The Life Of Prophet Muhammed

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 [pbuh] 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 [pbuh].

Allâh's care was so bounteous as to let the Prophet [pbuh] 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 [pbuh] 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 [pbuh]in the pilgrimage (Al-Hajj). [Sahih Muslim 1/394] On a Saturday of the last four days of Dhul-Qa'dah, the Prophet [pbuh] started the departure preparations procedure. [Fath Al-Bari 8/104] 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 1/207]

Before performing the noon prayer, he 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 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 [pbuh] 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 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 round him. There he stood up and delivered the following speech: