Originally written in Arabic, by His Eminence, the Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra) and translated by S. As-Samarra’i, the book Ghedir, an Islamic perspective, is a publication of Dar Al-Malak.
The 122 pages propose a scientific approach to examining historical events, especially the much- debated issue of the guardianship (Wilaya) of Imam Ali (a.s.). The evidence for the authenticity of his Wilaya is presented in the Ghedir incident, in which Imam Ali (a.s.) was appointed as a successor of the Prophet (p).
His Eminence (ra) explains that the proof of the caliphate are evident, not only in the aforementioned incident, but also in the intrinsic qualities of Imam Ali (a.s.)’s and the life he lived. The first part of the book sheds the light on the role of the messenger, the concept of true allegiance, the Islamic environment during the time of the Ghedir incident, and explains why Imam Ali (a.s.) is the most qualified to assume that position.
Imam Ali (a.s.) is not only the Prophet (p)’s cousin and son in law, but also his lifelong companion who followed his footsteps and was ready to give away his own life for the sake of Islam and the Messenger of Allah (p). He is not only the closet to the Prophet (p) in kinship, but also a spectacular leader, a wise judge, and a victorious military leader.
Part two constitutes a series of questions that are quite intriguing. They discuss issues about the proof the Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Imamate, the reality behind the concealment of the Ghedir Hadith, the Imam (a.s.)’s abstention from using the Hadith as a means to retrieving the caliphate, and the role of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.); in a addition to a couple of miscellaneous questions.
The book presents a study of the tradition relating the Ghedir incident, and an examination of the qualities that ought to be essentially found in the character of the Prophet (p).The book is presented in a logical and methodological manner, beautifully written, and very insightful.