Detailed Analysis of the word "Mawla" :
1.According to one study, the word mawla has between 20 and 30 different
definitions in Arabic, but only one of which translates as “friend”. Most translate
it as “owner”, “leader”, “benefactor”, “guide”, “helper”.
2.Look at the Holy Qur’an, the words, mawla, awla, wali, wilayat, all come from the
same root word, “wali”, and are all used in the Holy Qur’an to refer to guidance
and leadership. For friendship or companionship, the Holy Qur’an tends to use the
words, khaleel, sadiq and hameem.
Context when the word Mawla was used:
"The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than they have on themselves."
(33:6).[Surah Ahzab]
As Sunni scholar Sibt ibn Jauzi says, “The saying of the Holy Prophet that Ali has
authority or is the master over the selves of all the believers clearly proves the
Imamate or vicegerency of Ali and that obedience to him is obligatory.”
Analyzing the Body Language :
Sunni scholar Allama ibn Hajar Asqalani narrates in his book, al-Isabah, how the
Prophet (S) stood next to Imam Ali (as) on a raised pulpit or mimbar built from the
saddles of camels, raised Ali’s hand, his arm in the air, and placed a turban on
his head.
"If that's not a coronation, than what is it?"
Evidence from the Holy Qur'an :
“O Messenger! Convey what had been revealed to you from your Lord; if you do not do
so, then [it would be as if] you have not conveyed His message [at all]. Allah will
protect you from the people.”
(5:67) [Surah Maidah]
1.Countless classical Ahlul Sunnah scholars have said that this verse was revealed
ahead of the event of Ghadeer Khumm
2.The most famous of all being Imam Fakhruddin al-Razi in his
Tafisr al Kabir.
3.How can Muslims believe, as the Holy Qur’an warns, that the whole of the
Prophet’s mission was about to be rendered null and void if he didn’t tell the
people that he and Ali (as) were friends?
4.And how controversial Allah (SwT) knew it would be. The Holy Qur’an says: “Allah
will protect you from the people”.
“This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favour on you and
chosen for you Islam as your religion”
(5:3) [Surah Maidah].
5.According to all the major classical books of the Ahlul Sunnah (Hafiz Jalaluddin
as Suyuti, Shaykh Sulayman al-Qandoozi Hanafi, Allama ibn Kathir
This is the final verse of the Holy Qur’an! And what an occasion it was revealed
on!
6. Sunni scholars like Imam Fakhruddin al-Razi in his book, and Imam Ahmed ibn
Hanbal, in his Musnad, Umar ibn Khattab was the first to arrive on the scene, and
looking at Ali, he said: “Well done ibn Abu Talib! Today you became the master of
all believing men and women, ‘Ameer al-Mo’mineen’!”
7.The Sunni scholars ibn Qutaybah, ibn Hanbal, Muttaqi al-Hindi and Abu Nuaym
Isfahani, all record in their books that during the caliphate of Ali, (as) when his
authority was being questioned and rebellions were brewing, Imam Ali (as), in
public, said to Anas ibn Malik, the famous companion of the Prophet (S): “Why don’t
you stand up and testify what you heard from the Messenger of Allah on the day of
Ghadeer?”
Anas answered, “O Ameer al-Mo’mineen! I have grown old and do not remember.” To
which Ali (as) responded: “May Allah mark you with a white spot (of leprosy)
unconcealable with your turban, if you are intentionally withholding the truth.”
And when Anas got up from his place he bore a large white spot on his face. From
that day onwards, Anas used to say, “I am under the curse of the righteous servant
of Allah, Ali ibn Abu Talib!”
8. Tarikh, or History, of Allama Tabari, the famous Sunni historian: The Prophet
(S) asked three times, at a dinner for his friends and relatives, who will help him
in his prophetic mission? On each of the three occassions, only Ali (as) stood up
and said he would. On the first two occasions, the Prophet asked Ali (as) to sit
down. But, on the third occasion, the Prophet said: “Verily this is my brother, my
successor, and my caliph amongst you. Therefore, listen to him and obey.” Abu Lahab
(the Prophet’s paternal uncle) said to Abu Talib (his brother and Ali’s father)
“the Prophet (S) has told you to obey your own son!
