No youth in Arabia has brought any thing better than what I have brought for you.

No youth in Arabia has brought any thing better than what I have brought for you. I have brought for you the welfare of this world and the Hereafter. Allah has commanded me to invite you towards this welfare! Who is the person amongst you willing to become my associate and helper? I assure you that he will be my Brother, My Vicegerent and my Successor!”[1] Barring three or four persons, none of the gathering was happy over the statement and none had the courage to extend his hand in support.

Everyone sat quietly with bowed heads. Suddenly, in that quiet environment `Ali’s voice broke the silence: “Although I am young, definitely younger than all of them, I shall be your associate, helper and protector! If someone cast an evil eye on you, I shall break that eye! If someone created turmoil, I shall strike him! The Prophet (a.s) said: “O `Ali! Wait for a while! Perhaps someone from the grown ups might come forward!

When after making the call thrice no one came forward, the Prophet (a.s) called `Ali (a.s) close to himself, put his hand on his head and said: “Certainly! This is my Brother, My Associate and My Vicegerent. It is binding on all of you to listen to him and obey him!”[2] When the Quraysh heard this statement, they had a sarcastic smile on their faces.

They stole glances at each other, joked with each other and some braves told Abū-Talib, “Now you will have to listen to and obey your son!” Although the gathering took `Ali’s words lightly, later on it was proved that [1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 63 [2] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 63 the promise that the small boy made in the gathering of the Quraysh was kept in letter and spirit. In the most difficult situations, he shielded the Prophet (a.s) from the assaults of the enemies.

He proved to the world that there was none more deserving of the brotherhood, support and the position of the successor of the Prophet than he was. In recognition of the selfless services of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), the Prophet (a.s) was bound to make a public announcement of his Succession and Vicegerency!

While returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage, at a place called Ghadir Khumm, the Prophet (a.s) delivered a Sermon wherein he said: “`Ali is the master of him, whose master I am!” Saying this, the Prophet (a.s) proclaimed the Succession and the Vicegerency of `Ali (a.s).