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Declaration
at Ghadeer Khumm
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 desolate 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 travelers. 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 faithful and close
companion the blackman Balaal to immediately cry out the call to
prayer. So that to call the thousands of Moslem travelers 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 pulpit upon a small elevated sandy mound.
The
Messenger of God(phuh&hf) then awaited under the hot burning
sun for the straddles 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 pulpit of camel saddles piled up
on the small sandy mound before them, so that he was high enough
to be seen by all the congregation before him. The crowd before
him quickly quieted 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 murmured to each other in
puzzlement?
His
Successor
When
they had quieted 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 occasion.
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 faithful. 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 commemorating this happy and wonderful
occasion of the history of Islam.
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