Section 3: Imam Ali (as), Q21 - Where is the proof that Imam Ali (as) was appointed by the Holy Prophet?

Continuing questions about Imam Ali (as), here I would like to discuss the event of Ghadeer-e-Khum, when the Holy Prophet announced Imam Ali (as) as his successor. This is arguably the most important question to address. Shias point to the event of Ghadeer-e-Khum after the Holy Prophet's final hajj, in which he announced "Of whomsoever I am mawla, Ali is also his mawla." What was said is undisputed, it is the interpretation which causes a difference of opinion. 

Whilst Shias interpret the word 'mawla' to mean leader and that it was an announcement of Imam Ali's (as) succession to the Holy Prophet, Sunnis interpret the word 'mawla' to mean friend and that the Holy Prophet was simply announcing that Imam Ali (as) was a friend to all Muslims. However, the word 'mawla' has up-to 30 different definitions in arabic, but only one of which translates to 'friend'. Most translate it as 'leader', 'owner', 'guide', 'helper'. In the Holy Quran, the words 'mawla', 'awla', 'wali' are all used to refer to guidance and leadership. For friendship the Holy Quran tends to use the words 'khaleel', 'sadiq' and 'hameem'.

However, whatever concern you have about the interpretation of the word 'mawla', it doesn't make sense for the Holy Prophet to make such an announcement. Before making the announcement, the Holy Prophet ensured that those who had gone ahead were called back and waited for those behind to catch up with him. Over 100,000 people are estimated to have gathered at Ghadeer-e-Khum in the burning desert heat. The Holy Prophet then stood up on a pulpit with Imam Ali (as) and addressed the crowd, asking "Do I not have more authority upon you than you have over yourselves?"
All the people replied, "Yes, surely."
Then the Prophet (SAW) declared: "Of whomsoever I am mawla, Ali is also his mawla."

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Sunni scholar, narrates in his book, al-Isabah, that the Holy Prophet raised Imam Ali's (as) arm in the air and then placed a turban on his head. All in order to declare that he was a friend? Why would the Holy Prophet waste time to do that, didn't the people already know how close he was to the Imam Ali (as)? Why stop everyone in the stifling heat unless you had something important to announce?

Countless Sunni scholars, including Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, in his book Tafsir al-Kabir narrate that prior to stopping at Ghadeer-e-Khum, the Holy Prophet received revelation:

"O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord, for if thou do it not, thou wilt not have conveyed His message. Allah will protect thee from mankind. Lo! Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk." (Surah 5, Verse 67)

It was at this point that the Holy Prophet stopped to make his announcement. How can Muslims believe that the Holy Prophet stopped only to state that Imam Ali (as) was his friend? Would everything the Holy Prophet strived for be rendered null and void if he didn't announce that Imam Ali (as) was his friend? The revelation came with an assurance that Allah would protect the Holy Prophet after making the announcement, because the succession was being confirmed and there were people in the crowd who were going to be upset and rebellious.

Following the proclamation by the Holy Prophet, numerous Sunni scholars (including Jalaluddin Al-Suyuti and Ismail ibn Kathir) go on to narrate that another verse was revealed to the Holy Prophet:

"This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion al-Islam" (Surah 5, Verse 3)

This was the final verse of the Holy Quran, revealed after the announcement of the succession of Imam Ali (as) at Ghadeer-e-Khum. Islam was not complete until the caliphate of Imam Ali (as) was announced, revealed and made clear to the Muslim ummah. Otherwise, you have to believe that the religion was only complete after the Holy Prophet declared Imam Ali (as) to be his friend - rather nonsensical.

Furthermore, after the declaration of Imam Ali's (as) status,  Fakhr al-Din al-Razi and Ahmad ibn Hanbal both narrate that Umar ibn Khattab was amongst the first people to congratulate Imam Ali (as). "Well done ibn Abu Talib! Today you became the master of all believing men and women, 'Ameer al-Mo'mineen!"
This title that Shias use today in reference to Imam Ali (as), that Sunnis like to criticise, was first coined by none other than Umar ibn Khattab.

The event of Ghadeer-e-Khum makes it clear that Imam Ali (as) was the Holy Prophet's successor. Besides that there are other examples from the Holy Prophet's life. Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari narrates in his Tarikh al-Tabari: "The Prophet (SAW) asked three times, at a dinner for his friends and relatives, who will help him in his prophetic mission? On each occasion, only Imam Ali (as) stood up and said he would. Twice the Prophet (SAW) asked Imam Ali (as) to sit down. On the third occasion, the Prophet (SAW) said, "Verily this is my brother, my successor and my caliph amongst you. Therefore, listen to him and obey."
Abu Lahab (the Prophet's paternal uncle) said to Abu Talib (his brother and Imam Ali's (as) father) "The Prophet (SAW) has told you to obey your own son." 

The tragedy is that the majority of Muslims do not understand today what Abu Lahab, an open enemy of Islam, understood on the day of the introduction of Islam in Mecca.

I was going to cover more questions in this entry, but I'll let this question be digested for now before dealing with a few more questions about Imam Ali (as).