In his sermon he asks the people...

In his sermon he asks the people: “Do I have an authority (wilāyah) over you from God?” The response from the people was positive, he raised the hand of Ali (a) and said: “Whosoever I am the master of, then Ali is his master.” In this fashion the Prophet declared that the Divine authority belonged to Ali (a).

Consequently each and every individual paid their allegiance to Imam Ali and the second caliph ‘Umar paid allegiance in a congratulating manner: “Congratulations, congratulations oh Ali you are the master of mine and of all the believers.” It was on this very day, that this noble verse, “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed my Favour upon you”, was revealed.

Then the people present at Ghadīr shouted, ‘God is great’ (Allahu Akhbar) and said: “The prophethood has been completed and the religion of Allah is perfected and Ali is the authority after you.” In some traditions of the famous Sunnite authorities - such as Humweyni - it has been mentioned that Abu Bakr and ‘Umar told Jaber to ask the Prophet (s) as to whether this authority applied only to Ali (a).

The Prophet (s) replied that the authority was indeed only for Ali (a) and his successors until the Day of Judgement. When questioned as to whom the successors of the Prophet were, he (the Prophet) answered: “Ali is my brother, minister, inheritor, successor, and the caliph of this nation and he is the master for all the believers after me, and then al Hassan and my son al Husayn, and then nine from the descendents of my son al Husayn, one after the other.

The Qur’an is with them and they are with the Qur’an, there is no separation between them and they will be no separation till they meet me at the Pond.” On the bases of the traditions relating to this issue of nomination, we understand that the Prophet had been ordered to announce the Imāmah of Ali. However, the Prophet feared that the people might suspect that such a nomination was made on a personal whim, and that it would not be accepted.

On the other hand he was waiting for an opportunity to present this idea, until the verse it-self arrived: “O Apostle! Communicate that which has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not, you will not have communicated His message, and Allah shall protect you from the people.” (al-Māi’dah:67) This revelation, which seems to be the most important of all and its concealment would nullify the entire message, revealed that the Prophet would be protected after its deliverance.