Grand Ayatollah Shirazi emphasises importance of Ghadir during daily scholarly session

The daily scholarly meeting of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Sadegh al-Hosseini al-Shirazi was held on Monday, the 18th of Dhu Qa’dah. In this session, like the previous meetings, the Marja answered the questions of those present in the meeting about various jurisprudential issues.

Explaining the concept of reviving Ghadir, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi said: Revival of Ghadir means dignifying Ghadir and holding it in honour, which entails holding happy gatherings and doing all kinds of activities that bring this event into focus. Everyone should pay attention to this matter, and should try to glorify, celebrate and revive this important event in their tribe, relatives, city, village, workplace, school, and university.

In explaining the concept of the “First Ghadir” and “Second Ghadir”, his Eminence said: A hadith has been narrated either from Imam al-Hadi or Imam al-Hasan al-Askari, peace be upon them, in which the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal is identified as “Ghadir al-Thani”, or the Second Ghadir. This means the First Ghadir is a manifestation of Tawalli (Affinity for), and the Second Ghadir is a manifestation of Tabarri (Disassociation from). The use of these two titles stems from the narration of the Infallible Imam (peace be upon him).

The Marja went on to emphasize: Tawalli and Tabarri are among the Usul of religion (Fundamentals), and in a sense, they are considered one of the branches of the main principles of religion. They are not considered part of the jurisprudential Furu’ (Non-Fundamentals), because those are related to a believer’s actions such as prayer, fasting, and Hajj. Tawalli and Tabarri have been included in some accounts by scholars as Furu’ al-Din in order to facilitate their teaching to children, and make it easier for them to understand; otherwise Tawalli and Tabarri are considered as prerequisites of the principles of religion.