The verse of Ikmaal Al-Deen is a famous verse that was revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage while the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood upon Arafa. Allah states in the Qur’an 5:3, “Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed my favor upon you, and have approved for you Islam as a religion.” This is the location of the verse’s revelation in the Saheehain.

However, according to Al-Amini and the Shias that followed him, the verse was instead revealed at Ghadir Khumm. Like the previous article on the Verse of Al-Tableegh, Al-Amini attempts to provide as many references as possible to justify his usage of the verse as evidence for the Shia understanding. He provides sixteen sources in order to do this.

When faced with commentary from Sunni scholars that have weakened the narrations that have been attributed to Abu Huraira and Abu Sa’eed, Al-Amini 1/456 responds by pointing out that these narrations come through Jabir, Mujahid, Al-Baqir, and Al-Sadiq. However, he does not provide chains or a proper reference to any of these attributions, which is uncommon for Al-Amini when he has access to what he quotes.

Al-Amini, in his desperation to make a single source seem like many, provides the hadith of Abi Sa’eed Al-Khudri which comes solely quoted by Abi Haroon Al-Abdi, from Abi Sa’eed. He quotes this narration as source #3, then again under #5, #7, #9, and #13.

Abu Haroon Al-Abdi was described as a liar by Ibn Ulaya, Ibn Ma’een, Uthman bin Abi Shaybah, and Al-Jawzajani.

The other main report that Al-Amini provides is through the path of Abu Huraira, which he attempts to authenticate. For our criticism of that report, please refer to our article on Fasting on the Day of Ghadir.

Conclusion

There are no authentic reports that 5:3 was revealed at Ghadir Khumm, and it contradicts the authentic and established reports in the Saheehain that it was revealed during Hajj. Moreover, since, “Today I have perfected for you your religion,” was revealed at Hajj, it makes no sense that the appointment of Ali would be revealed after that, since Shias claim that one’s religion is only perfected with the acceptance of Ali as an Imam and successor.