ISLAMS GIFTS TO THE WORLD [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Declaration at Ghadeer Khumm

O MESSENGER! MAKE IT KNOWN, THAT
WHICH HADTH BEEN REVEALED UNTO
THEE FROM THY LORD, FOR IF THOU DO
IT NOT, THOU WILL NOT HAVE CONVEYED
HIS MESSAGE. ALLAH WILL PROTECT
THEE FROM MANKIND. LO! ALLAH
GUIDETH NOT THE DISBELIEVING FOLK

The Holy Koran, Surrah Al-Ma'idah -
verse 67 (The Table Spread)

Gather the pilgrims

The Messenger of Allah, The Holy
Prophet Mohammad(pbuh&hf) suddenly

stopped and froze on hearing the above
Ayah from The Archangel Jibraeel(as). He quickly ordered
the halt of the caravan in astonishment of all his
companions and followers under the hot blazing midday
sun, at such a desolute place in the desert in a place
called Ghadir Khumm.

The Holy Prophet(pbuh&hf) confronted their
complaints and pestering by saying that he was commanded
by God to address the multitude of travellers. To convey
to them all, of what he had been revealed to him. Before
the masses begin dispersing in all directions in the
desert to their individual homes.

He then quickly commanded one of his trusted faithfull
and close companion the blackman Balaal to immeadiatly
cry out the call to prayer. So that to call the thousands
of Moslem travellers together and gather before him.

The Holy Prophet(pbuh&hf) then quickly ordered the
clearing of the desert's dry prickly plants from the
ground for the masses to stand before him. The ordered
for camel saddles be piled up to as a make shift pulprit
upon a small elevated sandy mound.

The Messenger of God(phuh&hf) then awaited under
the hot burning sun for the straddlers of people that
were still behind to gather together.

As soon as the multitude were gathered before him, The
Apostle(phuh&hf) then stood upon the make shift
pulprit of camel saddles piled up on the small sandy moud
before them, so that he was high enough to be seen by all
the congregation before him. The crowd before him quickly
quietened down their questioning murrer as soon as they
saw their Prophet (phuh&hf) standing high before
them.

He then gestured to Ali Ibin Abe Taleb (as) and
invited him to join him and stand on his right on the
make shift of piled camel saddles upon the small sandy
mound. The masses of people waited and watched in
wonderment at the two before them, each standing on his
woollen cloak on the ground to protect their feet from
the burning hot sands around them, under the blazing hot
sun.

The Messenger of God (pbuh&hf) began his address
in praising and glorify God The Almighty, The Creator of
all the worlds and of the heavens. He then proceeded to
give them the sad news to the dismay of all the
congregation, of his own nearing death saying,

His coming death

I have been
summoned and it is the moment for

me to answer.

The time has come for me, to depart from you.

I leave behind me amongst you, two precious

things which,

if you cleave to them, you will never go astray.

The Holy
Book of God and, my
Offspring the Ahl Al-Bayt.

For they will never abandon you, until they have

led you to me,

at the sacred shores of Heaven!

The masses of people gathered before him wept openly
in sorrow at news of his nearing death.

The Messenger of God (pbuh&hf) to die. How could
this be, they wondered. But who would lead and guide
them, they worriedly murrmured to each other in
puzzlement?

His Successor

When they had quitened down. The Prophet(pbuh&hf)
then called out at the top of his voice.

Am I not more
appropriate to rule over you

than yourselves?

The people replied in earnest, By God. Yes
you are!

He continued by taking hold of both Ali's(as) arms and
raised them high above his shoulders, so much so that his
sleeves slipped down his arms and exposed Ali's(as) naked
armpits.

The Prophet(pbuh&hf) went on to proclaimed that
Ali(as) as his successor and the legitimate Calipha of
Allah(swt).

Then whosoever,
I am master of,

Then this man, Ali is his master.

O God!

Befriend him, whosoever befriends him.

Oppose him, whosoever opposes him.

Support him, whosoever supports him.

Desert him, whosoever deserts him.

That through the revelation, Allah (swt) that had been
made known to him earlier. That Ali (as) standing here
before them is the chosen successor by God Himself, upon
His own death.

After the masses pledge of allegiance ceremony had
completed. The Prophet (pbuh&hf) looked above to the
sky and raised a finger declaring in a loud clear voice
for all to hear:

As God is my
Judge!

Bear witness then for me, that today I have surely

completed and fulfilled your religion for you,

and have successfully conveyed, The Message,

that has been bestowed upon me by Allah.....

Oh Moslems have I not! ?

The Moslems all shouted repeatedly and replied in
great earnest,

Yes You have, Oh, Messenger of God! Yes you
have.

The Holy Prophet Mohammad(pbuh&hf) then
immediately prayed 'two Rakas' on the spot, so as to
commemorate the historic occassion. And when he had
finished his prayers. It was then time for the noon
prayers and Balaal once again cried prayer call. But this
time it was made for the actual prayer call for the
compulsory noon prayers.

After The Prophet (pbuh&hf) finished leading the noon
prayers. He called Ali (as) to follow him into his tent
that was pitched under a tree and sat himself opposite to
him.

He then ordered all the Muslims and his Companions to
each personally make an oath of allegiance to Ali (as) in
his very presence.

Congratulating Ali upon his appointment

As soon as the last Muslim had given his pledge of
Allegiance. The Prophet(pbuh&hf) embraced Ali(as) and
congratulated him on his appointment as his successor and
Caliph of all the Muslims after his death and the joyous
crowd surrounding them all shouted their approval.

The Prophet Mohammad(pbuh&hf) proudly praising
Ali(as) and named him officially as,

Amir Al-Mu'maneen

Meaning, The Commander of all the faithfull.

This was the very first time ever that this term was
ever heard and used in addressing any Muslim.

Following The Prophet's(pbuh&hf) example the rest
of his accompanying Companions followed suit amongst them
notably was, Umar Ibin Al-Khattab. Who joyfully said to
Ali(as), Bravo, bravo Ali. You have now become my
master and the master of every believing man and
woman!

Then poets began composing their poetry commerating
this happy and wonderfull occassion of the history of
Islam.