JNN 28 Nov 2010 The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky delivered a lengthy speech on the significance of Eid Ghadeer at the Movement’s proposed Center on the 18th dhul hajj 1431 (24/11/10).

He  started by congratulating the gathering on the occasion of ghadeer. He recounted the history of Ghadeer event; he said that many books were written by Scholars about it. The book popularly known as Al-ghadeer by Allamah Amini contains much detail and in it it was reported that  there were  over110 companions who reported the Sayings of the prophet (SAWA)  on Ghadeer, of course,  there are reports from other sources.

The Sheikh further says that Ghadeer khum is named after a pool or swamp which formed a shallow lake, located along Madina-Sham route. The place is well known amongst Arabs as it was the crossroads of trade and pilgrimage caravans coming from Medina, Egypt, Iraq and Syria on their way to Makkah.

After performing Hajjj rites, the Prophet ordered that all pilgrims should wait at ghadeer and even those who already passed the area should be called back. A pulpit was erected using saddles and the Prophet delivered a lengthy speech to the companions.

Sheikh Zakzaky stressed that the revisiting the history of Ghadeer is important for the fact that the event still remains unknown to many or it has been forgotten.

He highlighted on how the holy Prophet  taught the Ummah Islamic tenets , he said the Quran was revealed to the prophet  during his  life time in Makkah and Madinat- Makkan Surahs are basically on Tawheed (oneness of God) and the Madinites surahs explain rites and rulings. Two things were left until  towards the end of Prophet’s life; they are the annual pilgrimage to Makkah and the successor after him ( Imamate of the Twelve Infallible Imams). Though the hajj was known since the time of Prophet Ibraheem (AS) and was practiced by jahiliyyah Arabs in their own distorted way, the prophet  had to teach the Ummah how to perform Hajj. So, he ordered all Muslims with means to accompany him for hajj.

The Prophet himself with some members of his family members and companions proceeded for hajj, and Imam Ali too who was on a mission in Yemen, was informed to go for hajj through a messenger, and proceeded to Hajj with Muslims too.

Upon arrival in Makkah, one important event  occurred-  a beggar asked for a help inside the Ka’aba while imam Ali was bowed  for Ruku’ in prayer. Every one noticed when Imam Ali (AS) streached out his hand indicating the beggar to take the ring on one of the Imam’s  fingers. The beggar took the ring. Whereupon a verse was revealed “ Your Master is Allah and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay zakat even as they bow down” (Qur’an, 5:55),” qualifying Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS)

Meanwhile the holy  prophet supplicated to God to have a successor similar to the supplication of Musa(AS) at which God answered Musa and appointed Harun as his Successor. Similar request was made by the holy Prophet to God and Allah granted the request by appointing Imam Ali as his successor just as revealed in verse.

Although the holy prophet did not declare Imam Ali publicly at Ka’aba but he intended to do so at Arafat and upon understanding  his intention some companions were not happy as their looks showed. This is because they knew what he was going to say- appointment of Imam Ali as his successor. Even at Arafat the prophet did not declare his successor for the fear of fitnah. He even explained that he was facing a serious opposition stiffer that the opposition he encountered from Quraish at the beginning of his mission.

Lastly a verse was revealed telling the Prophet to declare his heir and was assured God’s protection. O Messenger! Convey what has been revealed to you, and if you do not do so, you will not have conveyed His Message at all, and Allah shall protect you from (evil) people. (Qur’an, 5:67)

So at the pool of Ghadeer where the holy prophet ordered all Muslims to wait, the holy Prophet climbed the pulpit erected and delivered a lengthy sermon where in it he outlined the many virtues of Imam Ali and Ahlul bayt(AS) and  raised Imam Ali’s hand up while declaring  ‘Whoever among Im his master, this, Ali is his master …………” the Prophet further  explained all  his successors , all from the progeny of Ali(AS), one after upto the last one- Imam Mahdi(AJ).

All the companions swore oath of  allegiance to Imam Ali and congratulated him while the holy Propeht was a witness to it. It took over two days for the almost 120,000 companions, including women, to pay allegiance to Imam Ali(AS).

The Prophet recited the following verse  “Whoever reneges (from his oath), he reneges only to the harm of his own soul, and whoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah, He will grant him a mighty reward” (Qur’an, 48:10).

The 18th of dhul hajj is known to all Prophets and messengers (AS) for its merits: it was the day Adam’s repentance was accepted by God; it was the day Musa(AS) won over the magicians, it was also the day Musa appointed his successor after him; the day Prophet Isa(AS) appointed Sham’un; the day Sulaiman(AS) appointed Asiba as his heir and it was on the day Nuhu’s ark settled on Judi Mountain.

Sheikh further expressed that Islam becomes complete with wilayah of holy Imams without which it becomes incomplete.

Another merit is that it was on the day the holy Prophet (AS) made tie of brotherhood between Ansar and Muhajirin upon arrival in Medina. on the same 18th of Dhul Hajj, 35 years After Hijrah, the Muslims rallied around behind Imam Ali to  pay  him allegiance after the death of Uthman bn Affan. Imam agreed to accept the allegiance but in the Mosque which he did.

The Leader of the Islamic Movement explained further that there are many issues to be said but due to limited time, they could not be discussed. He however explained that in due course and at appropriate time he would discuss the issues.

He recited Ziyara of Imam Ali after the sunset prayers and gave closing prayers. The programme was attended by thousands of Muslims