When the ceremonies of the Haj were over, the Prophet (S) departed from Makka for Madina on the 14th of Zilhaj. When he reached Rabigh, a place 3 miles from Ju'fah, the angel Jibraeel (A) revealed the following verse to him:

"O Messenger! Convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, it would be as though you have not conveyed His message (at all). Allah will protect you from the people."

In obedience to this very important command, the Prophet (S) stopped immediately. He gave instructions for an area to be cleared and a pulpit to be made from the saddles of camels. He asked Bilal, who had a loud voice, to call back the people who had gone further and to attract the attention of those who were behind.

The people all gathered at the place which was known as Ghadeer Khum (The pond of Khum). It was noon time and very hot. The Prophet (S) led the congregational prayers and then stood on the pulpit so that all the people could see him. He then gave a sermon, part of which is reproduced below.

I have been commanded by Allah to tell you that I will soon be taken away from your midst. O People! I am leaving behind two valuable legacies, the Book of Allah and my progeny, the Ahlul Bayt (A). Never shall they separate from one another until they reach me in Heaven at the fountain of Kawthar. As long as you will stay with both my legacies, you will never be led astray after me. Do not lag too far behind them and do not walk ahead of them, for in either event you will go astray.

This is known as Hadith e Thaqalayn – The hadith of the two weighty things.

The Prophet (S) then asked the listeners, "O People! Am I not a greater authority (Mawla) over you then your own souls?" All the people replied with one voice, "Yes! O Prophet of Allah."

Then the Prophet (S) bent down and lifted up Imam Ali (A) with his hands, showing him to the crowds on all sides of the pulpit and proclaimed,

"Man Kuntu Mawlahu, fa Hadha Aliyyun Mawlah. (Of whomsoever I am the Master (Mawla), this Ali is also his Master)".

 So saying, the Prophet (S) raised his hands towards the heavens and prayed, "O Allah, love those who will love Ali, despise those who will not support him, and reject those who will reject him."

"O People! Allah is my Mawla (Master) and I am the Mawla of the believers."

Announcing this thrice, he got down from the raised platform. At this time the angel Jibraeel (A) descended with the following verse:

"This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favours to you, and have chosen for you the religion Islam."

The Prophet (S) thanked Allah for His favour and then asked Imam Ali (A) to sit in a tent so that the people could shake hands with him and congratulate him.

Amongst the first people to congratulate Imam Ali (A) on his appointment were Abu Bakr and Umar. Strangely, they were also the first to deny his rights after the Prophet (S) died.

After the formalities regarding the successorship of Imam Ali (A) were completed, the people began to leave for their homes. At Ju'fah, those who had come from Syria and Egypt split from the main caravan, as did the people from Yemen and Hazramaut. However, 10,000 Muslims accompanied the Prophet (S) to Madina, where they arrived just before the start of 10 A.H.

The detailed events of this day are recorded in most books of history of Muslims, by both Shia and non-Shia historians. Although there can be no doubt that Imam Ali (A) was chosen to be the next leader of all the Muslims on this important day, many Muslims ignored this command after the death of the Prophet (S). While Imam Ali (A) was busy arranging his funeral, they chose their own leaders who had no right or qualifications to lead them.

The day of Ghadeer is one of the most important landmarks in our history and the Shias throughout the world joyfully celebrate the day of 18th Zilhaj as 'Eid -e-Ghadeer.