Ghadir Khum is the famous incident which the Shi'as cite as the proof of Ali’s right to succeed the Prophet Muhammad after his demise.

Ghadir Khum is in fact actually the name of the site which lies between the holy Muslim cities of Mecca and Medina where the event transpired. Here the Hajj caravans separated from each other after the end of the pilgrimage.

On the 18th of Dhil-Hijjah, 10 AH (roughly 15th March, 632 C.E.), the caravan of the Prophet Muhammad stopped there, along with a group of Muslims returning to Madinah from Hajj. The Prophet was returning from his last Hajj from the city of Mecca. Here he made a sermon which included the words:

"O people! I am a human being. I am about to receive a messenger (the angel of death) from my Lord and I, in response to Allah's call, would bid good-bye to you), but I am leaving among you two weighty things: the one being the Book of Allah in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it. He exhorted (us) (to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said: The second are the members of my household I remind you (of your duties) to the members of my family"

Then the Prophet said, “O people don't you know that I am <awla> with the believers from their selves. They said: Yes. Whosever's <mawla> I am from now on Ali is his <mawla>”.

According to numerous Islamic scholars (both Sunni and Shi'a), the event of Ghadir Khum is a credible one which has been narrated by about 30 companions of the Prophet. The debate lies in the definition attributed by either side to the term mawla adopted in the Prophetic tradition. The Sunnis believe that it means 'beloved friend'. While the Shi'ites believe that it means 'master'.

External link

• The Event of Ghadir Khom in the Qur'an, Sunnah and History
• The Event of Ghadir Khom in the Qur'an, Hadith and History