For anything to come into existence, it requires a cause to create it (1). For example, for a building to be built, it depends on causes such as engineers, architects, workers, etc. However, for anything to continue its existence, it requires another cause to protect and maintain it (2). In the aforementioned example, the combination of several factors such as the properties of construction materials and their mix design causes the building to be protected against harms and remain in existence.
Islam is a religion that was established with the will of Allah (SWT) by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). This means that the original cause and independent creator of Islam was Allah (SWT); nevertheless, the mediating role of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) cannot be ignored, because Allah (SWT) fulfilled His will through the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). Therefore, based on Allah’s (SWT) appointment, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) is cause for existence of Islam; in other words, after Allah (SWT), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) is the cause of establishment of Islam.
However, since Islam is the ultimate religion, it has to remain forever and become the sole religion of Allah’s (SWT) creation; hence, it requires a cause to serve as its protector, guarantee its existence, and maintain it. This is extremely important, especially considering the fact that the opponents of Islam, including the disbelievers and the hypocrites, have planned to destroy Islam. Thus, there has to be a protective agent against these destructive opponents, so that the existence of Islam is assured.
As such, just like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was Allah’s (SWT) medium in the establishment of the religion, a humane medium(3) known as the Imam is responsible for existence of the religion and protecting it against deviation and harms.
The event of Ghadir, in which Amir al-Mu’minin, Imam Ali (PBUH) was appointed as Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&HP) successor was when this Divine guardianship manifested itself in this world forever. In other words, after the Prophethood of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP), the guardianship and Wilayah of Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) manifested itself on this day, so that Islam would remain as the ultimate religion. Therefore, the Imamate of Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) and all the infallible Imams (PBUT) after him all the way to Imam Mahdi (PBUH), whose Imamate is clearly stated in the sermon of Ghadir(4), is the elixir of life which has guaranteed the existence of the religion of Islam forever.
(The above is a slection taken from “The Manifestation of Wilayah in Ghadir of Guidance”, by Dr. Muhammad Asadi Garmaroudi (with some additions))
The Roshd website congratulates all the Muslim, especially you dear friend upon Eid of Ghadir Khumm, the day of accomplishment of religion by the Guardianship of Amir al-Mu’minin, Imam Ali (PBUH).
Footnotes:
1. This cause is often referred to as the creative cause
2. This cause is often referred to as the maintaining cause
3. Since religion is not imposed by force, therefore, the legislative will of Allah (SWT) is also dependent on people’s acceptance; so this medium is a humane one known as the guardian of Allah (SWT).
4. “…Beware that the last Imam of us is the rising one, Mahdi…” (The sermon of Ghadir, part 8)