The event of Ghadeer is of historical importance in Islam. This event has been narrated by many companions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). In fact, Allama Amini (a.r.) has brought this event in his book Al-Ghadeer from 110 companions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). Hence, its authenticity cannot be questioned.
In this article we attempt to get a brief overview of the Sermon said by Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). If one studies this sermon without any prejudice many doubts regarding fundamentals of Imamat will be answered. The one hour sermon of Ghadeer, said by Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) can be divided into eleven parts.
In the first part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) starts with praise and thanks to Allah, the Exalted, hinting at His divine attributes, competence and mercy. It is followed by declaration of submission to Allah.
In the second part, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) moves to the main topic directly. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) reveals necessity of conveying the remarkable affair concerning Ali ibnAbiTalib,
“He(God) has warned that if I shun conveying what He had revealed to me, regarding Ali, I shall not be considered conveyor of His misson”.
In the third part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) declares Imamate of the twelve Imams succeeding him and in this way he prevented any capricious longing to coming to power for good. One of the most remarkable topics of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) sermon was referring to the general leadership of the Imams imposed upon people entirely and all times. He also asserted their perfect representation of Allah and the Apostle in legislating and determining what is legal and what is not, in addition to other affairs thoroughly.
In the fourth part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) takes Hazrat Ali (a.s.) from the arms, raising him and declaring,
“He whomsoever I was his master, Ali should be his master. O Allah! Accede to whomsoever accedes to him, and oppose whomsoeveropposes him, and give victory to whomsoever supports him and disappoint whomsoever disappoints him.”
He then confirms that perfection of the religion and completion of the divine grace has been nothing other than the religious and mundane leadership of the twelve sinless Imams. Lastly, he asks for the witnessing of God, angels and people on conveying what he has been ordered of.
In the fifth part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) states clearly-
“He who shall not take him [Ali (a.s.)] and his successors who are his sons, till Day of Resurrection and standing before Allah, is it they whose deeds are disregarded in this world and in the Hereafter, and in the hell shall be abiding for good. Their anguish shall not be alleviated and they shall not be respited.”
Thereafter Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) mentions many virtues of Ali (a.s.).
In the sixth part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) draws people’s attention to divine ire. After reciting Quranic verse comprising curse and menace of torture, he declares :
By Allah, the intended in this Verse is none but a group of my companions whose names and lineage I do recognize. But I have been given the order of overlooking them.
Allah, the Powerful the Glorified, did single us out to the beholders of the amiss, the obstinate, the contestants, the betrayers, the wrong and the usurpers from among all the people.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s), then warns against masters leading to Hell.
“Allah and I will be free from such men.”
Symbolically he referred to the people of ‘Cabal and Paper’. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) declares that the Imamate shall be usurped by the accursed people.
If one ponders on this part of the sermon, it will be understood that the position of Imamate will usurped by people who are accursed in the view of Holy Prophet (sa.w.s). It is upon the reader to study the events after the death of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) to know the truth of the matter.
In the seventh part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) emphasizes merits of loyalty to the divinely assigned Imams and cherishing of his Household. After reciting sura-Fatiha, he asserts,
“This surah concerns them – the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.s) Household and I. I swear that.”
This implies that people of the straight path mentioned in the surah involved are the adherents of Ali Bin Abi Talib. Similarly, the accursed and the deviated are the enemies of Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.s) progeny.
Reciting a number of verses regarding occupants of paradise, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) asserts that followers of Mohammed’s family are intended. In a similar manner, he asserts that abiders of hell are the enemies of Mohammed’s household.
In the eight part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) refers to some remarkable affairs regarding the Supreme Baqiyatullah, Al-Mahdi (May our souls be sacrificed for him). He mentions his descriptions and gave glad tidings to the believers regarding his rule.
In the ninth part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) declares:
“Immediately after finishing this sermon, I do call forth upon you to shaking hands with me, as a sign of swearing allegiance to Ali (a.s.), and shaking hands with him thereafter.
I have sworn fealty to Allah, and Ali has sworn featly to me. I am to command you of swearing allegiance to him. This is Allah’s mandate.”
In the tenth part, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) exposes some of the doctrinal rulings. He then says:
“Halal and haram things are more than I can count for you now or explain, for a commandment to enjoin what is permissible and a prohibition from what is not permissible are both on the same level, so I was ordered (by my Lord) to take your oath of allegiance and to make a covenant with you to accept what I brought you from Allah, the Exalted One and the Sublime, with regards to' Ali Ameerul-Mo'mineen and to the wasis after him who are from me and from him, a standing Imamate whose seal is al-Mehdi till the Day he meets Allah Who decrees and Who judges.”
In the eleventh part, ie. the last part of the sermon, oral declaration of fealty is mentioned. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s)says :
“Allah, the Powerful the Glorified, has ordered me of taking your admission by tongues, in the affair I have determined to Ali (a.s.)”.
The readers are requested to read the sermon of Ghadeer in detail and ponder upon it.
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