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• 17 Thulhija 1446

Statement from the Representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in Europe on the Occasion of Eid al-Ghadīr In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
The Representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in Europe extends his heartfelt congratulations to all Muslims on the joyful occasion of Eid al-Ghadīr, and affirms the following:
• It is incumbent upon Islamic institutions and centers—whether in the East or the West—to actively promote the culture of Eid al-Ghadīr. This day should be a celebration of joy, dignity, and a symbol of allegiance to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), just as the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ stands as a day of mourning, honor, and defiance in remembrance of the Master of Martyrs (peace be upon him).
• The divine blessing of wilāyah—the guardianship of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (peace be upon him)—is a tremendous favor from God, for which every believer should offer sincere gratitude, especially on this blessed day, as established in our religious texts.

This year, Sunday, the 18th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, marks the glorious occasion of Eid al-Ghadīr, known as God’s Greatest Eid and the most exalted of Islamic celebrations. As narrated in the traditions of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), it is the feast of the Prophet’s household, distinguished by its association with one of the fundamental tenets of faith: the principle of Imāmah. In contrast, other Islamic festivals are linked to secondary aspects of religion. The nobility and elevated rank of this day over all other feasts is evidenced by its spiritual association. Eid al-Fiṭr relates to acts of nourishment and Eid al-Aḍḥā to the ritual sacrifice.
However, Eid al-Ghadīr is uniquely connected to the very name of God Almighty, being called "God’s Greatest Eid", just as the sacred month of Ramadan is known as “the Month of God.”
Eid al-Ghadīr is the day on which God perfected the religion, completed His great favor, and was pleased with Islam as our faith. No religion is acceptable to Him without wilāyah. As the Almighty states in the Noble Qur’an: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My blessing upon you, and approved Islam as your religion.” (Surat al-Māʾidah, 5:3). It is the Day of the Covenant, the Day of the Taken Pledge, and the Day of the Great Gathering.
Abū al-Ḥasan al-Laythī narrates from Imām Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon him), who said to a group of his companions and followers: “Do you know the day on which God upheld Islam, made the beacon of religion manifest, and designated it as a feast for us, our followers, and our partisans?” They replied, “God, His Messenger, and the son of His Messenger know best. Is it the Day of Fiṭr, O our Master?” He said, “No.” They asked, “Then is it the Day of Aḍḥā?” He said, “No. These two days are indeed noble and honored, but the day of the beacon of religion is greater. It is the eighteenth of Dhū al-Ḥijjah…”
It is thus imperative upon our institutions, Islamic centers, and families to revive this sacred occasion with joy and celebration, embedding its significance in the hearts of our future generations. We should hold conferences, seminars, and educational gatherings focused on the importance of Ghadīr in Islam.
Unfortunately, the culture of Ghadīr has not yet been spread in a manner worthy of its place. Many Shia children recognize the sorrowful nature of ʿĀshūrāʾ but remain unaware of the joyous and blessed reality of Eid al-Ghadīr and its embodiment of the divinely ordained wilāyah of Imam ʿAlī (peace be upon him). The responsibility to change this reality rests on the shoulders of both parents at home and religious leaders in Islamic centers. They will be accountable for this duty on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Discipline your children upon three things: the love of your Prophet, the love of his family, and the recitation of the Qur’an.” Eid al-Ghadīr is among the most manifest examples of this Prophetic instruction.
There are various ways and methods to revive and spread the culture of Eid al-Ghadīr, especially in our technologically advanced era. These include the publication and distribution of printed and audio books, translating the events of Ghadīr into all major world languages, broadcasting educational and engaging programs through satellite television—especially those tailored for the youth—and organizing diverse cultural competitions through Islamic centers. Additionally, social media platforms should be utilized to globalize this occasion by sharing key messages, videos, and posts about its meaning and relevance.
At the same time, we extend a sincere invitation to our Muslim brothers and sisters of all schools of thought to reflect upon the narrations found in their authentic sources concerning the virtues and lofty status of Imam ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (peace be upon him), particularly the ḥadīth of al-Ghadīr, which has been transmitted through multiple authoritative chains. Other sound narrations, such as the ḥadīth of al-Manzilah and ḥadīth al-Thaqalayn, are likewise worthy of reflection. Let this reflection be honest and free of sectarian bias or blind adherence to tradition. The evidence is established, the path is clear, and no one has an excuse before God for negligence in seeking the truth after it has been made manifest.
In conclusion, it is a duty upon us—the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them)—to express gratitude to God Almighty for the unmatched gift of wilāyah, the guardianship of ʿAlī and his pure progeny (peace be upon them), a blessing beyond measure and indeed the greatest divine favor. It has been narrated from al-Mufaḍḍal ibn ʿUmar that he asked Imām al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon him), “What is required of us on this day (i.e., the Day of Ghadīr)?” The Imām replied: “You must fast it in thanks and praise to God—for He is worthy of being thanked at every moment.
Likewise, the prophets instructed their successors to fast on the day the successor was appointed, and to take it as a feast. Whoever fasts it will have performed a deed greater than sixty years of worship.”
We ask God, the Exalted, to keep our hearts steadfast upon the truth and to count us among those firmly committed to the wilāyah of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), and among those who attain his intercession in the Hereafter.
“Our Lord! Do not make our hearts swerve after You have guided us, and bestow Your mercy on us. Indeed, You are the All-munificent.” (Quran 3: 8) “Our Lord, we have indeed heard a summoner calling to faith, declaring, ‘‘Have faith in your Lord!’’ So we believed.” (Quran 3: 193)
All praise is due to God, Lord of the worlds. May blessings and peace be upon our master Muḥammad and his pure and righteous progeny.