The Conception of the Sahaba's Ultimate Decency and the Political Authority in Islam

Chapter 5 - Crowning Ali the Leader and the Prophet's Successor

1. When: the Farewell Pilgrimage

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) pointed that that pilgrimage would be the last. Hence, the Muslims all over the world readied themselves to join him for acquiring the rewards of that ritual pilgrimage and the honors of the Prophet's companionship and farewell. The number of the Muslims attained 90000 individuals. Some related that it was 114000, 120000 or more. The most authenticated matter was that such a number had actually accompanied the Prophet in Ghadeer Khum.[96]

2. Where: Ghadeer Khum

Hutheifeh­bn­Useid Al­Ghefari spoke: “After he had accomplished the rites of the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) ordered his companions not to abide near some trees in the desert. He, afterwards, bid some to uproot thistles found under these trees. Just as he reached that place, he performed a prayer and ascended a place for sermonizing…”[97]

Zaid­bn­Arqam narrated the following: “When the Prophet went back from the Farewell Pilgrimage and resided at Ghadeer Khum…”

Al­Bera­bn­Azib related it in the following form: “We were accompanying the Prophet to Ghadeer Khum where we resided. A proclamation for a collective prayer was declared. The ground of two trees was swept for the Prophet…”

[96] Ibnul­Jawzi's Tethkiretul­Khawass page30. As­Seeretul­Halabiya part.3 page257. Zeini Dehlan's As­Seeretun­Nubawiya part.3 page3. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer page9. [97] This narration is recorded by At­Tabarani, in his Al­Mu'jamul­Kabeer.

Sa'd­bn­Abi­Waqqas reported: “On one Friday, I saw the Prophet seize Ali from the hand and sermonize…”

Sa'd also related the following: “We were accompanying the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) who ordered people to halt as soon as we reached Ghadeer Khum. He ordered the crowds preceding him to come back and ordered those retarding to catch him. As people gathered, he (peace be upon him and his family) sermonized…”

These narratives assert the fact that the place of crowning was Ghadeer Khum.

The Divine Mandate of Nominating the Leader and the Prophet's Successor

As a matter of fact, people of Al­Madina and the surrounding villages had full acquaintance of Ali's having been the Prophet's successor. This cognizance were obtained according to the consecutive statements repeatedly addressed by the Prophet in the attendance of individuals as well as groups.

Al­Madina is the capital of the Islamic state. Its people and their neighbors are the ones legally and actually concerned in the affair of nominating the leader and the Prophet's successor.

As the Lord willed that Muslims should apperceive congregationally that the next leader and the Prophet's successor would be Ali, He ordered His Prophet of acquainting them of this matter during the Farewell Pilgrimage so that none would disremember. This declaration occurred near a spring which carried the core of life at that deserted peninsula; water. That place which was called Khum was too distinct to be having an alike all over the Arab Peninsula. Besides, that was the only place which carried the name Khum. Thousands of wonderments and probabilities are arisen from the declaration of that grand event that occurred before such a huge number of people in proportion of population of the world at that time. The attendants were of different degrees of faith, knowledge and cognition. This truth was taken in consideration during the Prophet's preparing and readying for delivering the divine mandate. Hence, the Lord willed to fasten the Prophet's heart and find an excuse and regiment for conveying this divine mandate

respecting nominating the coming leader and the Prophet's successor. Hence, the Verse of Tabligh — conveyance — was revealed.

The Verse of Tabligh

Instantly, the Angel Gabriel descended carrying the Verse of Tabligh to the Prophet: (O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people. 5:67)

The future of the Islamic mission depended upon this conveyance. On the eighteenth of Dhul­Hijja, this Verse was revealed in Ghadeer Khum. It was the same day on which the Prophet designated Ali as people's head, leader and his successor. That was on Thursday.[98]

[98] bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page86. Siddiq Hassan Khan's Fetihul­Beyan Fi Meqassidil­Qur'an part.3 page63. Al­Hakim Al­Hassakani's Shawahidut­Tanzil part.1 page187 hadiths 243­50. Al­Wahidi's Asbabun­Nuzoul page115. Ad­Durrul­Manthour part.2 page298. Ashawkani's Fetihul­Qadeer part.2 page60. bn­Talha Ashafi'i's Mettalibus­Sa'ul part.1 page44. Ibnus­Sebbagh's Al­Fussoulul­Muhimmeh page25. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda pages 120 and 249. Ashahristani's Al­Milelu Wen­Nihel part.1 page163. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page214. At­Tabari's Al­Wilaya Fi Hadithil­Ghadeer. bn­Hazm's Al­Fasl part.1 page220. Fera'idus­Simtein part.1 page158. Abu­Bakr Ashirazi's. Atha'alibi's Al­Keshfu Wel­Bayan. An­Nisapuri's book of Tafseer part.6 page160. Abdul­Wahhab Al­Bukhari's book of Tafseer; God's saying: "Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives." Jamalud­din Ashirazi's Al­Arba'in. Bedkheshti's Miftahun­Neja page41. Al­Alusi's Rouhul­Me'ani part.2 page248. Mohammed Abduh's Tafseerul­Menar part.6 page463. Ubeidullah Al­Hanafi's Arjahul­Metalib, pages 66­8, 566­7 and 570. Regarding Shias, they, congregationally, agree upon the fact that the Verse involved was revealed in Ghadeer Khum on the eighteenth of Dhul­Hijja where Allah ordered His Prophet of nominating Ali as the imam and his successor. See Al­Muraja'at page717.

The Style of the Decision of Nominating the Leader and the Prophet's Successor

1. The Text Related By Hutheifeh­bn­Useid Al­Ghefari And Recorded in At­Tabarani's Al­Kabeer

Hutheifeh says: The Prophet, then, stated: “O people! The Aware, the Knowing informed me that prophets attain only the half of the age of the succeeding ones. I do conclude that I am to be soon invited, and I am to answer. I, as well as you, shall be questioned. What will you reply?” “We do confirm that you have conveyed, done well and advised. God may reward you with good.” They answered.

Thence, the Prophet said: “Do you maintain there is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is Allah's slave and apostle, and the Paradise is true, the Hell­fire is true, death is true, the post­earthly life resurrection is true and the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it; and Allah shall raise up those who are in the graves?” “Yes, we do maintain so.” they answered. “O Allah! Be the witness.” supplicated the Prophet, and added: “O people! Allah is surely my Master. I am the master of the believers. I am preceded to the believers' souls. He whomever I was his master, this — Ali — is being his master. O Allah! Accede to whom accedes to him, and oppose whom opposes him.”[99]

The Prophet then added: “O people! I will be preceding you to the Heavenly Pool and you shall be following me. It is a pool of an area larger than the distance between Busra — Syria — and San'a — Yemen. In it, there shall be cups as numerous as stars. When you shall be coming to me on that Pool, I will ask you about the two weighty things. Suppose how should you esteem me in these two. The major weighty thing is the Book of Allah, the Elevated. It is a cord, one of its brims is at Allah's hand while the other is at yours. Cling to it and deviate not and distort not. The other is my clan; my

[99] bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqa. Al­Haithemi's Majma'uzzawa'id part.9 page164. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq, part.2 page45, hadith 545. Kenzul­Ummal part.1 page168 hadith 959. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page26­7. Nawadirul­Ussoul page289. (In this book, the sinful hands of the printers intentionally erased this hadith. They kept an indication only. Ar­Rekhshi, in his Nuzulul­Abrar page18, relates the whole hadith to Nawadirul­Ussoul. Abaqatul­Anwar, vol.Hadith of Athaqalein part.1page156 and 312. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawaddeh, pages 30­1, 249. Ibnus­Sebbagh's Al­Fussoulul­Muhimmeh, page24. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali page16 hadith 23. Kenzul­Ummal part.1 page168 hadith 958.

household. The Aware, the Knowing has informed me that they shall never separate until they shall join me on the Pool.”

2. The Text Related By Zaid­bn­Arqam

Zaid relates: When the Prophet went back from the Farewell Pilgrimage and resided at Ghadeer Khum, he ordered of sweeping the ground under some bushes there. He, then, sermonized: “I do conclude that I am to be soon invited, and I am to answer. I am leaving among you the two weighty things, one of whom is greater than the other. It is the Book of Allah, the Elevated, and my clan; my household. Suppose how you should esteem me in these two. Certainly, they shall never separate until they shall join me on the Pool. Allah, the Exalted, is surely my Master. I am the master of the believers.” He then took Ali from the hand and declared: “He whomever I was his master, this — Ali — is being his master. O Allah! Accede to whom accedes to him, and oppose whom opposes him.”[100]

3. The Text Related By Al­Bera­bn­Azib

Al­Bera narrates: We were accompanying the Prophet to Ghadeer Khum where we resided. A proclamation for a collective prayer was declared. The ground of two trees was swept for the Prophet who performed the Dhuhr prayer there and, afterwards, took Ali from the hand and asked: “Have you known that I am preceded to the believers' souls?” “Yes, we have.” they answered. “Have you known that I am preceded to every believer's soul?” questioned the Prophet. “Yes, we have.” they answered. Immediately, he took Ali from the hand and declared: “He whomever I was his master, this — Ali — is being his master. O Allah! Accede to whom accedes to him, and oppose whom opposes him.”

Not too long after that, Omar met Ali and addressed at him: “Congratulations, son of Abu­Talib! You became the master of every male and female believer.”[101]

[100] An­Nisa'i's Al­Khassa'iss pages 93 and 21. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page93. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda page32. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page30. Kenzul­Ummal part.15 page91 hadith 255. Abaqatul­Anwar part.1 pages 117, 121, 144, 152 and 161. [101] At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page67. Fedha'ilul­Khamseh part.1 page350. Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page23. Al­Fussoulul­Muhimmeh page24. Jalaluddin As­Suyouti's Al­Hawi Lil­Fetawi part.1 page122. Kenzul­Ummal part.15 page117.

4. The Text Related By Sa'd­bn­Abi­Waqqas

On one Friday, I saw the Prophet seize Ali from the hand and sermonize:

“Praised and thanked be Allah.

O people! I am your master.” “You have said but the truth, Allah's Apostle!” they confirmed. The Prophet, then, raised Ali's hand and declared: “This is my successor. He shall be settling my debts. I am acceding to whomever accedes to him and opposing whomever opposes him.”[102]

5. The Text Related By Sa'd In Another Form

Sa'd also relates: We were accompanying the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) who ordered people to halt as soon as we reached Ghadeer Khum. He ordered the crowds preceding him to come back and those retarding to catch him. As people gathered, he (peace be upon him and his family) sermonized: “O people! Who are your masters?” “Allah and His Apostle are.” they confirmed thrice. The Prophet, soon, took Ali from the hand and raised him and declared: “He whomever Allah and His Apostles were his masters, this — Ali — is being his master. O Allah! Accede to whom accedes to him, and oppose whom opposes him.”[103]

The Perception of the Decision and Receiving Congratulations

As they could totally perceive the significance of the decision, the attendants in Ghadeer Khum, proceeded towards the leader and the Prophet's successor for offering him congratulations on this divine grace. Omar­bn­Al­Khattaab,

Al­Muraja'at the Index page176. The following references record the hadith with little difference: bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page47 hadiths 549­50. Al­Belathiri's Ansabul­Ashraf part.2 page215. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page94. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page18­20. Fera'idus­Simtein part.1 pages 64­5 and 71. Al­Muraja'at the Index page176. [102] An­Nisa'i's Al­Khassa'iss page101. Fedha'ilul­Khamseh part.1 page365. Al­Bidaya Wen­Nihaya part.5 page212. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page38 and 41. Al­Muraja'at the Index page176. [103] An­Nisa'i's Al­Khassa'iss page101, Fedha'ilul­Khamseh part.1 page365, Is'afur­Raghibin (In the margin of Nourul­Absar) page149, Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page282 and Al­Muraja'at the Index.

who could never forget that day, was in the top of the list of the congratulators. “Be felicitate, son of Abu­Talib! You became the master of me as well as every Muslim.”[104] Omar addressed at Ali as he offered congratulations. In another occasion, he said to him” “Congratulations, son of Abu­Talib! You became the master of every male and female believer.”[105]

While Omar was the caliph, some wondered the reason beyond his having estimating Ali particularly. “He is my master.”[106] answered Omar.

Omar asked Ali to judge in a case between two Bedouins. “Is it this man who will judge?” said one of them. Immediately, Omar jumped to him, hanged from the dress and said: “Do you not know this one. He is your

[104] bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page57 hadiths 575, 577, 578. Ibnul­Meghazili's Menaqibu Ali page18 hadith 24. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page94. Al­Khateeb Al­Baghdadi's Tarikhu Baghdad part.8 page290. Al­Hakim Al­Hassakani's Shawahidut­Tanzil part.1 page158 hadiths 213. Abu­Ahmed Al­Ghezali's Sirrul­Alemin page21. Ihqaqul­Haq part.6 page256. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page132. Fera'idus­Simtein part.1 page77. [105] bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq part.2 page50 hadith 548, 549 and 550. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page94. Ahmed Bin Hanbal's book of Hadith part.4 page281. Ibnus­Sebbagh's Al­Fussoulul­Muhimmeh page24. As­Suyouti's Al­Hawi Lil­Fetawi part.1 page122. Thekha'irul­Uqba page67. Fedha'ilul­Khamseh part.1 page350. As­Sam'ani's Fedha'ilus­Sahaba. At­Thehbi's Tarikhul­Islam part.2 page197. Khawaja's Ilmul­Kitab page161. Az­Zernedi's Nudhumu Duraris­Simtein page109. Al­Qanduzi's Yenabi'ul­Mawadda, page30, 31 and 249. Ar­Razi's book of Tafseer, part.3 page63. As­Sibt Ibnul­Jawzi's Tethkiratul­Khawass page29. Mishkatul­Messabih part.3 page246. Abaqatul­Anwar, hadith of Athaqalein, part.1 page285. Al­Hamawini's Fera'idus­Simtein. Al­Ghadeer part.1 page272. bn­Abi Sheibeh's Al­Mussennef. Ibnul­Abbas Asheibani's Al­Musnedul­Kabeer. Abu­Ya'li Al­Mousuli's Al­Musned. bn­Merdawayih's book of Tafseer. Atha'labi's Al­Keshfu Wel­Bayan. At­Tabari's Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page169. Ashenqiti's Kifayetut­Talib page28. Ibnul­Jawzi's Al­Menaqib. An­Natnazi's Al­Khassa'isul­Alawiya. Omar Bin Al­Mulla's Wasiletul­Mute'ebbidin. bn­Kutheir's Al­Bidaya Wen­Nihaya part.5 page169. Al­Miqrizi's Al­Khuttat page223. Al­Azra'i's Badi'ul­Me'ani page75. Al­Meibidi's Sharhu Diwani Ameeril­Mu'minin page406. Kenzul­Ummal part.6 page397. As­Semhoudi's Wefa'ul­Wefa part.2 page173. Mahmud Asheikhani's As­Siratus­Sawi…etc. [106] bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqa page26. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page82. Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page224. Al­Muraja'at the Index page212.

master, and my master, and the master of every male and female master. He is not a believer that whomever Ali is not his master.”[107]

Texts Quoted from the Immortal Decision of Nominating Ali for the Leadership

Unanimously, Sunnis relate that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) referred to Ali in Ghadeer Khum by stating:

1. “He whomever I was his master, this — Ali — is being his master. O Allah! Accede to whom accedes to him, and oppose whom opposes him, and champion whomever champions him and deject whomever dejects him.”[108]

2 “He whomever I was his master, this, Ali, is being his mater.”

3 “He whomever I was his master, Ali is being his master. O Allah! Accede to whomever accedes to him and oppose whomever opposes him.”[109]

It is obvious that the previous texts have been excerpted from the decision of nominating Ali for the leadership. The texts involved told of the place of occurrence, which was Ghadeer Khum. They also fitted the size of the crowds that heard the decision and that it occurred during the Prophet's last pilgrimage; the Farewell Pilgrimage. The decision was so strong that it

[107] bn­Hajar's As­Sawa'iqul­Muhriqa page107. At­Tabari's Thekha'irul­Uqba page68. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page98. Ar­Riyadhun­Nedhira part.2 page224. Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page382. Al­Muraja'at the Index page212. [108] the following: bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page13 hadith 508 and 513­5. Kenzul­Ummal part.6 page403. An­Nisa'i's Al­Khassa'iss pages 96. bn­Hazm's Al­Fasl part.1 page260. The margin of bn­Hazm's Al­Fasl part.1 page260. Ahmed's book of Hadith part.5 page32. The margin of Ahmed's book of Hadith. Al­Belathiri's Ansabul­Ashraf part.2 page112. Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page294. Al­Muraja'at the Index page183…etc. [109] At­Tirmithi's book of hadith part.5 page297. bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.1 page213. Al­Haithemi's Majma'uzzawa'id part.9 page103. An­Nisa'i's Al­Khassa'iss pages 94. Ibnul­Atheer's Jami'ul­Ussoul part.9 page468. Al­Hakim's Al­Mustedrak part.3 page110. (In this reference, the compiler decides the authenticity of the hadith.) Al­Khawarzmi's Al­Menaqib page79. At­Thehbi's Talkhissul­Mustedrak part.3 page110. Hilyetul­Awliya part.5 page26. As­Suyouti's Ad­Durrul­Manthour part.5 page182. At­Thehbi's Tarikhul­Islam part.2 page196. Al­Baghdadi's Tarikhu Baghdad part.8 page290.…etc.

imposed itself on others. Despite the fact that reviling at Ali was an official act obligatorily burden on the Umayid state's people, and that this state had the full actual dominion on the state's imports, capacities and mass media, they showed total dearth to shade this decision. The compact of the decision, however, remained along with days. It became the evident witness on this nation's deceiving the real leader and the Prophet's successor. Allah's, however, is the consequence of affairs.

The Hadith of Ghadeer and the Event of the Nomination is A Certitude

This hadith is related by Ahmed­bn­Hanbal from forty different ways of narration. bn­Jarir relates it from seventy two different ways of narration. Al­Jizri Al­Miqerri relates it from eighty different ways of narrations. bn­Uqda relates it from 105 different ways of narration. Abu­Sa'eed As­Sejistani relates it from 120 ways of narration. Abu­Bakr Al­Hassabi relates it from 125 different ways of narration. Mohammed Al­Yamani claims of relating it from 150 different ways of narration. Abul­Ala Al­Attar Al­Hamadani relates it from 250 different ways of narration.[110]

The entire Shias believe in the authenticity of the hadith of Ghadeer in an indisputable way. They do believe undiscussibly in the ceremonies of nominating Ali for leadership and succession of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) that occurred in Ghadeer Khum.

The entire Sunnis admit the authenticity of the Ghadeer hadith. They acknowledge of the Prophet's uttering that hadith. They, however, adopted the misrepresentation of the hadith and the event of the nomination originated by the rulers who regarded the hadith as a mere merit imputed to Ali. They discarded the actual meanings and purports of the hadith and the event. Thus, Sunnis inherited this misrepresentation. They reckoned it with the traditions of the ancestors that it is illicit to be neglected. Supposing Sunnis adopted other than this opinion, they would drag the rug of legality on which the Umayids, the Abbasids and the Ottoman stood. Other would be included in this process of dragging; the matter that would prove the

[110] Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 pages 14­213, Abaqatul­Anwar, Ghayetul­Maram, bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page5­90 and Al­Muraja'at the Index page182.

rightfulness of Shias. This would contravene the tradition of Shias have been the enemies of this religion!!

The Ghadeer Festivity

In the former times, Muslims appraised the anniversary of the Ghadeer day as a festivity. They were wont to celebrate on this anniversary. When the enemies of the Prophet's household came to power, the Muslims stopped celebrating it. Hence, because of the pressure imposed by the rulers, the next generations overlooked that anniversary. For Shias, they still celebrating it.[111]

Fasting On The Day Of Ghadeer

Abu­Hureira sates: He whoever fasts on the eighteenth of Dhul­Hijja, Allah shall record for him the reward of a sixty month fasting. This anniversary is the Ghadeer Khum day when the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) took Ali from the hand and said: “He whomever I was his master, this — Ali — is being his master. O Allah! Accede to whom accedes to him, and oppose whom opposes him and champion whomever champions him.” Omar­bn­Al­Khattaab commentated: “Be felicitate, son of Abu­Talib! You became the master of me as well as every Muslim.”[112]

[111] Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer part.1 page267, Al­Beiruni's Al­Atharul­Baqiya Fil­Qurounil­Khaliya page334, bn­Talha's Mettalibus­Sa'ul part.1 page44, bn­Khillekan's Wefiyatul­A'yan part.1 page90, Al­Musta'li Bin Al­Mustensir's book of the famed's life account, part.1 page223 and Al­Muraja'at the Index page92. [112] bn­Asakir's Tarikhu Dimeshq Chapter: The Life Account Of Ali Bin Abi Talib part.2 page75 hadiths 575­7, Al­Hakim Al­Hassakani's Shawahidut­Tanzil part.1 page157 hadiths 210­3, Al­Amini's Al­Ghadeer, part.1 page402, Al­Khateeb Al­Baghdadi's Tarikhu Baghdad part.8 page290, Fera'idus­Simtein part.1 page77 13 and Al­Muraja'at the Index page192­3.