ibn Khulafa, Mohib Tabari in Riyaz -01- Nazarah, Ibn Khallakan in .

ibn Khulafa, Mohib Tabari in Riyaz -01- Nazarah, Ibn Khallakan in . "Wafayatul Ayaan", Khatib Baghdadi in Tarikh-eBaghdad, Ibne Qutaybah in "Imamat Wal Siyasah", Ibn Tayimiyyah in his books "Huqooqe Ahlal Bayt", and "Aqeedatul Wasatiya", AI-Masoodi in "Muruj az-Zahab", Balazari in "Ansabul Ashraaf', Ibn Kathir in "Tafsirul Quran Azeem", Ibn Hajar Haithami in "Sawaequl Muhreqa" etc. There are many other scholars and writers who have quoted the tradition of Ghadir in their writings too.

Another notable fact mentioned in authentic historical books is that after the declaration of wilayat of Ali (p.b.u.h.) all those who were present with the holy Prophet proceeded to congratulate Ali.

Especially Umar greeted in the following words: "Congratulations to you, 0' Abul Hasan, you have become my Master, and the Master of all believing men and women." The tradition - "of whomsoever I am the Master, Ali is his Master", is so authentic and has been related by so many scholars in Islam that it has not been possible to deny it.

So people who do not feel happy with recognizing the merits of Imam Ali (p.b.u.h.), or to acknowledge his position as Successor of the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) have tried to undermine his position by giving lighter interpretation to the word "Mowla" used by the holy Prophet. Some of them say that Mowla means friend, others say it means helper etc.

The real significance of the word Mowla is, however, quite clear from the declaration of the Holy Prophet that "of whomsoever he was the Mowla, Ali is his Mowla". Evidently, the Holy Prophet can not be called a mere friend or helper of the Muslims. He was their Guide, their Master, and the Head of their state. To say that he was a mere friend or helper is derogatory.

Since the Holy Prophet declared Imam Ali to be Mowla as he himself was, it follows that Imam Ali would be Mowla in the same sense in which the Holy Prophet is to be regarded Mowla. Therefore this historic declaration puts a final seal on appointment of Imam Ali (p.b.u.h.) as his own Successor, Viceregent and Caliph.

It may be pertinently recalled that, first of all, it was at the close of the "party of Kinsmen" known as "Dawate Zul- Asheera" in Islamic history, that, when the Holy Prophet had invited his chief kinsmen to a feast and disclosed that he was the Prophet of Allah (Rasulullah), and was commanded to invite them to the Divine Message.