Communicate that which has been sent down to you from your Lord...

Communicate that which has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not, you will not have communicated His message, and Allah shall protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the faithless lot. [4] “ Thereafter, the Holy Prophet (PBUHH) delivered a sermon to the assembled crowd. During this sermon, he raised the hand of his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), and declared: “Whomsoever I have been the master (Mawla), Ali here is to be his master (Mawla).

O God, befriend the one who befriends him and be the enemy of the one who is hostile to him [5] .” This proclamation was seen as an unequivocal endorsement of Ali’s leadership and succession by the Prophet himself. The term “Mawla” has been interpreted to mean “leader” or “guardian,” solidifying Ali’s position as the rightful successor to (PBUHH).

Immediately after this proclamation in Ghadir Khumm, the Verse of Perfection [6] (Ayah of Ikmāl) was revealed thus: “Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion [7] .” Among the thousands of Muslims present at Ghadir Khumm were prominent companions of the Prophet, including Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS).

Their attendance and acknowledgement of the Prophet’s declaration are often highlighted in both Sunni and Shia historical accounts [8] . The presence of numerous witnesses is a significant aspect of the event at Ghadir Khumm. Many companions of the Prophet [9] , including notable figures such as Abu Bakr and Umar, are recorded to have congratulated Ali on this occasion. Umar is reported to have said: “Congratulations, O son of Abu Talib!

This morning you have become the master of all believing men and women [10] .” The third verse which some scholars [11] believed to be revealed in Ghadir Khumm was the first three verses of the Qur’an 70 [Surah al-Ma’arij] when Harith ibn Nu’man al-Fahri (or Nadhr ibn Harith according to another tradition) challenged the Holy Prophet (PBUHH) after the Proclamation “O Allah!

If what Muhammad said is correct then fling on us a stone from the sky and subject us to severe pain and torture.” He had not reached his camel when Allah flung at him a stone which struck him on his head, penetrated his body and left him dead.