A study on the Existence of the phrase «ا لست اولی بکم من انفسکم» in the sermon of Ghadir Khumm in Sunni sources

The term «مولی» (which roughly translates to the custodian or the guardian) is the basis of Ghadir sermon, considered as the most significant rhetorical proof of Shias to validate the rightousness of Imam Ali as the successor of prophet and the sole Imam for the Muslims after the demise of prophet. Understanding this concept centers on some fundamental factors namely literary analysis, meaning analysis, discourse markers and textual elements. The intra-textual proofs have a significant role in understanding the concept of «مولی», but earlier researchers have hardly ever paid due attention to these factors. One of the indicators signifying the concept of «مولی» as the custodianship of Imam Ali is «ا لست اولی بکم من انفسکم». This phrase is revealed upon the attendants in Ghadir speech prior to the usage of «من کنت مولاه فعلی مولاه». This precedence is taken as a proof that the term refers to custodianship and guardianship , henceforth giving weight to the rightousness of Imam Ali as the successor of the holy peophet. Some prejudiced contemporary authors have undermined the valued of this significant textual element, casting doubt on its importance. In the present study, this textual element assumes a double significance. The current study aims to investigate the status of precedence as a proof of legitimacy of the narrative, continuation of the first condition for the establishement of precedence, that is, the multiplicity of narrators at all levels. The views expressed by Sunni hadith scholars vis-à-vis the phrase «ا لست اولی بکم من انفسکم» have been considered in depth in this research. Proving the existance of eighteen companions in the first level of narration and dozens of others in other levels nullifies the possibility of any distortion or forgery in the authenticity of this narrative. Also, from the viewpoint of both Sunni and Shia scholars, it is submitted that while using this methodology, the need to examine the document and establish the authenticity of narrators is obliterated. Hence, the present study establishes that according to Sunni resources through the application of textual-precedence principle both Sunni and Shia Scholars reach a consensus on the authenticity of such a section within Ghadir speech.