The Event of Ghadir Khumm
حادثة غدير خم
واقعہ غدیر خم
Historical overview
On the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah in 10 AH (March 632 CE), while returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wida), Prophet Muhammad ﷺ halted the returning gathering of thousands of Muslims at the pond of Khumm (Ghadir Khumm) near al-Juhfah. Following the divine revelation of Surah al-Ma'idah (5:67), the Prophet ordered those who had gone ahead to return and those behind to catch up. Under the shade of ancient acacia trees, a raised pulpit was constructed from camel saddles. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered a comprehensive historic sermon, raised the hand of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib ؑ, and declared: 'For whomever I am his Mawla, Ali is his Mawla.' The gathered believers gave allegiance and congratulated Imam Ali ؑ. This event is a pivotal moment in Islamic history regarding guidance, leadership, and the completion of the divine message.
Historical context and how to read this record
This record presents The Event of Ghadir Khumm, dated in the archive as 10 AH / 632 CE and associated with Ghadir Khumm, near al-Juhfah, Hijaz. The date, place, summary, named groups, terrain features, and references shown here come from the bundled or published event record. They provide a concise entry point for study, while the linked source notes remain the place to check what each historical or religious text actually reports. A label in the archive is not, by itself, proof that every chronology, number, or interpretation is agreed across historians.
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Record timeline and tactical markers
- Archive date: 2026-10-03 · 10 AH / 632 CE
- Recorded setting: Ghadir Khumm, near al-Juhfah, Hijaz
- Map feature 1: Arid valley crossroads near al-Juhfah
- Map feature 2: Dense grove of acacia (Samurah) trees
- Map feature 3: Raised platform made of stacked camel saddles
- Map feature 4: Natural spring-fed pond basin
- Schematic marker 1: Central Gathering around the Saddles Platform · Prophet Muhammad ﷺ & Imam Ali ؑ · 100,000+ Pilgrims
- Schematic marker 2: Pilgrims heading toward Medina and North · Senior Ansar & Muhajirun Companions · 30,000 Pilgrims
- Schematic marker 3: Delegations branching toward Iraq, Levant, & Coasts · Regional Tribal Chiefs · 40,000 Pilgrims
Marker ordering is a reading aid, not a chronological claim about the event.
Forces and commanders
- Central Gathering around the Saddles Platform — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ & Imam Ali ؑ (100,000+ Pilgrims)
- Pilgrims heading toward Medina and North — Senior Ansar & Muhajirun Companions (30,000 Pilgrims)
- Delegations branching toward Iraq, Levant, & Coasts — Regional Tribal Chiefs (40,000 Pilgrims)
Geography: water and landscape
- Ghadir Khumm (Pond of Khumm) (oasis)
- Arid valley crossroads near al-Juhfah
- Dense grove of acacia (Samurah) trees
- Raised platform made of stacked camel saddles
- Natural spring-fed pond basin
Sources
- Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 3, pp. 124-126
- Kitab al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid, pp. 91-96
- Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah by Ibn Kathir, Vol. 5, pp. 208-213
- Bihar al-Anwar by Allamah Majlisi, Vol. 37, pp. 108-120