The Ghadīr Khumm () refers to a gathering of Muslims to attend a sermon delivered by the Islamic prophet Muhammad on 16 March 632 CE (18 Dhu al-Hijjah 10 AH). The gathering is said to have taken place at the Ghadir Khumm, located near the then settlement of al-Juhfa on the path between Mecca and Medina, where Muhammad halted the caravan of Muslims returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage. In the sermon, made shortly before his death in June 632 CE (11 AH), Muhammad made a declaration in favor of Ali ibn Abi Talib, his cousin and son-in-law, uttering the words, "He whose I am, Ali is his ." Shia Muslims believe this to be a clear indication that Ali was designated to lead the Muslim community after Muhammad and celebrate the anniversary of the event as Eid al-Ghadir. The Sunni community meanwhile regards the declaration as a simple affirmation of Muhammad's esteem for Ali. Etymology Ghadir Khumm refers both to the gathering of Muslims for Muhammad's sermon and its location, which was a pond () fed by a nearby spring in a wadi known as Khumm, situated between Mecca and Medina. The valley is believed to have been located near the settlement of al-Juhfa, a strategic trijunction where routes from Medina, Egypt, and Iraq intersected. Some sources give the etymology that Khumm means 'deceiver', and the valley was so named because the water of the pond was saline and unfit for consumption. At the time of the event, the original inhabitants of the region, namely, the Banu Khuza'a and Banu Kinana tribes, had already abandoned the area due to its poor pasturage and harsh climate. Before Muhammad's address, the location was likely never used as a caravan stop. In Shia sources, the harsh environment of Khumm may signify that Muhammad was tasked with an urgent announcement there, or that he wanted to brand the moment in the memories, or that he wanted many witnesses before the pilgrims parted their ways. Background Ten years after Muhammad's migration to Medina and on the last days of Dhu al-Qadah, Muhammad performed the Hajj rituals in Mecca shortly before his death. This Hajj ceremony has become known as the Farewell Pilgrimage. In his sermon in Mecca (at Arafat) and again later at the Ghadir Khumm by some accounts, Muhammad alerted Muslims about his impending death. After the Hajj, he set off on the return