12.16.08
Poem to Celebrate Eid Al-Ghadeer
This is a poem I wrote a couple of years ago to celebrate Eid Al-Ghadeer, which marks the occasion when Prophet Mohammed (peace be on him and his family) gathered all the Muslims who performed the pilgrimage with him in a place called Ghadeer Khum, and appointed Imam Ali (peace be on him) as his successor.
The occasion isn’t disputed by the various Muslim sects, but its significance and meaning is interpreted differently. The Shi’a, on one hand, believe it to be the appointement of Imam Ali as the successor to the Prophet, whereas Sunni Muslims generally regard it as an assertion of companionship.
Today is the anniversary of the occasion, so I thought I would share it on the blog 
Celebrating Ghadeer
I begin in my Lord’s name
And without feeling guilt or shame
Raise my voice in His praise,
In remembrance of His days.
Best of all the days held dear
Is the blessed day of Ghadeer
And read this poem to celebrate
This joyous event and momentous date!
No other day is more renowned,
Ali was in the heavens crowned
Chosen by God to succeed
The holy Prophet, and to lead.
It’s a day when believers rejoice
God’s wisdom and His noble choice
To appoint a righteous, just Imam
For the sake of the Muslims and Islam.
When the Prophet, in the scorching heat
Waited for all Muslims to meet
In Ghadeer that it be shown
Who will succeed him, and be known:
“Whosoever takes me as his master,
Without Ali will face disaster.
God’s religion is now complete
And His favour will be your treat.”
The hypocrites were quick in their frowning
At Ali’s illustrious crowning
“Why this delay? Why all this fuss?
Isn’t Ali just one of us?”
I ask in return where have they been?
Do they know Ali, have they not seen?
He was the foremost in faith and deeds
Tending to all the Prophet’s needs.
He understood Islam as it should be
From sin and vice he was free
Without him Islam’s message is lost
Our prosperity will be the cost.
With these words I mark my stand,
And place my hand in Ali’s hand.
Salah said,
December 17, 2008 at 12:45 am
9a7 elsanic
manal said,
December 17, 2008 at 1:07 am
اسعد الله اياكم سيدنا
Esam said,
December 17, 2008 at 8:43 am
Great, I Love it, I also place my hand in Ali’s hand
your cousin LK said,
December 17, 2008 at 9:17 am
Salam dear cousin ….
May god bless you and always guide you and safe keep you from all harm and evil; and bless your hands and soul, for writing such a lovely and right to the point peice “and please mind my spelling cuz it sucks” with all the love and respect
Your cousin
LK
Haider said,
December 17, 2008 at 9:51 am
Salah, Manal, Esam & LK:
Thank you all for your feedback!
yasmeen said,
December 31, 2008 at 7:44 pm
mashallah S.Haidar I know you have a mind of a philosopher but i never knew that you’re a good poet too. such a delightful rhyming verse, well done!
Haider said,
December 31, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Nice to see you passing by, Yasmeen
Thank you for your feedback.
You might also enjoy reading the poem I wrote to mark the Prophet’s birth:
http://www.afilsforyourthoughts.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-prophets-birth/
Take care!
Computechi said,
July 23, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Well said. This is beatiful, simple, and true. I loved it.
I too place my hand in Ali’s.
Wassalam
Haider said,
July 23, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Thanks, Computerchi
I’m happy to see that it evoked the emotions that it did. It means I’ve done my job well as a poet
Senior Ali said,
December 4, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Beautiful Poem !
It covers so much in just a few words, and I love the flow.
Thank you for sharing
with duas,
Sheda-e-Ali
Haider said,
December 5, 2009 at 3:01 am
Thank you very much.
I’m happy to see people coming by the poem a full year after it was published to mark the anniversary of the event.
Zaynab said,
December 5, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Mashallah
The words of the poem just keep on flowing and makes me feel like following.
Thank you for waking up my love for the Ahlul Bayt (AS)
Keep up the good work and pls share more.
Duas,
Zaynab
Haider said,
December 6, 2009 at 12:51 am
Thank you for your kind words, Zaynab.
I’m thrilled to know that it’s had that effect on you.
emad said,
February 4, 2010 at 5:04 pm
bla blabla worst poem i have ever listend to
Haider said,
February 11, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Hi Emad,
I’d be interested to know why you think it’s such a bad poem.