TO IMAM ALI (A.S.) SUCCESSORSHIP
It was not only at Ghadir Khum that the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, proclaimed 'Mawla Ali, peace be upon him, to be the leader of the Muslims and his successor, officially and in the presence of the people. In the third year of his mission, when he was commanded to proclaim his prophethood openly, he appointed 'Ali, peace be upon him, as his successor. It is known that for the first three years of his prophetic mission, the Most Noble Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, did not make his summons public, instead calling people to Islam in secret. It was in the third year of his mission that he was instructed to invite his relatives to Islam openly. - See Qur'an, 26:214
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, stood up among his relatives, praised and supplicated the Creator, and said:
"I swear that there is none worthy of worship other than the One God, and that I am His envoy to you and the entirety of mankind. I have brought you the means of felicity in both worlds. My Lord has commanded me to summon you to the religion of Islam, and I give you glad tidings that whoever among you accepts my summons the soonest and aids me in my mission will be my brother (akhi), my legatee (wasiyyi) and my successor (khalifati)."
Those words greatly disturbed those present at the gathering, for their pride was offended, and it almost seemed that the voice of truth and the summons of prophethood would remain unheeded. Suddenly 'Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be upon him, arose and cried out: "O Muhammad, I believe in the oneness of Allah SWT and your messenger hood and I distance myself from the idol worshipers."
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, ordered 'Ali, peace be upon him, to sit down. He then repeated twice more his earlier proclamation, but those words of truth made no impact on the hearts of those gathered in that assembly. No one apart from 'Ali, peace be upon him, responded to the call of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family. Thereupon the Prophet turned to the assembly and said:
"'Ali is my brother and legatee and my successor among you. Obey him, follow him, and pay heed to his words." -
References: Ahmad b. Hanbal, al-Musnad, Vol. I, pp. 111, 159. Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil, Vol. II, p.22; al-Tabari, al-Tafsir, Vol. II, p. 216; Abu al-Fida', al-Tarikh, Vol. I, p. 119; al-Ganji, Kifayatal-Talib, p.89. al-Nasa'i, al-Khasa'is, p. 18; al-Halabi, al-Sirah, Vol. I, p.304; Ibn Abi 'l-Hadid, Sharh, Vol. III, p. 255; al-Suyuti, Jam' al-Jawami', Vol. VI, p. 408; al-Khifaji, Sharh al-Shifa', Vol. III, p. 37.
The Most Noble Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, appointed 'Ali, peace be upon him, to guard the city on his behalf, and he ordered that he should remain in Madinah until he returned, administering the affairs of the Muslims. When the Hypocrites realized that their treacherous plans had been divulged, they began spreading idle rumors in the hope of weakening 'Ali's position. They hinted that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, was angry with 'Ali, peace be upon him, and that it was for this reason that he had not been permitted to accompany him on a major military expedition.
'Ali, peace be upon him, was greatly troubled and saddened by the circulation of these rumors, and he hastened to the presence of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, who had already left Madinah. He told him what had happened, and with a single historic sentence he clarified the special position of 'Ali, peace be upon him, once and for all:
"Are you not content that your relation to me shall be like the relation of Harun to Musa, excepting only that there shall be no prophet after me?"
At the end of this hadith there is a sentence that many Sunni scholars have recorded in their books:
"It is not fitting that I should depart without your being my deputy and successor."
References: al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak, Vol. III, p. 63; al-Nasa'i, al-Khasa'is ., p. 63; al-Hamawini, Fara'id al-simtayn, Vol. I, p. 328 al-Dhahabi, Talkhis al-Mustadrak, Vol. III, p. 132; Ahmad b. Hanbal, al-Musnad, Vol. I, p. 331; al-Khwarazmi, al-Manaqib, p. 72; al-Ganji, Kifayat al-Talib, p. 116; Ibn Asakir, al-Tarikh al-Kabir, Vol. I, p. 203; al-Biladhuri, Ansab al-Ashraf, Vol. II, p. 106; Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah, Vol. VII, p. 338; al-'Asqalani, al-Isabah, Vol. II, p.509.
AUTHENTIC SAYINGS OF PROPHET (S.A.W.S) PERTAINING TO PEOPLE OF HIS HOUSE [AHLUL BAIT (A.S.)]
The Hadith of the Ark (hadith al-safinah) is one more of the well-known and universally accepted traditions found in the books of celebrated Sunni scholars that establish the worthiness of the Prophet's family for assuming the leadership and direction of the Islamic Ummah, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari relates the Prophet to have said: "The People of my Household are for you like the Ark of Nuh (Noah). Whoever embarks on it will be saved and whoever turns away from it will be drowned."
With these words the Prophet depicts clearly the rank of his family and their fundamental role in guiding mankind and giving direction to the Islamic Ummah. He warns against the perilous consequences of abandoning the lofty and salvific persons of his house, a course that will lead whoever chooses it to darkness and misguidance.
References: al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-'Ummal, Vol. I, p. 250; Ibn Hajar, al-Sawa'iq, p. 75; al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak, Vol. III, p. 343; al-Qunduzi, Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, p. 257. Ibn al-Sabbagh, al-Fusul al-Muhimmah, p. 10; al-Sabban, Is'af al-Raghibin, p. 111; al-Shiblanji, Nur al-Absar, p. 114.
The Most Noble Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said in description of the People of his House:
"The People of my House are like the stars that help men find their way on sea and dry land and deliver them from misguidance and errancies." - Ibn Hajar, al-Sawa'iq, p. 140; al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak, Vol. III, p. 149.
He said further. "Whoever seeks refuge with the People of my House will be safe from misguidance and ruin, and whoever opposes them will fall prey to discord and divergence and join the party of Satan." - Ibn Hajar, al-Sawa'iq, p. 140; al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak, Vol. III, p. 1
Now, please be fair and critically think without any bias, who followed the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) and who rejected clear cut commandments on the Day of Ghadeer Khum? Why is the Muslim Ummah so divided and fighting each other? What was the point of division?
We should not be biased in answering to this question to ourselves, as we will be answerable on the Day of Judgement about who do we follow, legitimate Imam (appointed by Allah SWT and announced by Prophet Muhammd s.a.w.s) or selected / elected Khalifat? Did the path of Khilafat selected by few individuals ultimately led to the horrific and tragic incident of Karbala, where almost entire family of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was brutally slaughtered? Be the judge to yourself!
May Allah broaden our vision and guide us to follow the true path – Ameen Ya Rab Al Aalameen!
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ
Your brother in Islam,
S Ahsen Ala
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