Adapted from the book “Aqli Guftagu Asas par Ithna Ashari Group se” by Dr. Ahmad bin Saad bin Hamdan Al-Ghamdi رحمه الله | Translated by Shafiq-ur-Rahman Shah Sahib❖ The Claim of Shia Imamiyyah Regarding Hadith Ghadir
Shia Ithna Ashariyah assert that the Hadith of Ghadir proves the Imamate of Ali رضي الله عنه. The phrase often quoted is:من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه
“Whosoever I am the mawla of, Ali is also his mawla.”
In another narration:
اللهم وال من والاه وعاد من عاداه
“O Allah! Be the friend of whoever befriends him, and enemy to whoever opposes him.”
However, these narrations, though authentic in their wording, do not indicate Imamate. The word mawla here means “beloved” or “friend,” not religious authority or Imamate al-Uzma.
❖ Context and Occasion of Hadith Ghadir
When and Where?The Prophet ﷺ said this after Hajj, during the return journey to Madinah at a place called Ghadir Khumm, on 18th Dhul-Hijjah.
At that moment:- Only the people of Madinah were present.
- Pilgrims from Makkah, Taif, Yemen, and other regions had already dispersed.
If this was a declaration of universal Imamate:- Why wasn’t it announced at Arafat, Mina, or during Hajj where all Muslims were present?
- Why would such a vital message be restricted to a small group of Madinese companions?
❖ Logical Questions Arising
If the Prophet ﷺ was declaring Ali’s Imamate:- Did he know people would hide it?
- If yes, why proclaim it only to those who’d allegedly conceal it?
- Did Allah ﷻ know it would be hidden?
- If yes, why not command the Prophet ﷺ to announce it during Hajj in front of the entire Ummah?
Conclusion: The setting, audience, and timing clearly indicate that the intent was not Imamate, but a clarification of honor and friendship for Ali رضي الله عنه.❖ Reason Behind This Statement
Historical Background:- Upon returning from Yemen, Ali رضي الله عنه faced discontent from some companions.
- This discontent stemmed from issues related to distribution of war booty and discipline.
- To quell these grievances, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whosoever I am his mawla, Ali is his mawla.”
Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) writes:The purpose of the Prophet’s statement was to defend Ali’s honor and integrity, not to declare his Imamate.
❖ Refuting the Interpretation of Imamate
If Imamate was intended, the Prophet ﷺ would have said:اللهم والِ من أطاعه وعاد من عصاه
“O Allah! Support the one who obeys him, and oppose the one who disobeys him.”
But the Hadith only mentions:
- Friendship (ولایت)
- Loyalty, not religious or political authority.
❖ Even the Extra Phrases Do Not Support Imamate
Even with the additional phrase:اللهم وال من والاه وعاد من عاداه
It still only emphasizes friendship and loyalty, not leadership or divine appointment.
❖ Nahj al-Balagha Refutes Shia Imamate Claim
In Nahj al-Balagha, Ali رضي الله عنه said:“Leave me and find someone else... I will be more obedient as a minister than as a leader.”
[Khutbah 92, Nahj al-Balagha]
“My allegiance is the same as was given to Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman. The matter is for the Muhajireen and Ansar to decide.”
[Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 92 & 625]
These statements affirm:- Imamate is through Shura, not divine appointment.
- Ali رضي الله عنه never claimed divinely appointed leadership.
- He acknowledged the legitimacy of the first three Caliphs.
❖ Fabrications in Shia Traditions
Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq رحمه الله stated:“People lie upon us. They mix ten lies with one truth... the devil himself needs their lies.”
[Al-Kafi 8/254, Bihar al-Anwar 25/296]
These acknowledgments show:- Many Shia narrations are fabrications.
- They contradict both Qur’an and each other.
- Even Ahl al-Bayt complained of lies being attributed to them.
❖ Betraying the Legacy of Ali رضي الله عنه
It is a slander against the honor of Ali رضي الله عنه to claim:- He was divinely appointed but backed down out of fear.
- He accepted marriages, prayers, and leadership of “usurpers.”
- He named his children after Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman رضي الله عنهم.
His son Hasan رضي الله عنه:
- Voluntarily handed over leadership to Muawiyah رضي الله عنه to unite the Ummah, not out of defeat or fear.
❖ Final Appeal to Shia Readers
Read the Qur’an—free from fabrications.﴿لَا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ...﴾
[Fussilat: 42]
“Falsehood cannot approach it from before or behind.”
Do not imprison yourself in baseless narrations.☑ Acknowledge that true guidance lies in:
- The Qur’an
- The authentic Sunnah
- The consensus of the Sahaba
