Day of Fraternization
"Today I have perfected your religion and completed my bounty upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion." In this holy verse, "Today" is the
eighteenth day of Zul Hijja of the tenth year Hejira when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) declared before the entire crowd of people the Greatest Imamate of the Commander of Faithful
Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib, marking that day as the Greatest Eid (Feast) of Allah during which religion was completed and the grace, bounty and satisfaction of Allah that Islam be the religion of the believers were granted.
Among the aspects of such grace which was completed in the Day of Ghadir Khum is the image of the believers; having been composed of different individuals, they have become brothers. The same is stated in the Holy Qur’an, “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah"s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren…”
Imam Sadiq (PBUH) pointed out such grace derived from the Greatest Imamate saying, “We, the Descendants of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), are the bounty granted to mankind, for by us they became brothers after they were different and they became brethren…”
Fraternization on the Day of Ghadir Khum
Accordingly, fraternization on the
Day of Ghadir Khum has been highlighted as one of the courtesies of the Day of Ghadir Khum. A certain format to be followed, which indicates the depth of the relation Allah wants it to be existing among brothers of Wilaya (recognizing and acknowledging Imamate to Ali Bin Abi Talib), has been reported by Al-Nouri, a historian. This format begins when a person puts his hand in his brother’s hand and says, “I cordially associate, fraternize, select, and make vows before Allah and his angles, holy books, messengers, prophets and infallible Imams (PBUT) that if I would be amongst those who shall go to heaven and have the power of intercession and I would be ordered to enter heaven, I shall not do so unless you are with me.” The answer comes from his brother believer, “I approve.”
Relationship between Brothers
Joining the fate of both brothers with each others in the Hereafter is a vivid expression which Allah wants the same to exist between brothers and which was expressed by Imam Sadiq (PBUH), “A believer is the brother of another. They stand as one body: if one of the organs suffered pain, all other organs and the souls of the two brothers shall feel the same pain. A believer’s soul is connected to the spirit of Allah more than the connection of a sun beam to the sun itself;” and “A believer is the brother of the other believer: one is the other’s eyes and guide; he never betrays, misjudges, cheats or breaks his promises to him.”
These are the specifications of a brother for the sake of Allah whom the Descendants of the Messenger of Allah (PBUT) described: whoever benefited from the same shall get the intercession on the Day of Judgment and a house in heaven.
The Best of Brothers
The relationship between two brothers helps one benefit in improving his conduct through the divine way. The more the benefit is, the higher level of fraternity shall be. This is why, when being asked about the use of a brother, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied, “If you want to mention something he shall help you and if you forget the same he shall remember you.”
Imam Ali (PBUH) is also reported to have said, “The best of your brothers is the one who jumps into good and attracts you to it and the one who orders you to benevolence and helps you to perform the same.”
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