The event of Ghadeer Khumm is a very important event in the history of Islam.  The Wilayat or Vicegerency of Imam Ali [pbuh] was announced in that event by the Prophet Mohommad [pbuh&hpp].  



The Day of Ghadeer

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In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

The 18th of Dhul-hijjah is a very important day in the calendar of the followers of the Ahlul-Bayt, (the holy household of the Prophet). It is known as Eid al-Ghadeer, refering to that great moment in history when the Holy Prophet, may God bless him and his household, declared in front of over 100,000 Muslims returning from Haj, the WILAYAT OF 'ALI BIN ABI TALIB (a).

The historical details are very well known to all of us and widely found in various books of history, theology and polemics. I would like to quote a few ahadith on the significance of the day. I will be using Mafateehul Jinaan of Shaykh 'Abbas Qummi, a great scholar of this century who has authored important works. May the Almighty elate his soul and keep it in the proximity of His beloved servants.

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a) was asked if there was Eid for Muslims besides Friday, Adha and Fitr. Imam replied, "Yes, there is one more Eid which is most great in holiness (a'adhamuha hurmatan)." The person asked him which Eid that was. Imam said:"It is the day when the Messenger of God declared Amirul M'mineen his vicegerent, saying: WAMAN KUNTU MAWLAAHU FA-'ALIYYUN MAWLAAH (Of whosoever I am the Mawlaa, 'Ali is also his Mawlaa). And it is the 18th of Dhil-hijjah."

According to ahadith received Imams (a) some of the a'maal (rituals) recommended for the day of Ghadeer are:

Rememeber the Ahlul Bayt by saying of Salawat as many times as it is possible. ALLAHUMMA SwALLI 'ALAA MUHAMMADIWN WA-AALI MUHAMMAD O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and his household.
Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness from the Almighty). Sins are forgiven and believers get salvation on this day the way it has been promised for the days of Holy Ramadhan and the night of Qadr.
Visiting (ziyarah) the tomb of Imam 'Ali (a) in Najaf, Iraq.
Assist the needy amongst the believers. The reward for assisting today is 1000 times the reward for other days.
Ihsaan for fellow believers (doing good, including favouring by assisting physically, financially and morally) and making them happy (for example by forgiving their past mistakes, overlooking their slips, visiting them, giving gifts etc).
Doing of Ghusl a few minutes before noon(midday) and then reading two rakaat Namaz. In every rak'ah after suratul Hamd read 10 times suratut Tawheed (#112) and 10 times Ayatul Kursee (verses 255 to 257 of suratul Baqarah)and 10 times suratul Qadr (#97).