Ghadir Khumm

Ghadir Khumm

Date	10/16 March 632 (18 Dhu al-Hijjah)
Location	Al-Juhfa, Hejaz, Arabia
Type	Islamic sermon
Theme	The importance of the Qur'an and ahl al-bayt, Muhammad's esteem for Ali ibn Abi Talib – claimed by the Shia as evidence of the appointment of Ali as Muhammad's successor and as the completion of the message of Islam
Outcome	The commemorative Eid al-Ghadir involving prayers, gift-giving, festive meals, recitation of the Du'a Nudba

The Ghadīr Khumm (Arabic: غَدِير خُم) was a gathering of Muslims to attend a sermon delivered by the Islamic prophet Muhammad on 16 March 632 CE. The gathering is said to have taken place by the ghadir (Arabic: غَدِير, lit. 'pool') in the wadi (Arabic: وَادِي, lit. 'valley') of Khumm, located near the then settlement of al-Juhfa on the path between Mecca and Medina, where Muhammad halted the large caravan of Muslims who had accompanied him in the Farewell Pilgrimage, his only Hajj ritual.

In the sermon, made shortly before his death in June 632, Muhammad made a declaration in favor of Ali ibn Abi Talib, his cousin and son-in-law, by saying: "He whose mawla I am, Ali is his mawla" (Arabic: من كنت مولاه فهذا على مولاه). Mawla (Arabic: مولاه) is a polysemous Arabic word, which can mean 'patron', 'master', 'leader', or 'friend', depending on its context. Shi'a Muslims believe this sermon to be a clear designation of Ali to lead the Muslim community after Muhammad and celebrate the anniversary of the event as Eid al-Ghadir. The Sunni community meanwhile regards the declaration as a simple affirmation of Muhammad's esteem for Ali.