Essays On Ghadir

10- Ghadir Day, in the Words of Nonmuslim People

Hajjat-ol-veda (The last pilgrimage of the holy prophet Hazrat Mohammad (p.b.u.h.)-to Mecca) never vanishes from our wish. I wish farewell -in its literal meaning didn't exist until twenty more pilgrims; or at least it existed in the meaning of eagerness for being a longer time with the prophet and the leader of the truth and guidance, since prophetic mission would find more firmness, more pure, strong growth in the people's life, more constancy, and a firmer exercise in their feelings ... .However, the last Hajj fulfilled. It seems that, this Hajj is like the wishes and dreams in a morning, that its sun has been darkened by eclipse.

Was Hajjat -01 -Veda more than a tent, that succession was hidden in it? Alas, that abundant population, who had filled across the road of caravans - between Mecca and Medina - , were walking yet with the barefooted of the past!

It is true that the new birth, with the new light, draw collyrium on the eyes of those people; but that light didn't penetrate to the depth of those ignorant eyes, and it didn't take place in all aspect of it, to change it...... I wish this desire had accomplished, and the last Hajj of the holy prophet would have fulfilled thirty, or forty years after Hijrat. And the sun of his life didn't set so soon....

I wish it had happened...!!!

But succession in the Ghadir -e - khom appeared like a fine dress, and as a mystery for the prophetic mission and didn't have a favorite outcome. Didn't the holy prophet, the great person who was a source for magnificence and glories, show Ali when he said, "Ali is from me, and I am from Ali."

"Whoever I am his master, Ali is his master too." "0' God, like whoever likes him, and hate whoever hates him". "1 leave among you two things, the Holy Quran, and my family. If you hold them, you never go astray after me. These two never separate from each other until they arrive to me at the Kosar pool. " (The name of a pool in the Paradise).

And this was the prophet's last will. Hajjat- 01- Veda was thirsty to that will. Hajjat- 01- Veda was eager and in search of it. But, those people who heard this testament in Ghadir Khum, were those who had sitten in the past, in the mosque, in front of the holy prophet, - one who descended the Quran verses to him, - saying to each other Jealously; "How pretty the holy prophet plays with Hussein (his grand son) ... . "

And today, in Ghadir- Khum, they say to- each other in the same manner: "The prophet's love to Imam Ali is too much. Does he like him, forever, more than us?"

Alas! That incomplete consciousnesses need purity, softness and struggle until people's perception grow up. The acknowledgement of the last message, didn't need the Hajjat- ol- veda; until the holy prophet proceeds to it in his last Hajj, in the presence of the merciful God and hold Imam Ali's hand and show him to people, so that they confirm him! No, I swear by God, that succession and leadership fitted like a shining crown to Imam Ali (p.b.u.h.). Succession of the holy prophet was apparent from his nature and his generous heart. The history is not blind to disregard it. And, none of the generous men of that time weren't blind to not read the reality.

But ...alas that the politics of the aged and old people, which was full of old ignorant opinions, and tribal feelings, was blind to see and read the succession and leadership of Ali (p.b.u.h.).

The ignorant prejudice which was asleep in the depth of the soul of Umar - Ibn - khattab didn't let him to accept young man take precedence to him, and to the people like him, and the nobles of the Island; especially to the adults and the persons who were in front ranks.

It didn't make any difference to Umar, that this young man was Ali 0' Osamah - Ibn - Zaid!

The interest and love of Umar - Ibn - Khattab to caliphate and power, was more than his interest to the value of the prophetic mission. So, he didn't want to listen to the awardable forecasting that specified the leadership and caliphate of Imam Ali. Therefore, after the death of the holy prophet, he did not accept Imam Ali's leadership. For the same reason, he did not obey the order of the prophet (p.b.u.h) to enter the army that Osamah - Ibn Zaid was its commander.

This wasn't the only point in Umar criterion (a monster hidden from a terrible past in his soul) A worm which wanted power. That worm was tribal prejudice. When the animating prophetic - mission came about, that worm hid itself in the darkness of hypocrisy. And today, in the absence of that great prophet it has returned to its first pasture, ignorance situation. And the divine leadership and succession of Imarn Ali was the first bout for it that was seized. So we repeat our wishes that, Hajjat- 01- Veda (The last pilgrimage of the holy prophet to Mecca) had accomplished thirty or forty years after Hijrat. So that, that ignorant opinion which was like a worm, would had died and disappeared.

The people of the Arab Island were groaning from that worm, just as the green and fresh lawns groan from the groups of locusts because they change the farm to a dry and burning desert.

In behind of the usurpation of caliphate by Umar- that Abubakr approved it, there was an explanation. It was the poverty of the Arab Island and its need to the attributes which Imarn Ali (p.b.u.h.) had possessed them. His truth raised him to the boundary of the executorship. But still the waves of active reflection which influenced the others, and attracted them completely, had not abtained for it, and the society had not approached to that magnet pole. So exercise and practice are two important factors to flourish and making the talents active. These factors lead the society from simplicity and stupidity to activities. Therefore, we perceive that Imarn' Ali possessed so comprehensive virtues that the society and people could benefit from them.

When the angle of death (malak- ol-mowt) was taking the prophet's soul toward the exalted God, his spirit was reflecting only in Imarn Ali's soul.

While in the society that prophetic mission, work it up from ignorance and neglect, there was not a pure and aware heart, until his cautious reality reflect in it.

And this was the reason of hurry of Umar for appointing a governor, who catches the power in hand, before an aware person comes and points to Imam Ali and invites him to the seat of government.

From that time till now, the aim of prophetic mission has not completely been accomplished in the society. Whenever the society walked one step forward, apostasy put it back two steps, and left it in a deep ignorance. I repeat that If the role of prophetic mission - just as it was destined - was accepted in the society, there was not need to introduce the succession; and it wasn't necessary that Hajj to be described by the word "AI- Veda". But the word "AI - Vesal"- (union) had been used. Because, in these circumstances, the society had accepted true leadership and consequently prophetic mission, existed in the society constantly. And "executorship" that - like the sun in the endless sky of prophetic- mission had manifested-, was under taking the leadership of the society. The miracle of the prophetic mission, in taking away the roots of ignorance, developing the society, and leading it toward unity, would have been present. A unity which would have proved its magnificence over the world.

Oh, Never! There was no need for that great change which had happened in the Arab Island by the holy prophet, -Islam- to introduce and inform the "succession" with the words. Since from every step of that great prophet on the island, a deep and effective sign was created, which was full of awakening and intelligence. In every hint of his fingers, or his looking to the people, and in every smile, that appeared like a quiet wave on his lips, there were important reasons and undeniable signs, for the succession and leadership of Imam Ali.

Ali did not walk, even one step, except with the prophecy; and did not say any sentence, unless it was derived from the prophetic mission. Prophecy was exactly the Imamat and leadership. The prophecy founded the Islamic state and that was the great task. It gathered those dispersed people around the pivot of prophecy and leadership. ...yes Imamat and leadership are the continuation of the prophecy, and is from it.

The holy prophet did not insist on anything except on the Imamat and leadership. Because, it is the continuation of the prophecy and he did not permit to anyone to be near to him except Ali, who could carry the heavy responsibility of the prophetic mission that is the main aim, and this was the whole of the prophecy.

The understanding and perception of these clear signs and traces, which are the witnesses for his executorship was difficult for the people of the island? Should we request that great man, - who has gone toward the exalted God - , to return, and again and again, talks about his successor, and explain to us about the letters and the words of the executorship? To tell us again that who is his successor? Who shall carry the flag of prophecy in his hand?

Is the successor, the unique personality of Ali - Ibn Abitaleb? Or Umar - Ibn - Khattab? Who has put on the Abubakr's dress? And has advocated Osman? I wish that Hajjat-ol-veda had repeated again, so that Umar could understand that leadership meant to look after prophecy, and take care of that great responsibilityis particular to Imam Ali- Ibn- Abitaleb. This is not because he was the prophet's cousin, and his relative. If it would apply, "Abbas" was the uncle of the prophet, and nearer to him! And not since he is from Abi – Taleb family, and the rival of Abu Sofyan. However, this succession belongs to him, since his unique will and belief, has an eternal greatness. And the prophet, who irrigated that dry and thirsty island with the rainfall of grace, had planned a brighter future. A future which was full of friendship, pure unity, and a wise prudence.

Suleiman Kattani (Christian Writer and management from Lebanon)