The Day of Walayah
Eid-e-Ghadeer — observed on 18 Dhul Hijja — is one of the most joyous and theologically significant days in the Bohra calendar. It commemorates the event at Ghadir al-Khumm in 10 AH / 632 CE when the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), returning from his Final Pilgrimage, declared Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) as his successor.
In Bohra tradition, this day is called Yawm al-Walayah al-Kubra — the Day of the Great Walayah — because it is the moment when the chain of walayah that sustains Bohra faith was formally inaugurated.
The Event of Ghadir al-Khumm
The pond of Ghadir al-Khumm (غَدِيرُ خُمّ) is located at the crossroads of the main road from Mecca, where the pilgrims of different regions would separate. On 18 Dhul Hijja 10 AH, the Prophet (SAW) halted here with the entire company of pilgrims — estimated at tens of thousands.
A revelation had descended:
يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ “O Messenger, convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not, you have not conveyed His message.” (Quran 5:67)
The Prophet (SAW) assembled the pilgrims, prayed Dhuhr, then addressed the gathering from an elevated place (some accounts mention a makeshift pulpit of camel saddles). He said:
“Am I not more worthy of authority over you than you are over yourselves?” The people replied: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He then took Imam Ali’s (AS) hand and raised it, saying: “Whoever I am his mawla — this Ali is his mawla.” “Man kuntu mawlahu fa-hadha ‘Aliyyun mawlahu.” Then he added: “O Allah, be the wali of whoever takes Ali as wali, and be the enemy of whoever takes Ali as enemy. Help whoever helps him, abandon whoever abandons him.”
After this declaration, the verse was revealed:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِيناً “Today I have completed your religion for you, perfected My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.” (Quran 5:3)
The completion of religion was the establishment of walayah — the chain of succession that would carry the guidance of the Prophet (SAW) forward after his departure.
Why It is Called “Eid”
The word Eid (عِيد) means a recurring festivity — something that returns each year. Imam Ali (AS) himself called this day an Eid, and the tradition records that the Prophet (SAW) called it the “Eid of the nation.”
In Bohra practice, Eid-e-Ghadeer is a day of:
- Joy and celebration (surur)
- Renewal of walayah
- Special prayers and dua
- Visiting the Dai’s jamaat or the local masjid
- Generous sadaqah (charity) in honor of the day
- Exchange of greetings: Eid Mubarak or “Alf alf mabrook” (a thousand thousand blessings)
The Walayah Declaration in Ismaili Ta’wil
In Ismaili Tayyibi understanding, the Ghadir declaration is not merely a political appointment or a sentimental tribute — it is a cosmic event:
The formal inauguration of the Asas: At Ghadir, the Prophet (SAW) publicly confirmed what had been the inner reality from the beginning — that Imam Ali (AS) was his Asas (Foundation), the one who held the batin (inner meaning) of the Quran and the true path of guidance.
The chain of walayah: The Ghadir declaration established the principle that guidance is transmitted through a designated chain — from Allah to the Prophet (SAW) to the Imam — not through popular election or force. This principle has governed the Dawat ever since, from the first Imam to the 23rd, and from the first Dai to the current 53rd.
The completion of religion: The verse “Today I have completed your religion” was revealed on this day, indicating that the zahir (the legal framework of Islam) and the batin (the walayah of the Imam) together constitute the complete religion. Without walayah, religion is incomplete.
The Ghadir Dua — Du’a al-Nudbah
Among the most important practices on Eid-e-Ghadeer is the recitation of Du’a al-Nudbah — the Dua of Lamentation. This is a dua mourning the separation from the Imam and expressing longing for the Imam’s return from ghaybat:
أَينَ الدَّاعِي إِلَى اللَّهِ بِالحَقّ؟ أَينَ بَابُ اللَّهِ الَّذِي مِنهُ يُؤتَى؟ “Where is the one who calls to Allah with truth? Where is the Gate of Allah through whom one enters?”
Du’a al-Nudbah is recited on Fridays and on major occasions — particularly Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Eid-e-Ghadeer, and the day of Ashura. It expresses the mumin’s deep longing for the concealed Imam al-Tayyib (AS) and prays for his return.
How Bohras Observe Eid-e-Ghadeer
Community gatherings: The Bohra jamaat observes Eid-e-Ghadeer with a special gathering at the masjid. The Aamil (local Dawat representative) presides and leads the community in the special prayers and dua of the day.
Special prayers: Specific nawafil (supererogatory prayers) are recommended for this day. The day is considered as worthy of special ibadah as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Salawat: Abundant salawat upon the Prophet (SAW) and Aal Muhammad is recited throughout the day.
Du’a and munajat: Personal prayers of thanksgiving — that Allah guided us to the walayah of the Imam — and prayers for the return of Imam al-Tayyib (AS) from ghaybat.
Sadaqah: Giving generously in charity on this day is considered especially meritorious.
Exchange of greetings: Mumineen greet each other with the joy of Eid — congratulating one another on the walayah that was formally established on this day.
Connection to the Present Dai
The Ghadir declaration is not a historical event that ended in 10 AH — it is a living principle. The same chain of designation (nass) that began at Ghadir continues:
- Imam Ali (AS) designated Imam Hasan (AS) by nass
- Each Imam designated the next by nass
- When Imam al-Tayyib (AS) entered the Second Satr, the chain of nass was transmitted to the Dai al-Mutlaq in Yemen
- From the 1st Dai, each Dai has designated the next by nass
When the mumin celebrates Eid-e-Ghadeer, they celebrate not only what happened in 10 AH but what continues today — the living chain of walayah that connects every mumin to Imam Ali (AS) and, through him, to the Prophet (SAW) and to Allah.
A Verse for This Day
مَن كُنتُ مَولَاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَولَاه “Whoever I am his mawla — Ali is his mawla.” — The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at Ghadir al-Khumm
See also: Ghadeer E Khum, Understanding Walayah, Nass Divine Appointment, Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Dai Al Mutlaq Institution, Misaq The Covenant