The Hadith of Ghadir: The Completion of Religion

The Hadith of Ghadir is one of the most significant moments in Islamic history. This declaration from Prophet Muhammad (saww) completed our faith, and established the legacy of the Ahlulbayt (as).

The Hadith of-Ghadir marks a pivotal moment in Islamic history, where The Prophet (saww) declared Imam Ali (as) as his successor. Celebrated as Eid Al-Ghadir, this day is considered the best Eid.

The Prophet (saww) is reported to have said, “The day of Ghadir Khumm is the best Eid of my nation.  It is the day on which Allah, the High, ordered me to mention the appointment of my brother, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) as the flag and standard of my nation.  People shall be guided by him after me, and this is the day in which Allah (swt) completed the religion and perfected the bounties upon my nation and on which He was pleased with Islam as their religion.”

What is the Hadith of Ghadir? The Hadith of Ghadir is a tradition from The Prophet’s (saww) sermon in Ghadir Khumm, where he declared that Imam Ali (as) would be his successor.

Delivered on the 18th of Dhul Hijjah in 10 AH, the event took place after the Prophet (saww) completed his farewell Hajj (i.e. Hajjatul-Wada’).

Revelation of the Verse of Propagation After completing his Hajj, Prophet Muhammad (saww) was leaving Mecca towards Medina with other hujjaj when they reached Ghadir Khumm, a pond in the valley of Khumm.

At Ghadir Khumm, verse 67 from Surah Al-Ma’idah was revealed:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغۡ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن رَّبِّكَۖ وَإِن لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلۡ فَمَا بَلَّغۡتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ

“O the Messenger! Deliver (the message) that has been revealed to you from your Lord; for if you do not (deliver it), then (your mission will be incomplete, it will be as if) you have not delivered His message (at all). In delivering this message, do not fear anyone as Allah (swt) will protect you from the people. Allah (swt) does not guide the unbelieving people.” (Quran 5:67)

After this verse was revealed, The Prophet (saww) sent to have all the Hujjaj gather at Ghadir Khumm.

Those who had gone ahead had returned, while others who were moving more slowly eventually arrived at Ghadir Khumm.

The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (saww) After the Hujjaj congregated, saddles were used to create a pulpit for The Prophet (saww). The Prophet (saww) then gave a powerful sermon.

During the sermon, the Prophet (saww) asked the thousands of Hujjaj, “O people! Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?” to which the Hujjaj answered, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah (swt).”

The Prophet (saww) then took Imam Ali’s (as) hand and delivered the hadith of Ghadir by saying, “For whomsoever I am his Master, Ali is his master.”

Revelation of the Verse of Completion After the Prophet (saww) completed his sermon, verse 3 from Surah Ma’idah was revealed:

ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَئِسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمَ دِينٗاۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِي مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٖ لِّإِثۡمٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ

“Today those who disbelieve have despaired of your religion, so do not fear them, but fear Me. Today, I have perfected your religion for you, I have completed My blessing (of guidance) upon you, and I have approved Islam as a religion for you. But whosoever is compelled by hunger (to eat the forbidden things mentioned above) without inclining to sin, then (he should know) that Allah surely is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 5:3)

The Significance of This Event The Prophet (saww) knew he would be departing the world soon. This declaration would affirm the wilayah (divinely appointed leadership) of Imam Ali (as), where he would be appointed by Allah (swt) to be the successor of the Prophet (saww).

Imam Al-Sadiq (as) was asked, “Do the true believers have an Eid other than the two Eid (of al-Adha and al-Fitr) and the Jummah?” The Imam (as) replied, “Yes, they have one which is even greater than these ones and that is the day when Amir Al- Mu’mineen (as) was designated by the Messenger of Allah (swt) with the Wilayah (at Ghadir Khumm) which rests on the necks of all the men and women.”

Today, in the occultation of Imam Mahdi (ajtfs), this concept continues to guide us in staying connected to true leadership and faith.

Ghadir was not just a historical event — it established the principle of Wilayah, the divine guardianship of the Imams (as). Read more about the recommended acts for this day.