Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi

History is often remembered selectively. While discussions about Jizya frequently dominate public discourse, far less attention is given to Zar-e-Nikah, a discriminatory marriage tax imposed on Kashmiri Muslims during Dogra rule (1846–1947).

This tax was not merely a financial burden; it represented state intrusion into one of the most sacred aspects of Muslim life—marriage. Under Maharaja Gulab Singh, every Muslim marriage was taxed at a fixed rate of three rupees, payable to the state treasury, while Kashmiri Pandits were explicitly exempt. The right to collect the tax was even auctioned annually, generating significant revenue for the Dogra administration.

Historical records confirm that Muslims were subjected to multiple taxes, including marriage taxes known as Sathrashahi, from which Hindus were exempt. For a population already struggling under heavy taxation and economic hardship, Zar-e-Nikah became a symbol of institutionalized discrimination.

*Ghadir Khumm: The Last Testimony of AQA Muhammad ﷺ*
_A Message of Love, Guidance & Unity for Every Heart That Loves the Prophet ﷺ and His Noble Family_

Dhul-Hijjah 18, 10 Hijri. The blessed rites of Hajj were complete. One hundred and twenty thousand souls stood together, their hearts purified by Arafat, their eyes still wet from the Farewell. The caravans were about to depart – each tribe to its land, each believer to his home.

At a place called *Ghadir Khumm*, between Makkah and Madinah, the command of Allah came:

_“O Messenger, convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord, for if you do not, you have not conveyed His message”_ [Al-Ma’idah 5:67].

So the Messenger of Allah, *AQA Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ*, ordered the caravan to halt. He gathered the Ummah under the scorching sun, ascended a pulpit of camel saddles, and addressed the believers with words that would echo through eternity.

*The Testimony That Completed the Deen*

With a voice full of mercy, AQA ﷺ asked:

_“Alastu awla bil-mu’mineena min anfusihim?”_

_“Am I not more worthy of the believers than their own selves?”_

The entire gathering answered as one: _“Bala Ya RasulAllah ﷺ” – Yes, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ._

Then AQA ﷺ took the blessed hand of *Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام* and raised it high so every eye could witness. And he declared, three times, so none could claim ignorance:

*“Man kuntu mawlaahu, fa hadha Aliyyun mawlaah”*

_“For whomever I am his Mawla, this Ali is his Mawla.”_

He continued with a du’a that still protects the Ummah:

_“O Allah, befriend whoever befriends him. Be an enemy to whoever is his enemy. Help whoever helps him. Let truth revolve with him wherever he turns.”_

Before the gathering dispersed, Allah revealed the verse that made the heavens rejoice:

_“Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and approved for you Islam as your religion”_ [Al-Ma’idah 5:3].

This was Ghadir. This was the seal on the Prophet’s ﷺ mission.

*A Testimony Honored by All Scholars*

The event of Ghadir Khumm is preserved in the most respected books of hadith.

1. *Imam Tirmidhi* recorded it in _Sunan Tirmidhi_ and declared: _“Hasan Sahih”_ – a good and authentic hadith.

2. *Imam Ibn Kathir* wrote in _Al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah_: _“This hadith is established as authentic by many Imams, and in it is proof of the virtue of Ali and the obligation of loving him and giving him allegiance.”_

3. *Shaykh Al-Albani* affirmed: _“The hadith of Ghadir is mutawatir in meaning. I am certain of its authenticity.”_

Thus, there is no dispute among Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah and our Shia brothers regarding the _occurrence_ of Ghadir. All agree: AQA ﷺ praised *Maula Ali عليه السلام*, commanded love for him, and emphasized the station of *Ahl al-Bayt al-Tahireen عليهم السلام*.

*The Heart of Ghadir: Love for Ahl al-Bayt*

What did AQA ﷺ want for us at Ghadir? Division? No. He wanted certainty.

He left us with two treasures, as he said at Ghadir:

_“I am leaving among you two weighty things: The Book of Allah and my Ahl al-Bayt. If you hold fast to both, you will never go astray after me.”_

This is where every Muslim heart finds unity:

– *Sunni scholars* teach that “Mawla” at Ghadir means the most deserving of love, loyalty, and support. They remind us that loving Ali عليه السلام and respecting Ahl al-Bayt is part of complete iman. Imam Shafi’i رحمه الله said: _“O Family of the Prophet, love for you is an obligation in the Quran revealed by Allah.”_

– *Shia scholars* understand “Mawla” as guardian and authority, the continuation of divine guidance after AQA ﷺ. For them, 18th Dhul-Hijjah is Eidullahil Akbar – the greatest Eid, because Allah perfected His religion with the announcement of guidance.

Two reflections, one command: *Love AQA ﷺ, love Ali عليه السلام, love Ahl al-Bayt عليهم السلام.*

*Durood o Salam Upon the Purified Family*

On this blessed day, let our tongues be moist with salutations:

*اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّد

Allah Huma Salle Ala Mohammadiyoun Wa Ala Aalay Mohammad

*Ghadir’s Call to Every Heart Today*

Ghadir is not a chapter closed in history. Ghadir is a mirror for today.

Every 18th Dhul-Hijjah, AQA ﷺ is still raising that blessed hand, asking each of us softly:

_“After me, where will you seek guidance? Whose door will you knock on?”_

If your answer is _“The Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt”_, then you have understood Ghadir.

If your heart trembles with love at the name of Ali عليه السلام, then you are under the shade of the Prophet’s ﷺ du’a at Ghadir.

The sand of Ghadir may have scattered, but the testimony remains. It lives in every act of justice. It lives in every tear shed for Karbala. It lives in every Muslim who refuses to let the Ummah be orphaned.

*Eid-e-Ghadeer Mubarak / May the light of Ghadir illuminate your heart*

To every soul that loves AQA Muhammad ﷺ and his purified Ahl al-Bayt عليهم السلام.

_“For whoever I am his master, Ali is his master. O Allah, befriend his friend and oppose his enemy.”_ – The Last Testimony at Ghadir Khumm

Eid E Ghadir