In this article, you can read some narrations about the day of Ghadir.
Chapter One: The place of Eid Ghadir in the religion
I went to Imam Sadiq (AS) and said: Do Muslims have Eid other than Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and Friday?
Imam (AS) said: Yes, the day when the Messenger of God (PBUH&HP) appointed the Commanders of the Faithful (to the caliphate and guardianship.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) said:
Ghadir Day is the highest Eid of my nation and it is the day that Allah Almighty commanded. On that day, I will appoint my brother Ali ibn Abi Talib as the flag bearer (and commander) of my ummah, so that the people after him will be guided by him, and that is the day when Allah completed the religion and completed the blessings on my ummah, and He liked Islam as a religion for them.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
The day of Ghadir is the great feast of Allah, God did not send a prophet, unless he took this day as Eid and recognized its greatness, and the name of this day in heaven is the day of the covenant and on earth, the day of the firm covenant and public presence.
Imam Sadiq (AS) was asked: do believers have any other Eid besides Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and Friday? And he answered:
Yes, they have a bigger Eid and that is the day when the Commander of the Faithful (AS) was raised in Ghadir, and the Messenger of God placed the issue of guardianship on the shoulders of men and women.
Ammar bin Hariz says:
On the eighteenth day of the month of DhulHija, I arrived at the service of Imam Sadiq (AS) and found him fasting. The Imam said to me: Today is a great day, Allah has given it greatness and on that day he completed the religion of the believers and completed the blessings on them and renewed the previous covenant.
Imam Reza (AS) said:
My father quoted his father (Imam Sadiq (AS)) as saying:
Ghadir Day is more famous in the sky than on earth.
Ali (AS) said:
Today (Eid Ghadir) is a very great day.
On this day, the opening has come and the status (of those who deserved it) has risen, and the proofs of Allah have been clarified, and the position of purity has been clearly spoken, and today is the day of the completion of religion and the day of the covenant.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
I swear by God, if the people knew the true virtue of "Ghadir Day", the angels would shake hands with them ten times a day, and the gifts of God to the one who knew that day cannot be counted.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
... The day of Ghadir among the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and Friday is like the moon among the stars.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
When the Day of Judgment comes, the four days will hasten to Allah as the bride will hasten to her chamber. Those days are: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and Friday and Ghadir.
Chapter 2: The merits and demerits of Ghadir
The Prophet (PBUH&HP) (on the day of Ghadir) said:
O Muslims! Let those present inform the absentees: I recommend the one who believes in me and acknowledges me to the guardianship of Ali, beware that the guardianship of Ali is my guardianship and my guardianship is the guardianship of my God. This was a covenant from my Lord which He commanded me to deliver to you.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
Eid Ghadir is the day when the Prophet (PBUH&HP) raised Ali (AS) as the flag bearer for the people and revealed his virtue on this day and introduced his successor, then he fasted that day in gratitude to the Almighty Allah and that day is the day of fasting, worship, feeding, and visiting religious brothers. That day is the day of gaining the pleasure of the merciful Allah and rubbing the dust of the devil's nose.
Ali (AS) (in the sermon of Eid Ghadir) said:
When you reach each other, shake hands with each other and give gifts to each other on this day; whoever was there and heard these words, let him go to the poor, let the rich go to the poor, and let the strong go to the weak, prophet (PBUH&HP) commanded me so.
The Commander of the Faithful (AS) said:
... How will it be for someone who is responsible for the living expenses of a number of believing men and women (on the Day of Ghadir), if I guarantee him/her to Allah that he will be safe from disbelief and poverty.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
Eid Ghadir is a day of worship, prayer, thanksgiving, and praise to Allah, and it is a day of joy and happiness for the sake of our family, may God bless them, and I would like you to fast that day.
It was narrated from Imam Sadiq (AS) that he said:
One dirham to brothers with faith and knowledge on the day of Eid Ghadir is equal to one thousand dirhams, so give alms to your brothers on this day and make every believing man and woman happy.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
Ghadir is the day of Eid and joy and happiness and the day of fasting is as a thanksgiving for divine blessings.
Ali (AS) said:
Return home after the gathering (on the day of Ghadir), may Allah have mercy on you. Develop for your family, do good to your brothers, thank Allah for the blessing He has given you, unite so Allah will unite you, do good so Allah will establish your friendship, give each other Allah's blessing and congratulations, as Allah has congratulated you on this day by rewarding you many times over other Eids, such rewards will not be except on the day of Eid Ghadir.
I said to Imam Sadiq (AS): Do Muslims have any other Eid besides those two?
He said: Yes, the greatest and best Eid.
I said: What day is it?
He said: The day when Amir al-Mu'minin was appointed as the flag bearer of the people.
I said: on that day, what should we do?
He said: Fast and send greetings to Muhammad and his family and seek acquittal from the oppressors because the prophets instructed the successors to observe Eid on the day when the successor is chosen.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
On the day of Eid-ul-Ghadir, remember Allah with fasting and worship and remembrance of the Prophet and his family, because the Messenger of Allah instructed the Commanders of the Faithful to observe Eid on that day, just as the prophets instructed their successors to observe that day as Eid. They did the same.
Resources
- The Holy Quran.
- Amali Sheikh Sadough, Islamic Library.
- QurbalAsnad Abdullah Ja'far al-Humairi, Al-Bayt.
- Mesbah Al-Muttahid, Sheikh Tusi, Shiite Fiqh Foundation.
- Wasael Shiah, Sheikh Har Ameli, Islamic Library.
- Safinat al-Bahar, Sheikh Abbas Qomi, Aswa.
Racism and ethnocentrism are closely linked to the sense of superiority that lies within every human being. This issue has a long history - as long as human life, and is still an ongoing behavior that causes serious problems among human beings.
Racism is an important issue that Islam has considered; the issue whose history dates back to nations existed long before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). This unequal treatment was so weaved into people’s lives which they didn’t even realized its vile nature. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), also, lived in a society where racism was very common. The situation became even harder when people started to follow the religion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). That was when racism out of tribal prejudice was extended to segregation based on religion, and many people who followed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) were driven from their homes or hometowns.
The specific conditions of the era in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) lived, as well as the deep roots of this wrong attitude in the history of humankind, were the main reasons why Allah (SWT) makes many recommendations about racism in the Quran. The Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP), also, worked really hard to clear the minds of people from tribal, religious, and any other types of racism.
During the Arab ignorance, privileges such as lineage, race, wealth, number of children, and affiliation with a powerful tribe were considered the criteria of superiority over others. The verses of the Quran indicate that the number of children and folks were so important to them that in some arguments they even went to a cemetery and started to count the number of their dead ones:
“Rivalry [and vainglory] distracted you until you visited [even] the graves.” (102: 1-2)
It should have been hard for people of that mindset to accept that their lineage, children, tribe and wealth is of no importance in the eyes of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). According to an account, he said, “All the people, from the past or at present, are as equal as a comb’s teeth; therefore neither Arabs are superior to non-Arabs, nor white people to blacks. You are only distinguished by your piety and righteousness” [1].
However, although the Quran was revealed in such an environment that was limited in various ways and had a limited connection with the world outside the island, and the issue of ethnicity, race, and tribal life prevailed in all its aspects, it did not take on such a color at all. Allah addresses people in the Quran using the following phrases: "O children of Adam," "O people," "O you who believe," or "O you who have faith." The Quran removed racial privileges in that racist environment, and with the beautiful logic of "you are all children of man and were created from one parent," Allah declared them all brothers and sisters belonging to the same family:
“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female and made you nations and tribes that you may identify yourselves with one another. Indeed the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most God wary among you. Indeed Allah is all-knowing, all aware.” (49:13)
As the verse above implies, One’s character and status are only measured by the level of submission to Allah and following His commands, not social or financial conditions.
Apart from racism based on lineage, race, wealth, etc. people before and at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) believed that religious beliefs gave them superiority over others.
Based on that belief, people of different faiths were always conflicting with each other, instead of having sound arguments about different issues. Therefore, religious discriminations had been severely condemned by Islam, emphasizing that belonging to the followers of religion does not make people good or bad. But, it is their actions and their level of obedience toward Allah that give them superiority:
“The Jews say, ‘The Christians stand on nothing,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews stand on nothing,’ though they follow the [same] Book. So said those who had no knowledge, [words] similar to what they say. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that about which they used to differ.” (2: 113)
The issue of fairness and justice among human beings is so important in Islam that the Quran has taken care of all different aspects in which people may act unjustly toward each other. Apart from racial issues that have been ongoing for ages, the issue of undermining and suppressing women in different domestic and social aspects, and depriving them of their rights had been a challenging issue in most parts of the world.
The Quran condemns this segregation and states that men and women are equal in the eyes of Allah:
“Whoever acts righteously, [whether] male or female, should he be faithful, We shall revive him with a good life and pay them their reward by the best of what they used to do.” (16:97)
Also, the necessity of observing women’s rights had been emphasized in many narrations from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and his progeny. Imam Ali (AS), says in an account, “Women are Allah’s trusts upon you, do not hurt them, and do not put pressure on them” [2]. Therefore, men should be careful with their manners in treating women whether in family or in society.
To conclude, the only thing that gives superiority to people is their piety and faith. Looking at the issue like this makes people closer to each other and all differences in color, race, ethnicity, shape, wealth, etc. create no distance between people. People gather around based on their spiritual interests and try not to judge each other, since the only one who is aware of the most faithful is Allah (SWT):
“… And be wary of Allah. Indeed Allah knows best what is in the hearts.” (5: 7).
References:
- Al-Shaykh Al-Mufid, Al-Ikhtisas, p.341.
- Muhaddith Nuri ,Mustadrak al-Wasail, vol.2, p.551.
One of the most discussed words nowadays among politicians, humanitarians, thinkers, and social researchers is the word peace. It’s one of the favorite ideas among Christians and Muslims. Many of the religious activists try to publicize peace as a social manner and act. Islam, as the last religion of Allah, is a religion of peace, as its name is taken from the word Salaam, meaning peace in Arabic.
On the other hand, Jesus Christ (PBUH) is the other most-followed prophet in the world and one of the chosen ones in Allah's regard. But what is the stance of Islam toward Jesus Christ (PBUH)? Does Islam believe Jesus (PBUH) to be a peace-loving prophet? Here, we are going to bring you some verses of the Holy Quran in praise of Jesus Christ (PBUH) and his peace-loving character.
Believing in a peace-loving God, he treated all the people, whether innocent or sinful, young or old, with mercy and kindness. His amiable attitude not only included human beings but also animals whom he deeply cared for. Thus, wherever he went, he brought peace and blessing to the people, as he puts in this verse of the Quran:
“He has made me blessed, wherever I may be” (19:31)
The holy Quran always refers to Jesus (PBUH) as the embodiment of a dutiful and devoted child concerning his mother, Saint Mary. When it narrates the story of his birth and the disbelief of the Jewish sages, the Quran says that Jesus (PBUH) started talking while he was a newborn in his mother’s arms. He told everyone about the mission Allah had given him and then said:
“…He has enjoined me to [maintain] the prayer and to [pay] the zakat as long as I live, and to be good to my mother, and He has not made me self-willed and wretched.” (19:31-32)
Accordingly, one of the missions Allah has given Jesus (PBUH) is to be kind and respectful toward his mother, which is one of the manifest signs of a peaceful and loving character.
When Jesus Christ (PBUH) started spreading the message of Allah to human beings, he began to advise people to be truthful followers and described his mission as follows:
“When Jesus brought those manifest proofs, he said, ‘I have certainly brought you wisdom, and [I have come] to make clear to you some of the things that you differ about. So be wary of Allah and obey me.” (43:63)
Based on this verse, he was there to clarify the ambiguities and to bring wisdom. And that was all he did; he never used anything, but words of Allah and miracles inspired him to lead people toward what is right.
Virgin Mary was about to find out about Allah’s blessing upon her in bestowing her with a son, without any man touching her and the angels said:
‘O Mary, Allah gives you the good news of a Word from Him whose name is Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, distinguished in the world and the Hereafter and one of those brought near [to Allah]. He will speak to the people in the cradle and adulthood and will be one of the righteous. (3:45-46)
Also, in another verse of the Quran, Allah refers to Jesus Christ (PBUH) besides other prophets as such:
“And Zechariah, John, Jesus, and Ilyas—each of them among the righteous.” (6:85)
Allah refers to Jesus Christ (PBUH) in the verses above, as his word and one of the righteous ones. But who is a Righteous person? A person characterized by, proceeding from, or following accepted standards of morality, justice, or uprightness and virtues [1]. So, a righteous person is one who is upright, and free from sins or guilt, which ultimately leads one toward peacefulness.
Finally, the Holy Quran and Islam, as the religion of peace, admire prophet Jesus (PBUH) as the word of Allah and send peace and blessing upon him. In this verse of the Quran, Jesus addresses himself and says:
“Peace to me [Jesus] the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised alive.” (19:33)
Just as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) who, according to the Quran, was sent as a mercy to humankind (21:107) and perfect moral virtues, Jesus Christ (PBUH) was also sent to accomplish the same mission; as the prophets before him were also after spreading this peaceful message. Thus, Muslims who believe in all the prophets as the best role models, do not doubt in the peace-loving character of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the blessed son of Mary.
References:
- Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000,3,6,7,9,11,14