Shia Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Ghadeer
MEP: Shia Muslims across the world on Tuesday are celebrating the Eid al-Ghadeer, which marks the appointment of the first Shia Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH), by Islam’s most valued figure, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as his successor.
People in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and across Europe are coming to streets and extending greetings and felicitations to each other, especially to the families who are descendants of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through his grandsons, Hassan ibn Ali (PBUH) and Hussein ibn Ali (PBUH), the sons of the Prophet’s daughter Fatima Zahra (PBUH) and his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH).
On February 632, last year of his life, Prophet Muhammad attended Hajj rituals known as farewell pilgrimage. On 18th Dhu al-Hijjah and in the way back to Medina, due to revelation of the verse of announcement, Muhammad gathered all Muslimuna and made a speech.
The most significant sentence of his remark was: “Whomsoever to him (her) I am protector (Maula), Ali is also his/her protector (Maula). O God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him.”
It was very hot back then. There were about 10 thousands. By the order of Muhammad a rostrum of camel saddles was made. After performing Zuhr prayer, Muhammad made a speech known as Ghadir Sermon (Arabic: خطبة الغدير). It was a long speech. He recited numerous verses from the Quran and reminded and warned people of their deeds and future. However the well-known sentence was, while he had raised Ali’s hand, “whomever I am his protector, this Ali is his protector (Mawla).”
People celebrate the occasion, fasting, doing Ghusl (ritual bath), reciting Du’a Nudba and giving food to believers is among recommended practice of Eid al-Ghadeer.
