Seyed Hashem Moosavi,
Eid al-Ghadir is one of the most important and valuable Islamic festivals, playing a special role in Islamic history. This festival commemorates the event that occurred on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the 10th year of Hijra, when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at Ghadir Khum, appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), who was one of the most knowledgeable and wise individuals of his time, as his successor and Imam after him. This event is considered a turning point in Islamic history, such that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended all Muslims to celebrate this day as the greatest Eid.
Ghadir Khum: Messages and Lessons
Some of the most important messages and lessons of this festival include:
- Necessity of Loyalty to the Prophet (PBUH): After introducing Imam Ali (AS) as his successor, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked Muslims to pledge allegiance to him and accept his leadership. The necessity of loyalty and obedience to the Messenger of God, as demanded by many verses of the Holy Quran, required Muslims to unanimously adhere to this divine command and obey the Prophet’s successor.
- Importance of Righteous Leadership: The introduction of a person with special and unique qualities as the Prophet’s successor highlights the importance and necessity of having righteous and just leadership in the Islamic community. Ali (AS), as a pious, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and courageous individual, was an ideal model for leading the Islamic society, as introduced by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- Unity and Cohesion: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) aimed to invite Muslims to unity and cohesion by introducing his successor and, at the same time, reduce potential disagreements and divisions, gathering Muslims around a unified leadership. If Muslims had regarded the Prophet’s words as obligatory as divine revelation, this unity would have been achieved better than what we witness today.
Eid al-Ghadir has the potential to act as a factor for unity among Muslims. Despite the religious differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims, all Muslims respect the high status of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) and regard him as one of the greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). If Muslims focus on their commonalities rather than differences, they can use Eid al-Ghadir as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and unity among themselves.
Unfortunately, insufficient attention by Muslims to this very important mission of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has led to many divisions and hostilities, resulting in political and governance weaknesses in the Islamic world and a diminishing of Islamic and moral values in society, causing large sections of the Islamic community to fall into decline and corruption.
Ghadir Khum and the Most Important Duty of Muslims
The first and foremost duty of Muslims regarding the event of Ghadir is to understand it correctly and pass it on to future generations. This responsibility lies today with those who are newly introduced to this historical event of Islam. Awareness of this event helps in a better understanding of Islamic history and the key role of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) in it.
