As a matter of fact, some people want to know whether or not women have attended Ghadir event. Actually, there are some facts and reasons (e.g., necessity of Hajj for women, some narrative reasons, etc.) proving that there were some women in Ghadir event. In this article, the author is going to respond this question whether or not women have attended Ghadir event.
Have women attended Ghadir event, too?[1]
According to the fact that Hajj is Wajib (necessary) for women (in case of Isteta’ah or ability), too, it’s normal that they have attended the farewell Hajj ceremony, especially considering that before, it had been announced that this Hajj is the last Hajj of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.). That’s why many women attended in the farewell Hajj ceremony. It’s obvious that plenty of them were present in the return journey with caravans. But like many of men, due to their not being famous, their names have not been mentioned in history. Maybe it’s possible that approximately a third, or more or less, of the several thousand population at day of Ghadir was formed by women. In spite of this, the narrative and historical sources have mentioned the names of some eminent and famous women who attended Hajjat-ul-Weda’ (farewell Hajj). For instance:
1- Lady Fatimah (P.B.U.H.): Jabir-ibne-Abdullah Ansari says: “In the year 10, it was announced that the Holy Prophet Mohammad was going to go for Hajj. A large number of people came to Medina. All of them were going to perform what he does. The Holy Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) exited Medina and people accompanied with him going with him. Until we entered Zu-l-Hulayfah. Then Imam Ali (P.B.U.H.) joined us in Yemen and saw Lady Fatima (P.B.U.H.) who was wearing a colorful dress and kohl. [2]
2- The wives of the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.): According to the narrations of Shia and Sunni, the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) kept taking one of his wives who was selected by drawing. [3] So, it was normal that he takes at least one of them with him in this spiritual and important trip.
3- Asma’ Binte Omais: Imam Baqir (P.B.U.H.) said: Asma’ Binte Omais gave birth to Mohammad-ibne-Abi-Bakr in Hajjat-ul-Weda’ (farewell Hajj). After the duration of puerperium, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) ordered her to do Ghusl (a religious bathing) and etc. [4] Like this quotation, it has been mentioned in Sunni sources, too. [5]
4- Some women and quoting Ghadir narration: Ghadir event occurred after Hajjat-ul-Weda’ (farewell Hajj) and most of Muslims attended and quoted it. Among them, some women have also been the narrators of this great event, which means their attendance. Some of them are Lady Fatimah (P.B.U.H.), some wives of the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.), Umme-Hanni and Fatimah (the daughter of Hamzah). [6]
5- It is inferred from some of the quotations and orders of the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) that a larger number of women attended Hajjat-ul-Weda’ (farewell Hajj): One of those quotations is Imam Baqir’s (P.B.U.H.) who said: “The Prophet permitted to some weak women to go from Muzdalafah to Mena at night.” [7]
References:
[2]. Sheikh Tusi, al-Amali, p. , Qom, Dar-u-Thaqafah, 1st publication, 1414 A.H.
[3]. Sheikh Mufid, al-Ekhtesas, proofreader, Ghaffari, Ali Akbar, p. 118, Qom.
[4]. Kuleyni, Mohammad ibne-Yaqub, al-Kafi, proofreader, Ghaffari, Ali Akbar, vol. 4, p. 449, Tehran, Dar-ul-Kotob-el-Islamiyyah, 4th publication, 1407 A.H.
[5]. Muslem-ibne-Hajjaj, Abul-Hassan-ul-Qashiri, Sahih-e-Muslem, proofreader, Abdul-Baq, Mohammad Fo’ad, vol. 2, p. 886, Beirut, Dar-Ehya’e-Ttorath-el-Arab, n.p
[6]. Ibne-Shahr Ashub Mazandarani, Manaqeb-e-Ale-Abi Talib (a.s), vol. 3, p. 26, Qom, Allamah publications, 1st pub, 1379 A.H.
[7]. Ibne-Hayyoun, No’man-ibne-Mohammad Maghrebi, Da’a’em-ul-Islam wa Zekre-l-Halal wa-l-Haram wa-l-Qazaya wa-l-Ahkam, proofreader, Feyzi, Asef, vol. 11, p. 322, Qom, Al-ul-Bayt institution, 2nd pub., 1385 A.H.
All references are original ones in Arabic word, except "Islamquest.net".