Shia Muslims celebrate Eid-e-Ghadir across the world

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07-07-2023

By Syed Najaf Ali Skoukat

NEW DELHI: Eid-e-Ghadir is a religious, Islamic holiday celebrated by Shia Muslims to commemorate the appointment of Ali ibn e Abi Talib (AS) as the leader and religious authority after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The event can be traced back to the time in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) journeyed from Mecca back to Medina while doing so, he ordered his friends and companions to stop at ‘Ghadir Khumm.’ ‘Ghadir’ translates to ‘pond,’ and it was from this location that the name ‘Ghadir’ in Eid-e-Ghadir was derived. At this pond, people from various provinces congregated and greeted one another before returning to their respective towns and cities after the pilgrimage of Hajj. In present-day Saudi Arabia, ‘Ghadir Khumm’ is located in the city of ‘Al-Juhfah.’

It is believed that the following verse of the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at Ghadir Khumm: “Oh Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people.” Following this revelation, the Prophet (PBUH) gave a sermon in which he said the following of ibn e Abi Talib: “Oh Allah, bear witness. ‘Oh people, Allah is my Lord and I am the Lord (leader) of the believers. I am worthier of believers than themselves. Of whomsoever I had been Master (Maula), Ali here is to be his Master (Maula). Oh Allah, be a supporter of whoever supports him (Ali) and an enemy of whoever opposes him (Ali).”

This verse leads Shia Muslims to hold the belief that Ali (AS) was to become the religious authority and leader after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Eid-e-Ghadir is celebrated annually by Shia Muslims on the 18th day of the Islamic month of Zil Hijjah, the final month of the lunar-based Muslim calendar. This year, the holiday begins on July 6 to 7 also known as Eid-al-Ghadeer, the religious holiday is named after the event in which Shia Muslims believe that the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Ali ibn e Abi Talib (AS), was appointed as a leader and religious authority after the Prophet (PBUH).

In India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Libya, South Africa, America, England, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Tanzania, Austria, Cyprus, Norway, Italy, Belgium even almost all subcontinents, millions of Shia Muslims are celebrating Eid-e-Ghadir and congratulating eachother while the anti-Shia elements especially defunct local, national and international organizations and ‘characters’ those usually and commonly known as Yazeedis have been criticizing Shia Muslims just because of their worst believe.

A large numbers of public gatherings, Mahafils, rallies and processions were arranged and organized worldwide to present tribute to last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), His brother and the Leader of the world as declared and announced by God Almighty and his Prophet (PBUH) respectively.

Religious scholars, poets, ulemas, experts and speakers contributed in different types of programs, presented their poetries and shared their intellectualities in front of gatherings.