Ghadir Khum: Muhammad's Last Sermon
Ghadir Khum: Muhammad's Last Sermon
com
T HE S ERMON OF P
B
PROPHET MUHAMMAD U
H
&
AT GHADIR KHUM H
F
.اﻧﮕﻠﻴﺴﻲ – ﻋﺮﺑﻲ
ﭘﻴﺎﻣﺒﺮ،( ﻣﺤﻤﺪ )ص.3 . اﺛﺒﺎت ﺧﻼﻓﺖ. ق40 - ﻗﺒﻞ از ﻫﺠﺮت23 ، اﻣﺎم اول،( ﻋﻠﻲ ﺑﻦ اﺑﻲ ﻃﺎﻟﺐ )ع.2 . ﺧﻄﺒﻪ، ﻏﺪﻳﺮ ﺧﻢ.1
. ﻣﺘﺮﺟﻢ،Vahid Majd -1344 ، وﺣﻴﺪ، ﻣﺠﺪ. اﻟﻒ. – ﺧﻄﺒﻪ ﻫﺎ. ق11 - ﻗﺒﻞ از ﻫﺠﺮت53 ،اﺳﻼم
/ BP / / .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................1
The Ghadir event and its significance........................................ 1
What does the sermon establish for Ali (PBUH)? ..................... 7
Does successorship only refer to political authority?.....................7
The rights and virtues of Imam Ali and other Imams....................10
His followers, his enemies, and their fate .....................................14
The Ghadir event leaves no excuse ...............................................16
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INTRODUCTION
1
The acronym “PBUH&HF” refers to phrase “peace be upon him and
his family.”
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SI M “The last obligatory duty that Allah sent down was
H SI al-Walaya (adherence to the guardian assigned by
MH
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I SII Allah). Then, He sent down the verse: ‘Today, I
RE L completed your religion…’1 once the Messenger
VE A of Allah established it in Juhfa area.”2
O SI
HH This message was the most unique in the entire mission of
WT
the Prophet (PBUH&HF) due to the revelation of Verse 67,
Chapter 5 of the Holy Quran before his speech. In this
revelation, Allah warned His Messenger that failing to
deliver this last message would nullify his entire mission.
This unprecedented warning proves that this last message
contained the most important religious commandment of
Allah for the Muslim nation.
Moreover, the contents of this last message were so crucial
to the faith that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) emphatically
required all those who directly or indirectly heard the
sermon of Ghadir Khum to convey it to people who were
not aware of its details, and parents to convey it to their
children for all generations to come. Hence, this sermon
addresses all Muslim generations of the world until the
1
Chapter 5, Verse 3 of the Holy Quran
2
al-Tafsir, Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, vol. 1, p. 162, under the
commentary of Verse 5:3; al-Tafsir, al-Ayyashi, vol. 1, p. 292, under
the commentary of Verse 5:3; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 37, p. 112,
Hadith 5, vol. 37, p. 138, Hadith 27.
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the content of this message has a vital role in the future of
the Muslims, their spiritual health, and their felicity in the
Hereafter.
The main issue that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) addressed in his
speech in Ghadir Khum was that Allah appointed Ali Ibn
Abi Talib (PBUH) as the guardian (Wali), the master
(Mawla), the leader (Imam), and the commander (Amir) of
all believing men and women, the deputy and the executor
of his affairs (Wasi), and his successor (Khalifa). His
sayings and commands should be preferred over the
opinions of all others in every matter. Obeying him is
obeying Allah, and disobeying him is disobeying Allah.
Whoever follows him (and his sayings) is a believer under
the guardianship of Allah, and whoever turns away from
him (or his sayings) is a disbeliever under the guardianship
of Satan.
Guardianship (al-Walaya) expresses a bilateral relation
between the guardian and the people. Observing al-Walaya
by people means adhering to the guardian and
acknowledging his authority by heart, tongue, and action.
On the other hand, the action of al-Walaya by the guardian
means offering protection from evil, spiritual assistance,
care, support, and guidance for his adherents. A divinely
appointed guardian guards his adherents from
misguidance, spiritual destruction, wrongdoing, and sin as
much as they adhere to him and his commands.
Establishing al-Walaya has been the ultimate goal of
1
al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 18, Hadith 3.
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Imam al-Ridha (PBUH) said:
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“The similitude of the believers in accepting the
guardianship of the Commander of the Believers
(Ali) on the day of Ghadir Khum is that of the
angels in prostrating before Adam (i.e., submitting
to him), and the similitude of those who turned
away from the guardianship of the Commander of
the Believers on the day of Ghadir is that of the
devil (Iblis).”2
In one of his speeches on the anniversary of the day of
Ghadir, Imam Ali (PBUH) said:
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1
cf. the Holy Quran, Chapter 38, Verses 73-78.
2
Iqbal al-A'amal, p. 465.
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SI M “Allah does not accept the faith (of an individual)
H SI except after he acknowledges the guardianship of
MH
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I SII whom He required. He does not arrange the means
RE L of His obedience (for an individual) except after
VE A he adheres to His ropes and the ropes of His
O SI
HH authorized people. Thus, Allah sent down to His
WT Prophet (PBUH&HF) on the day of the large trees1 that
which explained His will for His sincere and
chosen servants. Allah commanded him to convey
(the message) without being concerned about the
hypocrites or the deviants, and guaranteed him
protection against their evil... By that, Allah
completed His religion, and delighted the eyes of
His Prophet (PBUH&HF), and the believers. Some of
you witnessed this event and some received its
news. This (appointment) concluded the beautiful
word of Allah for those who observe patience… ”2
1
This phrase refers to the day of Ghadir Khum as there had been some
large trees beside the pond at the time.
2
Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 94, p. 115, Hadith 8.
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Does successorship only refer to political authority?
Some people do terrible injustice to the event of Ghadir by
portraying it as a matter of transferring political power.
They unwittingly borrow the Sunni understanding of the
term Khalifa, interpreting it as “a ruling successor”. They
state that the main goal of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) in Ghadir
Khum was to establish Imam Ali (PBUH) as a political leader
after his departure.
Were it truly so, the matter would have been a historical
matter, and it would be meaningless to quarrel over the
right of Imam Ali (PBUH) to rule after passing 1400 years. It
is almost fourteen centuries too late to decide whether Ali
(PBUH) should have been the first or the fourth ruling
governor after the departure of the Prophet (PBUH&HF). Were
there a mistake during the upheaval after his departure, it
should not be stressed, because no one can change the past,
and believing that Ali (PBUH) should have been the first
ruler instead of the fourth would have no consequence in
today’s life.
This viewpoint ultimately led some to believe that the
differences between the Shia and the Sunnis are limited to
some minor historical disagreements, which do not have
any bearing on their salvation in the Hereafter, and that
their beliefs are the same; thus, they should abandon their
differences for the sake of their prosperity in the life of this
world.
1
See for instance, al-Kafi, vol. 1, pp. 341-342, Hadith 25, 26, and 27;
Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 132, Hadith 1, and p. 109, Hadith 1.
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standard, and keep aloof from their enemies who opposed
their commands.
It is also interesting to observe that the Prophet (PBUH&HF)
mentioned the titles Wali, Mawla, and Imam for Ali (PBUH)
in his sermon over 27 times, whereas he used the word
Khalifa for him only three times. Even under the Sunni
implication of the word Khalifa (successor)—which limits
it to political rule—it is clear that the Prophet (PBUH&HF)
stressed spiritual leadership in his speech, which would
guarantee the salvation of those who follow the Imam, and
would lead them towards Paradise. Worldly issues never
took priority for the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and his successors.
Imam Ali himself has said:
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“By Allah, this world of yours is more despicable
in my eyes than a pig bone in the hand of a
leper.”1
Certainly, had the majority of people followed the sayings
of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) concerning the divinely appointed
guide, he would have naturally come to power. Thus,
Imam Ali’s exclusive qualification for political rule is only
one of the natural outcomes of the guardianship (Walaya)
that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) established for him on behalf of
Allah on the day of Ghadir. In this manner, the spiritual
1
Nahj al-Balagha, Maxim 236. Also refer to Sermon 3 (known as al-
Shiqshiqiyya) for another similar statement.
10
than what they have over their own souls. They should
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be preferred over others (in position, sayings, ideas,
commands, etc.) for Allah has preferred them.
3- Allah has made them the leaders of the believers and
the medium of divine guidance after the Prophet
(PBUH&HF). They guide people towards the pleasure of
Allah, keep them from His disobedience and His wrath,
and lead them to Paradise.
4- Allah has made them the guardians of the faithful, who
protect their close adherents from evil and
misguidance.
5- They are the “Straight Path” of Allah, whom people are
ordered to follow.
6- They have all the knowledge of the Prophet (PBUH&HF).
Allah has placed the knowledge of everything in them.
They are the inheritors of all branches of knowledge.
Particularly, they possess the complete knowledge of
religion. They are authorized to expound the religion
and explain its commandments and prohibitions.
7- Allah has authorized them to interpret the Holy Quran
and to explain its meaning after the Prophet (PBUH&HF).
No one knows its interpretations, its hidden warnings,
and its mysteries except through them. They guide
people to the truth of the Quran and call them to it.
8- They are the executors of the will of the Prophet
(PBUH&HF) and the deputies of his affairs (Wasi). Imam
Ali (PBUH) was the greatest in virtue and rank among the
11
12
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lack an Imam until the Day of Judgement.
17- Imam Ali (PBUH) and the Imams of his descendents are
the trustees of Allah, His appointed judges, the vessels
of divine knowledge1, the greatest proofs of Allah
1
The “divine knowledge” refers to all the heavenly knowledge created
by Allah, and placed in His best creation. It is called divine just
because Allah issued and authorized it, and because it is not a science
generated by a human. It is called His knowledge since it is His
creation and is attributed to Him. However, this should not be
confused with His “Eternal Knowledge”. It should be made clear that
any knowledge that a human being can possess, grasp, or
comprehend is a creation, and has no similarity whatsoever with
Allah’s Eternal Knowledge (i.e., His Essence), which is not created.
The knowledge that a human or even an Imam possesses is not a part
of Allah’s Eternal Knowledge, otherwise it would imply His Essence
has parts. Any imagination or perception of Allah's Eternal
Knowledge by us is a creation of our mind and cannot be attributed
to Allah. With regard to the Essence of Allah, we are not allowed to
theorize or converse because we have no way to understand Him, and
by “His Eternal Knowledge”, we only mean, “He is not ignorant”.
We should recognize that His Essence (Dhat) is free from any type of
knowledge that we know (i.e., any generated knowledge even if it is
multiplied by infinity in terms of quality and quantity) just as we
recognize that there is nothing that He is unaware of. Nothing is like
Him. Maintaining a difference on the quality or the quantity between
His knowledge and the concept of knowledge that is known to us is
not enough to avoid resemblance, and we need to deny the
resemblance in the concept of knowledge between the Creator and
the creation. There is neither concept, nor quality for His Essence.
Allah is the creator of perfections and qualities, and He is not limited
by the extension of qualities and concepts that we imagine. Allah
knows, but not like how His creation knows. Hence, our
understanding of His Eternal Knowledge (i.e., His Essence) is only
←
13
14
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(PBUH) are the triumphant Party of Allah and the true
believers who will achieve felicity and a great reward.
2- Whoever doubts any of the Imams has doubted them
all, and his abode is the everlasting Hellfire. Whoever
doubts the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) in this
sermon concerning them has doubted all of what Allah
has revealed to the Prophet (PBUH&HF) throughout his
entire mission. Such a person is accursed and under the
wrath of Allah.
3- If anyone chooses a religion other than submission to
the guardianship of Imam Ali (PBUH), Allah will never
accept it from him, nor will He accept his deeds, and he
will be among the losers on the Day of Judgement.
4- Allah loves whoever loves Ali (PBUH). He keeps up His
support, protection, guidance, forgiveness, and mercy
for anyone who keeps attached to Ali (PBUH), listens to
him, and remains under his guardianship.
5- Anyone who turns away from Imam Ali (PBUH), he has
rejected Allah’s guardianship and has gone under the
guardianship of Satan. Such a person has attained the
curse of Allah and His wrath.
6- As long as someone denies Ali’s authority, Allah will
never turn to him nor will He ever forgive him. If he
dies like that, he will remain in Hell forever. This is a
decisive decree by Allah that will never change.
15
16
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this fact as well. Lady Fatima (PBUH), the Prophet’s
daughter, said:
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“Allah did not leave any argument or any excuse
for anyone after the event of Ghadir Khum.”2
Similarly, when Imam Ali (PBUH) addressed the immigrants
and the helpers in the Prophet’s Mosque (after they had
pledged fealty to Abu Bakr), he reminded them of his
exclusive right for the leadership of the community and
their covenant with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF)
concerning him. Some of the helpers said to Imam Ali, “O
Abul Hasan! Had the helpers heard your arguments before
giving their pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr, none would
have disputed your rule.” In response to them, Imam Ali
(PBUH) said:
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1
Ahl al-Bait means People of the House. However, the Ahl al-Bait of
the Prophet (PBUH&HF) as specifically defined by him and believed
by the Shia, refers only to the divinely selected individuals of his
house. They are his daughter (Lady Fatima (PBUH)) as well as twelve
divinely appointed leaders (Imams) after him. The twelve Imams
include the Prophet’s son in law and cousin, Ali (PBUH), Ali’s two
sons, al-Hasan and al-Husain (PBUT), as well as nine descendants of
al-Husain (PBUH).
2
Dala’il al-Imama, p. 38. See also, al-Khisal, vol. 1, p. 173; Bihar al-
Anwar, vol. 30, p. 124.
17
1
al-Ihtijaj, vol. 1, p. 74; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 28, p. 185.
18
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instructions for people in terms of beliefs and practices,
and all its commandments and prohibitions are effective
until the Day of Judgement. Believers of all generations
are required to submit to the sayings of the Messenger of
Allah (PBUH&HF) to achieve felicity. Allah states in the Holy
Quran:
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“It is not permissible for a believer, man or
woman, to exercise choice in a matter for which
Allah and His Messenger issued a command.
Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he
has surely strayed off (the path), a manifest
straying.”1
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Whoever does not judge according to what Allah
has sent down is a disbeliever.2
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“O You who believe! Do not precede Allah and
His Messenger; and be watchful of (your duties
1
Chapter 33, Verse 36 of the Holy Quran.
2
Chapter 5, Verse 44 of the Holy Quran.
19
1
Chapter 49, Verse 1 of the Holy Quran.
2
Chapter 4, Verse 65 of the Holy Quran.
3
Chapter 4, Verse 59 of the Holy Quran.
20
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will love you and will forgive you your sins; and
Allah is oft-forgiving and the most merciful.’ Say,
‘Obey Allah and His Messenger.’ But if they turn
back, Allah loves not those who reject faith.” 1
Therefore, it is necessary for a believer to follow all the
sayings of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) which have reached us in
the form of traditions. Opposing the traditions of the
Prophet (PBUH&HF) means opposing Allah and disbelieving
the above-mentioned verses of the Holy Quran.
Weakening and disregarding the sayings of the Prophet
(PBUH&HF) that have been handed down to us means
believing that the Quranic verses, which require us to
follow his sayings, are useless in our time.
Particularly, for such an important issue as the message of
Ghadir Khum, rejecting it means believing that Allah and
His Prophet (PBUH&HF) have failed to convey the message
that, according to the Quran, if not conveyed, would be as
if nothing of His religion was conveyed,2 and religion
would remain deficient and unsatisfactory in the sight of
Allah.3
It is, therefore, our duty to acquire and learn this final
message of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), to comply with what it
entails, and to follow its directions.
1
Chapter 3, Verses 31-32 of the Quran.
2
cf. the Holy Quran, Chapter 5, Verse 67.
3
cf. the Holy Quran, Chapter 5, Verse 3.
21
22
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concerning the authority and the rights of Ali (PBUH) and
the Imams of his offspring.
2- We pledge our fealty to them by our hearts, our souls,
our tongues, and our hands.
3- We are satisfied with the message and submit to it.
4- We will never deny it, nor will we break the covenant.
5- We will never doubt it.
6- We will obey it by our actions.
7- We will live and die with this belief.
8- We will never change nor replace its instructions.
9- We will convey it to our children, family, and friends,
near or far.
10- We take Allah as witness to this covenant, and His
Prophet (PBUH&HF), Allah’s Angels, His forces, and His
servants, and anyone who obeyed it.
According to the saying of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), this
covenant is taken by the order of Allah, and anyone who
pledges his allegiance to him, Imam Ali, and the pure
Imams of his progeny according to the terms of the
covenant has indeed pledged his allegiance to Allah, the
mighty and the majestic. This fact is also verified by the
Holy Quran.1
1
cf. Chapter 48, Verse 10 of the Holy Quran.
23
1
The word al-Ma’ruf means what is recognized. It refers to the deeds
that Allah has recognized as good. On the other hand, the word al-
Munkar means what is rejected. It refers to what Allah did not
recognize as righteous deeds, and thus, people should avoid them.
24
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righteous deeds.
Therefore, it is the duty of all believing men and women to
inform other Muslims, who are prepared to hear the truth,
about the content of this sermon without screening it
according to personal opinion.
What follow are some suggestions to make the text as well
as the meanings of this sermon popular in our community:
1- Holding frequent special meetings for reciting the
Arabic text of the sermon, its translation, and its
explanation. Seeking nearness to Allah by reminding
about the Prophet’s statements on the day of Ghadir,
and making such spiritual gatherings as the medium of
one’s requests before Allah.
2- Reciting a part of the sermon, even a small amount, in
any general gathering, and reminding about one’s
obligation towards it.
3- Holding classes of memorizing the text of the sermon
for the youth, organizing competitions, quizzes, and
offering prizes for learning the contents of the sermon.
4- Presenting the books containing the full text of the
Prophet’s (PBUH&HF) sermon at Ghadir Khum as gifts to
the family and friends.
5- Making decorative objects, goods, and greeting cards,
etc., on which the key phrases of the sermon are
written or carved.
25
26
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“Fasting on the day of Ghadir is equivalent to
fasting throughout the entire age of the world… It
is the greatest festival of Allah. Allah has not sent
any prophet but that he celebrated this day as Eid
and was aware of its sanctity. It is known in the
heavens as ‘The Day of the Famous Covenant’…
You might think that Allah, the mighty and the
majestic, has created a day more sacred than that.
No, by Allah! No, by Allah! No, by Allah!”1
Imam Ridha (PBUH) said:
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“Certainly, the day of Ghadir is more famous in
the heavens than in the earth… and by Allah, had
people truly known the superiority of this day, the
1
Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol. 3, p. 143, Hadith 1; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 95,
p. 302, Hadith 2.
27
1
Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol. 6, p. 24, Hadith 9, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 94,
p. 118, Hadith 9.
2
Chapter 31, Verse 12 of the Holy Quran.
28
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mercy and protection. Allah states:
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“If you are grateful, I will increase your (benefits
from My favor); but if you show ingratitude, truly
My torment is intense indeed.”1
On the anniversary of the event of Ghadir Khum, Imam al-
Sadiq (PBUH) praised and thanked Allah, saying:
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Chapter 14, Verse 7 of the Holy Quran.
29
1
cf., Chapter 2, Verse 285 of the Holy Quran.
30
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Judgement, for You never break Your promise.1
Surely it was by Your favor and Your grace that
we acknowledged the Prophet and the Commander
of the Believers (Ali), and disbelieved in al-Jibt
and al-Taghut.2 Thus, keep us attached to what we
have adhered to. Resurrect us with our Imams, for
we believe in them, have confidence in their
(authorities and virtues), and are submissive
before them …”3
1
Chapter 3, Verses 193-194 of the Holy Quran.
2
These two terms refer to the idols that are obeyed against Allah,
which, in reality, implies they are worshipped instead of Him.
According to the traditions, they refer to the two foremost enemies of
the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF). Both terms have also been used
in Chapter 4, Verses 51 of the Quran. However, the latter term, al-
Taghut, has been used in seven more places in the Holy Quran. See
for instance: Chapter 2, Verses 256-257, and Chapter 4, Verses 60
and 76.
3
Iqbal al-A'amal, p. 473, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 95, p. 299, Hadith #1.
31
32
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Imam Ali (PBUH) and their enemies.
- Ten sentences on the Walaya of the Imams (PBUT) after
him.
- Twenty sentences specifically about Imam Mahdi
(PBUH), the last divinely appointed Imam who will
establish the divine government on earth at the end of
time.
- Twelve sentences about the importance of the Quran,
and introducing Imam Ali (PBUH) and his children as its
exclusive authorized interpreters.
- Ten sentences on urging people to pledge their fealty
to Imam Ali (PBUH) and the Imams after him from his
offspring.
33
34
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
misconduct of the enemies of Allah, the Prophet
(PBUH&HF) informs people that justice and faith will
finally prevail, and the righteous will inherit the
earth. He (PBUH&HF) dedicates this part of his speech to
describe Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) and to confirm his
advent as a promise from Allah and His decisive
decree.
Part 8: Reciting some verses of the Holy Quran, the
Prophet (PBUH&HF) informs people that pledging
allegiance to Imam Ali (PBUH) is, in fact, identical to
pledging allegiance to Allah, the mighty and the
majestic.
Part 9: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) emphasizes that the divine
commandments including the obligatory and
prohibited actions will never change in future, and
that Imam Ali (PBUH) and other Imams of his offspring
are fully aware of all final commandments and their
limits. They are the expounders of the religion and
the divinely appointed judges for any question
pertaining to religion.
Part 10: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) asks people to recite the
sentences of the covenant with him. He takes their
verbal oath of allegiance to Imam Ali (PBUH) and other
Imams of his family. He also asks people who can
reach him to confirm their oath by shaking hands
with him, Ali, al-Hasan, and al-Husain, peace be
upon them.
35
36
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The detailed sermon, with few minor differences in
wording, has been reported in the following books as well:
1- al-Yaqin, Sayyid Ibn Tawus (d. 664 AH), pp. 343-361,
narrated from Imam al-Baqir (PBUH) with the following
chain of narrators:
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2- Rawdhat al-Wa’idhin, Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan al-
Fattal al-Nishaburi (d. 508), part 1, pp. 89-99, narrated
from Imam al-Baqir (PBUH), with the chain of narrators
omitted by the author due to its popularity in the
scholastic circles.
37
38
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
within the brackets are either the extra phrases that only
appear in the other books named above, or preferred
lexically among different phrases with similar meanings
given in the above-mentioned documents.
39
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The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) intended to leave
Medina to perform pilgrimage having already conveyed all
the commandments to his community except for the
pilgrimage and the guardianship (of the nation) (al-
Walaya).
Thus, Gabriel (PBUH) came to him saying, “O Muhammad!
Surely, Allah, majestic is His name, offers peace to you,
and tells you, ‘Verily, I have not taken the soul of any of
my prophets or messengers except after completing My
religion and affirming My proof.1 Of the commandments,
two obligatory duties still remain which you need to
convey to your nation: namely, (the details of) the duty of
performing pilgrimage, and the duty of (people in)
acknowledging the guardianship (of the believers) and
following your successor after you. Certainly, I have never
left nor shall I ever leave My earth empty of a proof.’
1
“The proof of Allah” (Hujjat Allah) is one whom Allah has placed
among His creation as His most evident sign in his time, who
completes His arguments against people by His authority.
43
1
Sameri was a hypocrite who deceived the folk of Prophet Moses
(PBUH) during his leave, and made them worship a gold calf instead
of Allah. cf. the Holy Quran, Chapter 20, Verses 83-97.
44
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Gabriel brought him a message from Allah, the most High,
saying, “O Muhammad! Your Lord, the mighty and the
majestic, greets you and states, ‘Indeed, your inevitable
time (of departure) has approached; thus, fulfill your
obligation; make your will earlier; entrust what is with you
of knowledge, the heritage of the early prophets in terms
of knowledge and signs, the weapon, and the chest1 to the
executor of your will and your successor, who is My far
reaching proof over My creation and My exhaustive
argument against them, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (PBUH).
Raise him as a guiding flag for people, remind and renew
people’s covenant and pledge about adhering to the
authorized representative2 of Mine and the master of every
believing man and woman, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (PBUH).
Verily, I have never taken the soul of any of the prophets
except after perfecting My religion, and completing My
bounty by means of requiring adherence to My authorized
friends and enmity against My enemies.
1
cf. the Holy Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 248.
2
The term “Wali-Allah” is translated as “authorized representative” or
“authorized friend” throughout the text. It refers to an individual who
is authorized by Allah over people, who exercises authority on behalf
of Allah and according to His command, and is the guardian of the
believers. Thus, obeying him means obeying Allah and disobeying
him means disobeying Allah. Naturally, this lofty position only befits
those who are free of mistake by Allah’s protection, and are
absolutely obedient to Allah. See later explanation the term “divine
protection” in the footnotes.
45
46
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
giving protection. The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “O Gabriel, I
am afraid that my people will reject me and will not accept
my saying concerning Ali (PBUH).”
Once they reached the pond of Khum, three miles before
Juhfa, it was five hours past sunrise. At that moment,
Gabriel descended upon him again with an admonition and
a guarantee of protection from the evil of people, saying,
“O Muhammad! Surely, Allah, the mighty and the
majestic, conveys greetings to you and states, ‘O
Messenger! Deliver what has been sent down to you from
your Lord—regarding Ali (PBUH)—and if you do not, you
have not conveyed His message at all, and Allah shall
protect you from (evil) people.’”1
By that time, the front end of the caravan had already
reached Juhfa. Thereupon, the Prophet (PBUH&HF) sent for
all people who were ahead to return, and waited until those
who were behind reached the pond. Then he (PBUH&HF)
called for group prayer.
There were some trees in that place. The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH&HF) ordered (his companions) to clean up the
place under the trees and gather the rocks and put them in
one place in the form of a pulpit to overlook the crowd.
Then, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) stood over those
rocks, and gave the following sermon:
1
Chapter 5, Verse 67 of the Holy Quran.
47
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA
M
SI M
H SI
MH
A
I SII
RE L
VE A
O SI
HH Part 1
WT
Praising Allah and
regarding Him pure
Praise belongs to Allah Who
is exalted above (all the
creation) in His Oneness,1
and is near (to His creation)
in His loneliness.2
!
1
While He is matchless and thus cannot be compared with His
creation by the term “being above”, He is exalted.
2
While nothing is beside Him, He is close to everyone.
3
According to the traditions, Allah has created twelve pillars out of
His three major names. These pillars are, in turn, the foundations of
120 names of Allah. cf. al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 112, Hadith 1.
48
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
everything while He is lofty
in status.1 "/5 6 !
He subdues all the creation ( 7+ 0" 8" 9
: ; & < = !
through His power and
evidence. . "60 !
He has always been praise- @ A B * 2 ;?
worthy and shall always be
praised. @+ AB 2 5
[He is the glorified Whose
glory has no end.
+@!ABC 2 ;D5 ! ]
He begins and repeats (the
creation),2
2 ;G5 ! 2E F5 !
1
This means that Allah does not need to move into the places of the
objects to encompass them in knowledge. It can be proven by reason
that Allah has no place, for He is the creator of place. He does not
need His creation, and He was eternally existent before any of His
creation. Imam al-Ridha (PBUH) said, “… Certainly, Allah formed the
quality, and thus He is without quality. He positioned the place, and
thus He is without place.” (al-Tawhid, p. 125, Hadith 3; Bihar al-
Anwar, vol. 4, p. 143, Hadith 13). Therefore, the word “Makan”, in
the sermon, refers to “Makanah” or “Manzilah”, which means lofty
position in terms of importance and magnificence, and not physical
place. Implying the same meaning, one may possibly return the
pronoun in the second sentence to “everything” instead of Allah.
Then, the phrase is translated as: “His knowledge encompasses
everything while everything is in its own place.”
2
cf. the Holy Quran, Chapter 30, Verse 11.
49
1
For the explanation of the marks after the brackets, see the endnotes.
2
cf. Chapter 40, Verse 7 of the Holy Quran.
50
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
grace.
. \ G"e0" *"<; NW5 !
He does not hasten His
revenge,
5 7\"0 %+ D
GB
nor does He take the
initiative on what (He W5 J7
\$ 0" *"<;H" (FB !
knows) they deserve of His . 0"
punishment.
and has strength and power 43 - .%'+ b+ N7+ !
over everything. .43 - .%'+ X b+ ( 7+ !
Nothing is like Him1, and He 6 ! m4- + l 5 k
; !
is the establisher of “the
thing” when it was nothing. .4o - O
4? N^ n+ ^
e5
1
cf. Chapter 42, Verse 11 of the Holy Quran.
51
52
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Whose holiness overspreads
all ages, $ =+
Whose light overwhelms
perpetuity1,
( 0] X^jB !
Who enforces His command b ( ! ^5 0" 5) + .eB !
without consulting an
advisor. u
I^5
There is no partner with Him
in (His) planning, nor is there I B 7 RzB"- G5 !
any discrepancy in (His) .u
I 0" K
a ! !
management.
He shaped whatever He
originated without @I l5 " ;q X {
\0) 5 ( Nv
a preexisting model,
53
1
For the explanation of the will and the intention of Allah towards His
creation, see al-Tawhid, p. 334, Hadith 9; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 5, p.
102, Hadith 27.
2
cf. Chapter 57, Verse 5 of the Holy Quran.
54
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
surrenders, and before His
awe everything yields. . \F;< 43 - J%'+ : [
| !
He is the king of all domains, t 5] z 5
the turner of the heavenly
bodies in their orbits, t ] z. 5 !
the dominator of the sun and
the moon, each of which " 7 ! k
" N^ Z9L
5 !
pursues its course to an X~ L
5 %I & ] "DB % '+
appointed time.
He makes night overtake
day, and day overtake night, (Z/ B ! (" <Ne X % ; (Z/ B
(each one) seeking the other 2l;l F+ # B %" ; X ( <Ne
rapidly1.
He is the destroyer of every
stubborn tyrant, and the a ;"e (I NF& .%'+ *v=
annihilator of every rebel- .a B"5 `a #;- .%'+ z <5 !
lious Satan.
Neither has there been any
opposing power beside Him, .p " ! p P
G5 W+/B *
nor any peer.
1
cf. verses 39:5 and 7:54 of the Holy Quran.
55
1
Allah is impenetrable (al-Samad) meaning that there is no way to
comprehend His Essence. On the meaning of al-Samad, Imam al-
Sadiq (PBUH) said, “It means the One that there is no entry in Him.”
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 82, p. 53).
2
cf. Chapter 112 of the Holy Quran.
3
cf. Chapter 39, Verse 52 of the Holy Quran.
4
cf. Chapter 53, Verses 43-44 of the Holy Quran.
5
cf. Chapter 64, Verse 1, and Chapter 3, Verse 26 of the Holy Quran.
56
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
He lets night enter the day,
and day enter night;1 there is
no god but He, the mighty,
%" ; ( <Ne B !
the oft-forgiving. .(j AB"AG 6 CH" H" C
He is the responder to 4? #G @+ A" D5 ! 4? ;"D5
supplication, open-handed in
granting, the enumerator of T
" ] s5
breaths, and the Lord of the
Jinn and the humans. .T
" Ne ! U NeD
" V( !
Neither does anything bring
difficulty for Him, nor does ! m4- ; %+ / ^B
the cry of those who appeal
for help annoy Him, nor does O
| " s\L v "D[B
the insistence of those who
insist exhaust Him or force O
Z SH" 5"FB !
Him to assent.
He (is Who) protected the O
Ns *vG
righteous, and gave success
to the prosperous. O
8. !
He is the guardian of the O
e"5 X5 !
faithful, and the Lord of the
worlds, O
G V( !
Who deserves that all His 8 | W5 .%'+ W5 N8
\$
creations thank Him and
praise Him [in any situation. @I .%'+ X ] B! /+ ^B ` )
1
cf. Chapter 57, Verse 6 of the Holy Quran.
57
1
This phrase, among many other pieces of evidence from the Quran
and the traditions, proves that, despite some unfounded claims, even
the best human beings were obeying Allah while fearful of His
punishment, though their major goal in worship was to thank Allah
for His blessings. See also Verses 76:7, 76:10, 6:15, 7:205, 10:15,
13:21, 14:14, 24:37, and 32:16 of the Holy Quran concerning the fear
of Allah’s best servants from His punishment.
58
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Part 2
Preparation for
delivering an important
commandment from Allah
I confess before Him that
submissiveness befits my U NB FG"0 ?L X = )+
soul, and I bear witness that .U N;0"0"0 < -) !
Lordship befits Him.
I convey what He revealed to
me, lest should I not do it, W5 2( NH" X!) 5 Z )+ !
He may make lawful that a YU (" = e5 "0 %
\ % G ) ` )
calamity befalls me;
that which no one can turn g ,+ ` H" ! R ) Ze <G B
away from me even if he has ■
great schemes [and sincere [\ | gv
! ] \ ;
friendship]■, (for) there is no
god but He. 6 H" H"
He has informed me that if I . 0)+ * ` H" Z) "e ) = N]
do not convey what He has ♦
revealed to me [about Ali’s [wX Z8 ] NH" @ A ) 5
right]♦, (it is as if) I have not
conveyed His message at all. \$(" gj 0
59
1
Chapter 5, Verse 67 of the Holy Quran.
60
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Verily, Gabriel came down
to me three times giving the 6 ! Z0( }" NL W" "5]B
order of my Lord, Who is the
security (of the believers)1, 6 } +=) ` ) } NL
that I should stand in this
scene and inform everyone, !
;0) %'+ * +] < ^
white and black, that: $)
Ali Ibn Abi Talib is my
brother, my deputy and the |)
I h "0) W 0 N `)
executor of (my affairs) ♦
(Wasi), my successor [over
[\N5)+ X ] \ ; | ! Z;v
! !
my nation]♦ (Khalifa), and G0 W5 }5i" !
the leader (Imam) after me,
whose position to me is like
that of Aaron to Moses ` !(6 J%
5 Ze5 J
5
except that there shall be no . G0 NF" N) H" X$5 W5
prophet after me,
and that he is your guardian
(Wali) after Allah and His . $( ! G0 *+/;! 6 !
messenger.
Indeed, Allah, the most holy,
the most high, had (already) XG ! t ( F @ A ) = !
sent down to me a verse from : 0"\' W5 U2 B z
0" N
His book about this, saying,
1
cf. al-Tafsir, Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, vol. 2, p 360, under the
commentary of Chapter 59, Verse 23 of the Holy Quran.
61
,R .
ET RE “Only your guardian is Allah ! +$( ! *+/;! NH"
S TS and His messenger and those
AA ` ;7B W B e5 W B
M
SI M
of the believers who
establish the prayers and pay *6 ! b 'NA ` B ! b Ns
H SI
MH the charity while they bow
A
I SII down.”1 .` G'(
RE L
VE A Ali Ibn Abi Talib [was the ♦
[]
I h "0) W0 !
O SI one who]♦ kept alive prayers
HH
WT and paid charity while 6 ! b 'NA X ! b Ns } =)
bowing down in ruku’. He
intends (the pleasure of) %& ! NA B"B R:' (
Allah, the mighty and the
majestic, in all situations.
.@I .%'+
1
Chapter 5, Verse 55 of the Holy Quran. Notice that in this verse,
Allah does not use the plural form of guardian (Wali), and He states
that only your Wali is Allah, Prophet Muhammad, and Imam Ali.
This implies that, at least for us, the Walaya of Imam Ali (PBUH) is
the same as (rather defined as) the Walaya of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH&HF), which in turn, is defined as the Walaya of Allah. Hence,
when Allah states in Chapter 32, Verse 4 of the Holy Quran that
there is no Wali other than Him (min dun Allah), this does not
exclude whom He assigned as Wali. Alternatively, we can say that
there is no Wali other than those whose authority is from Allah (min
Allah). In this connection, Imam Ali (PBUH), said, “... Allah made
them (i.e. Ahl al-Bait) His authorized representatives, and defined
their Walaya as His Walaya and their party as His party and said, ‘As
to those who turn to the Walaya of Allah, His Messenger, and the
believers,- it is the party of Allah that most certainly triumphs.’
(5:56) He also said, ‘Only your guardian (Wali) is Allah, His
Messenger, and the believers who establish prayers and give charity
while they are bowing.’ (5:55).” (al-Tafsir, al-Nu'mani, as quoted in
Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 66, p. 80, and vol. 90, p. 55).
62
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Allah, [(Who is) the security ♦
(of the believers),]♦ to excuse c " ; F W [} NL]
*+/;H" z
me from conveying it to you,
O people, TNe <B)
due to my knowledge on the
fewness of the pious, the
O
7 N\ U 7 0" G
numerousness of the O
7 e b l ' !
hypocrites,1 the corruption
and the treachery of the O
@" qH" !
sinful, and the trickery of
those who ridicule Islam,
}" $"i"0 W B?4A" <\L %" \| !
1
The Holy Quran confirms that the majority of people are disbelievers
(cf. 13:1, 16:83, 17:89, 26:8, 30:8), wicked (6:116, 5:49, 5:100),
ungrateful (2:243, 7:10, 23:78, 27:73, 34:13), and consequently, will
abide in Hell (7:179).
2
Chapter 48, Verse 11 of the Holy Quran.
3
cf. Chapter 24, Verse 15 of the Holy Quran.
63
1
Chapter 9, Verse 61 of the Holy Quran.
64
O
E7 Z $ )+ ` ) g- !
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Had I wished to name those
who have called me so, to ` ) ! g;N L
*"<E $]0" z
0"
point out towards them, or to
lead to them by their signs, I K]5 !] *"<";]0" *"<;H" n 5 !+)
would have done so.
.g *"<; @) ` ) !
Yet, by Allah, I have *6(" 5+) ! Ze/ !
indeed dealt with their affairs
magnanimously. .g5N/ =
Nevertheless, Allah is not Ze5 XPB z
c %'+ !
satisfied with me until I
convey what He has sent NH" @ A ) 5 . 0)+ ` ) H"
down to me [regarding the ♦
right of Ali.]♦” . [w Z8 ]
Then, the Prophet (PBUH)
recited (again the following : N*+
verse): “O Messenger!
Deliver what has been sent
@+ $N <B) B
down to you from your z
Z0( W5 z
;H" @ A" +) 5 . 0
Lord—with regard to Ali—
and if you do not, you will w
not have conveyed His
message at all, and Allah
\$"( g
j 0 % G * ` H" !
shall protect you from (evil) .T
" Ne W 5 z
s
GB !
people.”1
1
Chapter 5, Verse 67 of the Holy Quran.
65
,R .
ET RE
S TS Part 3
AA Open declaration
M
SI M
!"
H SI of the leadership of
(') % & # $"
MH Ali Ibn Abi Talib
A
(PBUH)
66
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Cursed is whoever opposes
him, blessed with mercy is | W5 Y`G 5
whoever follows him,
faithful is whoever
GF" W5 R}5
acknowledges his (virtues .=N v
W5 RW5 5
and rights).
Indeed, Allah has covered
him and those who listen to e5 : $ W ! q 7
him and obey him with . {
h) !
mercy and forgiveness.
O people! This is the last }I 75 | NH" "TNe - G5
stand I make in this gather-
ing; < ^ 6 5+=)
Thus, listen, obey, and " 5] !7 ! G;h) ! G $
submit to the command of
your Lord, .*+/Z0(
for Allah, the mighty and the *+'5 6 %& ! NA `i"
majestic, is your master, then ♦
[His Messenger]♦, Muham- *+/;! R N
5 [+$(] N*+
mad, who is now addressing
you, is your master. *+/ h9 *E7
Then, after me, Ali is your
master and your leader by *+/;! p G0 W5 N*+
the command of Allah, your *+/Z0( " 5]0" *+/55H" !
Lord.
67
,R .
ET RE
S TS Then, leadership shall be in
AA
M
SI M
my progeny, within his ! W5 \NBZ(c+ U+ 5 5i" N*+
H SI offspring, until the Day you
.+$( ! ` 7 }I B XH"
MH meet Allah and His Messen-
A
I SII ger.
RE L
VE A Nothing is lawful except
O SI what Allah declared so (in ) 5 H" @
HH
WT His book), [as well as His ♦
[*6 ! +$( ! ]
Messenger, and them (i.e.,
the Imams)]♦,
and nothing is unlawful
except Allah declared so (in 5N 5 H" } !
♦
His book), [as well as His . [*6 ! +$( ! ]
Messenger, and them]♦,
(for) Allah, the mighty and
the majestic, has informed @
"e N %& ! NA !
me of the permissible and the }
!
forbidden things,
and I have made known to
him (i.e., Ali) what my Lord Z0( "e 0" g;[ ) ) !
has taught me of His Book,
the permissible, and the . ;H" 5 ! ! 0"\' W5
forbidden things.
O people! There is no
knowledge except that Allah *I W5 5 "TNe - G5
has kept its account in (the N s) = ! H"
heart of) me,
68
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
details of all the knowledge \;s) 7 g . *I %'+ !
that I was taught, in (the
heart of) the leader of the .O
7 N\ }" 5H"
pious, (Ali (PBUH)).
Certainly, there is no
knowledge except that I have
taught it to Ali, and he is the
\ = ! H" *I W5 5 !
evident Imam [whom Allah ] O"F }5i" 6 ! 2;
mentions in the Chapter of
Yasin: “... And We have kept %'+ ! :kB b ( $ ' c
the detailed account of ♦
everything in an evident
[O
I F5 }I 5"H e;s
) 43 X-
Imam.”1]♦
O people! Do not stray from e J [
"TNe - G5
him, nor should you flee
from him, nor should you e5 !e !
refuse his guardianship and
his authority, . \B! W5 +/ e\L !
for he is the one who guides
to truth and acts upon it, and ! Z8
XH" <B <
crushes falsehood and
proscribes it, accepting no
X<eB ! % h F 86AB ! 0" %+ GB
blame, in the path of Allah, *I E U+ 5 +|] ! e
from any blamer.
1
Chapter 36, Verse 12 of the Holy Quran.
69
1
This refers to the night of migration of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) from
Mecca to Medina, when the pagans rushed to kill the Prophet
(PBUH&HF) in his bed overnight, but they found Imam Ali (PBUH)
sleeping in place of him.
70
O people! He is an Imam
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
authorized by Allah, and W 5 R}5H" NH" "TNe - G5
Allah shall never turn to
anyone (in mercy) who
/ ) a ) X V
\B W !
denies his authority, nor shall jB W ! \B!
He ever forgive him;
this is a decisive decree by
Allah that He shall do so to
z
c % G B ` ) X 2 \
anyone who opposes His ; 5) f
| W 0"
command about him, and
shall torment him with the 2/ 20 0.G B ` ) !
most painful torment, which
lasts forever and ever.
(" 6 6 ! 0 0)
Hence, beware lest you +9 ` ) !(
oppose him, and thus, arrive
at a fire whose fuel is people TNe 6+=! 2( + s\
and stones, prepared for the
disbelievers.1 .W B" / KN )+ b+ ( D !
O people! By Allah, all early
prophets and messengers N^0 ! "0 TNe <B)
have given the glad tiding of .O
$ ! O
Z;F"Ne W 5 ` +N!]
my advent.
I am the seal of the prophets O
$ ! 4? ;F"] *| ) !
and the messengers, and the
proof (of Allah) over all the O
= + 9 :" ; & X U+ ND !
creatures, of the inhabitants
of the heavens and the earths. .O
P
( ] ! K
! NL %" 6) W5
1
cf. Chapter 2, Verse 24 of the Holy Quran.
71
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA
M
SI M He who doubts this, is indeed
H SI R ' < z
c Nz- W
MH a disbeliever, with the
A
I SII disbelief of the early era of .X!+] U N; 6 D '+
RE L ignorance.
VE A
O SI And he who doubts anything = W5 43 - Nz- W5 !
HH
WT of what I have said this
@ A" +) 5 .%'+ Nz- 7 6
(day), has doubted all that
has been revealed to me. NXH"
[And anyone who doubts any U N E] W 5 a ! Nz- W5 ! ]
of the Imams, has doubted ♦
them all]♦, and anyone who [*<e5 .%/+ Nz- 7
doubts us, shall be in the
Fire. .(" Ne e; tN^!
O people! Allah, the mighty ! NA "F "TNe - G5
and the majestic, has
bestowed this virtue upon me ! N e5 2e5 U ;[ < 0" %&
out of His kindness and His
grace. NH" e5 2L"H
72
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
O people! Prefer Ali (over all
others), for he is the best of
2; + Z[ "TNe - G5
the people, men or women, G0 T
" Ne %+ [
) Ni"
after me so long as Allah
sends down His sustenance @ A ) 5 Xl+) ! I ' c W5
and (and so long as) the
creation exists.
.8 9
7 0 !
Z
Under curse and again under
curse, under wrath and again RV[j5 RV[j5 Y`G 5 Y`G 5
under wrath, is he who
rejects this saying of mine
* ! 6 = N N( W5
and does not does not agree 7 B
with it.
Certainly, Gabriel has
informed me of this from W" " NF| % ;E F& `H"o )
Allah, the most high, Who :@+ +7B ! z
0" XG
also said:
“Anyone who bears enmity
against Ali and refuses his \B * ! 2; W5
authority, for him shall be ."F[
q ! \eG ; G
My curse and My wrath.”
Thus, every soul should look a j g5N = 5 Rk +,e\
to what he has sent forth for
the morrow. Be watchful of +9 ` ) +7N !
(your duty towards) Allah
lest you should oppose Him <F+ G0 R} = @A" \
and (your) foot should slip .` + G 0" RuF"| `H"
after its stability. Verily,
73
1
cf. Verses 59:18 and 16:94 of the Holy Quran.
2
Side is used to express extreme nearness. One’s side is the closest
thing to an individual. Imam Ali (PBUH) is called the “side” of Allah
because he got “close” to Him through obedience so much so that he
became the criterion of nearness to Allah and His recognition. In this
manner, nearness to Imam Ali (PBUH) indicates nearness to Allah,
neglecting his right indicates neglecting Allah's right, forsaking him
indicates forsaking Allah, and recognizing him in one's heart
indicates recognizing Allah.
3
Chapter 39, Verse 56 of the Holy Quran.
4
Allah states in Chapter 3, Verse 7 of the Holy Quran: “It is Him Who
has sent down to you the Book, within which are some clear verses
that are the foundation of the Book, and other verses that are
ambiguous. But, those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part
thereof that is ambiguous, seeking enticement and attraction (of
←
74
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
able to explain to you its ! &" ! *+/ W Z;FB W
warnings and its mysteries,1
nor shall anyone clarify its H" uL
? *+/ ZP B
interpretation, other than the ! NH" G s5 ! ;0" Y| )
one that I have grasped his ♦
hand, brought up beside [N ;0" G( ! ] [G0" Y%E-
myself, [and lifted his arm,]♦
the one about whom I inform 5 ge+' W5 `) *+/ G5 !
you that whomever I am his
master, this Ali is his master; 5 p <
people towards their own views), and searching for its hidden
meaning. But, no one knows its interpretation except Allah and those
who are firmly grounded in knowledge…” According to the
traditions, “those who are firmly grounded in knowledge” refers
exclusively to the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and his family (Ahl al-Bait
(PBUT)). cf. al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 213, Hadiths 1, 2, and 3, Kitab Sulaim
Ibn Qais al-Hilali, p. 771, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 33, p. 155, also vol.
23, p. 198, Hadith 31, p. 201, Hadith 40, and p. 202, Hadith 46.
Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH&HF) has confirmed this exclusive right
for the Imams (PBUT) in the next sentence of the sermon by swearing
in the name of Allah.
1
The word Zawajir has a number of meanings. The first meaning that
applies here is “warnings”. The Holy Quran has hidden warnings that
only an Imam (PBUH) can show them to people, and people cannot
personally derive those divine prohibitions from the apparent
meaning of the Quranic verses. The second meaning is “deterrents”,
which refers to the difficult points in the Quran that deter individuals
from understanding their meanings. Only a divinely guided Imam
can explain these complex issues and mysteries.
75
,R .
ET RE and he is Ali Ibn Abi Talib,
S TS
I h "0) W0 6 !
AA my brother, the executor of
M
SI M my (will), whose appoint- Z;v
! ! |)
H SI ment as (your) guardian and
MH leader has been sent down to W 5 5 !
A
I SII me from Allah, the mighty
RE L
and the majestic.
.N <A ) %& ! NA
VE A
O SI O people! [Indeed, I am "TNe - G5
HH
WT leaving amongst you two
weighty and precious things W; 7 l */+ ; Rt(" ZH"]
that if you adhere to both, §
you will never go astray.]§ [J [
W <" 0" *| ) ` H"
76
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Thereafter, Allah’s Messen-
ger (PBUH&HF) took the upper [ X ;0" V
P
N*+
arm of Imam Ali (PBUH) by :@ = ! G
his hand, raised it, and said:
[“O people! Who has more
priority over you than W5 *+/0" ! W5 TNe <B]
yourself?” People said: .+$( ! := *+/L
? +
“Allah and His messenger.”
Then, he (PBUH&HF) said:
“Behold! Whosoever I am 5 ge+' W5 C) :@ 7
his master, this Ali is his
master. O Allah! Stay firm in 5 p <
supporting those who stay
firm in following him, be
! W5 @" ! N*<
hostile to those who are s ! W5 !
hostile to him, help those
who help him, and forsake *[.
| W5 @ + | ! s
W5
those who forsake him.]*
O people! This Ali is my
brother, the executor of my "TNe - G5
(affairs), the container of my Z;v
! ! |) p 6
knowledge, my successor
over my nation, and over the X \ ; | ! ! !
interpretation the Book of
Allah, the mighty and the V
" \' u
"L
? X ! \N5)+
majestic, and the true inviter . ;H" N ! %& ! NA
to its (implications).
77
1
cf. Chapter 50, Verse 29 of the Holy Quran.
78
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
(my duty). Indeed, I have gj 0 = ! ) gBN) = ! )
now conveyed (the Mes-
sage). Indeed, I have now
gG $) = ! )
made (you) hear (it). Indeed, gP!) = ! )
I have now clarified (it).
Indeed, Allah, the mighty @ = %& ! NA `H" ! )
and the majestic, so said, and
so did I on His behalf. .%& ! NA W" g =+ ) !
Indeed, there is no com-
mander for the faithful save
this brother of mine, and it is ;q O
e"5 u5) k
; NH" )
not permissible to call
anyone other than him with
b+ 5"H J%
! 6 |)
the title of “the Commander . " ;q a ] G0 O
e"5
of the Believers” after my
departure.1
1
In the traditions, the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and Imams (PBUT) have
stressed that Amir al-Mu’minin is the exclusive title of Imam Ali
(PBUH), and it is not at all permissible to call other Imams (PBUT) with
this title even though they were commanding the believers.
Moreover, the traditions specify two meanings for this title. The first
meaning of Amir is “the commander”, which comes from the root
Amara ( ). The word Imra ( ) that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) used
in the above phrase of the sermon also comes from this root, and has
the same meaning. Refer also to another narration from the Prophet
(PBUH&HF) in Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 37, p. 294, Hadith 9 for the
meaning of Amir in this sense. The second meaning of Amir given in
the traditions is “the supplier” or “the supplies”, which comes from
the root Mira ( ). The word Amir al-Mu’minin in this sense is
interpreted as “the supplier of divine knowledge for the believers.”
←
79
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA Part 4
M
SI M Announcing the perfection of #/0 1 2 !"
H SI religion due to Ali’s ap-
(') $" %34
MH pointment and reminding the
A
I SII $- 56 7, 28
RE L People of his virtues
VE A O Allah! (I testify that) You
O SI did send down [this verse
HH w U B] g
A ) z
NH" N*<
WT regarding Ali, Your author-
ized representative, at the z
F"s ! z
c O
" ;F e z
Z;!
time of the explanation of his □
authority and appointment [:}" ; < BH"
today:]□
“This day, I perfected your *+/eB *+/ g ' ) } ;
religion for you, completed
My favor upon you, and was \ G" *+/; g ) !
satisfied that Islam be your
religion.”1 .2eB } $"i *+/ g;P( !
The Prophet (PBUH&HF) has entrusted Imam Ali (PBUH) with the
divine knowledge. Then, all other creations, from the first to the last,
receive their share of divine knowledge through the light of Imam Ali
(PBUH). It has been narrated that Imam Ridha (PBUH) was asked,
“Why is Ali (PBUH) called Amir al-Mu’minin?” He (PBUH) answered,
“Because he provides them (i.e., the believers) with knowledge.
Haven’t you heard (a word with the same root) in the Book of Allah,
‘and we provide for our family (namiru ahlanaa)’ (12:65)?” (al-Kafi,
vol. 1, p. 412, Hadith 3). For more tradition in this regard, see Bihar
al-Anwar, vol. 37, p. 294, Hadith 8, p. 295, Hadith 11, and p. 334.
1
Chapter 5, Verse 3 of the Holy Quran.
80
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
desires a religion other than " \FB W5 ! :g
=+ !
Islam (submission to Walaya
of Ali), never shall it be e5 % F7 B W 2eB }" $"i ;q
accepted from him, and in
the Hereafter, he shall be one .W B"$ 9 W 5 b | 6 !
of the losers.”1
O Allah! I implore You to
witness that I have conveyed .gj 0 = Z) t <" -+) ZH" N*<
(Your message).
O people! Allah, the mighty
and the majestic, has indeed % ' ) NH" "TNe - G5
perfected your religion
through his (i.e., Ali’s) \5 5i"0" *+/eB %& ! NA
leadership.
Thus, whoever does not
follow his example and the
example of those of my
W 0" ! 0" N*] B * W
children from his loins who ! W5 575 }+7B
will take his position until
the Day of Judgement— U 5 ;7 }" B XH" F" v W5
when deeds are presented
before Allah, the mighty and
%& ! NA X
" G !
the majestic—
1
Chapter 3, Verse 85 of the Holy Quran. On the commentary of this
verse, Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) said, “It means: he who does not submit
to our Walaya.” (al-Manaqib, vol. 4, p. 283; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 23,
p. 358, Hadith #12).
81
1
cf. Chapter 2, Verse 217 of the Holy Quran.
2
Chapter 3, Verse 88 of the Holy Quran.
82
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
been revealed in the Quran
but that it is in his honor, ; H" ` +7
nor did Allah testify Paradise
in (the chapter starting with) U NeD
"0 <" - !
“Has not passed over man a
long period of time”1 but for H" ` L"i X X) % 6
him, nor did He reveal it for $ <A ) !
other than him, nor did He
mean to praise by it save .;q <0" S
5 !
him.
1
Referring to Chapter 76, Verses 7-22 of the Holy Quran: “They
perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil shall be
widespread. They feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan,
and the captive, (saying), ‘We feed you for the sake of Allah alone;
no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. We fear a Day of
severity and distress. But, Allah has kept away from them the evil of
that Day, and has offered them radiance and (blissful) Joy. And for
what they observed patience, He has rewarded them with a Garden
and (garments of) silk …”
,- + .+ /01 $%& ' ()! *+( # !"
/" = + >; ;< #- 4 65 78 9 - + :; 4 .+ %)! .+ 8 !+ 9 - *+( ; *;< #23 *,
*" 9 B78 #2 @ A
; 9 B)C! ' ,! D
!+E .)%! 9B? #* ? 20&
...1 F 8 0G
83
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA
M
SI M He is the pious, the pure, the 7 Ne 7 N\ 6 !
H SI guide, and the rightly guided. . < < !
MH
A
I SII
RE L Your prophet is the best wF" ;| *+/;F"
VE A prophet, the executor (of my
O SI will) over you is the best wv
! ;| *+/;v
! !
HH
WT executor and deputy, and his
4? ;v
!] ;| e0 !
sons are the best deputies.
O people! The progeny of "TNe - G5
every prophet was from his
own loins whereas my F" v W5 wF" .%'+ U+ NBZ(c+
progeny is from the loins of
Ali. .w
" v W5 \NBZ(c+ !
O people! Surely, Iblis (the
greater Satan) caused Adam
|) k
; 0"H `H" "TNe - G5
to be dismissed from the L
"0 U NeD
W 5 }
garden through envy.
Thus, do not envy him or *+/+ ) r
F\ ! L
your deeds shall be nullified
and your feet shall slip, .*+/5 = ) @A" !
Verily, Adam was sent down
" (] XH" r
F"6+) } `i"
to earth only because of one
mistake, while he was the 6 ! ba ! Ua ;#9
0"
elite of Allah, the mighty and
the majestic. %& ! NA b+ v
84
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
condition, and you are what
you really are, and among *\) *\) !
you are the enemies of
Allah? . 4x ) *+/e5 !
Indeed, none hates Ali but a
wretched person, none keeps p7 - H" 2; jFB NH" )
himself attached to Ali but a
pious person, and none has
p7 H" 2; B !
faith in his (virtues) but a .R 95 RW5 5 H" 0" W5B !
sincere believer.
And in the honor of Ali, by ! w !
Allah, was the Chapter of al-
Asr (Ch. 103) revealed: :" sG b+ ( $ gA
“In the name of Allah, the
compassionate, the merciful. *" ;N W" N *" L"0
By the Time (of rising)!1 I L| ` L"i `H" " sG !
Most surely man is in loss,
except those who believe, do + ! e5 W B H"
righteous deeds, and enjoin
on each other the truth, and Z8
"0 v ! K
Ns
enjoin on each other patience
and constancy.” 2 .FNs"0 v !
1
The time in this verse, as Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) commented, refers to
the time of rising of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH). cf. Kamal al-Din, p. 656,
Hadith 1.
2
Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) interpreted these verses as follows: “Most
surely man is in loss, except those who believe in the guardianship
(Walaya) of the Commander of the Believers (PBUH), do righteous
←
85
deeds, i.e., perform the religious duties, and enjoin on each other the
truth, i.e., al-Walaya (accepting the leadership and guardianship of
Ali (PBUH)), and enjoin on each other patience and constancy, i.e.,
urge their progeny and their next generation to it and to observe
patience in that path.” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 24, p. 215, Hadith 4).
I3 J 3 K
+ L+!M! %*+ & N O + P *! + 3 F+ ! " Q = +!) )!< R S T+U! ;V! ) <
U%)S = 9 [ E G J
3 0M!" G X F+ ! !" J 3 /WL !" G X Y Z+U !
.[,%& 0M!" [" 9 B+ :+ ( " = +
1
Chapter 24, Verse 54 of the Holy Quran.
2
Chapter 3, Verse 102 of the Holy Quran. Since one does not know
his time of death, this verse implies that one should always be in the
state of submission.
86
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Part 5
Referring to the aims
of the hypocrites
#96 4 : 9 ; <= >
O people! Believe in Allah
and His Messenger and the ! "0 e5 "TNe - G5
light that was sent down with G5 @ A" +) (" e ! $(
him,1
1
cf. Chapter 64, Verse 8, and Chapter 7, Verse 157 of the Holy Quran.
The light mentioned in these verses has been interpreted as the 12
Imams (PBUT). cf. al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 194, Hadiths 1-4. The Prophet
(PBUH&HF) also emphasizes this in the sermon shortly later.
2
Chapter 4, Verse 47 of the Holy Quran.
3
The Prophet (PBUH&HF) was not supposed to penalize people based
on what he knew of their future actions. He only warned them,
informed them of the consequences of such actions, and advised
people against the wrongdoers, in general. After all, this world is the
place of trial, in which everyone may choose between the path of
←
87
Allah and all other divergent paths, and thus prove what he deserves
of reward and punishment in the Hereafter.
1
al-Qai’m means one who shall stand (to establish the kingdom of
Allah on earth). al-Mahdi means the rightly guided. These are the
titles of the twelfth divinely appointed Imam, who is alive and
waiting for the command of Allah.
88
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
killed, will you turn back on
your heels? *+/0"7) X *\F 7
And whoever turns back on
his heels shall not harm ;F7 X 7 eB W5 !
Allah in the least, and Allah
shall soon reward the
"AD;$ ! 2;- N[B W
■
grateful [who observe [.W B"0s] W B"' N^
patience.]■1
Behold! Ali is surely the one v 6 2; `H" ! )
described with patience and
gratitude, so are after him my
" / ^ ! " FNs"0
offspring from his loins. . F" v W5 ! G0 W5 N*+
O people! Do not think that "TNe - G5
you are doing a favor to
Allah by accepting Islam lest *+/5 $"H X e
His wrath should descend
upon you, and lest He should
*+/F;s; *+/; r
9 L;
afflict you with His punish- e W5 V
I G0"
ment; surely He is ever-
watching.2 . v "F NH"
1
cf. Chapter 3, Verse 144 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Chapter 89, Verse 14 of the Holy Quran.
89
1
cf. Chapter 28, Verse 41 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. verses 4:145 and 39:72 of the Holy Quran.
3
By “the sheet”, the Prophet was referring to “the first cursed
covenant sheet” that five leading men amongst the hypocrites
secretly wrote and signed beside the Ka’ba during the Prophet’s
farewell pilgrimage. They took an oath among themselves that they
must never let the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) come into power
after his departure. cf. Kitab Sulaim Ibn Qais al-Hilali, pp. 597, 650,
and 820.
90
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
(Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (PBUH),
here states that except for a small band H" T
" Ne X
6 @ =)
(who themselves were the People of
the Sheet) most people did not .(U ;Ns 5) *<e5 U2 5 c -
comprehend the issue of sheet).
91
1
Chapter 55, Verse 31 of the Holy Quran. According to the traditions,
the “two weights” in this verse refers to the Quran and Ahl al-Bait
(PBUT). cf., al-Tafsir, Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, vol. 2, p. 345,
Ta’wil al-Ayat al-Dhahira, p. 616.
2
Chapter 55, Verse 35 of the Holy Quran.
92
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
from the good ones. Nor
does He make you ac- X *+/G # ; ` ' 5 !
quainted with (the knowl-
edge of) the unseen.1 .
" ;j
O people! There shall be no
(wrongful) community but Ua B= W5 5 NH" "TNe - G5
that Allah shall perish it due
to the rejection (of truth) by .<F"B/ \0" </+ <5 ! H"
its people.
Such is what Allah, the
exalted, mentioned (in His 6 ! +7 z <B z
' !
book) as to how He destroys .XG ' c ' YU £
the wrongful societies.2
This is your leader and your
guardian, and these are 6 ! *+/;! ! *+/55H" 6 !
Allah’s promises. Verily, ! sB ! ;5
Allah fulfills His promise.
O people! Most of the early
generations before you have *+/ F= %P
= "TNe - G5
strayed, and surely, Allah
destroyed them. He shall be
z
6) 7 ! O
N!] l' )
the One who destroys the .W B"| z <5 6 ! O
N!]
later generations too.
1
cf. Chapter 3, Verse 179 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Verses 11:102, 18:59, 22:45, 22:48, and 28:59 of the Holy Quran.
93
,R .
ET RE Allah, the exalted, states: :G @ =
S TS “Did We not destroy the
AA O
N!] z
< * )
M
SI M
former generations? So shall
We follow the same for later
H SI (generations). Such is how
.W B"| *<G"F\ N*+
MH
A
I SII We treat the guilty. Woe on .O
5 " D "0 %+ G z
'
RE L that Day to the rejecters (of
VE A truth)!”1 .O"0./ a 5 B Y%B!
O SI
HH O people! Allah gave me the
WT commandments and the
`H" "TNe - G5
prohibitions, and I gave them "< ! " 5 ) =
to Ali by the order of Allah.
Hence, the knowledge of all " 5]0" \;< ! 2; K5) = !
commandments and prohibi-
tions are with him.
. B " <Ne! " 5] * G
Thus, listen to his orders so
that you remain safe, obey L " 5] G $
him so that you are guided,
and leave what he prohibits ;"<e <\ ! ! \< G;h) !
so that you become mature. ! 5 XH" !uv ! ! -
Conform to what he wants,
and do not let different paths . ;"F$ W %+ FL *+/0" N \
separate you from his path.2
1
Chapter 77, Verses 16-19 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf., Chapter 6, Verse 153 of the Quran.
94
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Part 6
Adherents of
Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) B- " (') ? @ A
and their enemies
O people! I am the Straight 1
+ v
) "TNe - G5
Path of Allah whom He
commanded you to follow,1 . FZ"0 *+' 5 ) *;7\L
and such after me also is Ali, G0 W5 p N*+
and then my offspring from
his loins, the Imams who F" v W5 ! N*+
guide with truth and turn
(people) to it.”2 .` + GB 0" ! Z8
"0 ` ! <B YUN E)
Then, the Prophet (PBUH&HF)
recited the entire Quranic ZV(
: ) = N*+
chapter of the opening (al- :@ = ! 6" | XH" O
G
Fatiha) and said:
“This (chapter) was revealed
in my honor and in theirs gA *"<; ! gA N
(i.e., the Imams’) generally .gNs| *6NBH" ! gN *< !
and specifically.
They are the authorized
friends of Allah, for whom C W B 4x ;!) z
!+)
there shall be no fear, nor .` AB *6 C ! *"<; R |
shall they grieve.3
1
cf. Chapter 6, Verse 153 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Chapter 7, Verse 181 of the Holy Quran.
3
cf. Chapter 10, Verse 62 of the Holy Quran.
95
1
cf. Chapter 5, Verse 56 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Chapter 6, Verse 112 of the Holy Quran.
3
Chapter 58, Verse 22 of the Holy Quran.
96
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
those whom Allah, the *<v
! W B *6o4;!) `H" )
mighty and the majestic, :@ 7 %& ! NA
describes as the following:
“Those who believe and do
not cover their faith with L"F B * ! e5 W B
injustice1, are the ones for
whom is the security (from
z
!+) *I ,+ 0" *<¤"H
Hellfire), and they are the .` ! \<5 *6 ! W5] *<
rightly guided.”2
[Indeed, their close adherents
are those who believed and *<E;!) `H" C)]
then have not entertained ♦
[0B *! e5 W B
doubt (in their faith).3]♦
Lo! Their close adherents
shall enter Paradise in peace
` + | B W B *6o4;!) `H" )
and security, and the angels U+ / E *67 \ ! O
e"5 U NeD
shall receive them with
greetings saying, “Well have 6+ | *\Fh ` ) *" ; LN\"0
you done! Hence, enter into
it to dwell therein forever!”4
.W B |
1
According to the traditions, injustice in faith, in its worst form, is the
recognition of the leadership of the enemies of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT).
Committing other sins in general is the lesser degree of this form of
injustice. cf. al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 413, Hadith 3; al-Tafsir, al-Ayyashi,
vol. 1, p. 366, Hadith 49; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 28, p. 16.
2
Chapter 6, Verse 82 of the Holy Quran.
3
cf. Chapter 49, Verse 15 of the Holy Quran.
4
cf. Chapter 39, Verse 73 of the Holy Quran.
97
1
cf. Chapter 40, Verse 40 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Chapter 67, Verse 7 and Chapter 11, Verse 106 of the Holy
Quran.
3
Chapter 7, Verse 38 of the Holy Quran.
98
Lo! Their enemies are those W B *6o4 ) `H" )
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
whom Allah, the mighty and
the majestic, describes as: :%& ! NA @ =
“Every time a group is cast
therein, its keepers shall ask *<]$ R <; 7 )+ '+
them, ‘Did no warner come RB *+/] B * ) <\A |
to you?’
They shall say, ‘Yes indeed.
A warner came to us, but we e0/ RB o4& = X 0 +=
rejected (him) and said,
Allah has not revealed
43 - W5 @ NA 5 e =+ !
anything;1 you are but in a .uF' @I P CH" *\) ` H"
great error.’
They shall also say, ‘Had we
listened or used our wisdom, 5 %+ 7 G !) : L Ne'+ += !
we would not have been
among the inmates of the .u
" GNL V
" v) Ne'+
blazing fire.’
They shall then confess their
sins; but far from mercy shall *"<F"0" + \
be the inmates of the burning .uGNL V
" v] 27L
fire.”2
1
This verse refers to the fact that rejecting the guardianship of Imam
Ali is equivalent to denying all of what has been revealed to the
Prophet (PBUH&HF), as confirmed earlier in the sermon. In other
words, saying, “Allah has not appointed Ali as the guardian and
Imam” is equivalent to saying, “Allah has not revealed anything.”
2
Chapter 67, Verses 8-11 of the Holy Quran.
99
1
cf. Chapter 67, Verse 12 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Chapter 13, Verse 7 of the Holy Quran.
100
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Part 7
Mentioning
Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH)
(') C 28
Know that the seal of the Ne5 U N E] * | `H" )
leaders from among us shall
be the Qa’im, the Mahdi. . < *E7
He shall, most certainly,
prevail over (all) religious .W" BZ X 6, NH" )
(methods of life).
He shall definitely be the
avenger against the .O
, W 5 *7\e NH" )
oppressors.
He shall surely be the
conqueror of the strongholds .<56 ! ` s NH" )
and their demolisher.
He shall be, indeed, the %" 6) W5 Ua ;"F= .%'+ %+ = NH" )
destroyer of every polytheis-
tic group. .t Z^
He shall be the attainer of
vengeance for the blood of (I .%/+ 0" t"( NH" )
all representatives of Allah, .%& ! NA 4? ;!]
the mighty and the majestic.
He shall be the supporter of
the religion of Allah.
. W" B vNe NH" )
101
,R .
ET RE He shall bring out (people’s
S TS
AA share) from (his) deep ocean
M .8I ; I 0 W5 Nj NH" )
SI M (of knowledge and divine
H SI resources).
MH
A
I SII He shall mark each man of
RE L distinction by his distinction %I [ c .%'+ *?LB NH" )
VE A and every man of ignorance . <D0" %I <& c .%'+ ! [0"
O SI by his ignorance.
HH
WT
Behold! He is the elite of b+ ;| NH" )
Allah, and Allah is his
chooser. .(\95 !
He shall be the heir of every
knowledge, and the one who *I .%'+ ¥
+ (" ! NH" )
shall encompass [every ■
■ [.*I < .%/+ 0"] r
+ ; !
perception] .
He shall advise and inform
on behalf of his Lord, the W "F9 NH" )
mighty and the majestic, and
shall remind about the
%& ! NA Z0(
matters pertaining to His . "¤H" " 5]0" ZFe !
faith.
He shall be the right-minded B NL ;-N NH" )
and unerring, to whom
authority shall be vested. . ;H" N NH" )
Behold! All former (proph- 0" N^0 = NH" )
ets) have given the glad
tidings of him. B B W ;0 f
$ W5
102
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
remaining proof (of Allah), U2 ND =F NH" )
after whom there shall be no G0 U ND !
(new) proof.1
There shall be no truth
except with him, nor shall G5 H" N8 !
there be any light (of
guidance) except at his . e H" ( !
disposal.
None, indeed, shall over-
q NH" )
come him, and none shall be
supported against him. . ; ( se5 !
He shall be the authorized
representative of Allah on P
() ! NH" ! )
His earth, His judge over His
creation, and His trustee in
7 | / !
His secrets and in what He . \;" ! Z$ e;5) !
made evident.
1
This phrase implies that there will be no Imam after the twelfth Imam
(PBUH). On the other hand, in the well-established belief of al-Raj’a,
it is confirmed beyond doubt that the 11 martyred Imams (PBUT) will
return after the rule of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH). However, considering
the fact that they are not new Imams or proofs, but the previous
proofs who will return after Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH), resolves this
apparent conflict.
103
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA
M
SI M Part 8
H SI Exhorting people
MH to give their pledge
, . D 4 ;$" F
E
A
I SII
RE L O people! I have, indeed,
VE A explained for you and made
O SI "TNe - G5
HH you comprehend (Allah’s
WT commandments), and it is *+/\ < ) ! *+/ geN;0 =
this Ali that shall make you
comprehend (every issue) . G0 *+/ <" B p 6 !
after me.
Notice that at the end of my
sermon, I shall call upon you \F# | 4? [7 e ZH" ! )
to shake hands with me as
the oath of allegiance to him \G ;0 X \7 s5 XH" *+')
and the recognition of his
authority, and to shake hands . G0 \7 s
5 N*+ 0" (" = i" !
with him afterwards.
I have, indeed, sworn gGB0 = ZH" ! )
allegiance to Allah, and Ali
has sworn allegiance to me, "eG B0 = p !
and, on behalf of Allah, the
mighty and the majestic, I U G ;F"0 *+'+ | ) !
require you to swear the oath
of allegiance to him, (for :%& ! NA W"
Allah says):
104
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
allegiance to you, they ` G"BFB NH" z
GB"FB W B `H"
indeed pledge allegiance to
Allah; the hand of Allah1 is *"<B B)
B
over their hands.
Thus, anyone who violates Ni" ¢
/ W
his oath has indeed violated
his (own) soul, L
? X ¢
+ /+ eB
and anyone who fulfills the
covenant he has made with ; 6 0" ¦!) W5 !
Allah, He shall soon grant . ;, 2&) ;;L
him a great reward.”2
1
“The hand of Allah” refers to Prophet (PBUH&HF) and Imam Ali
(PBUH). Those who shook hands with the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and
Imam Ali (PBUH), it was as if they shook hands with Allah. The hand
of Allah refers to the created power and mercy. Allah shows His
power through them. Likewise, Allah willed that His mercy should
reach His creation only through them. It is narrated that Imam Ali
(PBUH) stated: “Any verse in the Book of Allah in which one of the
words ‘eye’, ‘face’, ‘hand’, or ‘side’ is mentioned (for Allah), it
refers to the Wali (the divinely appointed authority).” (Bihar al-
Anwar, vol. 25, p. 173). The proof (al-Hujja) of Allah is His “hand”
of mercy over His creation, His “eyes” as witness over His creations,
and His “face” as the means of recognition, identification,
remembrance, and turning to Allah. Allah is far removed from
having organs, as He is the creator of the face, eye, and hand.
Whatever is other than Allah falls into the category of His creation
and Allah does not need any of His creation. He is Almighty, Ever
Hearing and Seeing without means. Yet, He has created means for
His servants, only through whom one can seek nearness of Allah. For
the description of “side”, see an earlier footnote.
2
Chapter 48, Verse 10 of the Holy Quran.
105
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA
M
SI M Part 9
H SI Finality of the religious laws 04/0 GH 0I J
MH
A
I SII and the role of the Imams 6 0-. = K
RE L
VE A O people! The greater and "TNe - G5
O SI the lesser pilgrimages, and
HH
WT (the mounts of) al-Safaa and Ns ! b G ! N
`H"
al-Marwa are among the
emblems of Allah; " EG- W5 b ! !
Thus, whoever goes to visit
the House in the season or at
other times, he is not wrong \ !" ) g
;F N W
if he repeatedly walks . <" 0" N#B ` ) ; S
e&
between the two (mounts of
al-Safa and al-Marwa).1
O people! Do make pilgrim-
age to the House, for no g
;F D "TNe - G5
members of a family went
there except that they ej\$ H" g
a ;0 %+ 6) ( !
became free of need [and ♦
! [!^0+) ! ]
e + 9
received glad tidings!]♦ None
failed to go there except that .!7\ H"
they were impoverished.
1
cf. Chapter 2, Verse 158 of the Holy Quran.
106
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
at the standing place (of the
Arafat desert) except that f
$ 5 q H" RW5 5
Allah forgives all his past
sins until then. Thus, once
z
c \= ! XH" F"c W5
his pilgrimage is over, \ND g[7 ci"
(recording) his actions is
resumed. .+ ; f
"\$
O people! The pilgrims
shall be assisted, ` G5 ND "TNe - G5
and their expenses YU 9
5 *<7 !
shall be reimbursed,
and Allah shall not waste the
reward of those who do .O
e"L
? &) :;[B C !
well.1
O people! Perform
pilgrimage to the House g
;F D "TNe - G5
having perfected faith (with
Walaya of Ali) and deep J7 N\ ! W" BZ @" / 0"
understanding (of religion),
and do not leave the sacred
visiting places except after 6 ^ W" +" s
e !
repenting and desisting (from .{
I = H" ! Ua 0\0" H"
all sins).
1
cf. Chapter 11, Verse 115 of the Holy Quran.
107
,R .
ET RE
S TS O people! Establish the "TNe - G5
AA
M
SI M
prayers and pay the charity
b 'NA ! b Ns ;=)
H SI as Allah, the mighty and the
MH majestic, commanded you. %& ! NA *+' 5 ) '
A
I SII
RE L 5 ] *+/; @ h ` i"
VE A But, if time lapses and you
O SI fall short or forget, then Ali
*\;?L !) *Ns7
HH shall direct you and shall
WT
explain for you. *+/ RWZ;F5 ! *+/;! p G
He is the one whom Allah,
the mighty and the majestic, %& ! NA Fs
appointed for you after me
[as the trustee of His
. 7 | O
5) ] G0 *+/
♦
creation. He is from me and I [e5 ) ! XZe5 NH"
am from him.]♦
He and those who will
succeed him from my §NBZ(c+ W5 f+ 9 W5 ! 6
progeny shall inform you of
anything you ask about, and
! e ` ]L 0" *+/!"F9B
shall clarify what you do not .` G 5 *+/ ` eZ;FB
know.
108
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Therefore, I was commanded
to take an oath of allegiance *+/e5 U G ;F | ` ) K5]+
and a covenant from you in
accepting what I brought you g&" 5 @" F70" *+/ U 7 Ns !
from Allah, the mighty and
the majestic, regarding Ali,
w %& ! NA W" 0"
the Commander of the 4? ;v!] ! O
e"5 u
" 5 )
Believers, and the executors
(of my affairs) after him who e5 ! Ze5 *6 W B G0 W5
are from me and from him,
O people! (By this appoint- "TNe - G5
ment) I have directed you to
every lawful deed and ; *+/\ @I J%'+ !
prohibited you from every
unlawful deed. .e *+/\;< }I J%'+ !
And I shall never take (my * ! z
c W :"&() * Zi"
word) back, nor shall I
replace it. .@ Z 0)+
109
1
The term “infallible leaders” refers to the divinely appointed leaders
whom Allah protected from sins. This term, however, should not
imply that they are unable to commit a sin; rather it means they
voluntarily seek Allah’s protection, and consequently Allah provides
them with His shield and protection which strictly hold them back
from sin. According to the Holy Quran and the traditions, whoever
truly seeks Allah’s protection, Allah shall protect him. For instance,
Allah, the mighty and the majestic, states: “And whoever seeks
protection ( ) from Allah, he will be, indeed, guided to a straight
way.” (3:101) He also states:“As for those who believe in Allah and
seek protection ( ) from Him, He shall soon enter them to mercy
and grace from Himself, and shall guide them to him (who is) a
straight way.” (4:175) Also, “Surely the watchful are in a secure
position.” (44:51) Moreover, “And whoever is careful of (his duty to)
Allah, He will make for him an outlet, and will give him from whence
he thinks not. And whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him;
←
110
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
informs you that the Imams *+/+ ZG B `+ +7 "TNe - G5
after him (i.e., Ali) are his
descendants, and I have
! G0 W5 U N E] `)
already informed you that e5 ! Ze5 *<N) *+/\N !
they are of me and of him,
111
1
Chapter 22, Verse 1 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Chapter 21, Verse 47 of the Holy Quran.
3
See the previous explanation of the “hand of Allah” in the footnotes.
4
cf. Chapter 27, Verses 89-90 of the Holy Quran.
112
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
Part 10
Pronouncing the , !
covenant and taking
the oath of allegiance , LJ
"TNe - G5
O people! There are too
many of you to shake my "+7 s ` ) W5 l' ) *+/NH"
hand at the same time,
a ! g
a = ! a ! wf/ 0"
and Allah, the mighty and
the majestic, commanded me %& ! NA " 5 ) = !
to take verbal recognition
from you regarding what I ( = i" *+/\eL
? ) W5 | ` )
finalized (on behalf of Allah)
about Ali, the Commander of Oe5 u
" 5) w G K 7 0"
the Believers, and about the Ze5 U N E] W 5 G0 4o & W !
Imams from me and him
who shall succeed him, *+/\ ) 5 X e5 !
based on what I informed
you that my offspring are . F" v W5 \NBZ(c+ `)
from his loins.
Therefore, pronounce this in
one voice:
:*+/G &]0" ++7
113
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA
M
SI M
H SI “We heard, obeyed, are
MH satisfied, and are submitted ` G;#5 ` G5$ NH"
A
I SII to what you have conveyed to ` !7e5 ` P(
RE L
VE A us from our Lord and your
O SI Lord with regard to the z
Z0( ! eZ0( W g
j 0
HH authority of Ali, the Com-
WT mander of the Believers, and O
e5 "u5) w " 5)
the authority of the Imams .U N E] W 5 F" v W5 ! " 5) !
from his loins.
We pledge allegiance to you
in this regard with our e0"+ 7+ 0" z
c X z
G"BF
hearts, our souls, our eB B) ! e\eL
? ) ! eL
? + ) !
tongues, and our hands.
According to this, shall we K ! ; z
c X
live, shall we die, and shall
we be resurrected. ¢
+ G F !
We shall not alter, nor shall
we substitute, nor shall we
z^ ! @+ Z F ! Z;j !
♦
entertain doubt, [nor shall V ! [
DC!]
we deny,] ♦ nor shall we
distrust, nor shall we <G W :"& !
withdraw from the covenant,
nor shall we breach the pact.
.
l; +7e !
114
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
us on behalf of Allah _
0" e\, ! ]
regarding Ali, the Com-
mander of the Believers, and
O
e5 u
" 5) wX
the Imams after him that you K
'c W B U N E] !
mentioned to be of your
offspring from his descen- G0 ! W5 z
\NBZ(c+ W5
dants (who are): al-Hasan,
al-Husain, and whomever
W" ;L ! W" L
Allah shall appoint after . 6 G0 Fs
W5 !
them.
The covenant and the pledge Yc|]5 *< l; ! <G
are taken from us, from our
hearts, our souls, our eL
? + ) ! e"0+ =+ W5 Ne5
tongues, our minds, and our
hands. .eB B) ! " E P
! e\eL
? ) !
Anyone (of us) who can
reach him shall shake his ;0" <'( ) W5
hand, otherwise he shall
affirm the covenant by his "L 0" <"0 N= ) 7 H" !
tongue. We shall not seek ! C2 0 z
"0 j \F !
any substitute for it, nor shall ♦
Allah see in our souls any . [C2 e?L+ ) W5 B
diversion from it.]♦1
1
We have mentioned the part within the brackets from al-Yaqin due to
the greater fluency of its narration. The original text of this part
according to the narration in al-Ihtijaj is as follows: “We obey Allah,
and obey you and Ali, the Commander of the Believers, and his
descendants, whom as you mentioned, are from your offspring from
his loins after al-Hasan (PBUH) and al-Husain (PBUH).”—I have
←
115
116
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You are also witness over us;
so are anyone who obeyed,
visible or covered, Allah’s \\$ ! < £ WN 5 {
h) W5
Angels, His forces, and His ;"F ! e& ! U+ / E 5 !
servants. And Allah is
greater than every witness.” .a ;"<- .%'+ W5 F' ) !
1
Chapter 39, Verse 41 of the Holy Quran.
2
cf. Chapter 48, Verse 10 of the Holy Quran.
117
,R .
ET RE O people! Be mindful of +7N "TNe - G5
S TS Allah, give your oath of
AA O
e"5 u
5 ) 2; G"B0 !
M
SI M
allegiance to Ali, the
Commander of the Believers,
H SI may Allah’s blessings be
; K v
MH
A
I SII upon him, to al-Hasan and W ;L ! W L
!
RE L al-Husain, and to the Imams ♦
VE A [from them]♦, [*<e5] { U N E] !
O SI
HH a goodly Word, that is
WT enduring.1
U2 ;= 0 U2 FZ;h U2 '
Allah shall cause whoever
acts treacherously to perish ( q W5 z <B
and shall have mercy on .X! W5 *B !
whoever remains loyal.
“Thus, anyone who violates ¢
+ /+ eB Ni" ¢
/ W
his oath has indeed violated
his (own) soul, L
? X
and anyone who fulfills the
covenant he has made with ; 6 0" ¦!) W5 !
Allah, He shall soon grant . ;, 2&) ;;L
him a great reward.”2
1
This phrase refers to the Verse 28, Chapter 43 of the Holy Quran,
where Allah states, “(Allah) made it a Word, enduring in his
posterity…” On the commentary of this verse, Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH)
said, “This (word) means leadership (Imamate), which Allah has
placed it in the offspring of al-Husain (PBUH) until the Day of
Judgement.” (Kamal al-Din, p. 358, Hadith 57; Bihar al-Anwar, vol.
24, p. 177, Hadith 8).
2
Chapter 48, Verse 10 of the Holy Quran.
118
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êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
O people! Say what I told
you, and greet Ali with the
title of “The Commander of
! *+/ g =+ ++=
the Believers.” .O
e"5 b 5"i0" w X . $
And also say: “We listened,
and obeyed, Your forgive- eGh) ! eG $ :++= !
ness (do we seek), Our Lord,
and towards Your (reward or
eN0( z
q+
punishment) is the eventual .us z
;H" !
turn.”1
1
Chapter 2, Verse 285 of the Holy Quran. For the usage of term
“Masir” for Paradise and Hell, refer to verses 25:15 and 14:30 of the
Holy Quran, respectively.
2
Chapter 7, Verse 43 of the Holy Quran.
119
1
This phrase can be read in two ways with different meanings. The
word (with accent) means “and introduced them”, but
(without accent) means “while cognizant of them”.
2
There are numerous traditions from different Imams (PBUT) to this
effect: “Do not call us Lords (Arbab), but (other than this) tell
anything you wish in our merits, because you will never reach the
depth of the merits that Allah has bestowed upon us.” cf. Bihar al-
Anwar, vol. 25, p. 270, Hadith 15; p. 273, Hadith 20; p. 279, Hadith
22; p. 283, Hadith 30; p. 289, Hadith 45; vol. 26, pp. 2-6, Hadith 1;
vol. 47, p. 68, Hadith 15.
3
cf. Chapter 33, Verse 71 of the Holy Quran.
120
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
O people! The foremost from
among you in paying XH" ` +70"NL "TNe - G5
homage to him, (truly)
accepting his guardianship, ; *" ; LN\ ! 5 ! \G BF5
and greeting him as “the *6 z
!+) O
e"5 b 5"i0"
Commander of the Believ-
ers” are the winners of the .*" ;GNe K
Ne& ` !AE
gardens of bliss.
121
,R .
ET RE
S TS
AA Endnotes
M
SI M
H SI The marks that appear in the text show the choice of
MH
A
I SII
phrases from the following books, which have minor
RE L differences in wording from the original text of al-Ihtijaj,
VE A narrated from Imam al-Baqir (PBUH). The marked phrases
O SI either do not appear in al-Ihtijaj, or have slightly different
HH
WT wordings:
♦
According to al-Yaqin, pp. 343-361, narrated from Imam
al-Baqir (PBUH).
■
According to Rawdhat al-Wa’idhin, part 1, pp. 89-99,
narrated from Imam al-Baqir (PBUH).
* According to Iqbal al-A’mal, p. 456, narrated from
Hudhaifa Ibn Yamaan. Notice that in al-Ihtijaj, this part
is divided into two sections, which are a few sentences
away from each other. This part has also been narrated
separately through numerous authorities from many of
the Imams (PBUT). cf. al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 295, Hadith 3
(narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH)); al-Tafsir, al-
Ayyashi, vol. 1, p. 332, Hadith 153 (narrated from Imam
al-Baqir (PBUH)); Tafsir al-Imam al-Askari (PBUH), p.112,
Hadith 58 (narrated from Imam al-Kadhim (PBUH)); Bihar
al-Anwar, vol. 37, pp. 118-222, Ahadith 7-90, from
numerous authorities.
§
According to Iqbal al-A’mal, p. 454, narrated from
Hudhaifa Ibn Yamaan. This part has also been narrated
122
êüìß@ïÜÇ@a‰èÏ@êüìß@oä×@åß
For the detailed Shia and Sunni references in this regard,
see Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 23, Book of Imama, section 7,
pp. 104-147.
□
According to al-Tahsin, p. 584, narrated from Zaid Ibn
Arqam.
123