The Day The Religion Was Perfected

بسم الله الواحد القهار

Sheikh Hadi An-Najafi:

Al-Kulayni has narrated from Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father from Ibn Abu 'Umayr from 'Umar ibn Uzaina from Zurara and Fudhayl ibn Yasaar and Bukayr ibn A'yan and Mohammad ibn Muslim and Burayd ibn Mu‘awiya and abu a1-Jarud, all have said that abu Ja'far (عليه السلام) said the following:
“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, commanded His Messenger to declare the Leadership with Divine Authority of Ali(عليه السلام) and sent down to him this: ‘Only Allah, His Messenger, and (also) the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer (in Ruku’), are your guardians (with Divine Authority).’ [5:55], He made obedience to those in authority obligatory. The people did not know who they were. Allah commanded Mohammad(صلي الله وعليه وآله) to interpret (and explain) the ‘Authority’ for them as he had interpreted (and explained) Prayer, Zakat , Fasting and Hajj.
When this command (to obey those who possess Divine Authority) came to him from Allah, the Messenger of Allah(صلي الله وعليه وآله) felt pressured (and afraid of people’s abandoning their religion). He prayed to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, about it and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, revealed to him this: ‘O Messenger, preach what is revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not preach, it will be as though you have not conveyed My message. Allah protects you from men. He does not guide the unbelieving people.’ [5:67], He executed the command of Allah, Most Exalted is Whose mention, and declared that Ali(عليه السلام) had received Divine Authority for leadership over His creatures. He made this declaration on the day of Ghadir Khum (18th of Dhu al-Hajja). After the prayer in congregation he convened the command and asked people present to bear testimony and inform those who were absent.
“‘Umar ibn ’Uzaina said, ‘All, except abu al-Jarud, have added: “Abu Ja‘far(عليه السلام) also said: ‘One commandment would come after the other and the commandment about Leadership and Guardianship with Divine Authority was the last of such commandments. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, then sent down this: ‘On this day I have perfected your religion, completed My favors to you, and chosen Islam as your religion. . . .’ [5:3] Abu Ja‘far(عليه السلام) said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, said, ‘I will not send down any other commandments thereafter. I have completed for you the commandments.’”

Grading: The chain of the narration is Sahih(Authentic).

Source: Mawsu'atu Ahadith Ahlalbayt(عليهم السلام), Vol. 9 Pg. 412-413