He not only specified his successor during the last days of his life...

He not only specified his successor during the last days of his life, but, even at the outset of his prophethood, when not more than two persons had embraced his religion, he introduced his successor to the people. One day he was ordered by Allah to warn his near ones of Divine torture and to invite them to Islam before extending an invitation to the public.

In a meeting in which forty-five elders of the family of Bani Hashim were present he said: "The first person amongst you who assists me will be my brother and successor". When Ali stood up and acknowledged his prophethood he turned to those present and said: "This young man is my brother and successor."[^1] This hadith is very well known amongst the exegetes and the traditionalists with the name of hadith Yaumud Dar and hadith Bid'ul Da'wah.

Not only at the commencement of his prophethood but on various other occasions also the Prophet made declarations about the mastership and the succession of Ali. However, none of these declarations equals the hadith of Ghadir in its greatness, clarity decisiveness and universality. The ceremonies of Haj were over and the Muslims directly learnt the religious acts connected with Haj from the Prophet. The Prophet decided to leave Makkah for Madina. Orders for departure were given.

When the caravan reached the region of Rabigh,[^2] which is situated at a distance of three miles from Juhfah,[^3] the Archangel Jibreel descended at a place called Ghadir Khum and communicated the following verse to the Prophet: O Messenger! Convey what is revealed to you from your Lord, for if you do it not, it would be as though you have not conveyed His message. Allah will protect you from the people. (Surah al-Ma'ida, 5:67).

The tone of the verse shows that the Almighty Allah entrusted a very important task to the Prophet. And what task could be more important than that he should appoint Ali as his caliph and successor before the very eyes of hundreds of thousands of people. Hence orders were given to all the persons to halt. People who had gone forward ceased to move further and those who were left behind joined them. It was the noon time and the weather was very hot.

The people covered their heads with a part of their cloaks and placed the other part under their feet. A shade was arranged for the Prophet by means of a cloak which was thrown on a tree. He offered the noon prayers in congregation.