Written by: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri
This is the Shia Eid, which they celebrate on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah. They say that at the place of Ghadir Khumm, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ took the hand of Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه and said:
”من كنت مولاه فهذا على مولاه.“
“Whoever I am the master of, Ali is his master.”
This prophetic statement is presented as proof of the undisputed caliphate of Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه. However, neither Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه himself nor any individual from Ahl al-Bayt has ever used this prophetic statement as evidence for the caliphate of Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه, let alone as proof of an undisputed caliphate!
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says:
”من صام يوم ثمان عشرة من ذي الحجة كتب له صيام ستين شهرا، وهو يوم غدير خم لما أخذ النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بيد على بن أبى طالب، فقال: ألست ولي المؤمنين؟، قالوا: بلى يا رسول الله، قال: من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه، فقال عمر بن الخطاب: بح لك يا ابن أبى طالب أصبحت مولاي ومولى كل مسلم، فأنزل الله: اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم.“
“Whoever fasts on the eighteenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, the reward of sixty months of fasting is recorded in his book of deeds. That was the day of Ghadir Khumm, when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ took the hand of Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه and said: Am I not the friend of the believers? The companions said: O Messenger of Allah! Why not, certainly. Then you ﷺ said: Whoever I am a friend of, Ali is also his friend.” Then Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said to Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه: Wow, O son of Abu Talib! You said this in the morning that you are the friend of me and all Muslims, so Allah Almighty revealed this verse:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ
“Today I have perfected your religion.”
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad by Al-Khatib: 290/8, Al-Amali by Al-Shajari: 259,146,42/1
Commentary:
The narration is weak and rejected.
➊ Ali bin Saeed Mali is "weak."
❀ Imam Dar Qutni, may Allah have mercy on him, called him "weak."
Reference: (Man Takallama Fihi al-Darqutni li Ibn Zurayq: 93/2)
➋ Matar bin Tahman Abu Raja Waraq, although truthful, had a weak memory. It is possible that his memory affected this narration. Scholars have discussed his memory.
❀ Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
”كان يحيى بن سعيد يشبه مطر الوراق بابن أبى ليلى فى سوء الحفظ.“
"Imam Yahya bin Saeed Qattan, may Allah have mercy on him, considered Matar Waraq to have poor memory similar to Ibn Abi Layla."
Reference: (Al-‘Ilal wa Ma‘rifat al-Rijal: 852)
❀ Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, said "poor memory."
Reference: (Mashahir ‘Ulama’ al-‘Amsar, p. 153)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, said "frequent mistakes."
Reference: (Taqrib al-Tahdhib: 6699)
➌ Shahr bin Hawshab is a frequent transmitter of weak narrations and is deluded.
Reference: (Taqrib al-Tahdhib li Ibn Hajar: 2830)
About this Hadith:
❀ Hafiz Jurqani, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”هذا حديث باطل.“
"This hadith is false."
Reference: (الأباطيل والمناكير: 367/2)
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”هذا حديث لا يجوز الاحتجاج به.“
"It is not permissible to take proof from this hadith."
Reference: (العلل المتناهية: 223/1)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Dahiya Kalbi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”هذا حديث لا يصح.“
"This hadith is not established."
Reference: (أداء ما رجب، ص 49)
❀ Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”هذا حديث منكر جدا.“
"This hadith is severely rejected."
Reference: (البداية والنهاية لابن كثير: 680/7)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
This narration is rejected, indeed false, because it contradicts the agreed-upon narration of Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that ”اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم“ was revealed on the day of Arafah during Friday. Similarly, the fasting of the eighteenth (18th) of Dhu al-Hijjah, the day of Ghadir Khumm, which is said to be equivalent to sixty months of fasting, is also incorrect and false. Because it is authentically narrated in Sahih Bukhari that fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to ten months, so explain how one day's fast can be equal to sixty months. Our Sheikh Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, after mentioning the narration of sixty months, called it severely rejected. This narration was reported by Habshun Khilal and Ahmad bin Abdullah bin Ahmad Nairi (both truthful) from Ali bin Saeed Ramli from Zamri’s chain. This narration is transmitted through very weak and feeble chains from Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, Sayyiduna Malik bin Hawairith, may Allah be pleased with him, Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, and Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him. Its initial words ”من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه“ are certainly the words of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: ”اللهم وال من والاه“ is also narrated through a strong chain. As for the issue of fasting, it is completely incorrect, and by Allah’s oath, this verse was not revealed on the day of Ghadir Khumm; it was revealed several days before Ghadir Khumm on the day of Arafah. Allah Almighty knows best.
Reference: (البداية والنهاية: 214/5)
❀ Hafiz Suyuti, may Allah have mercy on him, declared its chain "weak."
Reference: (الدر المنثور: 457/2، وفي نسخة: 19/3)
Hadith: من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه is mutawatir. Its correct meaning has been clarified in the following pages.
Caliphate without exception is not proven from this:
This does not prove the caliphate of Sayyidina Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Even if we accept that this verse proves the caliphate of Ali as the Wali of Allah, then we also accept the caliphate; Sayyidina Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) is the fourth caliph of Islam. The claim of an unconditional caliphate is still not proven.
Sayyidina Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
”لما نصب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عليا بغدير خم فنادى له بالولاية هبط جبريل عليه السلام عليه بهذه الآية: الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
Reference: (5-Al-Ma'idah:3)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) at the place of Ghadir Khumm and declared his Wilaya, then Sayyidina Jibra'il (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) came down with this verse:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
Reference: (5-Al-Ma'idah:3)
Reference: (Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir: 237/42)
Commentary:
This is a false narration.
➊ Yahya bin Abdul Hamid Hamani is weak.
Hafiz Ibn Milqan, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”ضعفه الجمهور.“
“The majority have declared him weak.”
Reference: (Al-Badr Al-Munir: 224/3)
Hafiz Haithami, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”ضعفه الأكثرون.“
“Most of the hadith scholars have called him weak.”
Reference: (Faydh Al-Qadeer Lil-Manawi: 69/6)
➋ Abu Haroon Amarah bin Juwain Abdi is a liar and abandoned.
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”مضعف عند الأئمة.“
“He is weak according to the leading hadith scholars.”
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 21/3)
Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”الأكثر على تضعيفه أو تركه.“
“Most hadith scholars consider him weak or abandoned.”
Reference: (Mizan Al-I'tidal: 173/3)
Imam Hammad bin Zaid, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”كذابا يروي بالغداة شيئا وبالعشي شيئا.“
“He is a liar, changing colors like a chameleon.”
Reference: (Al-Jarh wa Al-Ta'dil Ibn Abi Hatim: 364/6)
Imam Yahya bin Ma’in, Imam Abu Hatim, and Imam Abu Zur’ah, may Allah have mercy on them, have declared him weak.
Imam Shu’bah, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”كنت ألقي الركبان أسال عن أبى هارون العبدي فلما قدم أتيته فرأيت عنده كتابا فيه أشياء منكرة فى على رضى الله عنه فقلت: ما هذا؟ قال: هذا الكتاب حق.“
“I used to ask caravans about Abu Haroon Abdi. When he came, I saw a book with him containing rejected narrations about Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him. I asked: What is this? He said: This book is true.”
Reference: (Al-Jarh wa Al-Ta'dil Ibn Abi Hatim: 363/6, and its chain is authentic like the sun)
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, called him “abandoned in hadith.”
Reference: (Questions of Ibn Hani: 2270)
Also, Imam Nasai, may Allah have mercy on him, called him “abandoned in hadith.”
Reference: (Kitab Al-Du’afa wal-Matrukin: 476)
Imam Jawzjani, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
”كذاب مفتر.“
“He was a liar and a fabricator.”
Reference: (Ahwal Al-Rijal: 146)
There are many other criticisms against him. He was an extremist Shia.
There is no disagreement that this noble verse was revealed on the day of Jumu’ah on the day of Arafah. The event of Ghadir Khumm occurred after the Farewell Hajj on the way to Medina, not on the day of Arafah. Therefore, it is proven that this verse was not revealed on the occasion of Ghadir Khumm, nor does it prove that Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was an undisputed caliph.
❀ Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (728 AH)
, says:An event occurred in this month, as many events occurred in other months. But it was not made a special season, nor did the predecessors honor these months, like Dhul-Hijjah when the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave a sermon after returning from Ghadir Khumm. In it, he advised to hold firmly to the Book of Allah and the Ahl al-Bayt, as Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih from Sayyiduna Zaid bin Arqam, may Allah be pleased with him. Some innovators added to this, saying: The Prophet, peace be upon him, gave a clear directive about the caliphate of Sayyiduna Ali at that time. He prepared his bed, seated him in a high place, and then these innovators narrate words and actions which clearly show that none of this happened. They think the companions conspired to hide this text, deprived the appointed successor of his right, and committed disbelief and immorality, except for a small group. Consider the nature of human beings and the trustworthiness of the companions, and that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was obligated to explain the truth to them. It becomes absolutely clear that hiding such a text was impossible. The issue here is not to explain the Imamate, but to show that making this day an Eid is an innovation with no basis. Neither the predecessors nor the Ahl al-Bayt made this day an Eid, because celebrating Eid is part of the Shariah and following the Shariah is obligatory. Introducing a new Eid is not correct. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, gave many sermons on various days, made many covenants, and many events occurred, such as the battles of Badr, Hunayn, the Trench, the conquest of Mecca, entering Medina, the migration, etc. Likewise, there are many sermons in which he explained the rules of religion, but no Eid was established on those days. This is the practice of the Christians, who celebrate events related to Jesus, peace be upon him, as Eids, and also the Jews. Celebrating Eid is part of the Shariah and must be followed; nothing is added to the religion that is not already in it.
Reference: (Iqtidā’ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 122/2-123)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (774 AH)
, says:”بدعة ظاهرة منكرة.“
“The Eid of Ghadir is a clear and rejected innovation.”
Reference: (Al-Bidaya wa An-Nihaya: 261/15)
He also says:
”في عاشوراء عملت الروافض بدعتهم، وفي يوم غدير خم عملوا الفرح المبتدع.“
“The Rawafid introduced innovations on Ashura; on the day of Ghadir Khumm, these people celebrate a festival of joy, which is an innovation.”
Reference: (Al-Bidaya wa An-Nihaya: 317/15)
❀ Allama Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (702 AH)
, says:We forbid introducing new practices in the religion’s symbols, like the Rawafid who invented a third Eid called Eid al-Ghadir. Holding a gathering at a specific time and form as a symbol is an innovation, and similarly, adding something extra to an established act of worship based on general evidence is not correct, because acts of worship are devotional and their proofs are based on divine instruction.
Reference: (Ihkam al-Ahkam Sharh ‘Umdat al-Ahkam: 200/1)
❀ Allama Al-Maqrizi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (845 AH)
, writes:”اعلم أن عيد الغدير لم يكن عيدا مشروعا، ولا عمله أحد من سالف الأمة المقتدى بهم، وأول ما عرف فى الإسلام بالعراق أيام معز الدولة على بن بويه، فإنه أحدثه فى سنة اثنتين وخمسين وثلاثمائة فاتخذه الشيعة من حينئذ عيدا.“
“Remember that Eid al-Ghadir is not a Shariah Eid; none of the predecessors of the Ummah celebrated this Eid, although they were present. This Eid was first introduced in Islam by Mu’izz ad-Dawlah inside Iraq. He initiated this innovation in 352 AH, and since then the Shia have been celebrating this Eid.”
Reference: (Al-Mawa’idh wal-I’tibar bi Dhikr al-Khutat wal-Athar: 254/2-255)
Eid Baba Shujauddin :
Where is the grave of Abu Lulu Feroz Majusi, the killer of Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab رضي الله عنه? The exact knowledge of this is with Allah, however, the Rafidha have built a shrine for him in Iran out of enmity towards Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab رضي الله عنه and they venerate it. The Rafidha call him "Baba Shujauddin" and every year on the 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal, they celebrate a festival called Eid Baba Shujauddin.
❀ The famous Shia, Nematullah Jazairi, has established a chapter with these words:
”نور سماوي يكشف عن ثواب يوم قتل عمر بن الخطاب.“
Reference: (Al-Anwar al-Numaniyyah: 108/1)
❀ Abbas Qummi, a Shia, has written:
”إن هذا يوم عيد، وهو من خيار الأعياد.“
"This is the day of Eid and it is the best Eid."
Reference: (Al-Kuna wal Alqab: 55/2)
❀ The Shia scholar Mulla Baqir Majlisi
Reference: (111 AH)
wrote:”قال جماعة: إن قتل عمر بن الخطاب قد كان فى اليوم التاسع من شهر ربيع الأول، والناس يسمونه عيد بابا شجاع الدين .“
"A group has said that Umar ibn Khattab رضي الله عنه was killed (martyred) on the 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal, and people (Rafidha) call it the Eid of 'Baba Shujauddin'."
Reference: (Bihar al-Anwar: 372/98)
❀ Allama Kurrani Hanafi رحمه الله
Reference: (893 AH)
states:”إن فى بلاد العجم بلدا يسمى كاشان، فيه غلاة الروافض، لهم مزار عظيم معظم، يقولون: إنه قبر أبى لؤلوة قاتل عمر.“
"In the land of Ajam (Iran), there is a city called 'Kashan', where extremist Rafidha live. There they have built a very large shrine, and the Rafidha say that this is the grave of Umar's killer Abu Lulu."
Reference: (Al-Kawthar al-Jari: 460/6)
Eid Yawm al-Ghaar:
At one time, some extreme Rafidhi used to celebrate the 26th of Dhu al-Hijjah as Eid Yawm al-Ghaar. They claimed that on this day the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه hid in the cave.
❀ The Islamic historian Hafiz al-Dhahabi رحمه الله says:
”هذا جهل وغلط.“
"This is ignorance and incorrect."
Reference: (Al-Ibar fi Khabar man Ghabar: 176/2)
It is established that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه entered the cave, but the exact date and day of their entry is not mentioned; the true knowledge of this is with Allah Almighty.
