Shia Muslims celebrate Eid-e-Ghadir on the 18th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, the concluding lunar month of the Islamic calendar. The holiday commences this year on July 6 and 7. The religious holiday, also known as Eid-al-Ghadeer, is named after the event in which Shia Muslims believe Ali ibn Abi Talib was appointed as a leader and religious authority after the Prophet Muhammad.
The background of Eid-e-Ghadir
Shia Muslims celebrate Eid-e-Ghadir, a religious Islamic holiday, to commemorate Ali ibn Abi Talib’s appointment as leader and religious authority after the Prophet Muhammad. The event can be traced back to when the Prophet Muhammad returned to Medina from Mecca. During this time, he ordered his companions to halt at ‘Ghadir Khumm.’ ‘Ghadir’ means ‘pond,’ and it was from this location that the name ‘Ghadir’ was derived for Eid-e-Ghadir. At this pond, pilgrims from various provinces gathered and exchanged greetings before returning to their respective villages and cities following Hajj. In contemporary Saudi Arabia, ‘Ghadir Khumm’ is located in ‘Al-Juhfah.’
The following verse of the Quran is believed to have been disclosed to the Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khumm: “O Apostle! “Deliver what your Lord has sent down to you, and if you fail to do so, you have not delivered His message at all; and Allah will protect you from the people.” Following this revelation, the Prophet delivered a sermon in which he quoted ibn Abi Talib as saying, “Oh Allah, bear witness.”Allah is my Lord, and I am the Lord of the faithful. I am more deserving of believers than they are. Whomever I had served as Master (Mawla), Ali will now serve as Master (Mawla). Oh Allah, be a friend to those who support him (Ali) and an enemy to those who oppose him.”
This verse prompts Shia Muslims to believe that Ali was destined to become the religious authority and leader after the Prophet Muhammad; thus, Eid-e-Ghadir is celebrated.
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5 essential facts about Shia Islam
After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam divided into two major sects: Shia and Sunni.
They believe that all descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and her spouse Ali have the right to hold political and religious authority over the Islamic community.
Those who expressed loyalty or devotion to Ali were given the title ‘Shiat Ali,’ which means ‘party or faction of Ali.’
Shia Islam is adhered to by 10 to 15% of Muslims.
Iran has the greatest population of Shia Muslims.
EID-E-GHADIR DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | July 17 | Sunday |
| 2023 | July 6 | Thursday |
| 2024 | June 24 | Monday |
| 2025 | June 14 | Saturday |
| 2026 | June 3 | Wednesday |
