WILAYAH NEWS VOICE OF THE GLOBAL AWAKENING
Related Articles
**Eid al‑Ghadir According to the Pure Ahl al‑Bayt**
This congratulation, accompanied by an order from the source of Prophethood, and the handshake of allegiance mentioned, together with the Prophet’s joy in it as he said: *“Praise be to God who has favored us over all the worlds,”*—along with the revelation of the noble verse on this well‑known day declaring the completion of the religion, the perfection of the blessing, and God’s approval of what occurred—gave this day its special status.
This was also recognized by the People of the Book. Tariq ibn Shihab, who attended a gathering of ʿUmar ibn al‑Khattab, said: *“If this verse had been revealed to us, we would have taken the day of its revelation as a festival.”* No one present denied his statement, and ʿUmar’s response resembled an acknowledgment of it. This occurred after the revelation of the verse of proclamation, which contained a warning not to delay in conveying that clear declaration, out of fear of opposition from the masses of the community.
All of this undoubtedly granted this day strength, grandeur, honor, and prominence—its significance understood by the Seal of the Message, the Imams of guidance, and the believers who followed their path. This is what is meant by treating it as a festival.
The Messenger of God referred to it in a narration reported by Furat ibn Ibrahim al‑Kufi in the third century, through Muhammad ibn Zuhayr, from ʿAbdullah ibn al‑Fadl al‑Hashimi, from Imam al‑Sadiq, from his father, from his forefathers. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
> “The day of Ghadir Khumm is the greatest festival of my community. It is the day on which God commanded me to appoint my brother ʿAli ibn Abi Talib as a sign and leader for my community so that they may be guided by him after me. It is the day on which God perfected the religion, completed His blessing upon my community, and approved Islam as their religion.”
This is also indicated by another narration in which the Prophet said:
*“Congratulate me, congratulate me.”*
The Commander of the Faithful, ʿAli ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), himself followed the example of the Prophet and treated it as a festival. He once delivered a sermon on a year in which Friday coincided with the day of Ghadir. In part of that sermon he said:
> “O believers, God has gathered for you on this day two great and magnificent festivals, neither of which stands without the other, so that He may complete His favor upon you, guide you to the path of His wisdom, lead you along the path of those illuminated by His guidance, and grant you the blessings of His bounty. He made Friday a gathering for purification from the sins committed during the days before it, a reminder for the believers, and a clarification for the God‑fearing…
>
> His oneness is not accepted except by acknowledging the prophethood of His Prophet, and no religion is accepted except through the guardianship of those whom He commanded to be obeyed. The causes of obedience are not complete except by holding firmly to the protection of God and the protection of the people of His guardianship. Thus God revealed to His Prophet on the Day of the Tree (Ghadir) what clarified His will regarding His chosen ones, and He commanded him to proclaim it without fear of the people of deviation and hypocrisy, guaranteeing him protection from them.”
Then he said:
> “Return, may God have mercy on you, after the conclusion of your gathering, and be generous toward your families, show kindness to your brothers, thank God for what He has granted you, gather together so that God may unite you, show mutual generosity so that God may strengthen your affection, and exchange gifts in gratitude for God’s favor. The goodness performed on this day increases wealth and extends life, and mutual compassion brings about God’s mercy. Prepare for your brothers and your families according to your ability, show happiness when you meet one another, and express joy among yourselves…”
The Imams of the Pure Household also recognized it as a festival, instructing the Muslims accordingly and spreading the virtue of the day and the reward for righteous deeds performed on it.
In the commentary of Furat ibn Ibrahim al‑Kufi, a narration from Imam Jaʿfar al‑Sadiq (peace be upon him) states:
When asked whether there is a day greater than Eid al‑Fitr, Eid al‑Adha, Friday, or the Day of ʿArafah, he replied:
> “Yes—the greatest and most honorable before God is the day on which God perfected the religion and revealed to His Prophet:
> ‘Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and approved Islam as your religion.’”
When asked which day that was, he said:
> “The day when the Messenger of God appointed ʿAli as a sign for the people. On that day the religion was perfected and the blessing was completed for the believers.”
When asked what should be done on that day, he replied:
> “It is a day of worship, prayer, gratitude to God, praise of Him, and joy for what God has granted you through our guardianship. I love that you fast on it.”
In **al‑Kafi**, Imam al‑Sadiq was asked whether Muslims have a festival besides the two Eids. He replied:
> “Yes, the greatest and most honorable of them—the day on which the Commander of the Faithful was appointed as a sign for the people.”
He instructed that one should fast on that day, increase blessings upon Muhammad and his family, and disassociate from those who wronged them. He added that the prophets used to command their successors to take the day on which the successor was appointed as a festival.
In another narration he said:
> “Fasting on the Day of Ghadir Khumm equals, in God’s sight each year, one hundred accepted pilgrimages and one hundred accepted ʿUmrahs, and it is the greatest festival of God.”
Another narration states that Muslims have four festivals: **Eid al‑Fitr, Eid al‑Adha, Friday, and the Day of Ghadir**, the latter being the greatest and most honorable.
The Imams also emphasized acts of worship on that day such as fasting, remembrance of God, sending blessings upon Muhammad and his family, gratitude, charity, generosity toward family, and expressions of joy.
It is also reported that Imam ʿAli ibn Musa al‑Rida (peace be upon him) once celebrated the Day of Ghadir with his close companions. He kept them with him for the breaking of the fast, sent food, gifts, clothing, rings, and sandals to their homes, renewed their attire, and spoke to them about the virtue and ancient significance of the day.
Likewise, in a narration concerning Ahmad ibn Ishaq al‑Qummi, it was said that when visitors knocked on his door, a servant replied that he was busy celebrating his festival. They exclaimed: *“Glory be to God! The festivals of the Shiʿa are four: al‑Adha, al‑Fitr, al‑Ghadir, and Friday.”*
Thus the Imams of the Ahl al‑Bayt consistently regarded the **18th of Dhu al‑Hijjah**, the day of **Ghadir Khumm**, as a blessed and honored festival commemorating the declaration of the guardianship of Imam ʿAli (peace be upon him).
