Among the things, which made Eid Ghadeer perpetual and famous, and bestowed certainty and established it firmly, are: Deeming it to be a day of feast and to hold celebrations in it, worship and devotions in its nights and also performing more religious acts and helping the poor and gathering provisions for self and family, for dressing up and in putting on new garments.
In every period, whichever religious society will pay attention to these conditions, it will naturally be in pursuit of its causes and will inquire about its aspects; it would be inquisitive regarding their narrators or at least due to participating in these rituals, and will by chance be informed about its narrators or reporters. Every year this matter will lead to renewal of interest of special groups of different societies to the incident of Ghadeer. As a result of which, the chains of narrators of the incident are continuous and the channels of its narration are safe, and the text of the incident is read out from one to another and its reports are repeated.
What becomes crystal clear for the researcher of this festival (Eid) are the following two points:
First point
This Eid is not restricted only to Shia, although they are having special attachment to this Eid, on the contrary, other sects of Muslims have also regarded it as Eid and participated in it.
Abu Raihan Biruni in his book of Aatharul Baqiya An Quroonil Khaliya1 , has regarded it to be among the festivals (Eids) of Muslims.
Ibne Talha Shafei says in his Matalibus Soo-ol: 2
“Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) has mentioned the day of Ghadeer Khum in his couplets and this day is a day of festival (Eid) and gatherings; because on this day the Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.) bestowed this lofty rank to Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and not to others.”
He also says:
“The meaning for the term of Master (Maula), which is possible only for the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), the same meaning the Prophet has applied for Ali (a.s.) and this is an exalted rank and position, which is only for him and not for anyone else. That is why this is a day of Eid and celebration for followers of Ali (a.s.).”3
In a number of places in the book of Wafayat,4 Ibne Khallikan has mentioned that this day is regarded as Eid by the consensus of Muslims.
After the mention of tradition of Ghadeer, Masudi says:
“Descendants of Ali (a.s.) and his Shia regard this Eid great.”5
Thalabi has also stated in Thimarul Qulub6 after including the eve of Ghadeer among the great and famous nights in Islam, said:
“The eve of Ghadeer is a night, on the following day of which the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) recited a sermon in Ghadeer Khum on the pulpit of camel saddles.
And in his sermon, he said: Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is (also) his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him. And help those, who help him and degrade those, who insult him. Therefore the Shia regard this eve to be great and they are engrossed in worship acts on this night.
One of the evidences of it being Eid is that Abu Bakr, Umar, wives of the Prophet and other companions, upon the commands of the Prophet, congratulated Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and we all know that greetings are only offered on days of Eids and celebrations.”
Second point
History regarding this Eid is from the time of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) till date and its beginning was the day of Ghadeer from the year of the Farewell Hajj, when Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) announced the Caliphate of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and made his authoritative known to all in both worldly and religious issues and he explained to them his lofty rank in religion.
The occasion of that witnessed day (a day which most of them were able to see) makes every Muslim elated, because on this day the source of Shariah and the place of glowing of illuminated laws of Islam becomes clear to all Muslims.
Which other day can exceed this blessed day? The day when the path of the clear practices (Sunnahs) became illuminated for all; when the smooth path became obvious to everyone, religion was perfected and the bounty was completed and Quran announced this clearly (so that it does not remain concealed for anyone).
From this aspect, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) announced to all, who were present there, including Abu Bakr and Umar, the nobles of Quraish and chiefs of Ansars and also his wives, he ordered all of them to go to Ali and congratulate him for having received the rank of Mastership (Wilayat) and authority to enforce commands and prohibitions in the religion of God