How Is the Allegiance of Ghadir Renewed Today?
What Does the Pledge Still Mean to Us?
First Friday Sermon — July 30, 2021
Published by the Alawite Islamic LibraryThere are days that God Almighty has honored with special significance and elevated above others. Every nation has its sacred days, and every era has its blessed moments. Just as Allah has assigned value and worth to all things, He has favored certain times, such as the month of Ramadan, when the Qur'an was revealed and fasting was prescribed, granting it a unique status among months. Similarly, the days upon which events of great importance for humanity occurred—like the Prophet’s birth, the Qur'an’s descent, the Hijrah (migration), and many others—are days Allah has blessed and commanded us to remember annually, for their wisdom, their lessons, and their enduring benefit.
Among these significant days is the Day of Ghadir.
This is the day when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him and his family) took the pledge of allegiance (bay‘a) for Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), distinguishing him from all other companions. The Prophet made it clear to the people that Ali was his successor and the rightful leader (Wali) after him.
Every event occurs for a reason, and within every reason lies a divine wisdom. We must ask: What is the wisdom behind this pledge? How should we understand it today?
The Meaning of Bay‘a
The word bay‘a means a covenant or a pledge. When you give someone your allegiance, you are making a solemn promise to obey them and follow their commands. Thus, pledging allegiance to the Prophet is a pledge to follow his Sunnah and example. To pledge allegiance to Allah is to uphold His commands by following His Messenger.
Renewing our pledge to the Prophet means committing to preserve his teachings, to adhere to what he commanded, and to avoid what he prohibited. It means hastening toward what he encouraged and turning away from what he warned against.
The Bay‘a of Ghadir is a historical event in Islam that shows the continuation of divine authority (wilayah) after prophethood. It confirmed that the caliph, the one who succeeds the Prophet in leading the community, must be someone appointed by divine guidance—just as the Prophet appointed Ali.
More than fourteen centuries have passed since that day. So how do we relate to Ghadir now? How do we renew the pledge today?
Renewing the Bay‘a in Every Era
We must reflect on the meaning of the pledge, beyond its historical context. History gives us the when and where—but the true impact lies in how we understand and apply the pledge in our lives today.
Consider the Prophet’s famous words at Ghadir:
“Whoever I am his master (Mawla), then Ali is his master. O Allah, befriend whoever befriends him, oppose whoever opposes him, support whoever supports him, and forsake whoever forsakes him.”
This was more than a declaration of love—it was a divine command of authority. So, how should we view this wilayah today?
In the absence of the Prophet and Imam Ali, we must renew the allegiance through their teachings, through what they left us in terms of advice, ethics, and values. If walayah is an extension of nubuwwah (prophethood), and nubuwwah is obedience to Allah, then renewing the bay‘a means living by the teachings of Imam Ali and the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them).
A Pledge of the Heart, Not Just the Hand
The pledge must come from the heart before it comes from the hand. Many people may physically pledge allegiance, yet their hearts are not committed. Such a pledge is incomplete. As Imam Ali (peace be upon him) described:
"He claims to have pledged with his hand but not with his heart. So he acknowledges the pledge, but denies its implications. Let him bring forth evidence of his commitment, or else he has exited what he once entered."
A true pledge involves the heart’s conviction, a sincere promise to obey and follow. This means adhering to the path laid by Imam Ali, fulfilling the commands he gave, and embodying the values he upheld.
Among his final pieces of advice was: “Safeguard the prayer and remain steadfast upon it.”
Those who have truly pledged to Imam Ali are those who reflect on these words, apply them with sincerity and humility, and act upon them faithfully.
The bay‘a is not merely verbal—it must be a heartfelt, conscious commitment. Even if we were not present at Ghadir, even if we cannot pledge by hand, we can renew it in our hearts every year when this day returns, remembering the trust the Prophet placed in the people, and the pledge he took on behalf of Imam Ali.
A Lasting Allegiance in Every Age
If one wants to evaluate the truth of their bay‘a, they should examine how closely they follow Imam Ali and the Ahlul Bayt. Do we embody their morals? Their etiquette? Their example? Do we walk in their footsteps? Only then can we say we have truly renewed our allegiance to the Imam of our time.
A complete bay‘a involves the hand, the tongue, and above all, the heart. The most noble of these is the pledge of the heart.
Those who claim the bay‘a by hand but lack inner commitment must provide evidence of their sincerity—through action, behavior, and loyalty.
To renew the bay‘a every year means to reflect on the character of Imam Ali—his virtues, his humility, his justice, his generosity, and his worship. The one who sincerely strives to emulate him is among those who have renewed the Pledge of Ghadir.
The Essence of Bay‘a: Living the Values of the Imam
Historians have long debated what the Ghadir declaration meant: Was it a political appointment? A spiritual testament? A command to love and support?
Whatever interpretation is adopted, one thing remains: the meaning of the bay‘a continues to live in the moral legacy of Imam Ali. Whoever upholds his values—his justice, his devotion, his selflessness—is among those who have truly pledged allegiance to him. And whoever neglects these virtues has turned away from the bay‘a, regardless of words spoken or rituals performed.
What was Imam Ali known for? He was renowned for his asceticism, his generosity, his unwavering justice, and his devotion to worship. Whoever embodies these traits is truly one who renews the pledge of Ghadir.
We ask Allah, the Most High, to make us among those whose actions confirm their words.
O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
O people! Indeed, Allah commands justice, kindness, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and transgression. He admonishes you so that you may remember.” [Surah An-Nahl, 16:90]
O Allah, make us among those who remember when reminded, who are deterred when warned, who hear and truly listen, who see and perceive with insight.
I say these words of mine, and I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you.
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