( 132 )
That outstanding event was the Messenger's Declaration at Ghadeer Khum. While he was coming back from
the valedictory pilgrimage to Medina
he stopped at that
place to tell the thousands of pilgrims who were accompanying him that Ali Ibn Abu Talib is the "Moula" (guardian)
of every believer .
Al-Hakim through his channel to Abu-Tufail reported
that Zeid Ibn Arqam said: "When the Messenger of God
was coming from the Valedictory pilgrimage
he stopped
at Ghadeer Khum. He ordered the pilgrims to sweep what
was under the trees at that place. Then he said: 'I am
about to be summoned by God and I shall respond. I am
leaving among you the two valuables. One of the two is
bigger than the other: The Book of God and my Itrah
(members of my house). Beware how you shall treat them
after me
for they shall not part with each other until they
join me on the Day of Judgement." Then he said: "Certainly God is my "Moula" (Guardian) and I am Moula
of every believer. Whoever I am his Moula this Ali is his
Moula. God
love whoever loves him and be hostile to whoever is hostile to him." ( 4 )
From this we understand that the Messenger wanted to
declare to the Muslims at that stand three important matters which are related to each other:
1. He was expecting to depart from this world soon.
Therefore he spoke to them as if he had been summoned
by his Lord .
2. As he was about to meet his Lord
he viewed it
mandatory to have for his followers a means of guidance
which would illuminate for them the road after the Heavenly revelation ceased by his absence. Therefore
he declared
to them that he was leaving to them the Book of God and
his "Itrah" (the members of his House); and that if they
follow the Book and the "Itrah
" they guarantee for themselves the continuation on the clear road in their near and
remote future .
3.The members of the House of the Holy Prophet were
( 4 ) Al-Hakim Al-Mustadrak Part 3 p. 109.
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