What is the origin of Ghadir Khumm incident?
-Is the incident of Ghadir Khumm, which is the opinion that the Shia put forward as the greatest evidence (for the Caliphate of Ali), mentioned in the sources of the Ahl as- Sunnah?
- I have read your articles regarding the issue on the site. However, the incident is narrated according to Shiite sources there. And a work called Asbab an-Nuzul written by Wahidi is given. As a matter of fact, I think, Tabari states that there is a weakness in the chain of narrators of the narration describing this event.
- Is the Wahidi a source of Ahl as-Sunnah or Shiite?
- Is this aforementioned incident narrated in the sources of Ahl as- Sunnah or not? There are hadiths about it as we read in the article you have given on the site; they are sound hadith sources, Tirmidhi, Muslim, etc. For example, the hadith, ‘If I am someone’s mawla, Ali is his mawla too.’
- So, should we say this: There is no sound support of this incident in the sources of Ahl as-Sunnah, but what the Shiites say there is also mentioned in our hadiths as they claim?
- (Of course, they use the word caliph but we say mawla, which is a difference.) Maybe the reason why I ask this question is this: I watched videos from Sunni imams on the internet; some of them state that this incident did not take place or it did not take place as they claim; others state that it took place but what our Prophet meant was different.
(Note: I read what was written about the issue on the site. However, since this question occupies my mind, I felt the need to ask you.)
Submitted by on Thu, 01/09/2022 - 14:50
Dear Brother / Sister,
- Wahidi is a source of Ahl as-Sunnah.
- “If I am someone’s mawla, Ali is his mawla too.” This hadith is also included in Sunni hadith sources. (see Tirmidhi, Manaqib, 19; Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 11; Ahmad b. Hanbal, 1/84, 118,119, 4/281; Hakim, 3/109; Nasai, Khasaisu Ali, 1/102, 113)
-Besides, Dhahabi, one of the scholars of Ahl as-Sunnah and a famous hadith authority, said “mutawatir” for the text of the hadith. (see Dhahabi, Siyaru Alamin-Nubala, 8/335)
- Another hadith authority is Ibn Hajar.
Ishaq said: Abu Amr reported me from Kathir b. Ziyad, and he from Muhammad b. Umar, and he from his father Umar b. Ali, and he from Ali b. Abu Talib the following:
The Messenger of Allah held my hand in Ghadir Khumm and said: ‘Do you testify that Allah is your Lord?’ They said: ‘Yes, Messenger of Allah!’ This time, he said: ‘Do you testify that Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to you than your own selves, and that Allah and His Messenger are your awliya (saints)?’ They said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ Thereupon he said:
‘If I am someone’s mawla, Ali is his mawla too. And I entrust you two things; as long as you hold on to them, you will never go astray: The Book of Allah and my Ehl al-Bayt.’” (see Ibn Hajar, al-Matalibul-Aliya, 16/142/h. no : 3943)
Ibn Hajar states that the chain of narrators of this hadith is “sahih (sound)”. (see ibid)
- Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, who is also a great Sunni scholar also states that this hadith in “Ghadir Khumm” is sound and that there are several hadith expressions praising Ali (ra):
“The reason the Hadiths praising ‘Ali more than the other three Caliphs have become so widespread is that the people of truth, that is, the Sunnis, spread many narrations about him in response to the Umayyads and Kharijites attacking and disparaging him unjustly.
The other Rightly-Guided Caliphs were not subject to such criticism and detraction, so no need was felt to spread Hadiths about them.
Furthermore, the Prophet (UWBP) saw with the eye of prophethood the grievous events and internal strife to which ‘Ali would be exposed in the future, and in order to save him from despair and his community from thinking unfavorably of him, he consoled him and guided his community with significant Hadiths like “Whosever master I am, ‘Ali too is his master.” (see Lem'alar, p. 23)
- It means that the hadith in question and the Ghadir Khumm sermon are true. However, the concept of “mawla” mentioned in the hadith does not mean caliph according to Sunnis.
The summary of the issue is as follows:
“The Sainthood Shi‘a have no right to criticize the Sunnis, for the Sunnis have not decried ‘Ali, indeed, they love him sincerely. But they avoid the excessive love which is described as dangerous in Hadiths. The Prophet’s (UWBP) praise of ‘Ali’s followers in the Hadiths refers to the Sunnis. For it is the Sunnis among ‘Ali’s followers who love him in a moderate fashion and are the people of truth. Just as excessive love of Jesus (Upon whom be peace) is dangerous for Christians, so it has been made clear in sound Hadiths that that sort of excessive love for ‘Ali is dangerous. (see Lem’alar, p. 24)
Questions on Islam
- Shiite say that the Prophet was informed about the caliphate of Hz. Ali in a place called Ghadir Khumm and that it was the order of Allah. What is the truth about this issue?
- Will you give information about Ghadir Khumm incident?
- I do not understand why some of the narrations originating from Shia are included in some Sunni Works.
- “If I am someone’s mawla, Ali is his mawla too.” What is the meaning of this hadith?
- Shiite say that the Prophet was informed about the caliphate of Ali (ra) in a place called Ghadir Khumm and that it was the order of Allah. What is the truth about this issue?
- Did Ali (ra) say that the Quran was distorted?
- Shia and their claims about Hz. Ali’s caliphate...
- Is Ghadir Khumm a valid feast day according to the sunnah?
- What are the evidences of Shia for their claim that Hz. Ali should have been the first caliph and how can these claims be answered?
- Is it true that Sunni scholars also say that caliphate was the right of Ali first?