Jul 26 , 2020
FArewell Hajj of Prophet Muhammad
(Salaams all, The most blessed Hajj of all times was the one in which Prophet Muhammad PBUH participated. Did you know that he had done only 1 Hajj in his lifetime! It was this farewell hajj which he had performed before his death. Crowds gathered from all over Arabia to perform this blessed journey of a lifetime. Go ahead and experience yourself The Farewell Pilgrimage (Hujjat al-Wada) in this beautiful blog written by Hina Jafri, Regional Head Canada, The Islamic kidstore.)
Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Compassionate
Hujjat-al-wada: The Farewell Pilgrimage of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)
Introduction
Hajj, being one of the five main pillars of Islam, gives a spiritual experience and conveys a great message towards the entire humanity. All Muslims learnt the rituals of the Hajj from the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him) where he taught the rituals and laws pertaining to the shari`ah (Islamic Law). Hujjat-al-wada has altogether a special importance and the Islamic scholars derived many laws from it, dealing with the rituals of hajj and other matters, of which the books of fiqh and hadith explanation are full.
Background
The Farewell Pilgrimage (Hujjat al-wada) was the last Hajj pilgrimage of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in 632 (10 AH). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) met with Angel Jibreel every Ramadan and read the verses which had been revealed up until then. In the month of Ramadan during the 10th year after the emigration, Jibreel said that they would read the Holy Quran twice. The Prophet understood this to mean that his life was coming to an end.
Preparations
The Prophet (PBUH) began to prepare for pilgrimage in the same year 632 (10 AH) and told everyone to join him. Accompanied by his wives and his daughter Fatima, he set out in the month of Dhu al-Qi’dah 26, 632 (10 AH), with Muslims composed of residents of Medina immigrants, the companions and the tribes that had come to Medina. He put on the ihram (clothing consisting of white cloth, with no stitches, which pilgrims wear) in Zulhulayfa.
Journey
He reached Mecca on the fourth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah on his camel, called Qasva (Qusva), accompanied by more people who had joined him on the way. He camped outside of Mecca on Saturday and entered Mecca on Sunday. He did Taw’aaf on Sunday of over 120,000 companions in the valley of Arafat. Then the Prophet finished pilgrimage with the immigrants and residents of Medina and taught the Muslims how to perform this worship and then returned back to Medina.
The Farewell Sermon - Principles
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) led the pilgrims from Mecca through the Valley of Mina and up to the Mountain of Arafat and then stopped them in the Valley of Uranah to deliver the Farewell Sermon, the Khutbatul Wada.
After praising and thanking the Almighty Allah, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
- Regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust.
- Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners.
- Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.
- Usury (interest) is forbidden, therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived.
- Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived.
- Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope of that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
- Women also have rights over men. Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.
- Worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
- All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab. Also, a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white – except by piety and good action.
Epilogue
This Hajj is sometimes called “The Farewell Hajj”. Others have called it the “Hajj of the Annunciation” and others, the “Hajj of Islam”. In reality, Prophet‘s Hajj was all these at once. It was the “Farewell Hajj: because he saw Makkah and the Holy Haram for the last time. It was also the “Hajj of Islam” because Allah completed His religion for the benefit of mankind and granted them His total blessing. Finally, it was also the “Hajj of Annunciation” because Prophet (PBUH) completed his announcement and conveyance to the people of what had been commanded by Allah to announce and to convey.