ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Caliphate Its Conception and Consequences Chapter Six : Final and Formal Announcement Or the Successor Knowing that he was approaching his end, the prophet (p) determined to make a farewell pilgrimage to MAKKA. On the 25th DHU AL-QI'DA, A.H.10 (corresponding to 23rd February, A.C.632), he left Medina with a large concourse of Muslims, estimated to number between 90,000 and 140,000 souls.

On the return journey after the performance of the Hajj, at a place called KHUM, the following divine injunction was received: 'O Apostle, proclaim the message which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And God will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For God guideth not those who reject faith". (SURA V,70).

On receipt of this peremptory command, the prophet (p) ordered a halt; those who had proceeded ahead were called back. The place was cleared of its thorny bushes, and a pulpit was made out of camel seats. The prophet (p) ascended it accompanied by Imam Ali, and raising him aloft, he proclaimed Ali's succession. He had barely finished it when the verse announcing the completion of his mission was revealed.

A special turban was placed on the head of Imam Ali, who was seated in a separate camp, and all the UMMA, including the wives of the Prophet (P), were ordered to go there and make the "BAI'AT" (acknowledgment of over-lordship) to him. This caused a great commotion in the camp of the opposition. The whole of the proceedings fall into six well-defined topics, each of which requires careful consideration. They are: The divine injunction. The place and the formalities. The Proclamation.

The BAI'A and the congratulations. The completion of the execution of the entire mission. The commotion in the opposition camp. I proceed to discuss each of these topics in turn, though the sixth item will fall under a separate chapter. 1. The Divine Command: The words of this divine mandate have been set out above.

It is abundantly proved from the statements of eminent traditionalists that this verse was revealed on the return journey from the Farewell Pilgrimage near KHUM, and that as soon as it was revealed, the Prophet (P) called a half. AS-SYYUTI says: "IBN ABI HATIM, IBN MARDAWEIH and IBN ASAKIR have quoted the "RIWAYA" traced from ABU SAI'D AL-KHUDARI that this verse was revealed to the prophet on the day of KHUM in respect of ALI IBN ABI TALEB.