This discussion is not with the motive of proving the veracity of the tradition of Ghadeer and that it is widely narrated (Tawatur), because it by itself and by its essence it is needless of every kind of discussion.
In spite of the fact that a large number of reporters from the chains of narrators of this tradition are the narrators of two books: Saheeh Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim, who can deny the authenticity of this tradition?
And with attention to the fact that every far and near was witness to this event and he has narrated it and majority of the writers of tradition, history, exegesis and scholasticism have mentioned it and some have also written separate books on it, which opponent can refute this tradition having wide narration (Tawatur) of its wording, leaving aside some particular disputes; having wide narration (Tawatur) in its ideal details; and having summarily wide narration (Tawatur Ijmali) in some of its aspects?1
The late Allamah Amini, in the book of Al-Ghadeer,2 has mentioned names of forty-three persons, who admitted to the authenticity and wide narration (Tawatur) of this tradition. Some of them are as follows:
1. Hafiz Abu Isa Tirmizi (d. 279 A.H.)
In his book of traditions, he has says after the mention of the tradition of Ghadeer:
“This is a good and authentic tradition”.3
2. Hafiz Ibne Abde Barr Qurtubi (d. 463 A.H.)
In the book of Istiab,4 after the mention of the tradition of brotherhood, [brotherhood of Ali (a.s.) with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)] and two traditions of Mastership (Wilayat) and Ghadeer, has said:
“This whole report is authentic.”
3. Faqih Abul Hasan bin Maghazili Shafei (d. 483 A.H.)
In his book of Manaqib,5 after quoting this tradition from his teacher, Abul Qasim Fazl bin Muhammad Isfahani, has said:
“Abul Qasim believes that this report is an authentic tradition of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and around a hundred persons, including members of Ashra Mubashshira have narrated it. And this tradition is proved and there is no doubt in it. This excellence is special to Ali (a.s.) and no one shares it with him.”
4. Hujjatul Islam Abu Hamid Ghazzali (d. 505 A.H.)
In his book of Sirrul Alamain6, he has written:
“The proof [evidence] has removed the veil from its face and everyone has consensus on the text of the tradition from the sermon of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) on the day of Ghadeer Khum. He mentioned in some part of this sermon:
‘Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is (also) his master.’ And Umar [in congratulation to Ali (a.s.)] said: Bravo, bravo!”
5. Ibne Abil Hadeed Mutazali (d. 655 A.H.)
In his Sharh Nahjul Balagha7 , he has regarded this tradition to be a well known statement about excellence of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.).
6. Hafiz Ibne Hajar Asqalani (d. 852 A.H.)
He says in his Fathul Bari:8
“As for the tradition: Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is (also) his master. Tirmizi and Nasai have narrated it and this tradition is having excessive chains of narrators. Ibne Uqdah has compiled a separate book on this, and many of its chains of narrators are authentic and good. It is narrated to us from Imam Ahmad that he said: For no companion are so many merits narrated as they are narrated for Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).”
7. Hafiz Jalaluddin Suyuti Shafei (d. 911 A.H.)
He says: “This tradition is widely related (Mutawatir) and many later scholars have narrated it from him.”
8. Hafiz Shahabuddin bin Hajar Haithami Makki (d. 974 A.H.).9
9. Sayyid Mahmud Alusi Baghdadi (d. 1270 A.H.).10
وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَتِهِ : وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“And the word of your Lord has been accomplished truly and justly; there is none who can change His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing. And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from Allah’s way; they follow but conjecture and they only lie.”11