"O Messenger, proclaim whatever has been revealed to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." (Quran, Al-Maidah 5:67)
The event of Ghadeer took place on the 18th of Dhul Hijjah, 10 A.H. at Ghadeer Khum which is located at Juhfa, between Makkah and Madinah. It pertains to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S) being appointed as the successor (Khalifa) after Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W). This event has been narrated by eminent historians and scholars from both Shia and Sunni Sects. When Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) was returning home after performing his last Hajj, Angel Jibrael brought him the above command (Quran 5:67) from Allah (SWT) which needed immediate execution. Immediately, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) halted and ordered everyone to return and wait for those who were left behind. Here are some excerpts of what he said during this event:"O people! Indeed, Allah has appointed Ali (A.S) as your Imam and leader. It is obligatory to obey him for the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who follow them in goodness, as well as for the residents of cities and the Bedouins, Arabs and non-Arabs, free and slaves, young and old, prominent and ordinary, white and black. You must obey his command; his words are binding upon every believer in Allah. Cursed is he who disobeys him, and blessed is he who follows him. Whoever believes in him is a true believer." This speech emphasizes the significance of Imam Ali's leadership role after Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) and illustrates how the Prophet designated him as the leader of the Muslims after him.
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