GHADEER IN KITAB AL-IRSHAD

Among the stories relating the outstanding merit of the commander of the faithful, peace be upon him, and giving special emphasis to his virtues, which came after the (visit of the) delegation from Najran, is that which distinguishes from the rest of the men (that is) the Farewell Pilgrimage and the reports of what took place during it. During it the commander of the faithful had the most elevated position.

When the Apostle of God carried out his rituals of the Pilgrimage, he made Ali his partner in his sacrifice of animals. Then he began his journey back to Medina. (Ali) and the Muslims went with him. He came to a place known as Ghadir' Khumm. At that time, it was not a place suitable for halt because it lacked water and pasturage. However, he, peace be upon him, stopped there and the Muslims with Him. The reason for his halting at this place was that a revelation had been received by him concerning the appointment of the Commander of the faithful, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be upon him, as his successor for the community after him. The revelation concerning that had been received earlier but without the designation of the time (for it to be made public) until the presence of a time in which he would be secure from any dispute among them concerning it. God, the Mighty and High, had informed him that if he went beyond Ghadir Khumm, many of the people would separate from his party (heading) for their towns, homes and valleys. God wanted him to gather them together to hear the designation of the commander of the faithful peace be upon him, and to confirm the proofs of it to them. Therefore God the exalted revealed, "O! Apostle make known what has been revealed to you from your Lord." (Verse: 67). That is concerning the succession of Ali and the designation of the Imamat for him. If you do not do it, you will not have made known His message, God will protect you from the people. (Verse : 67). Thus He confirms the duty he had concerning that and the fear that had caused him delay, and He guarantees to him protection and defence against the people.

The apostle of God, may God bless him and his family stopped at the place we have mentioned because of what we have described and explained about the command for him to do that.The Muslims stopped around him. It was a scorching day of intense heat. He ordered (Ali) peace be upon him, to go and stand under a great tree that was there and he ordered the travelers to gather in that place and to be put in (rows) one after another.

Then he ordered the crier to call out:" The prayer is general (Al salat jamia i.e. everybody should gather)." The travelers (all) gathered before him. Most of them wrapped
their cloaks (rida) around their feet because of the scorching hot ground. When they had gathered, he climbed above the travelers so that he was high above them and he summoned the commander of the faithful,peace be upon him .He made him come up with him so that he stood on his right.He then began to address the people.He praised and glorified God,and preached most eloquently .He gave the community news of his own death,saying:"I have been summoned and it is nearly the moment for me to answer. The time has come for me to depart from you. I leave behind me among you two things which,if you cleave to them you will never go astray-that is the the Book of God and my offspring from my family (ahlul-Bayt).they will never scatter (from you) until they lead you to me at the (sacred) waters (of heaven)"

Then he called out at the top of his voice:" Am I not more appropriate (to rule) you than yourselves"?
"By God, yes!" They answered.
He went on speaking continuously without any interruption and taking both arms of the commander of the faithful, peace be upon him, and raising them so that the white of his arm pits could be seen, he said:" whoever I am the master (maula) of, this man, Ali, is his master.O God, befriend whoever befriends him, be hostile to whoever opposes him, support whoever supports him and desert whoever deserts him."

Then he, peace be upon him went down .It was the time of mid-morning heat. He prayed two rakats. The sun then began to decline (at mid-day) so the muadhdin (the one who calls the prayer) called for the statutory prayer (of mid-day).He led them in the mid-day prayer. Then he, peace be upon him, (went to) sit in his tent. He ordered Ali, peace be upon him, to sit in his tent opposite him, and he ordered the Muslims to go in group after group to congratulate him on his position and to acknowledge his command over the faithful. All the people did that. Then he ordered his wives and the rest of the wives of the faithful who were with him to go to him and acknowledge his command over the faithful. they did that.

Among those who were profuse in their congratulations on his position was Umar b. al- Khattab. He gave a public appearance of great joy at it, saying:" Bravo, bravo, Ali, you have become my master and the master of every believing man and woman."

Hassan bin Thabit came to the Apostle of God; may God bless him and his family:" and said:" Apostle of God, will you permit me to recite what would please God with regard to this position?"
"Recite in the name of God, Hassan," he told him.
He stood on elevated ground. The people spread out to listen to his words and he began to recite:

On the day of al-Ghadeer he summoned them and made them answer at Khumm.
Listen to the Apostle as he calls.

He said:" who is your master (maula) and friend (wali)?"
They answered without showing any signs of opposition:

"God is our master (maula) and you are our friend (wali).
You will never find any disobedience from us to you."

He said to him:"Arise, Ali, I am content that you should be Imam and guide after me
Whomsoever I am master (maula) of, this man is his friend (wali). Therefore be faithful
Helpers and followers of him."

There he prayed:"O God befriend his friend and be hostile to whoever opposes Ali."