Ghadir event, during which Imam Ali (PBUH) was selected as the successor of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), is considered to be the continuation of prophecy, perfection of faith and completion of the message of Islam.
Eid al-Ghadir, 18th of lunar Hijri month Dhu al-Hijjah, refers to a historical event commemorated by Shia Muslims when Prophet Muhammed who was returning to Media from Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca stopped the accompanying crowd to say that Allah had set his final mission to tell them that Imam Ali (PBUH) was chosen to be his successor.
This has been considered by Shia Muslims to be the beginning of Imamate (leadership of the Ummah after the prophet) and the perfection of the faith of Islam.
According to Shia belief, Ghadir event is so important that Prophet Muhammed’s prophecy would remain unfulfilled if he didn’t accomplish his mission to announce Imam Ali as his successor.
Imams are considered to be Wali (guardian) who lead the Ummah to the right direction after the Prophet.
Although widely considered as a Shia feast, Ghadir is not restricted to Shiism as a belief, according to Ayatollah Asgar Dirbaz, representative of West Azerbijan Province in Iran’s Expediency Council.
He said that Ghadir is the uniting factor for Shia and Sunni Muslims, since Shias believe that the event lead to Imam Ali’s being successor to the Prophet and Sunnis believe that the event was meant to put emphasis on the extraordinary character and the unrivaled faith of Imam Ali.
The message of Ghadir is even wider and related to the whole humans, as Dirbaz said that Ghadir conveys the message that humanity has not been left alone after the Prophet.
Hujjat al-Islam Asgar Faal-Azar, the Supreme Leader’s representative in Sunni affairs in West Azarbaijan Province, noted that Ghadir is the perpetuating factor of Islam and it can be a uniting point for Shia and Sunni Muslim.
Ghadir can be an axis of Unity for all Muslims, because no Islamic denomination repudiates the event itself, he cited the Supreme Leader.
The message of Ghadir, according to Faal-Azar, is that humanity can’t continue without divine guidance and the existence of an Imam and leader is necessary for humanity.
Thursday June 29 is the anniversary of Ghadir. Shia Muslims widely commemorate the day by holding feasts and religious ceremonies.