Unity, Following Leadership Main Message of Ghadir: Cleric
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammad Mehdi Taskhiri, communications and international relations deputy of the University of Religions and Denominations, told IQNA in an interview that along with Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Ghadir is of great significance to Shia Muslims as it is the Eid of Wilayat.
He said the great message of Eid al-Ghadir is that the Islamic society should follow the leader and remain coherent and unified.
It has been mentioned in many Hadiths that anyone who dies without knowing the Imam of his time will die the death of one belonging to Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance), the cleric stated, adding that known the Imam of the time is a criterion for faith.
Referring to verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat “People, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you might know one another. The noblest of you before Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is the Knower, the Aware,” Hojat-ol-Islam Taskhiri said the variety of religions and faiths is not an odd thing but what is important is to know that the Islamic society should have a wise, judicious, and prudent leader.
Asked about the Ghadir Sermon (a sermon delivered by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in Ghadir Khumm where he introduced Ali (AS) as the Wali (guardian) of Muslims), the cleric said the sermon is a statement of faith that leads one to accept the oneness of God and also tells people why Imam Ali (AS) was given such a status.
The event of Ghadir, or Eid al-Ghadir, is celebrated by Shia Muslims around the world every year. It is among important feasts and happy holidays of Shia Muslims held on the 18th day of Dhul Hijja in the lunar Hijri calendar.
It was the day when according to reports, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) as his caliph and the Imam after himself following an order from God.
This year’s Eid al-Ghadir will fall on Monday, July 18.
