The Farewell Pilgrimage

Here we are again in another season of a great act of worship; it is called Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah. This act was practiced even before the restoration of Islam by our Prophet Muhammad (S). The first person who performed Hajj was our father Ibraheem and his son Ismael (Peace be upon them). When they built the Ka’abah , Ibraheem (P.b.u.h.) was ordered by Allah to call people to Hajj as we read in the Qur’an,
"And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men; they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways" (22:27)

The following text is an extract from the famous book "Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtum" by Shaikh Safi-ur-Rahman Al- Mubarakpuri. He talks here about the farewell pilgrimage of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) and about his famous speech in it.

He says:
[After the accomplishment of the Call, the proclamation of the Message and the establishment of a new society on the basis of ‘There is no god but Allah’, and Muhammad’s (S) mission, a secret call uprose in the heart of the Messenger of Allah (S) telling him that his stay in the Lower World was about to terminate. That was clear in his talk to Mu’adh whom he had dispatched to Yemen in the tenth year of Al-Hijra: “O, Mu’adh! You may not see me after this current year. You may even pass by this very Mosque of mine and my tomb.” Upon hearing that Mu’adh cried for fear that he would part with the Messenger of Allah (S).

Allah’s care was so bounteous as to let the Prophet (S) see the fruits of his Call for the sake of which he suffered various sorts of trouble for over twenty years. Those twenty years had elapsed actively. He used to spend his last days meeting, at the outskirts of Makkah, members of tribes and their representatives who used to consult him and learn the laws and legislation of Islam from him, and in return he used to exact their testimony that he had delivered trust and communicated the Message and counselled the people.

The Messenger of Allah (S), announced an intention to proceed with this blessed pilgrimage journey himself. Enormous crowds of people came to Madinah, all of whom seek the guidance and Imamate of the Messenger of Allah (S) in the pilgrimage (al-Hajj). On a Saturday of the last four days of Dhul-Qa’dah, the Prophet (S) started the departure preparations procedure. He combed his hair, applied some perfume, wore his garment, saddled his camel and set off in the afternoon. He arrived at Dhul-Hulaifa before the afternoon prayer. He performed two rak’a and spent the night there. When it was morning he said to his Companions: “A comer, sent by my Lord, has called on me tonight and said: ‘Pray in this blessed valley and say: I intend ‘Umrah combined with pilgrimage’ (‘Umrah into al-Hajj).” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Before performing the noon prayer, he (S) bathed for Ihram (ritual consecration) and ‘Aishah (R) perfumed him on both his body and head with her hand with a Dharira (a plant) and with a perfume containing musk. The thick sticky layer of perfume could be seen among his parts of hair and beard. He left it unwashed, wore his loincloth and garment. He (S) performed the noon prayer shortened, two rak’a. He (S) proclaimed pilgrimage procedure associated with ‘Umrah at his prayer-place. He, then mounted his she-camel ‘Al-Qaswa’, and proclaimed: ‘There is no god but Allah’. When he moved into the desert, he acclaimed the Name of Allah.

He (S) proceeded with his journey until he approached Makkah. He spent the night at Dhi Tuwa and entered Makkah after performing the dawn prayer. He had a bath on Sunday morning, the fourth of Dhul-Hijjah the tenth year of al-Hijrah. He spent eight days on the way, which was an average period. As soon as he entered al-Haram Mosque he circumambulated al-Ka’bah and walked to and fro (Sa’I) between As-Safa and Al-Marwah. He did not finish the Ihram (ritual consecration) because he was Qarin (i.e. intending ‘Umrah and al-Hajj associated). He then took al-Hadi (i.e. the sacrificial animals) in order to slaughter them. He (S) camped on a high place of Makkah – al-Hajun. As for circumambulation, he performed only that of al-Hajj (pilgrimage circumambulation).

Those of his (S) Companions who had no Hadi with them to sacrifice, were ordered to observe Ihram (ritual consecration) into ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), and circumambulate al-Ka’bah and stride ritually to and fro between as-Safa and al-Marwah. After that they could relieve themselves from Ihram. They, however, showed reluctance to do what they had been told. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “Had I known beforehand what I knew afterward, I would not bring Hadi, and if I did not have Hadi, I would break Ihram”. On hearing these words, his Companions obeyed the orders to the latter.

On the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah – that is the Day of Tarwiyah, he (S) left for Mina where he performed the noon, the afternoon, the sunset, the evening and the dawn prayers (the five prayers). Then he stayed for a while till the sun rose up then he passed along till he reached ‘Arafah, where there was a tent built for him at Namirah. He sat inside till the sun went down. He (S) ordered that al-Qaswa’, his she-camel should be prepared for him. They saddled it and had it ready, so he went down the valley where a hundred thousand and twenty four or forty four thousand people gathered around him. The he (S) stood up and delivered the following speech:

“O people! Listen to what I say. I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place again after this current year. It is unlawful for you to shed the blood of one another or to take (unlawfully) the fortunes of one another. They are as unlawful (Haram) as shedding blood on such a day as today and in such a month as this Haram month and in such a sanctified city as this sacred city (Makkah and the surrounding areas).”

“Behold! All practices of paganism and ignorance are now under my feet. The blood revenge of the Days of Ignorance (pre-Islamic time) are remitted. The first claim on blood I abolish is that of Ibn Rabi’a bin Harith who was nursed in the tribe of Sa’d and whom Hudhail killed. Usury is forbidden, and I make a beginning by remitting the amount of interest which ‘Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib has to receive. Verily, it is remitted entirely.”

“O people! Fear Allah concerning women. Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah and have made their persons lawful unto you by the Words of Allah! It is incumbent upon them to honor their conjugal rights and, not to commit acts of impropriety which, if they do, you have authority to chastise them, yet not severely. If your wives refrain from impropriety and are faithful to you, clothe and feed them suitable.”

“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.”

“O people, I am not succeeded by a Prophet and you are not succeeded by any nation. So I recommend you to worship your Lord, to pray the five prayers, to fast Ramadan and to offer the Zakat (poor due) of your provision willingly. I recommend you to do the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of your Lord and to obey those who are in charge of you then you will be awarded to enter the Paradise of your Lord.”

“And if you were asked about me, what wanted you to say?” They replied: “We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry.”

He (S) then raised his forefinger skywards and then moved it down towards the people while saying: “O Allah, bear witness.” He said that phrase thrice. (Sahih Muslim 2/605)

The one who repeated the Prophet’s (S) statements loudly at ‘Arafat was Rabi’a bin Omaiyah bin Khalaf.

As soon as the Prophet (S) had accomplished delivering the speech, the following Qur’anic verse was revealed to him:
(This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.) (5:3)

Upon hearing this verse ‘Umar cried. “What makes you cry?” he was asked. His answer was: “Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection.”