GHADIR KHUMM: A SUNNI PERSPECTIVE

The Shias claim that the word “Mawla” means “Master.” It is based on this meaning of the word that they claim that the Prophet (PBUH) nominated Ali (RA) as his successor. In fact, the word “Mawla”–like many other Arabic words–has multiple possible meanings. One only needs to open up an Arabic dictionary to see the various definitions of the word “Mawla.” : 1) The Lord, 2) the uncle, 3) the cousin, 4) the son, 5) the nephew, 6) the one who frees slaves, 7) the freed slave, 8) the slave, 9) the slave owner, 10) the follower, 11) the one who receives benefit, 12) the partner, 13) the ally, 14) the companion, 15) the neighbor, 16) the guest, 17) the in-law, 18) the one who is close, 19) the one who benefits, 20) a colonel, 21) one in authority, 22) one who is more rightful, 23) a master that does not own, 24) a lover, 25) one who aids, 26) one who rules, and 27) one who is put in position of a matter.
Ghadir Khumm was a resting place, where Prophet Mohammad(SAWS) stopped with the people returning with him to Madinah after completing the Farewell Hajj at Makkah. During their stay, the Prophet (PBUH) addressed some complains raised against Ali(RA), so the Prophet (PBUH) reminded people of caring for his household in general after his death and he (SAW) tied Ali’s love to his own by saying “Whoever takes me as a beloved friend (Mawla), the he must love `Ali and take him as a beloved friend (Mawla).” The Shias used this event as the basis for their extremist views concerning Ali(RA) on the one hand, and they relied on it with regard to his entitlement to the Caliphate on the other hand. They gave this incident more importance than any other incident during the era of the Prophet (PBUH). They even have a yearly celebration called `Eid-e-Ghadeer.