ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Ghadir Khumm, Where Religion Was Brought to Perfection Ali the Master The event of 18th Zilhaj 10 A. H. was neither a matter of secrecy, nor an underground gathering nor a hidden endeavor. As such no room is left for any sort of doubt, suspicion, uncertainty or ambiguity. This mammoth congregation attended by thousands was held by the mandate of God, under the supervision of the Prophet of Islam, in a vast desert, in the full light of the day.

The main proceedings of this feast are preserved in the official documents of Islam (Qur'an and Hadith). Similarly statements, the accounts of the eyewitnesses and feelings of prominent literary figures and intellectuals who attended this important session of Islamic History has been recorded in the books of history and biography. How strange it is that in spite of all these undeniable facts some persons have tried to present their own biased sentiments in regard to the event of Ghadir.

In the writings of such prejudiced writers the word `Mawla' has been the center of discussion and comments. They consider that the word `Mawla' does not mean `master, leader, head, superior' but it has been used in the sense of `friend, helper and cousin'. Had this been a minor objection we would have definitely overlooked it. But the word `Mawla' is the most important word uttered on the day of Ghadir.

Every reasonable person would have to admit that the Holy Qur'an does not present enigmas and the Apostle of God never indulged in quibbles and puns. This mode of conversation is against the very spirit of sincere guidance and purity of thought and speech. The word `Mawla' in the Arabic language has twenty-seven meanings.

The Prophet while using this word in his Prophetic discourse had clarified its reference and its context so clearly that everyone among those who heard his sermon proclaimed, "Ali, is `Mawla' in the same sense in which the Prophet is master". Moreover, the Holy Prophet later on explained the true sense of this word at length.

Ali bin Hameed on page 38 of his book `Shamsul Akhbar' writes, "When it was enquired from the Apostle of God about the Hadith `Whose master am I' he said, "As God is My Master, so I am the master of the faithful and in the same sense Ali also is their master".