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• 15 Thul Hijja 1447

The Representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in Europe Congratulates the Islamic World on Eid al-Ghadir, the Day of the Declaration of Islamic Leadership, and States:
The Deputized Leadership during the Era of the Major Occultation has proven its merit in preserving the essence of the faith and safeguarding the Shiite community from deviation and misguidance.

Thursday, 4 June 2026, marks the blessed Eid al-Ghadir, which is regarded as the greatest of the four major Islamic Eids. Imam al-Ridha (a.s) said: (Among Friday, Eid al-Adha, and Eid al-Fitr, Ghadir is like the moon among the stars) Owing to the significance of this day, it has been called the Day of the Greater Guardianship and the Day of Divine Leadership.
On this occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.w), by divine command, appointed Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) as leader over the people, in accordance with the Qur’anic verse (O Messenger! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith) This appointment was based on Imam Ali’s complete qualifications and profound knowledge of the realities and intricacies of Islamic law. Through this act, the Prophet followed the practice of previous prophets who appointed successors after them in order to preserve, establish, and ensure the continuity of their divine missions.
When a researcher examines the state of the Arabian Peninsula during the final years of the Prophet’s life, it becomes evident that the Muslim community was still in its formative stages. At the time of the Prophet’s passing, Islam had existed for only twenty-three years. This period was not sufficient to fully shape and educate the nation according to Islamic teachings. Those who embraced Islam before the Hijrah were relatively few, while more than seventy percent of Muslims entered Islam after the migration and before the conquest of Mecca. For many of them, the time available to comprehend the rulings and concepts of Islamic law was limited. Therefore, it would not have been in the interest of the community to be left without a guardian and teacher to guide them in the teachings of Islam.
Moreover, the Islamic message was surrounded by extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. Hypocrites within the Muslim community constituted a serious threat and harbored major plans to undermine and eradicate Islam. The Qur’an itself describes their danger as greater than that of the disbelievers: ))When the hypocrites come to you, they say, ‘We testify that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars… They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?((
At the same time, external forces were also seeking to destroy Islam, including individuals who falsely claimed prophethood and actively promoted such claims. In such circumstances, it is inconceivable that the Prophet would leave the message and the community without appointing a qualified leadership to administer its affairs, safeguard its future, and ensure its continuity. This could only be achieved through the appointment of a guardian over the religion—someone knowledgeable, aware of its interests, and wholly immersed in Islam in spirit, heart, and action, such as the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s). Thus, the divine designation was entirely consistent with these objectives and necessities.
When we celebrate Ghadir, we celebrate the day of trustworthy Islamic leadership—a leadership without which the community would deviate from the path of the divine message. Our need to commemorate Ghadir is both urgent and essential, as it renews our allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful and our commitment to follow his path, methodology, and guidance, for he is the leader of our journey in this world and the next.
Divine leadership in religion may be divided into three categories:

First: The leadership of Allah and His Messenger, as indicated in the verse: ((Your guardian is only Allah and His Messenger)) and in the Prophet’s statement: (Am I not more entitled over you than your own selves?)

Second: The continuing leadership represented by the Twelve Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), beginning with Imam Ali and ending with Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance). This is reflected in the Prophet’s saying: (The Imams after me are twelve; the first of them is you, O Ali, and the last of them is al-Qa’im, through whom Allah shall open the East and the West). This leadership remains and endures until the Day of Judgment, as the Prophet also said: (If there remained only one day of this world, Allah would prolong that day until He sends a man from me or from my household whose name is my name and whose father’s name is my father’s name; he will fill the earth with justice and equity as it had been filled with oppression and tyranny).

Third: The deputized leadership, namely the leadership of jurists and religious authorities during the era of occultation, which is represented today by the religious authority connected to the infallible leadership. Imam al-Askari (a.s) is reported to have said: (As for those among the jurists who safeguard themselves, protect their religion, oppose their desires, and obey the command of their Master, the people may follow them).

Accordingly, on this day we are called upon to renew our allegiance to the deputized leadership—the leadership of the jurists—for it has borne responsibility for protecting Islam and its sacred law from the beginning of the Major Occultation until the present day. Throughout its long history, despite immense challenges and pressures, it has fulfilled this responsibility at the highest levels, defending religion and its sanctities through intellectual effort and sacrifice.
Its stance during the Tobacco Movement was decisive and firm. During the Iraqi Revolution of 1920, it played a distinguished role that astonished its adversaries. Likewise, it stood steadfast against atheistic ideologies, as reflected in its famous ruling declaring communism to be incompatible with faith. In the contemporary era, the religious authority has played an exceptional role in managing affairs with wisdom and prudence, particularly after the occupation of Iraq.
Among the challenges it confronted was the drafting of the Iraqi constitution. When occupying forces sought to oversee this process, the religious authority insisted that the constitution be written exclusively by Iraqi hands. During the sectarian violence that affected parts of Iraq and claimed many lives, tribal groups whose members had been killed sought retaliation, yet the religious authority rejected revenge and referred matters to the judiciary, whose rulings should prevail. Likewise, when the shrine dome of the two Askari Imams was destroyed, the religious authority confronted the resulting crisis with remarkable wisdom that confounded its enemies. Similarly, it played a decisive role in confronting ISIS through the issuance of the well-known defensive fatwa.
The role of the religious authority has not been confined to caring for society within Iraq. Its efforts have extended beyond Iraq’s borders through the establishment of centres and institutions in various countries to serve local communities, preserve their religious and cultural identity, and strengthen their connection to their values and principles.
Nor has it neglected the humanitarian dimension. It has founded numerous charitable and social institutions, among the most prominent being the Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation. Its concern is also reflected in its support for religious seminaries, the establishment of educational institutions and hospitals, the provision of housing for low-income families, and the sponsorship of cultural and public-service projects.
Furthermore, it continues to assist victims of natural disasters, provide relief for displaced persons, support patients, and facilitate access to medical treatment. This humanitarian role is clearly evident today in its support for those affected by crises in Lebanon, Iran, and elsewhere, as well as through many other charitable and humanitarian initiatives. Such efforts affirm that the religious authority remains vigilant in serving Muslims, caring for their affairs, and assisting all those in need without discrimination or exception.
We ask Almighty Allah to preserve and extend its blessed presence among all people through the blessings of the Day of Ghadir, one of the most sacred and blessed days. It is the day known in heaven as the Day of the Established Covenant and on earth as the Day of the Witnessed Pledge and Binding Compact.
Praise be to Allah, who honored us with this day and made us among those who fulfill His covenant and pledge concerning the guardianship of those entrusted with His authority and the upholders of His justice, and who did not make us among those who deny and reject the Day of Judgment.