Hawzah News Agency- In a statement marking the blessed occasion of Eid al-Ghadir, Hojatoleslam Akhtar Ali, a preacher and religious scholar from West Bengal, India, hailed the great Eid as a symbol of unity and solidarity among the Islamic Ummah. He stressed the necessity of utilizing the unifying messages of Ghadir to bolster cohesion and convergence among Muslims.
Ghadir Khumm: A Fateful and Everlasting Message for the Ummah
Highlighting the significance of this historic event, Akhtar Ali stated that the event of Ghadir Khumm carries a fateful and eternal message for the Islamic Ummah. "Returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him), by divine command, declared before the massive gathering of Muslims: 'Of whomsoever I am his master, Ali is his master,'" he said.
The Indian cleric emphasized that this declaration was not merely an expression of the virtue and lofty status of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him), but a clear indication of the question of leadership of the Ummah and the charting of the future course for Muslims.
First Lesson of Ghadir: Islamic Leadership Must Rest on Justice, Knowledge, Piety
Elaborating on the valuable lessons and messages Ghadir holds for the Islamic world in current circumstances, Akhtar Ali outlined the first lesson: Islamic Imamate and leadership must be founded on justice, knowledge, piety, and divine merit. "Following the passing of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him), the Islamic Ummah is duty-bound to recognize a leader capable of correctly explicating the Holy Quran and the Prophetic tradition," he noted.
Second Lesson: Ghadir, a Rallying Point for Unity, Not Division
The Indian preacher identified the second message of Ghadir as the unity and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah. "Ghadir must not be turned into a pretext for discord and division among Muslims; rather, it should be made a rallying point for strengthening cohesion and convergence within the Islamic Ummah," he asserted. Akhtar Ali stressed that all Muslims can find common ground in their love and reverence for Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) and the purified household of the Prophet (Peace be upon them), transforming differences of perspective into an opportunity for mutual understanding and unity.
Leadership: A Divine Trust for Service, Not an Instrument of Personal Gain
Addressing the question of social justice, Akhtar Ali stated that the primary objective of leadership is the establishment of justice and the securing of the people's rights. "The event of Ghadir demonstrates that Islamic leadership is neither a tool for personal and worldly interests, nor a means for tribal and familial supremacy. It is a divine trust for serving society and securing the public good," he declared.
The Indian scholar stressed that today, more than ever before, there is a need to draw inspiration from the teachings of Ghadir. "If Muslims cling to the Holy Quran and the path of the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them), many of the differences and dispersions will diminish, and the unity and solidarity intended by the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) will be realized within Islamic society," he said.
In conclusion, Hojatoleslam Akhtar Ali prayed to Almighty God to guide all Muslims to the path of truth and grant everyone the success of comprehending the truth and the real message of Ghadir.
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