History Books

If there would have been any wordly empire or the occasion of the accession to the throne of any Imperial Majesty, the ornamented crown and jewel-bedecked diadem would have definitely daz- zled the eyes of imagination.

But the occasion rela- ted to an Islamic State and a Sovereign appointed by the Prophet of Islam as his immediate successor and vicegerent.

Every manner of Islam is strange by itself and so are all of its aspects unique. Nei- ther does the civilization of this religion resemble another nor does its culture harmonise with any other creed.

The civic decorum brought by the religion of God is without any blemish and its social order is far removed from other civilazations and is rather unique.

On the plains of Khum and near the border of Ghadeer we see that the Apostle of God after pro- claiming the vicegerency and lieutenancy of the 'Master of the pious' under mandate of God cal- led Imam Ali by his side.

He wound his special turban over his head and said, "O Ali! the turbans are the crowns and tiars of Arabs".

Allama Shablanji, the writer of 'Nurul-Absar' writes, "Among various appellations of honour a title of the Holy Prophet was Possessor of the cro wn' ". Illustrating his assertion the same writer fur- ther says, "Here the crown means 'turban' because it is confirmed by a Hadith of the Holy Prophet".

The turban wrapped by the Holy Prophet over Ali's head was called 'Sahab' or cloud. Interesting details of Ali's coronation are available in the books such as, 'Isaba', 'Kanzul Ummal', 'Riazun- Nazara', 'Faraedus-Simtain' and Ibne Asir's 'Ni- haya'.

According to the narration of Ibne Shazan the Apostle of God with his own hands wound the turban over the head of the Commander of the faithful, leaving one of its ends at the back and the other one on the shoulders. After that he as- ked Ali to turn his back.

Ali did likewise. Then he said, "Alright! now turn your face towards me".

And Ali stood face to face with him. The Apostle of God glanced Ali with delight from head to foot and in a tone of profound love and affection said, "The crowns worn by the angels are as the same".

We find yet another narration in 'Kanzul Um- mal' ascribed to Imam Ali. Its gist is, "The Pro- phet after performing this ceremony at Ghadeere Khum said, "O my beloved cousin Ali! the angels through whom God Almighty helped us in the bat- tles of Badr and Hunain were all wearing turbans.

Turban is that sign of distinction which distingui- sties between paganism and Faith in God, in His Word and in His Apostles". The Prophet always used to recall this turban of eminence and super- iority. This recollection was very dear to him".

Allama Ali bin Burhan Uddin in his book 'In- sanul Oune Fi Seeratil Mamoon' write, "The Pro- phet had a turban which was called 'Sahab' or clo ud. He had adorned Ali bin Abi Talib's head with it on the day of Ghadeer-e-Khum.

Whenever Ali wearing this turban appeared before the Prophet, the Apostle of God addressing the people would say, "Here comes Ali wearing the 'Sahab' ".

This means that the Prophet of Islam himself was alwa- ys delighted on seeing the robe of honour which lie had bestowed on Ali and was also desirous to see Ali's coronation celebrations being commemo- rated in the Islamic Society.

Adapted from the book: "Ghadeer Khum Where The Religion Was Brought To Perfection" by: "I.H Najafi"