In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Stone from sky; A Miracle at Ghadir Khumm

(for 8 years old and more)

    

 

It was the last year of the Prophet Muhammad’s [PBUH] life. It was the 18th day of the holy month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Prophet [PBUH] with nearly 120,000 Muslims was returning from Mecca after Hajj. They arrived at Ghadir Khumm, a place midway between Mecca and Madina. It was a crossroads from where people would go in different directions to return home.

Suddenly the Holy Prophet [PBUH] received a message from Allah through the angel Jibra’il which he immediately conveyed to the Muslims:

“Oh Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message." (Holy Quran; 5:67)

So, the Prophet [PBUH] ordered the caravan to stop. Those who had gone ahead came back and those who were following behind came forward.

After performing noon prayer, the Prophet [PBUH] made a speech which became famous as Ghadir Sermon. In that speech, the Prophet [PBUH] introduced 12 successors and specified whoever is looking for salvation and guidance and happiness must follow those 12 leaders who were chosen by God as successors to His last Prophet.

The Holy Prophet said: “I am in the last days of my life. God has ordered me to tell you that after me, Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS), and after Ali, 11 individuals from his progeny, will be your guardians and my successors. Obey them, help them and do not act against them.

Then the Prophet [PBUH] asked all those present to give this important message to those that were absent, and parents to tell their children, generation after generation.

    

   

But a man called Harith ibn Nu’man angrily asked the Prophet: “You say Ali is the Master of whom I am Master”. Is this order from you or from Allah?"

"From Allah Who is the Only God" the Holy Prophet answered.

On hearing this, Harith rudely said: "O Allah! If this order is from You, then fling on us a stone from the sky”

He had not yet reached his camel when a stone fell from the sky on his head and he dropped dead!

Then these verses were revealed:

“A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen

To the disbelievers, of it there is no preventer.” (Holy Quran, 70:1, 2)