Then he followed the key sentence denoting the clear...

Then he followed the key sentence denoting the clear designation of Imam Ali as the leader of the Muslim ummah (Nation). The Prophet (PBUH&HP) held up the hand of ‘Ali and said: “For whoever I am his Leader (Mawla), ‘Ali is his Leader (mawla)(From now on)”.

[In some narrations the word used was Wali rather than mawla with the same implication] The Prophet (PBUH&HP) continued: “O’ God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him.” Some of the Sunni& Shia references: Al-Ghadir, Vol.1, P.12, 151, 294, 322 Bihar al-Anwar, Vol.37, P.181-182 Isbāt al-Hudāt bin-Nou wa al-Mut, Vol.2, P.200-250 Sonan Al-Termadhi, Vol.12, P.175 Khasais of Amir Al Momenin, Vol.1, P.96 Al-Mustadrak ala al-Sahihayn, Vol.3, P.118 These were the key parts of the speech of the Prophet (PBUH&HP).

There are also more detailed versions of this sermon which are recorded by many Sunni authorities. ‘Coronation’ of Imam ‘Ali [PBUH] under development The revelation of Qur’an Verse 5:3 Immediately after the Prophet (PBUH&HP) finished his speech, the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed: “…Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion…” (5:3).

The above verse clearly indicates that Islam without clearing up the matter of Imam Ali’s leadership after the Prophet (PBUH&HP) was not complete, and the completion of religion was due to the announcement of the Prophet’s immediate successor. Hassan Ibn-Thabit’s poetry Immediately after the Prophet’s speech, Hassan Ibn-Thabit, the Companion and poet of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP), asked for his permission to compose a few verses of poetry about Imam ‘Ali (PBUH) for the audience.

The Prophet (PBUH&HP) said: “Say with the blessings of Allah”. Hassan stood up and said: “O’ people of Quraysh. I follow with my words what preceded and witnessed by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP). He then composed the following verses at the scene: He calls them, (on) the day of Ghadir, their Prophet In Khumm so hear (and heed) the Messenger’s call, He said: “Who is your guide and leader?