The meaning of Eid al-Ghadir.

Why is it called al-Ghadir?

Eid al-Ghadir has this name as on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the Holy Prophet (Allah's prayers be upon him and upon his holy Household) has gathered tens of thousands of Muslims coming back from the farewell's pilgrimage [Hajjat al-Wada'] in a place between Makkah and Madinah called "Ghadir Khum", so this day was called after this place.

What is the day of al-Ghadir?

The day of al-Ghadir is the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the year 10 AH, the day in which the Holy Prophet (Allah's prayers be upon him and upon his holy Household) has delivered a sermon in which he appointed Imam Ali (peace be upon him) his successor and guardian and the commander of the Muslims after him.

It is a great day that many narrations mentioned and highlighted many aspects of its greatness. It is narrated that Imam Ali Ibn Musa ar-Redha (peace be upon him) said: "The Day of al-Ghadir is better known in the heavens than it is on the Earth."

And Imam Ja'far as-Sadeq (peace be upon him) said: "Its name in the heaven ‘The Day of the Famous Covenant’ and on earth 'The Day of The Taken Solemn Covenant and Public Presence'."

And Imam ar-Redha (peace be upon him) stated: "I swear by Allah that if people knew the true greatness of this day, the Angels would shake hands with them ten times every day … and Allah would grant a person who recognizes (the greatness of this day) what cannot be enumerated.”

And it is the second important event in Islam after the blessed mission of the Prophet ad the descent of the Holy Quran.

Eid al-Ghadir:

The day of al-Ghadir is not only a day of Eid, but the greatest and most glorious of Eids, it is the greatest Eid of Allah, And all prophets sent by the Almighty God has sanctified this day, because on this day the Almighty God has perfected the religion and completed the favor: {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.} (5:3)

The Messenger of Allah (Allah's prayers be upon him and upon his holy household) has said: “The day of Ghadir Khum is the best Eid of my nation [Ummah]. It is the day on which Allah, the High, ordered me to mention the appointment of my brother, Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) as the flag and standard of my nation. People shall be guided by him after me and this is the day in which Allah completed the religion and perfected the bounties upon my nation and on which He was pleased with Islam as their religion.”