598) on the authority of Abu al-Hamrā, by Abu Dawud at-Tayālisi (V. 8, p. 274) on the authority of Anas, in Kanz al-Ummāl (V. 7, p. 92) on the authority of Wāthila bin al-Asqa‟, in Usd al-Ghāba (V. 2, p. 20) on the authority Wāthila bin al-Asqa‟ and (V. 3, p. 413). It is also narrated by at-Tahāwi in Mishkil al-Athār (V. 1, p. 332) on the authorities of Umm Salama and Sa‟d bin Abi Waqqās, (pp. 333 and 336) on the authority of Umm Salama, and (p. 338) on the authority of Abu al-Hamrā.
It is also narrated by al-Haythami in his Majmu’ (V. 9, p.169) on the authorities of Abu Sa‟id and Abu Barza, (p. 121) on the authority of Abu al-Hamrā, (p. 146) on the authority of Abu Tufayl, (p. 172) on the authority of Abu Jamīla, (p. 206) on the authority of „Umar bin al-Khattab, and (p. 207) on the authority of Ibn „Abbās.
Hadīth of the Pond (al-Ghadīr)
To conclude our words on this matter, we relate the Hadīth of the Pond, Hadīth of Position, and Hadīth of Love:
Regarding the Hadīth of the Pond: It was that which proclaimed the Imamate of „Ali bin Abi Tālib, upon him be peace, as well as the Hadīth of Position and others. When the verse {O Messenger, convey what has been revealed to you…} (Q. 5:67) was revealed, he, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, never hesitated to take one step before delivering it. This occurred during the final pilgrimage (Hajj al-Widā’) where [the Muslims] gathered at the juncture between Mecca and Medina. Then the call for prayer was made and the people came together. He gave a lengthy lecture and then cut it short to ask: ((Do I not have more authority over you than you have over yourselves?)) They all replied, “O Allah, indeed!” He said: ((Then, whomever I have authority over, „Ali has authority over. O Allah, help those that help him and oppose those that oppose him! Assist those that assist him, and abandon those that abandon him!))
It is narrated with different wording, but in line with the statement above that indicates Guardianship (al-Wilāyat). There is consensus among the People of the House of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, regarding its authenticity. It is also narrated by other scholars of the community (al-ummah).
Muhammad bin al-Jarīr at-Tabari narrated it with 75 different chains in his book entitled Kitāb al-Wilāyat. Muhammad bin „Uqda narrated it with 105 chains. Al-Hussein bin al-Qāsim narrated it Shahr al-Ghāliyat on the authority of 38 companions, all of which are from chains including the People of the House, upon him be peace. Muhammad bin Ibrāhīm al-Wazīr said: “The incident of the Pond was narrated in 153 chains.” Adh-Dhahabi said:
I am amazed at a narration with so many chains! As-Suyūti includes it amongst the mass-transmitted (al-mutawātir) hadīths.
Al-Ghazzāli said:
There is consensus from the majority concerning the sermon in the Hadīth of the Pond. Ibn Hajar even admits in Sawā’iqa that it has been narrated by 30 companions.
Al-Maqbili said: “It is amongst those things that are so well-known that if it is not, then what in the world is known?”
It is narrated that the revelation of the verse, {O Messenger, convey what has been revealed to you…} (Q. 5:67) commanded the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, to convey the guardianship of Amīr al-Muminīn [i.e. „Ali] at the pond of Khumm (al-Khumm al-Ghadīr).
