However...

However, a thorough investigation of the content, other related Qur’anic verses [4] , and the circumstances of place and time surrounding the event clearly show that the word ‘Mawla’ or ‘Wali’ in “Whoever I am his ‘Mawla’, then Ali is his ‘Mawla’” has no other meaning than a guardian and master [5] , not a friend; because usually if a word has several meanings, it is necessary for the speaker to bring a symmetry for the intended meaning.

Consequently, this divine appointment of Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s) on this day as the immediate successor of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) and the divine leader of the Muslim community brought about the perfection and approval of Islam as a religion of salvation and the completeness of the divine favour [6] : “Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion” (Qur’an 5: 3) Thus, the continuity of the divine teachings of Islam is only guaranteed after the death of the Prophet (s.a.w.a) with the concept of leadership (i.e., Imamate) which was perfected at Ghadir Khum .

In other words, the event of Ghadir Khum is the basis for the continuity of Islam preached by the noble Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a). However, it is observed that the deviation from the messages of Ghadir Khum brought about disunity among the Muslims immediately after the Prophet and which continues to the present time. And this has led to the weakness and the backwardness of the Muslim community today.

Thus, reviving the messages of Ghadir Khum among the Muslims would not only bring about the desired harmony, and unity among the adherents of various schools of thought, but it will also assist the Muslim community to regain its lost glory.

While emphasizing the significant role of Ghadir Khum in maintaining unity and harmony among the Muslims, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei (r.a) in an address, said: “Imam Ali (a.s) was appointed by the Noblest Messenger of Allah, but when he saw that Islam was in danger, he quit his right for the sake of Islam and Muslims’ unity. He even cooperated with someone who had not any right for governing the Islamic society.