Book Review: The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khum Vahid Majd

The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khum

Book Review: The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khum Vahid Majd

Before Buying, Better to Read the Book Review: The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khum Vahid Majd by Legaproblema.com - Have you ever wondered why the hadith ghadir holds such a pivotal place in Islamic history? Or why the final sermon of Muhammad at Ghadir Khum is considered a cornerstone for generations of Muslims? This book review of The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khum by Vahid Majd delves into these questions, exploring the profound significance of this last public sermon and its enduring legacy.

The book presents a meticulous translation and commentary on the sermon delivered by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) at Ghadir Khum, where he appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor and spiritual guardian. This event is not only a religious milestone but also a defining moment that shaped the trajectory of Islamic leadership and faith adherence. The sermon’s emphasis on obedience to Ali as a divine commandment is underscored by the revelation of Quranic verse 5:3, which declares, “Today, I have perfected your religion...” signaling the completion of the Prophet’s mission.¹

Majd’s work highlights the Prophet’s explicit instruction that this message be conveyed to all generations, making the sermon a perpetual guide for Muslims worldwide. The book thus serves as both a historical document and a spiritual beacon, inviting readers to engage deeply with the hadith ghadir and its implications for faith and community cohesion.²

Book Details

Author

Vahid Majd

Original Language

Persian

Translation

English translation by Vahid Majd, providing accessible and faithful rendering of the original text.

Publisher

Naba Cultural Organization

ISBN

964-93614-1-3

Length

123 pages

Genre

Religious Studies / Islamic History / Hadith Literature

Structure and Contents

What makes this book stand out in the realm of Islamic literature? How does it structure the profound message of the final sermon of Muhammad at Ghadir Khum?

• Introduction: Contextualizes the historical and religious significance of the Ghadir Khum event.
• Full Text of the Sermon: Presents the sermon verbatim, emphasizing the appointment of Ali as the Prophet’s successor.
• Quranic References: Includes commentary on verse 5:3 to underline the sermon’s divine mandate.
• Exhortations: Details the Prophet’s command to convey the message to all generations, highlighting its timeless relevance.
• Annotations and Footnotes: Clarify theological and historical nuances, referencing classical Islamic sources.

This structure ensures a comprehensive understanding of the sermon’s content and its theological weight, making it a valuable resource for scholars and lay readers alike.³

Strong Points of the Book

Can a single sermon shape centuries of religious thought? This book argues yes, and here are its strongest points:

• Authentic Translation: Vahid Majd’s careful translation preserves the sermon’s original tone and intent, facilitating accurate comprehension.⁴
• Historical Contextualization: The book situates the sermon within the broader Islamic narrative, enhancing its significance.
• Emphasis on Legacy: It underscores the Prophet’s insistence on transmitting the message, reinforcing its enduring importance.⁵
• Accessible Presentation: Clear language and explanatory notes make complex theological concepts approachable for diverse audiences.
• Comprehensive Documentation: Inclusion of classical references and Quranic verses supports scholarly inquiry.

Impact and Legacy

What lasting impact does the Book Review: The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khum Vahid Majd reveal about the sermon’s role in Islamic tradition? How has the hadith ghadir shaped religious observances like eid ghadir?

The sermon’s declaration of Ali’s guardianship has been foundational in shaping Shia Islam’s theology and leadership concepts. It also informs the annual celebration of eid ghadir, commemorating the Prophet’s proclamation and reaffirming communal bonds. This book elucidates how the sermon’s directives continue to influence Islamic jurisprudence, spirituality, and inter-sectarian dialogue.⁶

Moreover, the sermon’s insistence on obedience to Ali as obedience to Allah establishes a theological framework that has guided Muslim communities for over fourteen centuries. The book’s detailed analysis of this legacy offers readers insight into the enduring relevance of the final sermon of Muhammad in contemporary faith practice.⁷ 

Vahid Majd

Criticism of the Book

Is the book without critique? What reservations might readers have regarding its presentation of the hadith ghadir?

Some critics argue that the book’s strong emphasis on Ali’s appointment may reflect a particular theological perspective, potentially limiting its appeal to all Muslim denominations. Additionally, the translation, while faithful, occasionally assumes prior knowledge of Islamic terminology, which could challenge newcomers.⁸

Others note that the book’s focus on the sermon’s religious significance might benefit from broader historical contextualization, including political and social factors influencing the event. However, these critiques do not diminish the book’s value as a focused theological and spiritual resource.

Comparison with Other Similar Books

How does this book compare with other works on the final sermon of Muhammad and the hadith ghadir?

Aspect	The Sermon of Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khum (Majd)	Other Similar Works
Focus	Complete sermon text with detailed translation and commentary	Often partial texts or thematic analyses
Language Accessibility	Clear English translation with notes	Varies; some in Arabic or Persian only
Theological Perspective	Emphasizes Ali’s guardianship as divinely mandated	Some present more neutral or Sunni perspectives
Length	Concise (123 pages), focused	Ranges from brief pamphlets to extensive volumes
Usefulness	Ideal for scholars and informed readers seeking original sermon text	Varies; some better for general audiences

Hadith Ghadir: The Heart of the Sermon

What exactly is the hadith ghadir, and why does it resonate so deeply in this book? The hadith ghadir refers to the Prophet Muhammad’s declaration at Ghadir Khum, “He whose mawla I am, Ali is his mawla.” This statement, central to the sermon, is explored in depth by Majd, who contextualizes its spiritual and jurisprudential implications.⁹

The book explains how this hadith serves as the foundation for the appointment of Ali as the Prophet’s successor, making it a pivotal moment in Islamic history. Readers gain an understanding of how the hadith has been transmitted, interpreted, and commemorated, underscoring its enduring significance.¹⁰

Eid Ghadir: Celebrating the Sermon’s Legacy

How does the book connect with the joyous observance of eid ghadir? This festival marks the anniversary of the Prophet’s sermon at Ghadir Khum and the appointment of Ali. Majd’s book sheds light on the religious and cultural practices associated with eid ghadir, illustrating how the sermon’s message is celebrated annually by millions.¹¹

The book highlights that eid ghadir is not merely a festive occasion but a reaffirmation of the spiritual leadership and guidance that the sermon enshrined. It also discusses the sermon’s call to transmit the message through generations, which is vividly alive during this celebration.¹²

Final Sermon of Muhammad: The Culmination of Prophethood

What makes the final sermon of Muhammad at Ghadir Khum so critical? This book review reveals that the sermon encapsulates the Prophet’s last public declaration, emphasizing the completion of his mission and the perfection of Islam.¹³

Majd’s translation and commentary bring to light the sermon’s multifaceted role as a spiritual, legal, and communal directive. The sermon’s content, including the appointment of Ali and the command to obey him, is presented as the final testament that ensures the continuity and integrity of the Muslim community.¹⁴

After reading this book, usually people also search as following: Ghadeer e Khum in Sahih Bukhari, Khutba Ghadeer Khum in Urdu PDF, Ghadeer e Khum in Sunni books, Ghadeer e Khum Hadith number, Ghadeer e khum in Sahih Muslim, Ghadir Khumm HADITH Bukhari in Urdu, Hadith Ghadir Khumm, Ghadir Khumm in Sunni Hadith.

Then some of them also have some following questions:

1. What did Prophet Muhammad say at Ghadir Khumm?
2. What is the sermon of Ghadeer?
3. What is the famous sermon of the Prophet Muhammad?
4. What did Prophet Muhammad say on Eid e Ghadeer?
5. What is the context of Ghadir Khumm?
6. What is the meaning of Ghadeer in Islam?
7. What is the Hadith Bukhari no 5445?
8. Did Prophet Muhammad pray on a Turbah?
9. How many salawat did Prophet Muhammad have?
10. What is the meaning of Ghader?

Do you also have questions? Or curious about where you can download the book, read the book online, or buy the book online? Or want to add something more to the review above and give responses? You can write a comment below.