Yaum-ul-Ghadir Mubarak Everyone!

 
Eid-e Gadhir is celebrated with great rejoicing by Shia Muslims where they
remember Prophet Muhammad's last instructions to the believers. Eid-e-
Ghadir is one of the most important days of rejoicing for Shia Muslims
around the world as that was the day our beloved Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.s.) declared Hazrat Ali's vicegerency at Ghadir e Khumm on his return
from his last pilgrimage which is known in history as ‘Hajjat-ul-Wida'. This
took place on the 18th of Zil-Hajj, in 632 AC, 3 months before his demise,
when the Prophet and his followers were returning from his last pilgrimage.
Prophet Muhammad announced that he had received an important
revelation from Allah, and made a halt at the pond called Gadhir Khumm. A
make-shift dais was erected from saddles, sticks and camel skins and as
soon as all the pilgrims were gathered, he acted upon the revelation of
Ayah-e Ghadir Khumm.
"O Messenger (Prophet), deliver to the people what has been revealed to
you from your Lord and if you do not do so then you will not have delivered
His message and Allah will protect you from the people. For God does not
guide those who reject Faith."
Ya 'ayyuhar Rasoolu ballig maa unzila ilayka mir-Rabbik. Wa illam taf'al
famaa ballagta Risaalatah. Wallaahu ya'simuka minan naas. Innal'laaha laa
yahdilqawmal kaafiriin. Quran 5:67
The Prophet thence declared "'Man Kuntu Mowlahu fa haza Aliyun
Mowlahu'  - 'He of whomever I am the Master-Lord (Mowla), Ali is his
Master-Lord (Mowla). Prophet Muhammad had been discoursing all the
other revelations among the muslims regarding the tenets and practice of
the faith and about material life, and what could this verse of surpassing
urgency mean and why was he admonished that if he did not reveal that
message then his mission would be unfulfilled! Why had he been warned so
strongly by Allah to deliver the message right away.
According to Shia tradition, Prophet Muhammad had been apprehensive
about declaring his own son-in-law and cousin Ali ibn Abu Talib as his
spiritual (Amirul Momineen, Commander of the believers) and secular
(Caliph, King) heir, for fear that it would divide the nascent Muslim
community. The rich Muslims were already jealous of Hazrat Ali's favored
position with Prophet Muhammad (being married to Hazrat Fatima, being
his cousin, appointed as Commander at many important battles) and in the
above revelation God reassures him.
Al Muayyad talks about the Gadhir-e Khumm appointment in his Majalis as
follows:
"It must be borne in mind that after the death of the Prophet the belief in
the Wilayat of the Imams from his progeny is as important a part of our
religion as the belief in the Wilayat of the Prophet in his lifetime. This is
supported by the Tradition according to which the Prophet is reported to
have said at ‘Ghadeer Khum', "Am I not more precious to you than your
own-selves." This is an echo of the Qur'anic verse which says, "The Prophet
is more dear to the ‘Momins' than their own-selves to them." It is said, that
in response to this question by the Prophet, when the ‘Momins' said "Yes,
you are dearer to us than our own lives", the Prophet said, "O God, be
witness to their admission". After this he said, "‘Ali is the master of one who
acknowledges me to be his master. O God love those who love ‘Ali. Help
those who help ‘Ali. Desert those who desert ‘Ali. Let the truth accompany
‘Ali wherever he goes."
Video and Audio Files of this declaration:
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Manaqib by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - my
favorite - First ever Qawwali coposed by Amir Khusraw
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Rahat Fateh Ali Khan English commentary
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Manaqib by Abida Parveen Concert Oslo,
Norway
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Sabri Brothers 3 Parts
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Manaqib by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - climax is
amazing!
Man qunto Mowla Snippet by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (.au file)
Prophet Muhammad felt great relief upon accomplishment of his mission of
declaring Hazrat Ali his successor and legatee, wasi, and thereupon
received the final revelation:
"This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on
you and chosen for you Islam as a religion" Quran 5:3.
"Surely those who swear allegiance to you do but swear allegiance to Allah;
the hand of Allah is above their hands. Therefore whoever breaks (his
faith), he breaks it only to the injury of his own soul, and whoever fulfills
what he has pledged with Allah, He will grant him a mighty reward." Quran
(48:10)
"And, He it is who made the stars for you that ye maybe rightly guided by
observing them in the darkness of the land and the sea; Indeed we have
made plain the Signs for the people who can know. Qur'an (6:98)
The Holy Prophet (sas) said:
"As the stars in the sky are the source of guidance to the travelers, the Holy
Ones of my Ahl al Bayt (the Imams descended from the Prophet's family)
are the source of  guidance for the people. And, as the stars will remain in
the sky until the day of judgment, the earth will never be without a Divine
Guide from my Ahl al Bayt, that is an Imam".

Several verses in the Quran speak about the Light of God and Rope of
Imamat which is a continuous chain (Hablillah) since Hazrat Adam,
through all the Prophets including, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus,
Muhammad and after him through the hereditary Imams. The Mahdi -
Savior that is referred to by all Prophets and religions is referred to the
Noor of Allah, Living and present in Mowlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini
Hazar Imam. Allahuma Salli 'ala Muhammadin wa Ahl-e Muhammad.
In the Fatimid era, Eid-e Ghadir became an even more important holiday as
the Imams were also the Caliphs and many blessings were showered on the
community.
"Morale and enthusiasm were kept up by the observance of various festivals
of general Islamic nature; particularly those of Shia and Ismaili. Fridays
and the two Idd days were the days of festivity. Moreover, the Shia festival
of Idd-e-Ghadeer al-Khumm and the 10th of Muharram were also observed.
Birthdays of the Ahl-e-Bayt (the Prophet's family) and the Imams and
certain important dates of the year were celebrated. Imam took part in the
celebrations of the festivals. Local festivals of secular origin, like the
"Flooding of the Nile" and "Navroz" (beginning of spring) were also
encouraged by the Imam. Imam al-Muiz would hold huge receptions at his
palace; processions were taken through the town and the whole town was
illuminated". - From History of the Imams
Everyday, we repeat in our prayers:"Guide us to the right path: The path of
those whom Thou hast blessed." Quran (1:6-7)
Every time I read the Quran, I find more and more passages, pointing to
this Grace of Allah, to the presence of the Everliving Guide.
"And say those who disbelieve: "why hath not a sign been sent down unto
him (Muhammad)"; Verily thou art a warner and for every people there is a
guide" Quran (13:7)
Inshallah, as I get more time, I'll gather these verses and present them here
for your enjoyment and guidance. Also check the links below on Panj Tan
Paak and Naad-e Ali page.
Please do take a few minutes to read my dear friend, Sakar Datoo's
contribution to the Eid e Ghadir page.

The Wilayat of Ali (1)

Elahis Salam

O Mu’mins, may God help you in deriving the fullest benefit from the
glories of the day. (Eid e Ghadir) (2) It was on this day that God conferred
on us the highest of His favors. It was on this day that a great ordinance was
issued by God which is the terminating point in the revelation of the
religious laws. It was on this day that everything was made clear and the
path was made smooth for the seekers of truth by the verse (of the Quran):
"I have perfected your religion. I have bestowed on you my highest favors. I
have chosen for you Islam as a religion."
At first the Prophet was reluctant to proclaim the ordinance to the people
who, he believed, were prejudiced against it. A Qur’anic verse made the
matter clear and left no room for hesitation in his mind. The verse is as
follows:
"0 Prophet, deliver the message which has been revealed to you by your
Lord. If you fail to do so, it will mean that you have not delivered His
message to the people. God will guard you against the people."
There is no sect in Islam which believes that the Prophet failed short of
delivering the message of God in such matters as the performance of
prayers, the payment of zakat, the fasting or going on pilgrimage, or taking
part in the jehad. We know well that he exerted his utmost in making the
people offer the prayers which one cannot perform without undergoing
some physical discomfort. He preached to the people to pay the zakat and
the people did pay, although one does not find it easy to part with money.
The people were made to fast and we know well that in fasting one has to
put up with unbearable heat and thirst. He exhorted the people to go on
pilgrimage, which one cannot undertake without undergoing all sorts of
hardships. He ordered the people to join the jehad and they did so at the
risk of their lives.
In short, he made no hesitation in the delivering of God’s message in these
matters. It was only the question of Wilayat (3) which worried him the
most. It was the ordinance pertaining to the Wilayat, the allegiance to Ali
and the Imams from amongst his descendants, that he was not prepared to
proclaim. Finding the people burning with hatred and jealousy, the Prophet
hesitated to deliver this ordinance to them and he was waiting for a
favorable time when the above verses were revealed to clear his doubts. If
one were to suggest that the Prophet was not hesitating to deliver this
ordinance, this stand will make the revelation of the above verse
meaningless and superfluous.
These verses, which lay emphasis on the delivery of the ordinance, prove to
us that the faith in the Wilayat is the corner stone of our religion. If one
does not believe in the Wilayat and discharges all the primary and
secondary duties enjoined on us by our religion, the performance of these
duties will not help him in the least. His good deeds minus the belief in the
Wilayat will lead him to no other place than hell-fire. Belief in the Wilayat
of the Prophet is a pivot. On this hinges the whole system of our religious
laws. If one has no faith in the Wilayat, the duties laid down in our religion
will lose the force of application on him. Hence, the performance or non-
performance of these duties will make no difference in his case.
It must be borne in mind that after the death of the Prophet, the belief in
the Wilayat Of the Imams from his progeny is as important a part of our
religion as the belief in the Wilayat of the Prophet in his lifetime. This is
supported by the Tradition according to which the Prophet is reported to
have said at Ghadeer Khum: "Am I not more precious to you than your own
selves?"
This is an echo of the Qur’anic verse which says:
"The Prophet is more dear to the Mu’mins than their own selves to them."
It is said that when the Mu’mins said "Yes, you are dearer to us than our
own selves," in response to the Prophet’s question, he said: "Oh God, be
witness to their admission." After this he said: "Ali is the master of one who
acknowledges me to be his master. 0 God love those who love Ali. Help
those who help Ali. Desert those who desert Ali. Let the truth accompany
Ali wherever he goes."
1 Reprinted from ‘Life and Lectures of al-Mu’ayyad fid-din as-Shirazi,
translated by Jawad Muscati and K.B.M.A. Moulvi, published by Ismailia
Association for Pakistan, Karachi, 1966.
2 The day referred to here is known as ‘Yomul-Ghadeer, when Prophet
Muhammad declared Hazrat Ali as his successor. This incident took place
at Ghadeer Khum on the 18th of Zil-hajj during the Prophet's last
pilgrimage, which is known in history as Hajjat ul- Wida. Ahmed bin
Hanbal, founder of one of the four main Sunni schools of law, refers to this
occasion in his book Masnad ul-Kabeer. He quotes Barra bin Azib, one of
the companions of the Prophet: "We were in the company of the Prophet
when he halted at Ghadeer Khum and led the congregational prayer. After
finishing the prayer, the Prophet took the hand of Ali and raised it up
saying, "Am I not dearer to Mu'mins than their own souls?" They replied
"yes." Again he said, "Ali is the master of one who acknowledges me to be
his master. 0 God, love those who love Ali and hate those who hate Ali."
After hearing this, Omar bin Khattab went to Ali and said, "Congratulations
to you, 0 son of Abu Ta'lib, you have become the master of every male and
female Mu ‘min.
3 The term Wilayat means the 'power', 'authority', 'sovereignty' or
'plenipotency' of the Imam. As a theological concept in Shiism, it involves
belief in Imamat, love, devotion and allegiance to the Imams, obedience to
their commands and recognition of their rights (see 'A Shi'ite Creed,' tr. by
Asaf A.A. Fyzee, Bombay, 1942, p. 96, footnote 6).
- Source "Africa Ismaili" July 1978

Eid e Ghadir
            "BOLE NABI ALI KO OOTHA KAR BAGAL TALAK
            PEHCHAN LO YEHI HAI TUMHARA AMIR RAJ
            HAI CHARKH PER YE DHOOM KE
            EID-E-GHADIR AAJ
            NAYAB HUVE NABI KE JANAB E AMIR AAJ"
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (P&BABUH&UHHP) performed Hajj only
once in his lifetime. While returning from Hajj-tul-Wida(the last Hajj)in
the 10th year of Hijra, he received the following revelation:
            YA HAIRASOOLU BALIGHMA OONZIL
            ILLAYAKA MIRRABIKA WA ILM
            TAFA AL FAMA BALAGHTA RISALAT HUU
            WAALA HUU YA'ASIMUK MINANAAAS
 
            O Apostle! Proclaim the Message which
            has been sent to you from your Lord.
            If you do it not, you have not fulfilled
            and proclaimed His Mission. And Allah will
            defend you from men who mean mischief.For
            Allah Guides not those who reject Faith.
                            (HOLY QURAN 5:67)
No sooner was this Command revealed than the Holy Prophet (SAW)
ordered for all the pilgrims to stop on the plains of Arafat (Ghadir e Khum).
People assembled. Camels' saddlebacks were made into a stage, and
ascending on this stage, the Holy Prophet (SAW) delivered a 'Khutba'. He
then summoned Hazrat Amirul Momeneen Mushkil Kusha Mowla Ali to
come on the stage, and raising his hand proclaimed:
            "MAN KUNTO MOWLA HUU
             FAHAZA ALI MOWLA HUU" (audio)
(Ali is Mowla of those of whom I am Mowla.)
And then, the Holy Prophet (SAW) made the Firman:
"O People! Hazrat Ali is Syed ul Muslimeen. He is the Imam of the
believers. In
fulfilling the Commandment of Allah, I have today completed my duty, and
given
you your Imam. I beseech Allah to forgive you and me."
Soon thereafter, Muslim men and women did the 'Baiyat' of Mowla Ali
pledging
obedience and loyalty.
And shortly thereafter, the following was revealed upon the Holy Prophet
(SAW):
             "This day have I perfected for you
              your religion and completed My favour
              on you and chosen for you Islam as
              a religion..."
                           (HOLY QURAN 5:3)
Thus, Imam e Awwaleen, Amirul Momeneen, Mowla Mushkil Kusha,
Mowla Murtaza
Ali (AS) ascended the Throne of Imamat with the Noor of Allah vested in
him, and
which Noor continues in the present Imam, Shah Karim Al-Hussaini and
will
continue till the Day of Judgment.
EJI MOWLA MURTAZA ALI
DUNIYAMAN JAHER THAYA
TENI KUDRAT NO NAHI KOI SHUMAAR
DIN ISLAM TIYAN THI PEDA THAYO
TE KARAN ARSH THI OOTARIYA DHOOL DHOOL
NE ZULFIQAR
One time, on the 18th of Zilhaj, which was a Friday, while giving a Khutba
in Jam e Masjid in Kufa said:
"This day is the day of the Faith's perfection. Today is the day to renew and
refresh the call and promise."
That day was EID-E-GHADIR!
Allah Hafeez
Dr. Syed Hamid Hussain Naqvi Subzwari