The Ghadir Sermon

Last Sermon/Khotbah of the Prophet,
The Ghadir Sermon
The Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH&HP) last sermon/khotbah -delivered by the
pond of Ghadir- has been narrated by over 400 Sunni scholars and thousands of
Shi'ah scholars. The Prophet, when returning from his last pilgrimage Hajj
-Hajjat-Ol-Weda'-, on the 18th of Dhyl-Hajjah stopped by the pond of Ghadir
and in front of over one hundred thousand people delivered the following
sermon and after the speech, the people pledged their allegiance to the Prophet
Mohammad and his Divinely chosen Successor, Ali (PBUT). The whole procedure
took three days.
It is important to remember that in translation the spirit of the text may not be
fully transferred, so it is recommended that the Arabic text along with related
Hadithes are also studied.
Let us read the last sermon/khotbah of the final holy Prophet (PBUH&HP)
together:
Part 1
Praising Allah and Regarding Him Pure
Praise belongs to Allah Who is exalted above in His oneness, and is near (to His
creations) in His Loneliness and uniqueness, and is sublime in His Authority and
Lordship, and great in His Arkan. His knowledge encompasses everything while
He is in His Status; He subdues all creations through His Power and Proof.
He has always been praise worthy and shall always be praised; [He is glorified
Whose glory has no end. He originates and returns (creations), and to Him all
affairs and Amrs are returned.]* He is the Maker of what has been elevated, the
Expander of what has been spread out (the earth); and the Dominator of Lands
and the heavens.
He is Sobbooh and Qoddoos, Holy and Glorified above all glorifications and
purifications, the Lord of angels and the Spirit. He grants to all that he
originated; He sees all eyes, and eyes do not see Him. He is bounteous,
forbearing and patient. He made His mercy encompass everything, (1) and He
favored them by His grace. He does not hasten His revenge, nor does He take
the initiative on what (He knows) they deserve of His punishment. He
comprehends the secrets, and knows what the hearts and consciences conceal.
Hidden things are not concealed from Him, nor the hidden seem to Him
otherwise. He encompasses and dominates everything, and has strength and
power over everything. Nothings is like Him,(2) while He (Himself) is the
establisher of thing when it was nothing. He is everlasting living, [free of need
and independent]*, who acts justly; there is no god but He, the mighty, the
wise.(3) He is exalted beyond being grasped by visions, while He grasps all
visions, and He is all-kind, all-aware.(4) None can reach His description by
seeing Him, nor can any one find out how He is, from any secrets or open,
unless what Allah, the mighty and the majestic, Himself has guided to.
I testify that He is Allah, Whose holiness overspreads all ages, Whose light
overwhelms eternity, Who enforces His command without consulting an advisor;
there is no partner with Him in (His) planning, nor is there any discrepancy in
management. He shaped whatever He originated without a preexisting model,
and created whatever He created without getting assistance from anyone, or
burdening Himself, and needing no stratagem; He originated it thus it came into
being, and He formed it (in His intention), thus it became distinct.
So, He is Allah, the One that there is no god but He, Who is proficient in skill,
and beautiful in action. He is the just Who never oppresses, and the most
generous to Whom all affairs and Amrs are referred and returned. (5)
I further testify that He is Allah that before His magnificence everything is
humble, before His might everything is submissive, before His power, everything
surrenders, and before His awe, everything yields. He is the king of all domains,
the turner of the heavenly bodies in their orbits, the dominator of the sun and
the moon, each of which pursues its course to an appointed time. He makes
night overtake day, and day overtake night, (each one) seeking the other
rapidly. He is the destroyer of every stubborn tyrant, and the annihilator of
every rebellious Satan. Neither has there been any opposing power beside Him,
nor any peer. He is Samad, Unique, independent and impenetrable. He never
begets nor is He begotten, and none can ever be a match for Him. (6)He is the
only God, the glorious Lord, who wills and thus carries out, Who intends, and
thus decrees, Who knows, and thus takes into account. He causes death and
gives life. He impoverishes and enriches. (7)He causes smile and happiness ,
sadness and tears.(8) He denies and grants. For Him is sovereignty, so is praise.
In His hand is all goodness, and He is all-powerful to do everything.(9) He lets
night enter the day and day enter night; here is no god but He, the mighty, the
all-forgiving. He is the responder to supplications, open-handed in granting, the
enumerator of breaths, and the Lord of the Jinn-kind and humankind. Neither
does anything bring difficulty for Him, nor does the cry of those who appeal for
help annoy Him, nor does the insistence of those who insist exhaust Him or
force Him to assent.
He (is who) has protected righteous, and has given success to the prosperous.
He is the Mola and guardian of the faithful, and the Lord of the worlds, Who
deserves that all His creations thank Him and praise Him [in any situation, I
praise Him and thank Him]* in joy and sorrow, and in hardship and comfort; I
believe in Him , His angels, His Books and His Messengers; I listen to His
command and obey Him, proceed towards whatever pleases Him, and submit to
what He decrees, longing for His obedience and fearing His punishment, for, He
is Allah, against Whose schemes, no one should feel secure, nor should anyone
be in fear of injustice from Him.
Part Two
Preparation for Delivering an Important Commandment from
Allah
I confess before Him that submissiveness (Oboodyyat) befits my soul, and I
bear witness that Lordship befits Him. I convey what He revealed to me, lest
should I not do it, He may make lawful that a calamity befalls me; that which no
one can turn away from me even if he has great schemes [and sincere
friendship]*, there is no God but He. He has informed me that if I do not
convey what He has revealed to me [about Ali's right]*, then I have not
conveyed His message at all.
Certainly, He, the most holy, the most high, has guaranteed for me protection
[from the people]*, and He is Allah, Who is sufficient and bountiful. Thus, He
revealed to me : “In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful. O'
Messenger! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord -regarding
Ali Ibn Abi Talib and his leadership- and if you do not, you have not conveyed
His message at all, and Allah shall protect you from people.” (10)
O' people! I have never been neglectful of conveying what Allah, the exalted,
sent down to me, and I shall now explain to you the reason behind the
revelation of this verse. Verily, Gabriel came down to me three times and
delivering me my Lord's Salaam -who (Allah) is Salaam (peace and security)-
and His Order that I should stand in this scene and inform everyone, white and
black: Ali Ibn Abi Talib is my brother, my deputy and my executor (Wasi), my
successor (Caliph) [over my nation]*, and the leader (Imam) after me; whose
position to me is like that of Aaron to Moses except that there shall be no
prophet after me, and that he is your guardian (Waly) after Allah and His
messenger. Indeed, Allah, the most holy, the most high, had sent down to me a
verse from His Book about this, saying: “Only your Waly is Allah and His
messenger and those of the Believers who perform the prayers and pay Zakaah
while they Rokoo'.” (11)
Ali Ibn Abi Talib [was the one who]* performed prayer and paid Zakaah while
bowing down in Rokoo'; he (Ali) keeps Allah in mind, the mighty and the
majestic, in all situations.
I asked Gabriel to request Allah [Salaam]* to excuse me from conveying it to
you:
O' people! Due to my knowledge on the fewness of the pious and the
numerousness of the hypocrites and the corruption and the treachery of the
sinful and the trickery of those who ridicule Islam, those whom Allah has
described in His Book as: “they say with their tongues what is not in their
hearts,” (12) “taking it lightly, while it is a grave matter in the view of Allah.”
(13)
And due to their annoying me on many occasions, so much so that they called
me “ear”, claiming I am so because of Ali's frequent attendance in my presence
and my attention to him, until Allah, the mighty and the majestic, sent down in
this regard:
“And of them are some who annoy the Prophet and say: He is “ear” (for
accepting what he hears, particularly from Ali). Say: One whom you call “ear” is
best for you; He believes in Allah, safeguards the believers, and is a mercy for
those of you who believe. And for those who annoy the messenger of Allah,
there shall be a painful torment.”(14)
Had I wished to name those who have called me so, to point out towards them,
or to indicate them with their indications, I would have done so; yet, by Allah, I
have indeed dealt with their affairs magnanimously. Nevertheless, Allah is not
pleased with me until I convey what He has sent down to me [regarding the
right of Ali]*.
Then, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) recited: “O' Messenger! Deliver what has been
sent down to you from your Lord -with regard to Ali- and if you do not, you will
not have conveyed His message at all, and Allah shall protect you from
people.”(15)
Part 3
Open Declaration of the Leadership of Ali Ibn Abi talib
(PBUH) and the Imams After Him
O' people! Know that Allah has assigned him (Ali) as a waly and a leader for
you, whose obedience is obligatory for the Immigrants (Mohaajerin), the
Helpers (Ansar), and for those who follow, beautifully.
And for everyone, whether village or city residents, Arab or non-Arab, free or
slave, young or old, white or black, and for every monotheist. His (Ali) decree is
to be carried out, his sayings are permitted (as law), and his command is
effective. Far from Allah's mercy is whoever opposes him, blessed with mercy is
whoever follows him, faithful is whoever acknowledges him. Indeed, Allah has
covered him and those who listen to him and obey him with mercy and
forgiveness. O' people! This is the last stand I make in his gathering; thus,
listen, obey and submit to the command of your Lord, for Allah, the mighty and
the majestic, is your Mola and Master, then [His Messenger]*, Mohammad, who
is now addressing you, is your waly and master.
Then after me, Ali is your waly and your Imam by the command of Allah, your
Lord.
Then Imamat shall be in my progeny, from his offespring, until the Day you
meet Allah and His Messenger. Nothing is lawful (Halaal) except what Allah
declared so, [as well as His Messenger, and them ]*, and nothing is unlawful
(Haraam) except what Allah declared so, [as well as His Messenger, and them]*;
Allah the mighty and the majestic, has informed me of the permissible (Halaal)
and the forbidden (Haraam) things, and I have made known to him (Ali) what
my Lord has taught me of His Book, the permissible, and the forbidden things.
O' people! There is no knowledge except that Allah has kept its account in me,
and I have recorded the details of all the knowledge that I was taught, in the
Imam of the pious, (Ali -PBUH-).
Certainly, there is no knowledge except that I have taught it to Ali, and he is the
evident Imam (Mobin) [whom Allah mentions in the Surah Yaasin: “... And we
have kept the detailed account of everything in a Mobin Imam]* (16)
O' people! Do not stray from him, nor should you flee from him, nor should you
refuse his guardianship (walayat) and his authority, for he is the one who guides
to Truth and acts upon it, and crushes falsehood and proscribes it, and in the
path of Allah the blame of blamers do not hold him back.
He is the first to believe in Allah and in His Messenger; and he is the one who
offered his life as a sacrifice for the Messenger of Allah. [I commanded him, on
behalf of Allah, to sleep in my bed, and he did it to sacrifice himself for me.]*
He was with the Messenger of Allah when no one among men worshiped Allah
in the company of His Messenger other than him.
O' people! Prefer him (over all others), for Allah has indeed preferred him, and
turn to him, for Allah has indeed appointed him.
O' people! He is an Imam authorized by Allah, and Allah shall never turn to
anyone (in mercy) who denies his authority, nor shall He ever forgive him; this
is a decisive decree by Allah that He shall do so to anyone who opposes His
command about him, and shall torment him with the most painful torment,
which lasts forever and ever. Hence, beware lest you oppose him, and then,
enter Fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the disbelievers. (17)
O' people! By Allah, all early prophets and messengers have given the glad
tiding of my advent. I am the last(ending seal) of the prophets and the
messengers, and the proof (Hojjat of Allah) over all the creatures, of the
inhabitants of the heavens and the earths.
He who doubts this, is indeed a disbeliever, with the disbelief of the early era of
ignorance. And he who doubts anything of this which was said, has doubted all
that has been revealed to me. [And any one who doubts any of the Imams, has
doubted them all]*, and anyone who doubts us, shall be in the Fire.
O' people! Allah, the mighty and the majestic, has bestowed this virtue upon me
out of His kindness and His grace. And there is no god but He. My praise is for
Him forever and ever, and in all circumstances.
O people! Prefer Ali (over all others), for he is the best of the people, men or
women, after me so long as Allah sends down His sustenance and (and so long
as) the creation exists.
Away from Allah's mercy, and again away from Allah's mercy, under wrath and
again under wrath, is he who rejects this saying of mine and does not agree
with it.
Certainly, Gabriel has informed me of this from Allah, the most high, Who also
said: “Anyone who bears enmity against Ali and refuses his authority, for him
shall be My La'n (he shall be away from Allah's Mercy).” Thus, every soul should
look to what he has sent forth for the tomorrow. Be watchful of (your duty
towards) Allah lest you should oppose Him and (your) foot should slip after its
stability. Verily, Allah is well-aware with (all) that you do. (18)
O' people! He (Ali) is “the Janb of Allah”that is mentioned in Allah's Book. He,
exalted, says: “Lest a soul should (then) say:Ah! Woe onto me that i abused
and neglected (my duties towards) the Janb of Allah.” (19)
O' People! Reflect on the Qur'an and comprehend its verses. Look into its clear
and firm (Mohkam) verses and do not follow its ambiguous (Motashaabeh)
parts, for, swear by Allah, none shall be able to explain to you its (Quran's)
warnings and its mysteries, nor shall anyone clarify its interpretation, other than
the one that I have grasped his hand, brought up beside myself, [and lifted his
arm,]* the one about whom I inform you that whomever I am his Mola and
Master, this Ali is his Master and Mola; and he is Ali Ibn Abi Talib, my brother,
my executor, whose appointment as (your) guardian and leader has been sent
down to me from Allah, the mighty and the majestic.
O' people! [indeed, I am leaving amongst you two weighty and precious things
that if you adhere to both, you will never go astray.]* Verily, Ali and the pure
ones among my progeny are the lesser weight, and the Qur'an is the greater
weight. Each one [of the two]* informs about the other and agrees with it. They
shall never part until they return to me at the Pool (of Al-kawthar on the Day of
Judgment).
Behold! They (the Ahl-Ol-Bait “PBUT”) are the trustees of Allah amongst His
creation, and His people of wisdom on His earth. Thereafter, Allah's Messenger
(PBUH&HP) took the upper arm of Imam Ali (PBUH) by his hand, raised it, and
said: [O' people! Who has more priority over you than yourselves? People said:
Allah and His Messenger. Then, he (PBUH&HP) said: Behold! Whosoever I am
his Mola, this Ali is his Mola. O' Allah! Stay firm in supporting those who stay
firm in following him, be hostile to those who are hostile to him, help those who
help him, and forsake those who forsake him.]*
O' people! This Ali is my brother , my executor (wasi), the container of my
knowledge, my successor (Caliph) over my nation, and over the interpretation of
the Book of Allah, the mighty and the majestic, and the true inviter to . He is
the one who acts according to what pleases Him, fights His enemies, causes to
adhere to His obedience, and advises against His disobedience.
Surely, He is the successor of the Messenger of Allah, the commander of the
Believers, the guiding Imam, and the killer of the oath breakers (Naakethin) the
transgressors (Qaasetin), and the apostates (Maareqin).
I speak by the authority of Allah. The word with me shall not be changed. (20) I
say with the command of Allah: O' Allah! Be the guardian of him who adheres to
him. Be the enemy of him who bears enmity against him. La'n him who rejects
him. Be wrathful towards him who denies his right. Indeed, I have now fulfilled.
Indeed, I have now conveyed. Indeed, I have now made you hear. Indeed, I
have now clarified. Indeed, Allah, the mighty and the majestic, so said, and so
did I on His behalf. Indeed, there is no other Amir-Ol-Mo'menin, and it is not
permissible to call anyone other than him with the title of Amir-Ol-Mo'menin
(the Commander of the Believers) after my departure.
Part 4
Announcing the Perfection of Religion Due to Ali's
Appointment and Reminding the People of His Virtues
O' Allah! Surely, You did send down [today,this verse regarding Ali, Your waly,
Your authorized representative, when explaning his authority and his
appointment:]*
“This day, I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and
was satisfied that Islam be your religion.” (21) You said: “ If anyone seeks a
religion other than Islam (submission), never shall it be accepted from him, and
in the Hereafter, he shall be one of the losers.” (22)
O' Allah! I implore You to witness that I have conveyed.
O' people! Allah, the mighty and the majestic, has indeed perfected your religion
through his (Ali's) Imamat and leadership. Thus, whoever does not follow him
and my children from his back (Solb), who will take his position until the Day of
Judgment -when deeds are presented before Allah, the mighty and the
majestic-; “So, they are the ones whose deeds become vain and fruitless, and
they shall be in Hellfire forever.”(23) “Their torment shall not be lightened, nor
shall it be postponed.”(24)
O' people! This is Ali, who has been my greatest aid, the most rightful of you to
me, the closest in relation with me, and the dearest to me amongst you. Both
Allah, the mighty and the majestic, and I are pleased with him. No verse [in the
Qur'an]* has been sent down expressing (Allah's) pleasedness except that (in
its absolute sense) it is about him (Ali), nor has Allah addressed with honor,
those who believe but that He meant him first, nor has any verse of praise been
revealed in the Qur'an but that it is in his honor, nor did Allah testify Paradise in
(the Surah starting with) “has not passed over man a long period of time ...”
(25) but for him, nor did He reveal it for other than him, nor did He mean to
praise, by it except him.
O' people! He is the helper of the religion of Allah, and the one who argues on
behalf of the Messenger of Allah. He is the pious, the pure, the guide, and the
rightly guided. Your prophet is the best prophet, the wasy (executor) over you,
is the best executor and deputy, and his sons are the best deputies.
O' people! The progeny of every prophet was from his own Solb(loins) whereas
my progeny is from the Solb of Ali.
O' people! Surely, Iblis (the greatest evil) caused Adam to be dismissed from the
Garden through jealousy. Thus, do not be jealous of him, for, your deeds shall
be nullified and your feet shall slip. Verily, Adam was sent down to earth only
because of one mistake, while he was chosen by Allah, the mighty and the
majestic.
How, then, will be your condition, and you are what you are, and among you,
are the enemies of Allah?!
Indeed, none hates Ali but a wretched person, none keeps himself attached to
Ali but a pious person, and none has faith in him (in his virtues) but a sincere
Believer.
And in the honor of Ali, by Allah, was the Surah Asr revealed: “In the name of
Allah, the compassionate, the merciful. Swear to Asr (era)! Most surely man is in
loss, except those who believe, do righteous deeds, and enjoin on each other
the truth, and enjoin on each other patience and constancy.(26)
O' people! I have sought Allah to be my witness and have conveyed my mission
to you, “and the messenger is only obligated to convey clearly.”(27)
O' people! “Be cautious of (your duties towards) Allah, the caution that He
deserves, and do not die except in the state of submission.” (28)
Part 5
Referring to the Aims of the Hypocrites
O people! Believe in Allah and His Messenger and the light that was sent down
with him (29), “before we alter faces then turn them on their backs or La’n
them as We La’ned the Sabbath breakers.” (30)
[By Allah, no one is intended by this later verse except a certain group of my
companions whom I know by their names and their lineage, yet, I have been
ordered to disregard them.]*
[So everyone should act based upon what they find in their hearts in regard to
the love of Ali or the loathe of Ali.]*
O people! The light from Allah (created by Allah), the mighty and the majestic,
has been placed in me, then in Ali, and then in his selected descendents up to
Al-Qa’im al-Mahdi, who shall re-establish the right of Allah as well as all our
rights. Because Allah, the mighty and the majestic, has made us (His) chosen
proofs against the neglectful, the stubborn, the dissenters, the treacherous, the
sinful, the unjust, and the usurpers of all worlds.
O people! I warn you that I am the Messenger of Allah; surely, there have been
messengers before me who have come and passed away.
Then, should I die or be killed, will you turn back on your heels?
And whoever turns back on his heels shall not harm Allah in the least, and Allah
shall soon reward the grateful (31) [who observe patience.]*
Behold! Ali is surely the one described (in the afore mentioned) with patience
and gratitude, so are after him my offspring from his Solb.
O people! Do not think that you are doing a favor to Allah by accepting Islam
lest His wrath should descend upon you, and lest He should afflict you with His
punishment; surely He is ever-watching. (32)
O people! There shall soon be leaders after me who shall invite (people) to the
Fire, and on the Day of Judgment they shall not be helped. (33)
O people! Indeed, Allah and I both dissociate ourselves from them.
O people! They, their supporters, their followers, and their adherents shall be in
the lowest depths of the Fire; and evil indeed, is the abode of the arrogant. (34)
Know that these are, indeed, the Companions of Sahifah (a documented
covenant signed by those whom the Prophet dissociated himself from); so, let
each one of you look into his own sahifah (of deeds)!
{Except for a small band who were the Companions of Sahifah, most of the
people present at the Ghadir sermon, did not comprehend the issue of Sahifah.}
O people! I leave the authority after me through Imamate (leadership) inherited
in my chosen offspring until the Day of Judgment.
Certainly, I just conveyed what I have been ordered to convey as Hojjah (Divine
Proof)for everyone, be him present or absent, a direct witness or not, and born
or not yet born.
Hence, everyone who is present should convey (this sermon) to those who are
absent, every parent should convey it to his/her children, (and they should
continue to do so) until the Day of Judgment.
But, (I have been informed that) some people shall replace this (divinely
assigned leadership) with Kingdom through usurpation. May Allah La’n the
usurpers, and the transgressor-oppressors.
And then we will soon settle your affairs, O Thaqalaan.(35)
And (also), “on you O the two (greatest enemies) shall be launched a flame of
fire and (a flash of) molten brass, thus you shall never prevail.” (36)
O people! Without doubt, Allah, the mighty and the majestic, does not leave you
in the state you are now, until He will separate the evil ones from the good
ones. Nor does He make you acquainted with (the knowledge of) the unseen.
(37)
O people! There shall be no (wrongful) community but that Allah shall perish it
due to the rejection (of Truth) by its people, [before the Day of Judgment].*
Such is what Allah the Exalted, mentioned (in His book) as to how He destroys
the wrongful societies. (38)
This is your leader and your guardian, and these are Allah’s promises. Verily
Allah fulfills His promise.
O people! Most of the early generations before you have strayed, and surely,
Allah destroyed them. He shall be the One who destroys the later generations
too.
Allah, the exalted, states: “Did We not destroy the former generations? So shall
We follow the same for the later (generations). Such is how we treat the guilty.
Woe on that Day to the rejecters (of Truth)” (39)
O people! Allah has commanded and prohibited me, and I commanded and
prohibited Ali by the order of Allah. Hence, the knowledge of all commandments
and prohibitions are with him (Ali).
Thus, listen to his orders so that you remain safe, obey him so that you are
guided, and leave what he prohibits so that you grow in guidance. Conform to
what he wants, and do not let different paths separate you from his path. (40)
Part 6
Adherents of Ahlul-Bait (PBUT) and Their Enemies
O people! I am the straight path of Allah whom He commanded you to follow
(41), and such after me also is Ali, and then my offspring from his Solb, the
Imams who guide with Truth and turn (people) to it.” (42)
Then, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) recited the entire Quranic Surah of the Opening
(al-Fatiha) and said:
This (Surah) was revealed in my honor and in theirs (i.e., the Imams’), generally
about and specifically for them.
They are the authorized friends of Allah, for whom there shall be no fear, nor
shall they grieve. (43)
Behold! Truly, it is the Party of Allah that shall prevail. (44)
Lo! It is their enemies who are the dissenters, the transgressors, and the
brethren of Satan, who inspire one another with embellished vain discourses by
way of deception. (45)
Lo! It is their close adherents, who are the true believers, whom Allah, the
mighty and the majestic, mentions in His Book saying:
“you will not find any group of people who (truly) believe in Allah and in the
Last Day, yet they love those who opposed Allah and His messenger, even
though they were their own fathers, sons, brothers, or kinsfolk; those (who
meet this criterion ) are the ones in whose hearts He has written faith…”(46)
Lo! Their close adherents are those whom Allah, the mighty and the majestic,
describes as the following:
“Those who believe and do not cover their faith with injustice, are the ones for
whom is the security (from Hellfire), and they are the rightly guided.” (47)
[Indeed, their close adherents are those who have believed and not doubted.
(48)]
Lo! Their close adherents shall enter Paradise in peace and security, and the
angels shall receive them with greetings, saying, “Well have you done! Hence,
enter into it to dwell therein forever!”(49)
Indeed, their close adherents are those about whom Allah, the mighty and the
majestic, said, they shall enter Paradise (where they shall receive sustenance)
without having to account for anything. (50)
Lo! Their enemies are ones who shall arrive at Hell.
Indeed, their enemies are the ones who shall hear the (terrible) drawing in of its
breath as it blazes forth, and therein shall be the heaving of sighs and sobs.
(51)
Behold! Their enemies are those about whom Allah states: “whenever a nation
enters it, it shall curse its peer.”(52)
Lo! Their enemies are those whom Allah, the mighty and the majestic, describes
as:
“Every time a group is cast therein, its keepers shall ask them, ‘Did no warner
come to you?’
They shall say, ‘Yes indeed. A warner came to us, but we rejected (him) and
said, Allah has not revealed anything; you are but in a great error.’
They shall also say, ‘Had we listened or used our wisdom, we would not have
been among the inmates of the blazing fire.’
They shall then confess their sins; but far from mercy shall be the inmates of
the burning fire.” (53)
In contrast, their (Ahlul-Bait’s) close adherents are, indeed, ones who fear their
Lord in secret; for them is forgiveness and a great reward! (54)
O people! Our enemy is whom Allah censures and keeps his mercy away from
him, whereas our adherent friend is the one whom Allah praises and loves.
O people! Behold! I am a warner and Ali is a guide.(55)
O people! I am a prophet and Ali is my executor.
Part 7
Mentioning Imam Al-Mahdi (PBUH)
Know that the last of the Imams from among us shall be the Qa’im, the Mahdi.
He shall, most certainly, prevail over (all) religions (methods of life).
He shall definitely be the avenger against the oppressors.
He shall surely be the conqueror of the strongholds and their demolisher.
He shall be, indeed, the destroyer of every polytheistic group.
He shall be the attainer for the (unrightfully wasted) blood of all representatives
of Allah, the mighty, the majestic.
He shall be the supporter and helper of the religion of Allah.
He shall bring out big portions from deep oceans.
He shall mark each man of distinction by his distinction and every man of
ignorance by his ignorance.
Behold! He is the elite of Allah, and Allah is his chooser.
He shall be the heir of every knowledge, and the one who shall encompass
[every perception]*.
He shall advise and inform on behalf of his Lord, the mighty and the majestic,
and shall remind about the matters pertaining to His faith.
He shall be the right-minded and unerring, to whom authority shall be vested.
Behold! All former (prophets) have given glad tidings about him.
Know that he shall be the remaining Proof (of Allah), after whom there shall be
no (new) proof.
There shall be no Truth except with him, nor shall there be any light (of
guidance) except at his disposal.
None, indeed, shall overcome him, and none shall be supported against him.
He shall be the authorized representative of Allah on His earth, His judge over
His creation, and His trustee in His secrets and in what He made evident.
Part 8
Exhorting People to give their Pledge
O people! I have, indeed, explained for you and made you comprehend (Allah’s
commandments), and it is this Ali that shall make you comprehend (every issue)
after me.
Notice that at the end of my sermon, I shall call upon you to shake hands with
me as the oath of allegiance to him and the recognition of his authority, and to
shake hands with him afterwards.
I, have, indeed, sworn allegiance to Allah, and Ali has sworn allegiance to me.
And, on behalf of Allah, the mighty and the majestic, I require you to swear the
oath of allegiance to him, (for Allah says):
“Verily those who pledge allegiance to you, they indeed pledge allegiance to
Allah; the hand of Allah is over their hands.
Thus, anyone who violates his oath has indeed violated his (own) soul, and
anyone who fulfills the covenant he has made with Allah, He shall soon grant
him a great reward.” (56)
Part 9
Finality of the Religious Laws and the Role of the Imams
O people! The greater and the lesser pilgrimages, and (the mounts of) al-Safaa
and al-Marwa are among the emblems of Allah;
Thus, whoever goes to visit the House (Ka’bah) in the Hajj season or at other
times, he has not made a mistake if he repeatedly walks between the two
(mounts of al-Safaa and al-Marwa). (57)
O people! Do Hajj of the House, for no members of a family went there except
that they became free of need [and joyful]*. None failed to go there except that
they were impoverished.
O people! No believer stands at the standing place (of the Arafat desert) except
that Allah forgives all his past sins until then. Thus, once his pilgrimage is over,
(recording of) his actions are resumed.
O people! The pilgrims shall be assisted, and their expenses shall be
reimbursed,
And Allah shall not waste the reward of those who do well. (58)
O people! Perform Pilgrimage to the House having perfected religion and with
deep understanding, and do not leave the sacred visiting places except after
repenting and desisting (from all sins).
O people! Perform the prayers and pay the Zakkah as Allah, the mighty and the
majestic, commanded you.
But, if time lapses and you fall short or forget, then Ali shall direct you and shall
explain for you.
He is the one whom Allah, the mighty and the majestic, appointed for you after
me [as the trustee of His creations. He is from me and I am from him.] *
He and those who will succeed him from my progeny shall inform you of
anything you ask about, and shall clarify what you do not know.
Certainly, the Halaal and Haraam things are more than that I could enumerate,
specify their limits, and urge to or advise against them each, in this place.
Therefore, I was commanded to take an oath of allegiance and a covenant from
you in accepting what I brought you from Allah, the mighty and the majestic,
regarding Ali, Amir-ol-Mo’menin (the commander of the believers) and the
executors (of my affairs) after him who are from me and from him.
O people! (By this appointment) I have directed you to every Halaal and
prohibited you from every Haraam.
And I shall never take (my word) back, nor shall I replace it.
Hence, remember and safeguard it, advise each other to it, and never substitute
nor alter it.
I repeat the saying; perform the prayers, pay the Zakaah, enjoin the good
deeds, and forbid the evil deeds.
Behold! The greatest case of enjoining righteous deeds is, comprehending my
saying, conveying it to whoever is not present, urging him to accept it, and
advising him against violating it, for it is an order from Allah, the mighty and the
majestic, and from me.
There is no (value or effect for) enjoining (other) recognized deeds and
forbidding the detested deeds except with (the recognition of) an infallible
Imam.
O people! The Quran informs you that the Imams after him (i.e., Ali) are his
descendants, and I have already informed you that they are of me and of him,
for Allah, the mighty and the majestic, says in His Book, "And He made it,
Kalemah enduring in his posterity,"(59)
And I said: "you will never go astray so long as you adhere to both (the Quran
and my Ahlul-Bait)."
O people! (Observe) piety! (Observe) piety! And be wary of the Hour as Allah,
the mighty and the majestic, says,
"Surely the Quake Hour shall be a tremendous thing."(60)
Remember death, [resurrection,]* reckoning, the scales (of justice) (61), and
the call to account within the hands of the Lord of the Worlds, and the reward
and punishment.
Thus, whoever comes (to the Day of Judgment) with a righteous deed, shall be
rewarded for it, and whoever comes with an (unforgiven) sin, shall not have any
share in the gardens. (62)
Part 10
Pronouncing the Covenant and Taking the Oath of Allegiance
O people! There are too many of you to shake my hand at the same time, and
Allah, the mighty and majestic, commanded me to take verbal recognition from
you regarding what I finalized (on behalf of Allah) about Ali, Amir-ol-Mo'menin
(the commander of the believers), and about the Imams from me and him who
shall succeed him, based on what I informed you that my offspring are from his
Solb.
Therefore, pronounce this in one voice:
"We heard, obeyed, are satisfied, and are submitted to what you have conveyed
to us from our Lord and your Lord with regard to the authority of Ali, Amir-ol-
Mo'menin, and the authority of the Imams from his Solb.
We pledge allegiance to you in this regard with our hearts, our souls, our
tongues, and our hands.
According to this, shall we live, shall we die, and shall we be resurrected.
We shall not alter, nor shall we doubt, [nor shall we deny,]* nor shall we
distrust; nor shall we withdraw from the covenant, nor shall we breach the pact.
[(O Messenger!) You advised us on behalf of Allah regarding Ali, Amir-ol-
Mo'menin, and the Imams after him that you mentioned to be of your offspring
from his descendants (who are); al-Hasan, al-Hussain, and whomever Allah has
appointed after them.
The covenant and the pledge are taken from us, from our hearts, our souls, our
tongues, our minds, and our hands.
Anyone (of us) who can reach him shall shake his hand, otherwise he shall
affirm the covenant by his tongue. We shall not seek any substitute for it, nor
shall Allah see in our souls any diversion from it.] *
We shall convey the same, on your behalf to anyone, near or far, from our
offspring and our people.
We take Allah as witness to this, and surely, Allah suffices as witness.
You are also witness over us; so are anyone who has obeyed, visible or covered,
Allah’s Angels, His forces, and His servants. And Allah is greater than every
witness.”
O people! What do you say? Verily, Allah is well-aware of every voice and the
secrecy of every soul;
“He who accepts guidance, it is to the benefit of his own soul, and he who goes
astray, does so to his own loss.” (63)
Those who pledge fealty, they indeed pledge fealty to Allah; the hand of Allah is
over their hands.” (64)
O people! Fear Allah, give your oath of allegiance to Ali, Amir-ol-Mo'menin, may
Allah’s blessing be upon him, to al-Hasan and al-Husain, and to the Imams
[from them]*, a goodly Word (Kalemah), that is enduring. (65)
Allah shall cause whoever acts treacherously to perish and shall have mercy on
whoever remains loyal.
“Thus, anyone who violates his oath has indeed violated his (own) soul, and
anyone who fulfills the covenant he has made with Allah, He shall soon grant
him a great reward.” (66)
O people! Say what I told you, and greet Ali with the title of “Amir-ol-Mo'menin.”
And also say: “We listened, and obeyed, your forgiveness (do we seek), our
Lord, and towards Your (reward or punishment) is the eventful turn.” (67)
And say: “Praise be to Allah who has guided us to this. Never could we be
guided had Allah not guided us.” (68)
O people! Without doubt, the merits of Ali Ibn Abi Talib in the sight of Allah, the
mighty and the majestic, which are indeed revealed in the Quran , are more
numerous than I could recount in one speech; thus , whenever someone relates
them to you and acquaints (you) with them, believe him.
O people! Whoever obeys Allah, His Messenger, Ali and the Imams that I
mentioned, has indeed achieved a great prosperity. (69)
O people! The foremost from among you in paying homage to him, (truly)
accepting his Walaayat (guardianship) and greeting him as “Amir-ol-Mo'menin”
are the winners of the gardens of bliss.
O people! Say what makes Allah be pleased with you, and (know that) if you
and all the people on earth disbelieve, it shall not harm Allah in the least.
O Allah! Forgive the believers [through what I have conveyed and
commanded,]* and let Your Wrath descend upon those [who deny]* and
disbelieve, and praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
Notes:
(*) there are several narrations of the Khotbah of Ghadir with slight differences.
These brackets indicate the additional statement of the other versions.
1. cf. Qur'an, Surah 40, verse 7
2. cf. Qur'an, Surah 42, verse 11
3. cf. Qur'an, Surah 3, verse 18
4. cf. Qur'an, Surah 6, verse 103
5. cf. Qur'an, Surah 57, verse 5
6. cf. Qur'an, Surah 112
7. cf. Qur'an, Surah 39, verse 52
8. cf. Qur'an, Surah 53, verse 43-44
9. cf. Qur'an, Surah 64, verse 1; and Surah 3, verse 26
10. Qur'an, Surah 5, verse 67
11. Qur'an, Surah 5, verse 55
12. Qur'an, Surah 48, verse 11
13. cf. Qur'an, Surah 24, verse 15
14. Qur'an, Surah 9, verse 61
15. Qur'an, Surah 5, verse 67
16. Qur'an, Surah 36, verse 12
17. cf. Qur'an, Surah 2, verse 24
18. cf. Qur'an, Surah 59, verse 18 and Surah 16, verse 94
19. Qur'an, Surah 39, vese 56
20. cf. Qur'an, Surah 50, verse 29
21. Qur'an, Surah 5, verse 3
22. Qur'an, Surah 3, verse 85
23. cf. Qur'an, Surah 2, verse 217
24. Qur'an, Surah 3, verse 88
25. cf. Qur'an, Surah 76, verse 7-22
26. Qur'an, Surah 103
27. Qur'an, Surah 24, verse 54
28. Qur'an, Surah 3, verse 102
29. cf. Qur'an, Surah 64, verse 8, and surah 7, verse 157
30. Qur'an, Surah 4, verse 47
31. cf. Qur'an, Surah 3, verse 144
32. cf. Qur'an, Surah 89, verse 14
33. cf. Qur'an, Surah 28, verse 41
34. cf. Qur'an, Surah 4, verse 145, and Qur'an, Surah 39, verse 72
35. Qur'an, Surah 55, verse 31
36. Qur'an, Surah 55, verse 35
37. cf. Qur'an, Surah 3, verse 179
38. cf. Qur'an, Surah 11, verse 102,...
39. Qur'an, Surah 77, verse 16-19
40. cf. Qur'an, Surah 6, verse 153
41. cf. Qur'an, Surah 6, verse 153
42. cf. Qur'an, Surah 7, verse 181
43. cf. Qur'an, Surah 10, verse 62
44. cf. Qur'an, Surah 5, verse 56
45. cf. Qur'an, Surah 6, verse 112
46. Qur'an, Surah 58, verse 22
47. Qur'an, Surah 6, verse 82
48. cf. Qur'an, Surah 49, verse 15
49. cf. Qur'an, Surah 39, verse 73
50. cf. Qur'an, Surah 40, verse 40
51. cf. Qur'an, Surah 67, verse 7,and Surah 11, verse 106
52. Qur'an, Surah 7, verse 38
53. Qur'an, Surah 67, verse 8-11
54. cf. Qur'an, Surah 67, verse 12
55. cf. Qur'an, Surah 13, verse 7
56. Qur'an, Surah 48, verse 10
57. cf. Qur'an, Surah 2, verse 158
58. cf. Qur'an, Surah 11, verse 115
59. Qur'an, Surah 43, verse 28
60. Qur'an, Surah 22, verse 1
61. cf. Qur'an, Surah 21, verse 47
62. Qur'an, Surah 27, verse 89-90
63. Qur'an, Surah 39, verse 41
64. cf. Qur'an, Surah 48, verse 10
65. cf. Qur'an, Surah 43, verse 28
66. Qur'an, Surah 48, verse 10
67. Qur'an, Surah 2, verse 285
68. Qur'an, Surah 7, verse 43
69. Qur'an, Surah 33, verse 71