We know that on the day of Ghadeer, was appointed the Caliph, who was supposed to be the ruler of the Islamic world and who was to succeed the Prophet. In this way, it was necessary that he should be crowned like kings. But since crowns of gold and silver, studded with gems were a specialty of the rulers of Iran, and in Arabs there was no replacement to it, except a turban and none, except the nobles wore turbans, therefore it is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) that he said:
“Turbans are the crowns of Arabs.”
This report is narrated by Khuzai and Dailami, and Suyuti in Jame Saghir1 has regarded it as authentic and Ibne Athir has also mentioned it in Nihaya.2
Therefore, on this day, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) placed the turban on the head of Ali (a.s.) and this shows that it was a mark of his greatness and majesty, because he placed on his head, his turban, which was named as ‘Sahaab’ in that huge gathering with his blessed hands.
This act hints that one, who is crowned with this turban will remain in the position of the Prophet, and that he was the missionary of the religion of the Prophet and his successor after him.
In Kanzul Ummal3 , it is narrated from Imam Ali (a.s.) that the Prophet on the day of Ghadeer Khum placed a turban on my head and dropped one end of it on my back. And in other words, he threw one end of it on my back.
Then he said: “Indeed, the Almighty Allah helped me in Battle of Badr and Hunain through angels through this turban, which I was wearing.”
And he said: “Turban is an obstacle between denial and faith.”
Hafiz Dailami has narrated from Ibne Abbas that then the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) placed ‘Sahaab’4 on the head of Ali (a.s.) and he said:
“O Ali, the turban is the crown of Arabs.”5
Conclusion
Abul Husain Multi6 says in Tanbih war Radd7:
“Their [that is the Rafidhis’ or Shia’s] statement that Ali is in the clouds (Sahaab) is taken from the statement of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) to Ali (a.s.), when he arrived wearing the Prophet’s turban: ‘Ali has come in Sahaab.’ That is he came wearing the turban named Sahaab, but they interpreted it in a way other than what it implied.”
Halabi in his Seerah8 says:
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) had a turban named Sahaab and he put it on the head of Ali Ibne Abi Talib Karramallahu Wajha. When Ali wore it and came to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), he said: “Ali has come to you in Sahaab,” that is in the turban, which the Prophet gifted to him.”
Allamah Amini says: This is the meaning that Shia allude to when they say: Ali is in Sahaab, as opposed to the claim of Multi, no Shia has interpreted it in away other than what was intended. On the contrary, Ahle Sunnat people have interpreted it in another way and made allegation against Shia; and Almighty Allah will hold them responsible for it.
Thus, the day of crowning is the greatest day in Islam and the greatest Eid of the partisans of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). Just as this day prompts the malice and anger of his enemies.
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَيةٍ مُّسْفِرَةٌ ضَاحِكَةٌ مُسْتَبْشِرَ وَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَيدٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌ تَرْهَقُهَا فَتَرَةٌ
“(Many) faces on that day shall be bright, laughing, joyous. and (many) faces on that day, on them shall be dust, darkness shall cover them.”9