Barakah is dedicated to Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat – a Hereditary Divine Institution from the Time of the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali
1392 Years After Ghadir Khumm, Ismaili Muslims Continue to be Guided by the Promised Rope of Imamat: His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th Imam in this Unique Hereditary Succession
“God chose Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of Imran above all beings, the seed of one another; God hears, and knows” — Qur’an, 3:33-34, translation by A. J. Arberry, see Corpus Quran for multiple translations
A calligraphy designed by Toronto’s Karim Ismail honouring the first Shia Imam Ali on the auspicious commemoration of Idd-e Ghadir.
On Monday, June 24, 2024, Ismaili Muslims, united across Canada and the globe, will come together to observe and celebrate Eid-e Ghadir. This momentous occasion, steeped in history, marks the pivotal gathering at Ghadir Khumm, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) designated Hazrat Ali as his successor, the first in the continuing line of Hereditary Imams.
From the day our beloved Prophet Muhammad passed away on June 8, 632, and Hazrat Ali (A.S.) became the first Imam on the Divine Commandment that the Prophet had earlier received at Ghadir Khumm, there have been forty-nine Ismaili Imams, spanning an impressive 1392 years in human history. Each of these Imams has played a significant role in the development and guidance of the Ismaili community, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape the community’s identity and beliefs.
The historical event of Eid-e Ghadir holds profound significance in the Ismaili faith. Today, the Ismaili community is led by the Hereditary position, currently held by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Imam in direct succession. The Aga Khan has proudly affirmed that ‘the Ismailis are the only Shia community who, throughout history, have been guided by a living, hereditary Imam in direct descent from the Prophet’ — His Highness the Aga Khan, Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, February 27, 2014.
History records that on the way back to Medina after performing the final pilgrimage to Mecca, the Prophet received a revelation:
“O Messenger, deliver [to the people] what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not do so, then you will not have delivered His message”… Quran, Surah al-Ma’ida (5:67).
Upon receiving this revelation, the Holy Prophet stopped at an oasis known as Ghadir Khumm. This oasis, located strategically along the route from Mecca to Medina, was a natural gathering point for travellers. Here, the Prophet addressed a large gathering of Muslims who had accompanied him. The Prophet proclaimed: ‘Man kuntu mawlahu fa aliyyun mawlahu,’ meaning: ‘He whose Mawla I am, Ali is his Mawla.’ The Prophet then prayed: ‘O Allah, be a friend of whoever is his friend and extend your support to those who support him.’
This event, occurring at a crucial point in Islamic history, marked the transition of leadership from the Prophet to Hazrat Ali, setting the stage for the leadership and future of the Muslim community. By declaring Hazrat Ali Mawla after him, the Prophet transferred the spiritual authority bestowed upon him by Allah to Hazrat Ali, making him — and all the Imams that follow — the Amirul Mu’minin, or Master of the Believers. This profound responsibility and authority bestowed upon Hazrat Ali are indicated by the term ‘Mawla,’ which refers to a leader, protector, and guide.
Article continues below following excerpts
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Excerpts from L. Veccia Vaglieri piece in Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition
“Ghadir Khumm is famous in the history of Islam because of a sentence (or some sentences) in favour of ‘Ali which the Prophet uttered there during a discourse….Taking ‘Ali by the hand, he asked of his faithful followers whether he, Muhammad, was not closer to the Believers than they were to themselves; the crowd cried out: “It is so, O Apostle of God!”, he then declared. “He of whom I am the mawla, of him ‘Ali is also the mawla (man kuntu nawlahu fa-‘Ali mawlahu)
Photograph: Vysotsky – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia.
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“Most of those sources which form the basis of our knowledge of the life of the Prophet pass in silence over Muhammad’s stop at Ghadir Khumm….Consequently, the western biographers of Muhammad, whose work is based on these [Sunni] sources, make no reference to what happened at Ghadir Khumm. It is however certain that Muhammad did speak in this place and utter the famous sentence…the hadiths are so numerous and so well attested by the different isnads that it does not seem possible to reject them.” Vaglieri goes on to state that on instruction from Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali received baiyat (the oath of allegiance) from the Muslims assembled there, including Umar b. al-Khattab, Islam’s second Caliph.
(Note: special access is required to read articles in the on-line edition of EI2. Vaglieri’s piece was reproduced in full in the UK Ismaili Association’s publication Ilm, December 1976, pages 28-30, with the permission of E.J. Brill, publishers of EI2.)
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Excerpts from the Preamble of the Ismaili Constitution
“In accordance with Shia doctrine, tradition, and interpretation of history, the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) designated and appointed his cousin and son-in-law Hazrat Mawlana Ali Amiru-l-Mu’minin (a.s) to be the first Imam to continue the Ta’wīl and Ta’līm of Allah’s final message and to guide the murids, a term referring to the followers and disciples of the Imams. The proclamation also established the principle of the Imamat continuing by heredity through Hazrat Mawlana Ali (a.s) and his daughter Hazrat Bibi Fatimat-az-Zahra, Khātun-i-Jannat (a.s)”
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, is seen signing a new constitution for the worldwide Ismaili community on his 50th birthday, December 13, 1986. The preamble excerpts produced in this post are from this constitution.
“Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness Prince Aga Khan, in direct lineal descent from the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) through Hazrat Mawlana Ali (a.s.) and Hazrat Bibi Fatima (a.s), is the Forty-Ninth Imam of the Ismaili Muslims.”
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…. continued
On instruction from Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali received baiyat (the oath of allegiance) from the Muslims assembled there. According to Shia traditions and sources, following the proclamation, the final verse of the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet:
“On this day, I have perfected for you your religion, completed my favours upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
Eid-e Ghadir is an anniversary of profound significance to all Shia Muslims. It is also associated with a well-attested tradition that the Prophet is said to have proclaimed. This tradition, which is widely accepted and recognized by the Shia community, further underscores the importance of the event and its role in shaping the future of the Muslim community:
“I am leaving among you two matters of great weight (al-thaqalayn), the Book of Allah and my kindred (itrati), the People of my House (Ahl al-Bayt), and these two shall never be separated until they return to me at the Pool [of Kawthar in Paradise on the Day of Judgement]…”
The phrase ‘two matters of great weight’ refers to the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt. The Quran, as the holy book of Islam, and the Ahl al-Bayt, as the Prophet’s kindred, are inseparable and hold eternal significance in the Shia Islamic tradition.
As we commemorate Eid-e Ghadir, the Ismaili community stands united, celebrating the seminal event of Ghadir Khumm. This celebration is a historical marker and a powerful reminder of our allegiance to the Imam of the Time, the direct lineal successor and inheritor of Hazrat Ali’s authority.
The community is not just inspired but united and driven by the following remark made during his speech in Canada’s Parliament on February 27, 2024:
“Today, the Ismailis are the only Shia community who, throughout history, have been led by a living, hereditary Imam in direct descent from the Prophet.”
Date posted: June 23, 2024.
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A most profound historical event for Islam and Muslims at Ghadir Khumm when – as per Barakah – “on instruction from Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Hazrat Ali (AS) received baiyat (the oath of allegiance) from the Muslims assembled there. A very elaborate account of this most profound event 1392 years ago is given by the Editor Malik Merchant and we should all be highly indebted and grateful to him. Malik with our deep gratitude and prayers for you for your unmatched “sewa” – service.
Strongly recommend all to benefit and widely share the same across the world.
Chers sœurs, frères batini, nous vivons une période difficile, inondée d’une actualité stressante, angoissante .Il est important que nous restions fidèles à l’expression de notre foi ésotérique , conscients de la valeur symbolique du Bayatt et du choix volontaire de la pratique du Baitul-Khayal. Ainsi , nous allons traverser ces moments difficiles, qui nous obligent à vivre dans l’incertitude et la peur…..
Notre Bien-aimé Hazar Imam nous rappelle qu’Il est toujours avec Ses Enfants Spirituels ( “aucun désert, aucun océan, aucune montagne ne peut séparer l’Imam de Son Murid”….).
Il nous dit aussi de toujours se remémorer le nom d’Allah, Lui exprimer notre gratitude ,( en ayant toujours un tasbih avec nous).
Pendant le Baitul-khaiyal, il nous dit” Asseyez vous avec humilité, avec bonheur, avec confiance et concentrez vous sur le Bol,…” Et, ainsi nous allons nous abandonner à Allah face à l’adversité, nous tourner sans crainte vers Mowla Bapa, qui sera toujours à notre côté ( ” venez, je vous prendrais la main pour vous amener vers cette extraordinaire Lumière…”) , qui nous donnera force, courage , discernement lumineux pour apaiser nos inquiétudes et traverser la tempête de la vie quotidienne. Nos Imams ont dit que la vie est un combat, faites de contrariétés mais que Leurs Murids peuvent être soucieux mais jamais malheureux! Et que jamais l’Imam du Temps Présent ne nous abandonnera, qu’Il est là pour nous aider à affronter les soucis et Il a consacré Sa vie à nous trouver “des nouvelles opportunités, trouver la sécurité, la paix…” .
Mowlana Hazar Imam souhaite que Ses enfants spirituels soient des Femmes et des Hommes de foi, qui choisissent ou qui font de leur engagements, un mode de vie respectable, honorable. “Soyez les Ambassadeurs de l ‘Islam…”
Par notre quête spirituelle et avec conviction, humilité , nous invoquerons le nom d’Allah, nous accrocher à Sa puissance divine, via les prières et l’ invocation du Bol, et faire face aux vents contraires….
Ainsi, en surmontant nos difficultés avec la Misericorde d’Allah, les Bénédictions de Mowlana Hazar Imam, nous surmonterons nos épreuves et surtout, nous apprendrons toujours plus à nous attacher à Eux, à avoir confiance en Leur pouvoirs, qui vont largement au delà de nos capacités intellectuelles!Ainsi, comme un “One Jamat ” uni, solidaire, fort de nos engagements spirituels,( gage de bonheur matériel), nous surmonterons les incertitudes actuelles avec courage et un grand cœur !Nous retrouverons calme, espoir et paix intérieure, dans la prière, dans le silence méditatif du Bol, les joies de la vie quotidienne sereine, dans le partage fraternel de notre foi sur la voie droite du Siratal-Mustaquim.
Barakah 
A most profound historical event for Islam and Muslims at Ghadir Khumm when – as per Barakah – “on instruction from Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Hazrat Ali (AS) received baiyat (the oath of allegiance) from the Muslims assembled there. A very elaborate account of this most profound event 1392 years ago is given by the Editor Malik Merchant and we should all be highly indebted and grateful to him. Malik with our deep gratitude and prayers for you for your unmatched “sewa” – service.
Strongly recommend all to benefit and widely share the same across the world.
Kamrudin A. Rashid – Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
June 24 2024.
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Célébration Ghadir Khumm
Réflexions méditatives
Chers sœurs, frères batini, nous vivons une période difficile, inondée d’une actualité stressante, angoissante .Il est important que nous restions fidèles à l’expression de notre foi ésotérique , conscients de la valeur symbolique du Bayatt et du choix volontaire de la pratique du Baitul-Khayal. Ainsi , nous allons traverser ces moments difficiles, qui nous obligent à vivre dans l’incertitude et la peur…..
Notre Bien-aimé Hazar Imam nous rappelle qu’Il est toujours avec Ses Enfants Spirituels ( “aucun désert, aucun océan, aucune montagne ne peut séparer l’Imam de Son Murid”….).
Il nous dit aussi de toujours se remémorer le nom d’Allah, Lui exprimer notre gratitude ,( en ayant toujours un tasbih avec nous).
Pendant le Baitul-khaiyal, il nous dit” Asseyez vous avec humilité, avec bonheur, avec confiance et concentrez vous sur le Bol,…” Et, ainsi nous allons nous abandonner à Allah face à l’adversité, nous tourner sans crainte vers Mowla Bapa, qui sera toujours à notre côté ( ” venez, je vous prendrais la main pour vous amener vers cette extraordinaire Lumière…”) , qui nous donnera force, courage , discernement lumineux pour apaiser nos inquiétudes et traverser la tempête de la vie quotidienne. Nos Imams ont dit que la vie est un combat, faites de contrariétés mais que Leurs Murids peuvent être soucieux mais jamais malheureux! Et que jamais l’Imam du Temps Présent ne nous abandonnera, qu’Il est là pour nous aider à affronter les soucis et Il a consacré Sa vie à nous trouver “des nouvelles opportunités, trouver la sécurité, la paix…” .
Mowlana Hazar Imam souhaite que Ses enfants spirituels soient des Femmes et des Hommes de foi, qui choisissent ou qui font de leur engagements, un mode de vie respectable, honorable. “Soyez les Ambassadeurs de l ‘Islam…”
Par notre quête spirituelle et avec conviction, humilité , nous invoquerons le nom d’Allah, nous accrocher à Sa puissance divine, via les prières et l’ invocation du Bol, et faire face aux vents contraires….
Ainsi, en surmontant nos difficultés avec la Misericorde d’Allah, les Bénédictions de Mowlana Hazar Imam, nous surmonterons nos épreuves et surtout, nous apprendrons toujours plus à nous attacher à Eux, à avoir confiance en Leur pouvoirs, qui vont largement au delà de nos capacités intellectuelles!Ainsi, comme un “One Jamat ” uni, solidaire, fort de nos engagements spirituels,( gage de bonheur matériel), nous surmonterons les incertitudes actuelles avec courage et un grand cœur !Nous retrouverons calme, espoir et paix intérieure, dans la prière, dans le silence méditatif du Bol, les joies de la vie quotidienne sereine, dans le partage fraternel de notre foi sur la voie droite du Siratal-Mustaquim.
Ameen
Mohez nato
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