Ghadir, a historical realityThe importance of management of society
The obvious and the hidden realities behind Ghadir
The significance of Wilayat emphasized in Ghadir
The significance of Imamate emphasized in Ghadir
Ghadir, a source of unity for the Islamic Ummah
The Leader's View of Ghadir
All people who are interested in the history of Islam should know that Ghadir – that is, the event that happened during the Holy Prophet's Hajjat al-Wida' [1][the Farewell Pilgrimage] in Ghadir al-Khumm [2]– is an indisputable historical reality. The truth of the event is not questioned. It is not just Shia Muslims who have recounted the event. Sunni hadith narrators have also recounted Ghadir. A great caravan of Muslims were accompanying the Prophet (s.w.a.) on the Farewell Pilgrimage. A group of them were some distance ahead of the caravan. The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) sent some messengers to tell them to go back and join him in Ghadir al-Khumm. And he waited for the pilgrims who had fallen behind to catch up with him. A great crowd of Muslims was formed there. There are different accounts of how many pilgrims were present there, ranging from 90,000 to 120,000. In that hot weather, it was not possible for the residents of the Arabian Peninsula – many of whom were Bedouins and villagers who were used to hot weather conditions – to stand on the hot ground, so they spread their aba [a long loose outer garment traditionally worn by Arabs] under their feet. This point has been mentioned in Sunni traditions as well. The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) stood up and helped the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) stand up. He said, "Those who consider me as their guardian [mawla] should consider Ali as their guardian. O God, be the friend of Ali's friends and the enemy of his enemies." Of course, these sentences were just part of what the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) said there, but the important point is that he publicly mentioned the issue of Wilayat – that is, Islamic rule – in an explicit manner and appointed the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) as his successor. This event has also been recounted in tens of reliable books written by our Sunni brothers. The late Allamah Amini has collected these in a book titled "Al-Ghadir". Many other books have also been written in this regard.
Undoubtedly, Eid al-Ghadir is of paramount importance. It has been mentioned in Islamic traditions that this day is greater than even Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. This does not reduce the importance of these two Islamic Eids. Its greater importance is just because it contains a loftier meaning. The importance of Eid al-Ghadir – which is the best Islamic Eid according to Islamic traditions – is due to the fact that it revolves around the issue of Wilayat. One may assume that the purpose of all the efforts made by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and other divine prophets as well as religious luminaries was to establish divine Wilayat. The purpose of jihad and efforts for a divine cause has been explained in a tradition attributed to Imam Sadiq (a.s.): "In order to liberate people from following other human beings and guiding them towards worshipping God, and in order to liberate them from the Wilayat of human beings and bestow God's Wilayat on them." In the case of Eid al-Ghadir, there are two essential issues regarding Wilayat. Human nafs [self] is the first issue, and human beings should be able to accept the Wilayat of God's will over their nafs. This is the first and the most essential step that has to be taken before taking the next step. The second issue is bringing God's Wilayat into one’s society. That is to say, society should move ahead under God's Wilayat. No kind of Wilayat – Wilayat of money, Wilayat of tribes, Wilayat of ethnicities, Wilayat of power, and Wilayat of problematic customs – should prevent God's Wilayat, and His Wilayat should be dominant.
The person who was introduced as the Prophet's (s.w.a.) successor – namely, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) – was an exemplary role model in both aspects of Wilayat. He is the model of divine Wilayat in history both in terms of curbing his nafs – that is, the essential aspect of Wilayat – and in terms of the model of Islamic rule and divine Wilayat he presented and established. He is a perfect role model for those who are after divine Wilayat.
The importance of management of society
The appointment of Imam Ali (a.s.) as the leader of the Islamic Ummah in Ghadir al-Khumm was a great and significant event. In fact, Ghadir is an event that is indicative of the involvement of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) in managing the society. This move by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) – which was made on Dhul-Hijjah 18, 10 of the Hijri calendar – means that management of society is considered important in Islam. Islam is not indifferent to the issue of management in an Islamic government or society. The reason is that managing a society is one of the most important social issues. The appointment of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) – who was the embodiment of piety, knowledge, valor, selflessness, and justice among the Holy Prophet's companions – as the leader reveals the dimensions of the importance of managing society. It shows the important aspects of management of society from an Islamic point of view. Even those who do not believe Imam Ali (a.s.) to be the first successor of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) have no doubt about his knowledge, piety, and courage and about his selfless efforts for the sake of justice. All Muslims and all those who are familiar with the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) agree about these characteristics. This shows the view of Islam and the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) regarding the kinds of management and government that should be pursued as a desirable goal in an Islamic society.
The obvious and the hidden realities behind Ghadir
Ghadir embodies many realities. On the surface, in Ghadir al-Khumm, the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) resolved the issue of government and Imamate – in all senses of the word – for the newly established Islamic community. He appointed the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) as the leader and Imam of the Islamic community which had been established only about ten years before. Of course even the surface of the issue is extremely important, and it is an example of a divine solution for those who are after effective solutions in a revolutionary society. But there are great realities beyond the surface of the issue, and if the Islamic Ummah and Islamic communities pay attention to those prominent points, their path will be revealed to them. Essentially, if all Muslims – both Shia Muslims who consider Ghadir a matter of Imamate and Wilayat and non-Shia Muslims who accept the historical validity of Ghadir but do not consider it to be concerned with the issue of Imamate and Wilayat – focus their attention on the messages of Ghadir, they will make great achievements which will benefit all Muslims.
One of the important realities behind Ghadir is that the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) determined the criteria for the ruler of an Islamic society by appointing the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) as the leader. In Ghadir al-Khumm, the person who was introduced by the Prophet (s.w.a.) to Muslims and to the history of mankind was the embodiment of all Islamic values. He was a faithful man who had made many sacrifices for the sake of Islam. He enjoyed the highest level of piety. He was devoid of worldly greed. He had been tested in all Islamic arenas – the arenas of danger, knowledge, making judgments, and other such arenas. That is to say, after the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) introduced Imam Ali (a.s.) as the leader of the early Islamic community, he conveyed the message to all Muslims throughout history that the ruler of an Islamic society has to meet the standards set by Imam Ali (a.s.). Therefore, in Islamic communities, those who do not enjoy Imam Ali's virtues – such as Islamic understanding, Islamic behavior, Islamic jihad, Islamic generosity, and humility before God's servants – are not qualified to rule. The Holy Prophet provided Muslims with this criterion, which is an unforgettable lesson.
Another message of Ghadir is the importance of establishing Islamic and divine justice in society. During his rule which lasted only a few years, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) showed that establishing Islamic justice was a priority for him. According to the Quran, justice is the goal behind sending the prophets and the divine books and sharias. "We have already sent Our messengers with clearest Signs, and We have sent the Scriptures and the Balance down with them, that mankind might be observing justice." [The Holy Quran, 57: 25] Administering justice according to Islamic teachings is the best way to ensure justice. This was the first priority for the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.).
The significance of Wilayat emphasized in Ghadir
In Ghadir al-Khumm, the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) followed divine orders and Quranic teachings and fulfilled one of his most important religious obligations. "O Messenger, deliver that which was revealed onto you from your Lord, for if you do not, then His Message you will not have at all delivered." [The Holy Quran, 5: 67] Appointing the Commander of the Faithful as the leader was so important that God told the Prophet (s.w.a.), "If you do not [do it], then His Message you will not have at all delivered." The ayah may mean the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) would have failed in his duty in that particular case if he had failed to carry out the divine order. It may also mean the foundations of the Holy Prophet's entire mission would have been shaken if he had failed to carry out the divine order in Ghadir al-Khumm, in which case Ghadir becomes doubly important. That is to say, if the second interpretation is correct, the issue of establishing a government and managing the country is part and parcel of Islam. And the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) carefully carried out this duty in front of all people. Perhaps he carried out this prophetic mission more forcefully than the time he was promoting zakat, praying, fasting, and jihad. In order to fulfill that important obligation, he assembled the people – who were from various tribes, regions, and social backgrounds – at a crossroad between Mecca and Medina. Then he told them about his divine mission, the news of which rippled through the entire world of Islam.
The significance of Imamate emphasized in Ghadir
Imamate means the best way of managing society as opposed to the kind of management that originates from human weaknesses, carnal desires, arrogance, and greed. Islam prescribes Imamate for humanity. That is to say, human beings should both fill their hearts with divine guidance and understand and be familiar with religious teachings. They should both identify the right path and show the ability to take action. "John was inspired: 'You shall observe the Scripture with a firm resolve.'" [The Holy Quran, 19: 12] They should attach little importance to their own lives and wishes and, at the same time, the life and prosperity of other people should mean everything to them. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) practiced this principle during his rule, which lasted less than five years. Imam Ali's short rule – which is a model of government that humanity will never forget – has stood the test of time and is still a brilliant reality.
Ghadir, a source of unity for the Islamic Ummah
Ghadir can be a source of unity. This may appear strange, but it is true. Apart from the aspect of Ghadir that Shia Muslims believe in – that is, the appointment of Imam Ali by the Holy Prophet as his successor, as stated clearly in "the Hadith of Ghadir al-Khumm" – Ghadir put forward the issue of Wilayat, which is independent of Shia and Sunni beliefs. If Muslims and Muslim nations throughout the world shout the slogan of Islamic Wilayat, many problems of the Islamic Ummah will be solved and Islamic countries will come closer to solving their problems.
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[1] From the beginning of the month of Dhul-Qa'dah in the tenth year of the Hijri calendar, which coincided with the last year of the Holy Prophet's life, he informed all Muslim tribes of the Arabian Peninsula that he would go on a hajj pilgrimage in the month of Dhul-Hijjah that year. Thus, the Prophet (s.w.a.) assembled the greatest congregation of Muslims for his last pilgrimage to Mecca, which is known as Hajjat al-Wida'.
[2] Ghadir al-Khumm is the name of a place located between Mecca and Medina. The name Ghadir al-Khumm [the pond of Khumm] originates from the fact that there was a pond in this place.