Echoes of Divine Guidance: Commemorating Legacy and Leadership in Dhul-Hijjah

Introduction:

As we enter a week blessed with luminous Islamic anniversaries, our hearts and thoughts turn toward reflection, gratitude, and moral renewal. The commemoration of key events in Islamic history is not a mere ritualistic reminder but a spiritual opportunity, a chance to anchor our values in timeless truths and realign our path with prophetic guidance. This week’s edition of our weekly magazine focuses on three significant dates in the Islamic calendar: the birth anniversaries of two revered Imams – Imam ʿAlī al-Hādī (a), Imam Mūsā al-Kāẓim (a) – and the momentous day of Eid al-Ghadīr, which marks the appointment of Imam ʿAlī (a) as the Prophet’s successor.

Each of these events offers deep insight into the ethical, spiritual, and social frameworks Islam advocates, from personal truthfulness and justice to communal leadership and divine trust. They serve as guiding lights for Muslim leaders and congregational Imams who shoulder the responsibility of nurturing and empowering their communities, especially in Western societies facing unique challenges.

15 Dhul-Hijjah – The Birth of Imam ʿAlī al-Hādī (a)

Imam ʿAlī al-Hādī (peace be upon him), the tenth Imam of Ahl al-Bayt, was born on the 15th of Dhul-Hijjah in 212 AH. Known for his unwavering patience, profound intellect, and steadfast resistance to tyranny, he lived during a time of intense political oppression. Despite being under surveillance and pressure from the Abbasid caliphs, he remained a beacon of knowledge, dignity, and divine representation for the Ummah. His life was a powerful manifestation of how true leadership can flourish even under the shadow of persecution.

One of the most important responsibilities of Shia Muslims is to follow their Imams through their actions and behaviour – not merely through words and speech. In this regard, Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) says to his followers:

الإمام الهادی(ع) ـ لِشیعَتِهِ ـ: اِتَّقُوا اللّهَ و کونُوا زَینا و لا تَکونوا شَینا، جُرُّوا إلَینا کلَّ مَوَدَّةٍ، وَ ادفَعُوا عَنّا کلَّ قَبِیحٍ (تحف العقول: ۴۸۸)

Imam al-Hadi (a), to his Shia: “Be mindful of God, and be a source of honour for us, not a source of shame. Attract every form of love towards us, and repel every disgraceful thing from us.”

This hadith clearly shows us that those Shia who fail to adhere practically to the teachings and conduct of the Holy Prophet and the Imams are not a source of dignity for their religion, but rather a cause of embarrassment and dishonour for true believers.

The most important way for Shia Muslims to become a source of honour and not a burden on their religion, as Imam al-Hadi emphasises, is to adopt taqwa (God-consciousness). Nothing brings us closer to the path of the Ahl al-Bayt more than taqwa, because they themselves were the highest embodiments of God-consciousness and moral excellence.

According to this noble saying, if we live with taqwa in all circumstances and situations, and if we become a source of pride and credibility for our faith, then we will naturally invite others to this religion through our actions. In this way, we become agents of the religion’s spread. The most effective method for spreading Islam among others is through righteous and sincere conduct – not through words that contradict our behaviour.

Message for Muslims in the West:

As Muslims living in the West, we carry the honour of representing our faith not only through words but more importantly through our actions. Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) reminds us that true followers are those who become a source of dignity for their religion. In diverse societies where Islam is often misunderstood, your everyday integrity, honesty, kindness, and responsibility are powerful invitations to the faith. Let your behaviour reflect the light of Islam so that others are drawn to its beauty without needing long explanations.

Practical Challenge:

This week, choose one public action – such as helping a neighbour, speaking truthfully in a difficult situation, or being especially honest at work or school – and do it with the intention of representing your faith with honour. Reflect on how that action aligns with the teachings of taqwa and the legacy of the Imams.

18 Dhul-Hijjah – Eid al-Ghadīr

Eid al-Ghadir marks a pivotal moment in Islamic history that took place on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the year 10 AH (632 CE), shortly after the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) final pilgrimage. On this day, at a place called Ghadir Khumm, the Prophet gathered thousands of pilgrims and, following a divine revelation, publicly declared:

من کنت مولاه فهذا علی مولاه

“Whoever I am his leader, Ali is his leader.”

This event is understood by many Muslims as the formal appointment of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as the Prophet’s successor in both spiritual and temporal leadership. The day has been commemorated ever since as a celebration of divine guidance and the continuity of just and pious leadership within the Muslim community. Historically, Ghadir serves as a key moment that underlines the importance of allegiance to righteous authority and reinforces the prophetic legacy.

On this day, the verse was revealed:

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا

“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Surah al-Mā’idah, 5:3)

Eid al-Ghadīr is not only a historical milestone but a declaration of Islam’s commitment to divine-guided leadership, where justice, knowledge, and piety are the criteria of authority – not lineage, wealth, or tribalism. This is the day when Islam’s completeness was affirmed, with imāmah (divinely appointed leadership) ensuring that the path of guidance remains clear.

Message for Muslims in the West:

This occasion challenges us to question who we follow and why. Do our leaders guide us towards justice, truth, and God-consciousness? Eid al-Ghadīr calls us to internalise and live by the principles of wilāyah: loyalty to divine values, not personal or political gain.

Practical Challenge:

Invite your centre’s youth group to research and present short talks on the concept of leadership in Islam and how Imam Ali’s qualities set a timeless standard. Reflect on what “perfected religion” means in our time.

20 Dhul-Hijjah – The Birth of Imam Mūsā al-Kāẓim (a)

Born in 128 AH, Imam Mūsā al-Kāẓim (peace be upon him) is known as al-Kāẓim, “the one who restrains his anger”. His life was marked by spiritual strength, deep piety, and an extraordinary ability to forgive and control emotional reactions in the most trying circumstances. Despite being imprisoned multiple times by the Abbasid regime, he never allowed bitterness to overtake his soul.

His teachings emphasise intellect, restraint, and unwavering commitment to truth. One of his profound sayings is:

إِنَّ العَاقِلَ لاَ يَكْذِبُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ هَوَاهُ

“The wise person does not lie, even if it serves his personal desire.” (Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 1, p. 143)

The educational messages of this Hadith are outlined  in the ‘Hadith of the Week’ section of this issue of the Friday Bulletin.

Message for Muslims in the West:

In societies overwhelmed by superficiality and moral compromise, the example of Imam al-Kāẓim offers a call to self-control, ethical speech, and spiritual integrity. He teaches us that strength lies not in retaliation, but in moral clarity.

Practical Challenge:

Run a character development session or sermon for teens and families on the importance of truthfulness and anger management. Share examples of how small lies or emotional reactions can damage trust and offer strategies from the Imam’s teachings to overcome them.