THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE:
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 Allâh,’ and on Muhammad’s mission, a secret call uprose in
the heart of the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) 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 Allâh (Peace be upon him).
Allâh’s care was so bounteous as to let the Prophet (Peace be upon him) 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 Allâh (Peace be upon him) 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 Allâh (Peace be upon him) in the pilgrimage (Al-Hajj). On a
Saturday of the last four days of Dhul-Qa‘dah, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) 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:
l “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).
Before performing the noon prayer, he bathed for Ihram (ritual consecration), and ‘Aishah (May Allah
be pleased with her) 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 performed the noon prayer
shortened, two Rak‘a. He 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 Allâh’. When he
moved into the desert, he acclaimed the Name of Allâh.
He proceeded with his journey till 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-Hijra. 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 camped on a high place of Makkah — Al-Hajun. As for circumambulation, he performed only
that of Al-Hajj (pilgrimage circumambulation).
Those of his Companions who had no Hadi with them to sacrifice, were ordered to observe Ihram (i.e.
the state of ritual consecration) into ‘Umrah (i.e. 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
Allâh (Peace be upon him) 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 left for Mina where he performed
the noon, the afternoon, the sunset, the evening and the dawn prayers. — i.e. 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 ordered that Al-Qaswa’, his shecamel,
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
round
him.
There
he
stood
up
and
delivered
the
following
speech:
l “
O people! Listen to what I say. I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once
again after this current year. It is unlawful for you to shed the blood of one another or 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 (i.e. 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 Allâh concerning women. Verily you have taken them on the security of Allâh and
have made their persons lawful unto you by Words of Allâh! It is incumbent upon them to honour
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 suitably.”
“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allâh 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:
l “We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry.”
He then raised his forefskywards and then moved it down towards people while saying:
l “
O Allâh, Bear witness.”
He said that phrase thrice.
The one who repeated the Prophet’s (Peace be upon him)statements loudly at ‘Arafat was Rabi‘a bin
Omaiyah bin Khalaf.
As soon as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had accomplished delivering the speech, the following
Qur’ânic verse was revealed to him:
l “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour 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.”
Bilal called for prayer after the speech, and then made the second call. The Prophet (Peace be upon
him) performed both of the noon and the afternoon prayers separately, with no prayers in between. He
then mounted his she-camel Al-Qaswa’, approached the location of the vigil, directed his face towards
Al-Qiblah, kept on standing till sunset when the sky yellow colour vanished a bit and the disc of the sun
disappeared. Osamah added that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) moved onward to Muzdalifa. where
he observed the sunset and the evening prayers with one ‘First call’ and two ‘second calls’. He did not
entertain the Glory of Allâh between the two prayers. Then he lay down till it was dawn prayer time. He
performed it with one first call and one second call at almost daybreak time. Mounting on his Al-Qaswa’,
he moved towards Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haram. He faced Al-Qiblah and started supplicating: “Allâh is the
Greatest. There is no god but Allâh.” He remained there till it was clear morning and before the sun
rose high, he made his way to Mina. He walked a little and threaded the mid-road leading to the big
Jamrah where he stopped and pelted seven pebbles at it saying “Allâh is the Greatest” each time. They
were like small pebbles hurled from the bottom of the valley. Then he set off to the sacrificial place,
where he sacrificed sixty-three camels with his hands, and asked ‘Ali to slaughter the others, a hundred
and thirty-seven altogether. He made ‘Ali share him in Al-Hadi. A piece of meat from each slaughtered
animal was ordered to be cooked in a pot and from which both men ate, and drank the soup.
Then the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) mounted his she-camel and returned to the House
where he observed the noon prayer at Makkah and there he came upon the children of ‘Abdul Muttalib
were supplying drinking water to people at Zamzam Well. “Draw up water, children of ‘Abdul Muttalib, I
would draw up with you if I were not afraid that people would appropriate this honour after me.” They
handed him a pail of water and he drank to his fill.
At the daytime of the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah on the Slaughtering Day (Yaum An-Nahr) The Prophet (Peace
be upon him) delivered another speech. That was at high time morning, while he was mounting a grey
mule. ‘Ali conveyed his statements to the people, who were standing or sitting. He repeated some of
the statements that he had previously said the day before. The two Sheikh (Bukhâri and Muslim)
reported a version narrated by Abi Bakrah who said:
l
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) made a speech on Yaum An-Nahr (day of slaughtering) and
said:
¡ “Time has grown similar in form and state to the time when Allâh created the heavens and
the earth. A year is twelve months. Four of which are Sacred Months (Hurum). Three of
the four months are successive. They are Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Al-Muharram. The
fourth Month is Rajab Mudar, which comes between Jumada and Sha‘ban.”
“
What month is this month?” He asked. We said: “Allâh and His Messenger know best of
all.” He kept silent for a while till we thought he would attach to it a different appellation.
“Is it not Dhul-Hijjah?” He wondered. “Yes. It is.” We said. Then he asked, “What is this
town called?” We said: “Allâh and His Messenger know best of all.” He was silent for a
while till we thought he would give it a different name. “Is it not Al-Baldah? (i.e. the
town)” asked he. “Yes. It is.” We replied. Then he asked again, “What day is it today?” We
replied: “Allâh and His Messenger know best of all.” Then he kept silent for a while and
said wondering: “Is it not ‘An-Nahr’ (i.e. slaughtering) Day?” “Yes. It is.” Said we. Then he
said:
“(Shedding) the blood of one another and eating or taking one another’s provisions
(unwillingly) and your honour are all inviolable (Haram). It is unlawful to violate their
holiness. They must be as sacred to one another as this sacred day, in this sacred month,
in this sacred town.” “
You will go back to be resurrected (after death) to your Lord. There you will be accounted
for your deeds. So do not turn into people who go astray and kill one another.”
“Have I not delivered the Message (of my Lord)?” “Yes you have.” Said they. “O Allâh!
Bear witness! Let him that is present convey it unto him who is absent. For haply, many
people to whom the Message is conveyed may be more mindful of it than the audience,.”
said he.
In another version it is said that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had said in that very speech:
l “He whoever plunges into misfortune will certainly aggrieve himself. So let no one of you inflict
an evil upon his parents. Verily Satan has utterly despaired being worshipped in this country of
yours; but he will be obeyed at your committing trivial things you disdain. Satan will be
contented with such things.”
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) spent At-Tashreeq Days (11th, 12th and 13th of DhulHijjah)
in
Mina
performing
the
ritual
teachings
of
Islam,
remembering
Allâh
(praying),
following
the
ways
of
guidance
of
Ibrahim,
wiping
out
all
traces
and
features
or
polytheism.
On
some
days
of
AtTashreeq
he
delivered
some
speeches
as
well.
In
a
version
to
Abu
Da’ûd
with
good
reference
to
Sira,’
the
daughter
of
Nabhan;
she
said:
“The
Messenger
of
Allâh
(Peace
be
upon
him)
made
us
a
speech
at
the
Ru’us
(Heads)
Day
in
which
he
said:
“Is
it
not
this
the
middle
day
of
At-Tashreeq
Days.”
His speech that day was similar to that of An-Nahr Day’s. It was made after the revelation of Surat AnNasr.
On the second day of An-Nafr (i.e. Departure) — on the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah, the Prophet (Peace
be upon him) proceeded with An-Nafr to Mina and stayed at a high place of a mountain side at Bani
Kinanah from Al-Abtah. He spent the rest of that day and night there — where he performed the noon,
the afternoon, the sunset and the evening prayers.
Then he slept for a short while and mounted leaving for the Ka‘bah. He performed the Farewell
Circumambulation (Tawaf Al-Wada‘), after ordering his Companions to do the same thing.
Upon the accomplishment of his religious rituals he quickened his move to the purified Madinah. He
went there not to seek rest but to resume the strife and struggle in the way of Allâh.
THE LAST EXPEDITIONS:
The pride of the Byzantine State made it deny Muslims their right to live. The Byzantine arrogance
made them even kill those agents of theirs, who embraced Islam. Killing Farwah bin ‘Amr Al-Judhami,
who was their agent on Mu’an, was an evidence of their arrogance. Due to that arrogance and
presumptuousness of the Byzantines, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) started to mobilize a
great army in Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra and made it under the command of Osamah bin
Zaid bin Haritha with orders to have the horses of Muslims tread on the lands bordering Al-Balqa’ and
Ad-Darum of Palestine. His aim was to terrorize Byzantines and to implant confidence into the hearts of
Arabs who were settled at the borders of the Byzantines. His other purpose was to deliver a message to
everybody there, so that no one may dare say that the Church brutality can’t go with impunity; and
that Islamization is not synonymous with fear and vulnerability.
The leadership of Osamah was subject to criticism. Because he was still too young, people tarried at
joining his expedition. The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) addressed people saying:
l “No wonder now you contest his leadership, for you have already contested the ex-leadership
ofhis father. Yes, by Allâh, his father, who was one of the most beloved people to me, was quite efficient for leadership; and this son of his is one of the most beloved individuals to me after his
father.”
So people started tending towards Osamah and joined his army. The number of volunteers in his army
was so enormous that they formed such a long queue that they had to descend the escarpment —
which was a parasang off Madinah. The anxiety-provoking news about the Messenger of Allâh’s
sickness, however, made the expedition tarry again in order to know what Allâh had willed as regards
His Messenger (Peace be upon him).
It was Allâh’s Will that Osamah’s expedition would be the first one dispatched during the caliphate of
the veracious Abu Bakr.
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