Wali
It was the time of farewell… the Farewell Pilgrimage (Ḥijjat al-Widāʿ). The autumn of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF)
was drawing near— and with it came a command that weight the entirety of his Prophetic mission. From the very beginning of the journey, there was something different about him. His blessed heart beat rapidly, filled with a mixture of excitement and a subtle anxiety that surrounded his noble soul.
And what comfort could be greater than the presence of the noble Master (Imam Ali)? What love could be stronger than that divine bond which tied the Prophet and the Wali together like a rope from God? The sa‘i between Ṣafā and Marwah was being completed… The seventh round of ṭawāf came to an end… Prayer was offered, and the night was spent in Mina…
But still… the heart of the Prophet (PBUH&HF)
could not rest.
At last, it was the final day—when Jibra'il al-Amīn descended once more to the Prophet (PBUH&HF)…
but this time, the Prophet’s state was even more intense and transformed. Fear of unrest at the hands of the unworthy had troubled the blessed heart of the Messenger (PBUH&HF). So, the command was revealed to him three times. And each time, the Prophet (PBUH&HF) pleaded for protection from the conspiracies of the hypocrites.
The sun had reached its peak in the sky… Groups of pilgrims had completed their rites and purified themselves in the ocean of divine mercy… They were ready—ready for the greatest proclamation in all of existence. Then once again, the Trustworthy Spirit descended with this revelation:
O My Messenger! I have tied the entirety of your Prophethood to this one command. Now deliver it in peace—rest assured that I will guard you and Ali from their schemes.
And then, a deep calm settled over the blessed heart of the Prophet (PBUH&HF). His noble voice echoed through the scorching desert, shaking its silence:
"Tell those who have gone ahead to return, and tell those who remain behind to come forward— for we shall perform the prayer at the pool of Ghadir."
So the prayer was performed, and the blessed eyes of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) eagerly followed the upright figure of Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH)
His heart was filled with a joy beyond description… The Prophet (PBUH&HF) then ordered that the saddles of the camels be stacked to form a pulpit— a platform from which he would deliver a momentous announcement.
A murmur began to spread through the crowd, but the Prophet (PBUH&HF) was overflowing with joy. He thought to himself how delighted his beloved Fatimah would be when she heard such news…
Finally, the great structure was ready, and the Noble Prophet (PBUH&HF) began to ascend it—step by step, with calm and dignity.
Then he called upon Ali to join him.
The seconds stretched long… Breaths were held in quiet stillness… Hands trembled with anticipation and joy…
The moment had arrived.
The powerful voice of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) echoed across creation— a final proof for all of humanity. After praising and glorifying the Almighty Lord, he declared:
“Indeed, Jibra'il has descended to me three times from al- Salām—my Lord, who alone is Salam—bringing me the command that I must rise in this place and declare to everyone that Ali ibn Abi Talib is my brother, my successor, and my representative among the ummah. He is the Imam after me.
His position in relation to me is like that of Harun to Musa, except that there will be no prophet after me.
He, Ali, is your guardian after God and His Messenger.”
Then, after the virtues of our Master, the Commander of the Faithful (PBUH), had been declared, the moment came to establish the connection. The noble hands of Amir al-Mu’minin were firmly grasped by the determined hands of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), and those blessed hands were raised high—marking the beginning of a new chapter in history.
“O people! This is Ali—my brother, my successor, and the guardian of my knowledge. He is my caliph among you, for those who believe in me and uphold the interpretation of the Book of God. He will call the people to truth, act in ways that please God, and fight His enemies. He is the defender of obedience to God and the barrier against disobedience. Indeed, he is the successor of the Messenger of God, the leader of the faithful, the divinely appointed guide.
He is the one who, by God's command, will fight those who break covenants, turn away from justice, or abandon the faith.
And God has said: ‘My decree shall never be changed.’”
Then he prayed:
“O Lord! I say this by Your command— so love those who love him, and hate those who oppose him. Support his supporters, help his helpers, abandon those who abandon him, and turn Your wrath upon those who deny him.”
The message had been delivered. Joy filled the heart of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) as he gazed upon the blessed smile that adorned the face of the Commander of the Faithful (PBUH). But no sooner had that moment passed, than the Angel of Revelation descended once more— as if the final verse of the Holy Qur'an found its summary in the beginning of the Imamate of our noble Master, Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH). The Messenger of God (PBUH&HF) again turned to the people and proclaimed: "Allāhu Akbar!
Today I have perfected your religion for you, and completed My blessing upon you, and have approved Islam as your religion."
Thus, the Lord Himself placed His seal of approval upon the words of His Messenger, and gave glad tidings that the religion had been perfected— through the appointment of the best of all creation as Imam.
Praise be to God, who made us among those who hold firmly to the guardianship of Amir al-Mu’minin and the Imams (PBUTh).
