Assalamu Alaikum my Muslims brothers and sisters in Islam;

I wish to use this medium to congratulate Muslims across the globe, for witnessing this great day; when the transition and the guardianship of the Muslim community was bestowed on the leader of the faithful Ali Ibn Abu Talib (AS). This day was an unprecedented historical chain of events that later came to shaped the development and destruction of Islamic creed as practice and revealed to the Holy Prophet (saw).

Ghadeer day is a special festive period for us, the followers of the Prophet’s householder. The significance of this day can not be underestimated; because this is the day the religion of Islam was chosen as the only religion and the favours of Allah were completed. On this day the Messenger of Allah decided to anoint his successor who loves Allah and Allah love’s him.

On this faithful day, The Prophet of Islam (saw) stop at this place called Ghadeer Al Khum when the verse of warning was revealed to him by Allah (SWT) to make known what was revealed to him. Allah said; O messenger! Make known that which has been revealed to you from your lord, for if you do it not, you will not have conveyed His message” (Suratul al-Ma’idah, 5:6.). This day was significant to all Muslim because without this declaration, Allah (SWT) has already declared and warned that, the prophet could not have delivered His message and mercy to the people and the world. Without this declaration only Allah knows what could have become of us; but as we are aware the Holy Prophet couldn’t have gone against the commandment of Allah (SWT.). The Prophet (saw) said to the people at Ghadir Al- Khum ground “Do I not have more authority over you than you yourselves have” all said: “yes, you have” then he said “This Ali is the master of him, whose master I am”. In commenting on this narration, martyred Murtaza Mutahheri said “The Holy Prophet wanted to affirm that Ali was a superior to other as he himself was.

Imam Ali (AS) the leader of the faithful was chosen as the successor of the Holy Prophet (saw) on this day to expounding and guards the religion and the people against deviation and adulteration. With the declaration of the leadership and successorship of Imam Ali (AS) by the Holy Prophet (saw); Allah in His infinity Mercy declared and revealed that;

Today, the unbelievers have lost hope of ever harming your religion; so fear them not and have fear of me! This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed my favours to you, and have chosen Islam as your religion. (Surah al Ma’ida 5:3)

This verse signifies the fulfillments of Allah’s mercy and promised to protect His religion from been harm by the unbelievers and the Hypocrites who clothed themselves as the followers of the Holy Prophet; who later congratulated Imam Ali (AS) for been chosen by Allah as the successor of the noble Prophet (saw). The Confirmation of the leadership of Imam Ali (AS) over the Muslim community clearly defined the perfection and the completion of Allah’s favours to the world so that he and members of his households can led, guide, expounds, and extend Allah’s religion as revealed and practice by the holy Prophet (saw).

However, this writing is not meant to go into details on what happen after the demised of the holy Prophet (saw) and the subsequent crises and neglect of the households of the Holy Prophet (saw). But, one thing still remain clear is the fact that, the instructions of the Holy Prophet (saw) has to not been adhered to by the past and the present followers of the religion of Islam; except the followers of the Households of the prophet (saw). Since that faithful day when a groups of bandits decided to follow their whimsical desires and personal hatred to the personality of Imam Ali (AS); the world of Islam has been turn upside down. They have corrupted the pure religion of Allah that the Holy Prophet (saw) spent most of his life explaining and left the rest for the members of the Householders to accomplish on his behalf.

Today as a result of this deviation and disregard to the commandment of Allah and His Noble messenger; Islam only appears in name rather than the actual practice. So we should be grateful to Allah (SWT) that he made us to be among the adherence and lovers of the Prophet of Islam and his households. That is why we must see the Ghadeer celebration as source of strengthen that will unified us irrespective of our individual or group interest as long as our affirmation and commitment is to be the adherence and lovers of the households of the Prophet (saw). We have greater responsibility ahead of us; than the internal regaling and mistrust - politics aside; let use this festive period for sober reflections, on the real essence of been the followers of the households of the Holy Prophet (saw) and the challenges that are ahead of us.

In this day, the mercy of Allah and the religion of Islam was chosen for us, as the only religion the Almighty recognizes and rewards any one that adhere to its teachings. Let rejoice for been Muslims and the adherence and lovers of the households of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Let also look back and reflect on our contribution in strengthening the religion of Islam as revealed to the Holy Prophet and as expounded by the infallible Imams.

Below are some memorable quotations from the leader of the faithful Imam Ali (AS):
“Allah, the Almighty has appointed me an Imam of His creation. As such He has made it incumbent on me to be on a level with the poorest so that a poor man may content with poverty and the riches of a rich may not distract him”

“Nobody can establish Allah’s command except he who does not compromise on principles, is not a specimen of depravity and is not greed”

“He who puts up himself as a leader of the people, should begin the reform with himself….. a leader must not be greedy, for avarice means permanent bondage, which is contrary to spiritual and moral freedom

Ali (AS) described the kind of people liked by Allah and the acts of a true Muslim. "O people! The person who is liked most by Allah is he who implores him for help to overcome his passions, who accepts the unpleasantness of life, and fears Him..."
"I glorify Him (Allah) for His constant favours, vast bounties and lasting protection. It is my firm belief that he is Eternal; He existed before anything came into existence and that he is the Mighty Creator."

"My advice to you is that you should pass through life in such a way that it may carry good results for you in the next world..."

“My mission today is the same as it was during the time of Muhammad. I shall thrive till I eradicate impiety and injustice, and till I establish a rule of justice and truth, - a humane and divine regime.” Sermons 36

“The most complete gift of God is a life based on knowledge. The innumerable fools have made he learned very scarce. The learned man understands the ignorant for he was once ignorant himself. The ignorant man does not understand the learned for he has never been learned himself. Knowledge gives life to the soul. To respect the learned is to respect God. Knowledge creates fears of God. Practice makes knowledge perfect. To teach is to learn.”

“Honesty is Divine language. To fulfill promises is the highest form of integrity. Truth means conformity of speech with the Divide mode of working….. Friendship is impossible with a liar. Misrepresentation spoils narration. Lying spoils news”

“Enemity is the occupation of fools. One’s obedience to God is proportionate to one’s wisdom. To fight against one’s own desires is highest wisdom. The wise aim at perfection; the fool aim at wealth. To separate oneself from things of time and to connect oneself with things of eternity is highest wisdom. He is really wise whose actions reflect his words.”

“Humility is the product of knowledge. Self- conceit poisons the mind. Self-conceit impedes progress. Pride mars greatness. Humility is one of the nets spread by real greatness. Boasting issues from small minds.”

In conclusion, all glory and adoration are on to the noble Prophet (SAW) who came as mercy to us and lighting the world with his lighting, blessing and bequeathed the world to us with His infallible households who not only guide, expounded and safeguarded the religion of Allah as revealed to his noble Prophet; but also gives us direction and confidence to conquer our fears, expectation and our commitment to our Creator, His Prophet (saw) and his households (as). We turn towards thee, seek thy intercession and advocacy before Allah; we put before you our open need. O intimate of Allah, stand by us when Allah sits in judgment over us. May the peace and blessing of Allah be on His Noble Prophet and members of his households, AMIN.