The Hajj Journey of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ

On the 11th of Ramadan in the 8th year after Hijrah, the Conquest of Makkah took place. The following year, in Dhul Qa‘dah of 9 AH, the Beloved Prophet ﷺ appointed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه as the Amir al-Hajj (leader of Hajj) in his place. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه departed from Madinah Munawwarah with three hundred (300) Muslims to perform the obligation of Hajj and reached Makkah Mukarramah. The Noble Prophet ﷺ sent twenty (20) camels with him. With his blessed hands, he placed garlands around their necks and marked them as sacrificial animals. He appointed Sayyiduna Najiyah ibn Jundub Aslami as the supervisor over those camels. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه also took five (5) camels of his own for sacrifice. Sayyiduna Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf رضي الله عنه also performed Hajj that year with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه and brought several sacrificial animals along with him. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitab al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4363; Sirat Sayyid al-Anbiya, p. 533; Madarij al-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, p. 377) Why did the Beloved Prophet ﷺ not perform Hajj that year? That year, the Noble Prophet ﷺ was unable to participate in Hajj because he was occupied with matters related to military expeditions, the arrival of various delegations, and teaching them the rulings of Islam. Therefore, he appointed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه as the Amir al-Hajj in his place. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, p. 377)

The Beloved Prophet’s ﷺ Message to the Amir al-Hajj

The Noble Prophet ﷺ sent Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه after Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه so that he could recite Surah Bara’ah before the people and announce that after that year, no polytheist would be allowed to perform Hajj, nor would anyone be permitted to perform Tawaf of the House of Allah while unclothed. A short time before Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه departed for Hajj, verse 28 of Surah al-Tawbah in Juz 10 was revealed that same year: ﴿ یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُوْنَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا یَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هٰذَاۚ ﴾ Translation (Kanz al-Iman): “O believers! The polytheists are totally impure; so, after this year, they should not come near the Sacred Mosque.” Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada كرم الله وجهه الكريم met Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه at a place called ‘Arj. ‘Arj was the name of a settlement located about 78 miles away from Madinah Munawwarah. (Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah by Ibn Hisham, vol. 2, p. 461)

After the Hijrah, the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed his first and final Hajj in the 10th year after Hijrah. The people of faith recognize this Hajj as Hajjat al-Wada (the Farewell Pilgrimage). (It is also established that the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed Hajj before the Hijrah as well. The narrations differ regarding the number of those pilgrimages: some mention two, some mention three, while others state that after the declaration of Prophethood and before the Hijrah, he performed Hajj every year. However, after the Hijrah, when Hajj became obligatory, the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed only one Hajj, and there is consensus among all the Companions رضي الله عنهم اجمعين upon this.) In the 10th year after Hijrah, when the Noble Prophet ﷺ intended to perform Hajj, an announcement was made in and around Madinah that the Noble Prophet ﷺ would perform Hajj that year; therefore, all Muslims should also perform Hajj that year. As soon as this was heard, a wave of joy spread among the Muslims. Preparations began everywhere, and caravan after caravan started gathering in Madinah Munawwarah. In a lengthy Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, the Noble Prophet’s ﷺ Hajj is described in detail. In order to increase the interest and appreciation of the readers of this course, we are including that very Hadith here.

*" عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ ﷺ مَكَثَ بِالمَدِينَةِ تِسْعَ سِنِينَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ فِي الْعَاشِرَةِ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ ﷺ حَاجٌّ فَقَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ بَشَرٌ كَثِيرٌ فَخَرَجْنَا مَعَهٗ حَتّٰى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا ذَا الْحُلَيْفَةِ فَوَلَدَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلٰى رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ ﷺ : كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ؟ قَالَ: «اغْتَسِلِي وَاسْتَثْفِرِي بِثَوْبٍ وَأَحْرِمِي» فَصَلّٰى رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتّٰى إِذَا اسْتَوَتْ بِهٖ نَاقَتُهٗ عَلَى البَيْدَاءِ أَهَلَّ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ «لَبَّيْكَ اَللّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ» . قَالَ جَابِرٌ: لَسْنَا نَنْوِي إِلَّا الْحَجَّ لَسْنَا نَعْرِفُ الْعُمْرَةَ حَتّٰى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَعَهٗ اسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ فَطَافَ سَبْعًا فَرَمَلَ ثَلَاثًا وَمَشٰى أَرْبَعًا ثُمَّ تَقَدَّمَ إِلٰى مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَقَرَأَ: (وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلّٰى)فَصَلّٰى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَجَعَلَ الْمَقَامَ بَيْنَهٗ وَبَيْنَ الْبَيْتِ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: أَنَّهٗ قَرَأَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ: (قُلْ هوَ اللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ و (قُلْ يَاأَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ) ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلٰى الرُّكْنِ فَاسْتَلَمَهٗ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْبَابِ إِلٰى الصَّفَا فَلَمَّا دَنَا مِنَ الصَّفَا قَرَأَ: (إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللّٰهِ)أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللّٰه بِهٖ فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّفَا فَرَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ حَتّٰى رَاٰى الْبَيْتَ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَوَحَّدَ اللّٰهَ وَكَبَّرَهٗ وَقَالَ: «لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهٗ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهٗ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهٗ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهٗ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهٗ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهٗ» . ثُمَّ دَعَا بَيْنَ ذٰلِكَ قَالَ مِثْلَ هٰذَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ نَزَلَ وَمَشٰى إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ حَتّٰى انْصَبَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ فِي بَطْنِ الْوَادِي ثُمَّ سَعٰى حَتّٰى إِذَا صَعِدْنَا مَشٰى حَتّٰى أَتَى الْمَرْوَةَ فَفَعَلَ عَلَى المَرْوَةِ كَمَا فَعَلَ عَلَى الصَّفَا حَتّٰى إِذَا كَانَ آخِرُ طَوَافٍ عَلَى المَرْوَةِ نَادٰى وَهُوَ عَلَى المَرْوَةِ وَالنَّاسُ تَحْتَهٗ فَقَالَ: «لَوْ أَنِّي اسْتَقْبَلْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُ لَمْ أَسُقِ الهَدْيَ وَجَعَلْتُهَا عُمْرَةً فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُم لَيْسَ مَعَهٗ هَدْيٌ فَلْيَحِلَّ وَلْيَجْعَلْهَا عُمْرَةً» . فَقَامَ سُرَاقَةُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بْنِ جُعْشُمٍ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ أَلِعَامِنَا هٰذَا أَمْ لِأَبَدٍ؟ فَشَبَّكَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَصَابِعَهٗ وَاحِدَةً فِي الْأُخْرٰى وَقَالَ: «دَخَلَتِ الْعُمْرَةُ فِي الْحَجِّ مَرَّتَيْنِ لَا بَلْ لِأَبَدِ أَبَدٍ» . وَقَدِمَ عَلِيٌّ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ بِبُدْنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ لَهٗ: «مَاذَا قُلْتَ حِينَ فَرَضْتَ الْحَجَّ؟» قَالَ: قُلْتُ: اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أُهِلُّ بِمَا أَهَلَّ بِهِ رَسُولُكَ، قَالَ: «فَإِنَّ مَعِي الْهَدْيَ فَلَا تَحِلَّ» . قَالَ: فَكَانَ جَمَاعَةُ الْهَدْيِ الَّذِي قَدِمَ بِهٖ عَلِيٌّ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ وَالَّذِي أَتٰى بِهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِائَةً قَالَ: فَحَلَّ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ وَقَصَّرُوا إِلَّا النَّبِيَّﷺ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ هَدْيٌ فَمَا كَانَ يَوْمُ التَّرْوِيَةِ تَوَجَّهُوا إِلٰى مِنًى فَأَهَلُّوا بِالحَجِّ وَرَكِبَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى ﷺ فَصَلّٰى بِهَا الظُّهْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ وَالْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ وَالْفَجْرَ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ قَلِيلًا حَتّٰى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَأَمَرَ بِقُبَّةٍ مِنْ شَعَرٍ تُضْرَبُ لَهٗ بِنَمِرَةَ فَسَارَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ ﷺ وَلَا تَشُكُّ قُرَيْشٌ إِلَّا أَنَّهٗ وَاقِفٌ عِنْدَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ كَمَا كَانَتْ قُرَيْشٌ تَصْنَعُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَأجَازَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ ﷺ حَتّٰى أَتٰى عَرَفَةَ فَوَجَدَ الْقُبَّةَ قَدْ ضُرِبَتْ لَهٗ بِنَمِرَةَ فَنَزَلَ بِهَا حَتّٰى إِذَا زَاغَتِ الشَّمْسُ أَمَرَ بِالقَصْوَاءِ فَرُحِلَتْ لَهٗ فَأَتٰى بَطْنَ الْوَادِي فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ وَقَالَ: «إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ حَرَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هٰذَا فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هٰذَا فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هٰذَا أَلَا كُلُّ شَيْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ تَحْتَ قَدَمَيَّ مَوْضُوعٌ وَدِمَاءُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعَةٌ وَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ دَمٍ أَضَعُ مِنْ دِمَائِنَا دَمُ ابْنِ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ وَكَانَ مُسْتَرْضَعًا فِي بَنِي سَعْدٍ فَقَتَلَهٗ هُذَيْلٌ وَرِبَا الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعٌ وَأَوَّلُ رِبًا أَضَعُ مِنْ رِبَانَا رِبَا عَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَإِنَّهٗ مَوْضُوعٌ كُلُّهٗ فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانِ اللّٰه وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللّٰهِ وَلَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَنْ لَا يُوطِئْنَ فُرُشَكُمْ أَحَدًا تَكْرَهُونَهٗ فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ ذٰلِكَ فَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ضَرْبًا غَيْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالمَعْرُوفِ وَقَدْ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ مَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدَهٗ إِنِ اعْتَصَمْتُمْ بِهٖ كِتَابَ اللّٰهِ وَأَنْتُمْ تُسْأَلُونَ عَنِّي فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُونَ؟» قَالُوا: نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّيْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ. فَقَالَ بِإِصْبَعِهٖ السَّبَّابَةِ يَرْفَعُهَا إِلٰى السَّمَاءِ وَيَنْكُتُهَا إِلٰى النَّاسِ: «اَللّٰهُمَّ اشْهَدْ اَللّٰهُمَّ اشْهَدْ» ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ بِلَالٌ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلّٰى الظُّهْرَ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلّٰى الْعَصْرَ وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ حَتّٰى أَتَى الْمَوْقِفَ فَجَعَلَ بَطْنَ نَاقَتِهِ القَصْوَاءِ إِلٰى الصَّخَرَاتِ وَجَعَلَ حَبْلَ الْمُشَاةِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتّٰى غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَذَهَبَتِ الصُّفْرَةُ قَلِيلًا حَتّٰى غَابَ الْقُرْصُ وَأَرْدَفَ أُسَامَةَ وَدَفَعَ حَتّٰى أَتَى الْمُزْدَلِفَةَ فَصَلّٰى بِهَا الْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعَشَاءَ بِأَذَانٍ وَاحِدٍ وَإِقَامَتَيْنِ وَلَمْ يُسَبِّحْ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ حَتّٰى طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ فَصَلّٰى الْفَجْرَ حِينَ تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الصُّبْحُ بِأَذَانٍ وَإِقَامَةٍ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتّٰى أَتَى الْمَشْعَرَ الْحَرَامَ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَدَعَاهُ وَكَبَّرَهٗ وَهَلَّلَهٗ وَوَحَّدَهٗ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتّٰى أَسْفَرَ جِدًّا فَدَفَعَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَأَرْدَفَ الْفَضْلَ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ حَتّٰى أَتٰى بَطْنَ مُحَسِّرٍ فَحَرَّكَ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ سَلَكَ الطَّرِيقَ الْوُسْطٰى الَّتِي تَخْرُجُ عَلَى الجَمْرَةِ الْكُبْرٰى حَتّٰى أَتَى الْجَمْرَةَ الَّتِي عِنْدَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَرَمَاهَا بِسَبْعِ حَصَيَاتٍ يُكَبِّرُ مَعَ كُلِّ حَصَاةٍ مِنْهَا مِثْلَ حَصَى الْخَذْفِ رَمٰى مِنْ بَطْنِ الْوَادِي ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ إِلَى الْمَنْحَرِ فَنَحَرَ ثَلَاثًا وَسِتِّينَ بُدْنَةً بِيَدِهٖ ثُمَّ أَعْطَى عَلِيًّا فَنَحَرَ مَا غَبَرَ وَأَشْرَكَهٗ فِي هَدْيِهٖ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ بَدَنَةٍ بِبُضْعَةٍ فَجُعِلَتْ فِي قِدْرٍ فَطُبِخَتْ فَأَكَلَا مِنْ لَحْمِهَا وَشَرِبَا مِنْ مَرَقِهَا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَأَفَاضَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَصَلّٰى بِمَكَّةَ الظُّهْرَ فَأَتٰى عَلٰى بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ يَسْقُونَ عَلٰى زَمْزَمَ فَقَالَ: «اَنْزِعُوا بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَلَوْلَا أَنْ يَغْلِبَنَّكُمُ النَّاسُ عَلٰى سِقَايَتِكُمْ لَنَزَعْتُ مَعَكُمْ» . فَنَاوَلُوهُ دَلْوًا فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ. رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ "*

Translation: Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ remained in Madinah Munawwarah for nine years without performing Hajj. Then, in the tenth year, an announcement was made among the people that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would be going for Hajj. Consequently, a huge number of people came to Madinah Munawwarah. We set out with him ﷺ until we reached Dhul Hulayfah. There, Sayyidatuna Asma bint Umays رضي الله عنها gave birth to Muhammad bin Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه. She sent a message to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asking, “What should I do now?” The Noble Prophet ﷺ replied, “Perform ghusl, bind a cloth around yourself, and enter into Ihram.” Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered prayer in the mosque and mounted his she-camel, Qaswa. When the camel stood upright with him ﷺ upon the open plain, the Beloved Prophet ﷺ raised the Talbiyah of Tawhid aloud: لَبَّيْكَ اَللّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه says: We had intended only Hajj and were not even familiar with Umrah. When we arrived at the Ka'bah with the Beloved Prophet ﷺ, he kissed the Corner (Hajar al-Aswad), then performed seven circuits of Tawaf. In the first three rounds he performed Ramal, and in the remaining four he walked normally. Then he came to Maqam Ibrahim and recited this verse: وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلّٰى "And make the standing place of Ibrahim (i.e. Maqaam Ibrahim) a station for Salah." He then offered two Rak’ahs in such a way that Maqam Ibrahim was between him and the the Ka’bah. Another narration states that in those two Rak’ahs he recited Surah Al Ikhlas and Surah Al Kafirun. Then he returned to the Black Stone and kissed it. Afterward, he went out through the gate toward Mount Safa. When he came near Safa, he recited the verse that Safa and Marwah are among the signs of Allah, and said: “We begin with that from which Allah began.” Accordingly, he started the Sa’i from Safa. He climbed upon it until he saw the Holy Ka'bah. Facing the Ka'bah, he proclaimed the Oneness and Greatness of Allah and said: “There is no god except Allah alone. He has no partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise, and He has power over all things. There is no god except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and alone defeated the confederates.” Then he made supplication between these remembrances and repeated this three times. Afterward, he descended and walked toward Marwah. When his blessed feet reached the bottom of the valley, he ran, and when the ground began to rise, he resumed a normal pace until he reached Marwah. Upon Marwah, he did the same as he had done on Safa. When he completed the final round upon Marwah, he called out while standing on Marwah and the people were below him: “If I had known beforehand what I came to know later, I would not have brought sacrificial animals with me, and I would have made it an Umrah. Therefore, whoever among you does not have sacrificial animals with him should exit Ihram and make it an Umrah.” At this, Sayyiduna Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju'shum رضي الله عنه stood up and asked, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Is this ruling only for this year or forever?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ interlocked the fingers of one hand into the fingers of the other and said twice: “Umrah has entered into Hajj.” Then he ﷺ said: “This ruling is forever and ever.” Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه arrived from Yemen bringing the sacrificial camels of the Noble Prophet ﷺ. The Beloved Prophet ﷺ asked him, “What did you say when you made the intention for Hajj?” He replied, “O Allah! I enter into Ihram with the same intention with which Your Messenger entered into Ihram.” The Beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “I have sacrificial animals with me, therefore do not exit Ihram.” The narrator states that the total number of sacrificial animals brought by Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه from Yemen and those brought by the Noble Prophet ﷺ together was one hundred. He says that afterward all the people exited Ihram and trimmed their hair except the Noble Prophet ﷺ and those who had sacrificial animals with them. Then, on the eighth of Dhul Hijjah, the people headed toward Mina and entered into Ihram for Hajj. The Noble Prophet ﷺ rode toward Mina and offered Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr prayers there. Then he remained for a short while until the sun rose. The Beloved Prophet ﷺ had instructed that a tent of wool be pitched for him at Namirah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued onward, while Quraysh had no doubt that he would stop at Mash'ar Haram just as they used to do before Islam. However, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ moved ahead until he reached Arafat and found the tent already pitched for him at Namirah, where he stayed. When the sun declined, he ordered that Qaswa be saddled for him. Then he came to the middle of the valley and delivered a sermon to the people in which he said: “Indeed, your blood and your wealth are sacred among yourselves just as sacred as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this city of yours. Listen carefully! All customs of the Age of Ignorance have been placed beneath my feet and abolished. The blood claims of the Age of Ignorance are abolished, and the first blood claim I abolish from among our own is the blood of Ibn Rabi'ah bin Harith, who had been nursed among Banu Sa’d and was killed by the tribe of Hudhayl. Likewise, all interest dealings of the Age of Ignorance are abolished, and the first interest I abolish from among our own is the interest of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib. It is completely abolished. Fear Allah regarding women, for you have taken them under the protection of Allah and made their private relations lawful through the word of Allah. Your rights over them are that they should not allow upon your bedding those whom you dislike. If they do so, then discipline them lightly without severity. And their rights upon you are that you provide them food and clothing in a good manner. I leave among you that thing that if you hold firmly to it, you will never go astray: The Noble Quran. And you will be questioned about me, so what will you say?” All the people replied, “We testify that you conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, and sincerely advised.” Then the Beloved Prophet ﷺ raised his blessed index finger toward the sky and pointed it toward the people saying: “O Allah! Bear witness. O Allah! Bear witness.” He repeated this three times. Then Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه gave the Adhan, followed by the Iqamah, and the Beloved Prophet ﷺ offered Zuhr prayer. Then another Iqamah was called and he offered Asr prayer, and he did not offer anything between the two prayers. Then he rode until he reached the place of standing at Arafat. He positioned the belly of Qaswa toward the large rocks and kept the path of the walkers before him while facing the Qiblah. He remained standing there until the sun set and its yellow glow faded, until the disk of the sun completely disappeared. Then he seated Sayyiduna Usamah رضي الله عنه behind him and departed until he reached Muzdalifah. There he offered Maghrib and Isha with one Adhan and two Iqamahs, without offering any nawafil between them. Then he rested until Fajr appeared. As soon as dawn became clear, he offered Fajr prayer with Adhan and Iqamah. Then he mounted Qaswa and came to Mash'ar mountain, where he faced the Qiblah and supplicated to Allah, proclaiming His greatness, His Oneness, and reciting Tahleel. He remained there until it became very bright. Then, before sunrise, he departed and seated Sayyiduna Fadl bin Abbas رضي الله عنه behind him until he came to the valley of Muhassir. There he slightly quickened the pace of his camel and then took the middle route that leads to the greater Jamarah. When he reached the Jamarah near the tree, he threw seven pebbles, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each pebble. The pebbles were small like sling stones. He performed the stoning from the middle of the valley. Then he returned to the slaughterhouse and slaughtered sixty-three camels with his own blessed hand. Afterward, he gave the remaining camels to Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه, who slaughtered the rest. The Beloved Prophet ﷺ also included him in his sacrificial offering. Then he ordered that a piece from every camel be placed into a cooking pot. It was cooked, and both of them ate from the meat and drank from the broth. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ rode toward the Holy Ka’bah and offered Zuhr prayer in Makkah. Afterward, he came to Banu Abdul Muttalib, who were drawing water from Zamzam well, and said: “O Banu Abdul Muttalib! Continue drawing water. Had it not been for the fear that people would overwhelm you in this service, I would have drawn water along with you.” The people then presented a bucket to the Beloved Prophet ﷺ, and he drank from it.

In the detailed narration from Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim that we studied, there was no mention of the Noble Prophet ﷺ shaving his blessed head. Therefore, it is being mentioned separately here, because in order to come out of Ihram, it is necessary to shave the head (Halq) or trim the hair (Taqsir). It is narrated in Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim that Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik said: During Hajjat al-Wada‘, the Noble Prophet ﷺ came to Mina, threw pebbles at Jamrat al-‘Aqabah, then offered the sacrifice and returned to his place. After that, the Beloved Prophet ﷺ called for a barber and had the hair on the right side of his blessed head shaved. He then gave those blessed hairs to Sayyiduna Abu Talhah al-Ansari. Then the hair on the left side of his blessed head was shaved, and those blessed hairs were also given to Sayyiduna Abu Talhah al-Ansari رضي الله عنه, and the Beloved Prophet ﷺ said: «اقْسِمْهُ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ» Meaning: “Distribute these hairs among the people.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith 1305) In Faydan Riyad al-Salihin, while explaining this blessed Hadith, it is written that the name of the person who shaved the blessed hair of the Noble Prophet ﷺ was Sayyiduna Ma'mar ibn Abdullah. He belonged to the Quraysh tribe, from the ‘Adawi clan, and was among the early Muslims. When Sayyiduna Ma‘mar رضي الله عنه came forward and began shaving the blessed hair while holding the razor, the Noble Prophet ﷺ said: “O Ma‘mar! The Messenger of Allah has entrusted you with access to his earlobe while there is a razor in your hand.” Meaning: “Be careful and appreciate the value of this great blessing.” Sayyiduna Ma‘mar رضي الله عنه replied: “Indeed, this is among the blessings of Allah Almighty and His favor upon me.” The Noble Prophet ﷺ then said: “Yes, indeed it is so.”

The blessed Hadith mentions that after the Noble Prophet ﷺ had his blessed hair shaved, he called Sayyiduna Abu Talhah and gave him the blessed hairs, instructing him to distribute them among the people. The famous commentator, great Muhaddith, and Hakim al-Ummah, Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi علیہ رحمۃ says: “On this occasion, the Noble Prophet ﷺ also distributed his blessed nails among the people. These blessed hairs and nails were distributed as sacred relics (tabarrukat). Some Companions took these blessed relics with them into their graves so that the difficulties of the grave might become easier for them, such as Sayyiduna Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, Sayyiduna Amr ibn al-As, and others. Some Companions left these relics behind so that Muslims could continue visiting and honoring them until the Day of Judgment. Thus, even today, these blessed hairs are preserved in various places and people continue to visit them. The Noble Companions would dip these blessed hairs in water and drink it as a means of cure.” From this Hadith, several rulings are understood: 1. Human hair remains pure even after being separated from the body. 2. Allah Almighty preserved some parts of the blessed body of the Noble Prophet ﷺ. 3. Preserving the blessed relics of the righteous—especially the blessed hair and nails of the Noble Prophet ﷺ—visiting them, seeking blessings and healing through them, making supplication through their tawassul (reference), and even taking them into the grave are all permissible and commendable acts, because these relics were distributed for such purposes. (Faydan Riyad al-Salihin, Hadith 7279)

The Beloved Prophet’s ﷺ Umrahs After the Hijrah, the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed four Umrahs. One of these Umrahs was performed together with Hajj, and this was the Umrah of 10 AH. In 6 AH, before the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Beloved Prophet ﷺ had already entered into the state of Ihram for Umrah. However, according to the terms of the treaty, he ﷺ ended the Ihram without performing the Umrah. Then, according to the agreement, he ﷺ performed its compensation (‘Umrat al-Qada’) the following year. Although the Beloved Prophet ﷺ was unable to physically perform the Umrah during the year of Hudaybiyyah, it was still counted as an Umrah because he ﷺ had already made the intention for it, and the reward of Umrah had been granted to him ﷺ. Therefore, this Umrah is also included among the Beloved Prophet’s ﷺ Umrahs. These make three Umrahs. For all three of them, the Noble Prophet ﷺ entered into Ihram from the Miqat of “Dhul-Hulayfah,” which lies on the route from Madinah. The fourth Umrah was performed in 8 AH, and for this Umrah, the Noble Prophet ﷺ entered into Ihram from Masjid Ji‘ranah. The First Umrah The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and the Ihram for Umrah The complete and detailed account from Tafsir Sirat al-Jinan: Hudaybiyyah is the name of a well located near Makkah al-Mukarramah. The Beloved Prophet ﷺ saw a dream in which he ﷺ entered Makkah al-Mukarramah peacefully along with his noble Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم. Some of them had shaved their heads while others had trimmed their hair. He ﷺ also entered the Holy Ka‘bah, took its key, performed Tawaf, and completed Umrah. When the Noble Prophet ﷺ informed the Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم about this dream, they became overjoyed. Then the Beloved Prophet ﷺ intended to perform Umrah and departed on the 1st of Dhul-Qa‘dah, 6 AH, along with 1,400 noble Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم. Upon reaching Dhul-Hulayfah, he ﷺ prayed two Rak‘ahs in the mosque there and entered into the state of Ihram for Umrah. Most of the Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم also entered into Ihram with him ﷺ, while some entered into Ihram from Juhfah. During the journey, the water supply ran out. The Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم submitted: “There is no water left in the caravan except a little in the vessel of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” The Noble Prophet ﷺ placed his blessed hand into the vessel, and springs of water began to gush forth from his blessed fingers. The entire caravan drank from it and performed Wudu. When they reached the place called ‘Usfan, news arrived that the Quraysh had fully prepared themselves for war. Later, when they reached Hudaybiyyah, the water again ran out to the extent that not even a single drop remained with the caravan, while the heat was also extremely intense. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ rinsed his blessed mouth into the well, and by its blessing, the well overflowed with water. Everyone drank from it, and the camels were also watered. At this point, the Quraysh sent several people to investigate the situation. All of them returned and reported that the Noble Prophet ﷺ had only come to perform Umrah and had no intention of war. Yet the Quraysh still did not believe this. Finally, they sent ‘Urwah ibn Mas‘ud Thaqafi to determine the reality of the matter. He was a great leader of Ta’if and among the wealthiest Arabs. When he arrived, he witnessed that whenever the Beloved Prophet ﷺ washed his blessed hands, the Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم would rush to collect the blessed water as a means of blessing. If even a little blessed saliva fell, they would try to obtain it, and whoever received it would wipe it over his face and body for blessings. No blessed hair from the sacred body of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ was allowed to fall unnoticed. Whenever one became separated, the Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم would take it with immense reverence and value it more than their own lives. Whenever the Beloved Prophet ﷺ spoke, everyone became silent. Out of deep respect and reverence for him ﷺ, no one would even raise his gaze toward him. ‘Urwah returned to the Quraysh and said: “I have visited the courts of the kings of Persia, Rome, and Egypt, but I have never seen any king honored by his people the way Muhammad ﷺ is honored by his Companions. I fear that you will not succeed against them.” The Quraysh replied: “Do not say such things. We will send them back this year, and they may return next year.” ‘Urwah responded: “I fear that some calamity may befall you.” He then returned to Ta’if with his companions. After this incident, Allah Almighty blessed him with Islam. At this very place, the Noble Prophet ﷺ took the pledge of allegiance from his Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم. This pledge is known as “Bay‘at al-Ridwan.” When the Quraysh learned of this pledge, they became frightened, and their advisors concluded that making peace would be the wisest decision. Consequently, the treaty was written, and it was agreed that the Noble Prophet ﷺ would come the following year. This treaty proved extremely beneficial for the Muslims and, in terms of its results, became a great victory. (Tafsir Sirat al-Jinan, Surah al-Fath, Verse 1) After the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was finalized, the Noble Prophet ﷺ ended his Ihram without performing the Umrah.

The Second Umrah

‘Umrat al-Qada and the Sunnah of Ramal One of the conditions of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was that the following year the Noble Prophet ﷺ would come to Makkah to perform Umrah and would remain there for three days. In accordance with this agreement, in the month of Dhul-Qa‘dah, 7 AH, the Beloved Prophet ﷺ decided to travel to Makkah for Umrah. He ﷺ announced that all those who had participated in Hudaybiyyah the previous year should accompany him. Thus, except for those who had been martyred or had passed away during the Battle of Khaybar, all attained the honor of joining this blessed journey. Since the Noble Prophet ﷺ did not fully trust that the Quraysh of Makkah would honor their agreement, he ﷺ departed with complete military preparation. Before leaving, he ﷺ appointed Sayyiduna Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله تعالى عنه as governor of Madinah. Then he ﷺ set out for Makkah with two thousand Muslims, among whom one hundred were mounted horsemen. Sixty camels were also taken along for sacrifice. When the Quraysh learned that the Beloved Prophet ﷺ was approaching Makkah with weapons and military equipment, they became very anxious and sent several men to Marr al-Zahran to investigate the situation. Sayyiduna Muhammad ibn Maslamah رضي الله تعالى عنه, who was the commander of the cavalry, met the messengers of Quraysh and reassured them that the Noble Prophet ﷺ would enter Makkah without weapons, according to the conditions of the treaty. Hearing this, the Quraysh became satisfied. When the Beloved Prophet ﷺ reached the place called Yajaj, which was eight miles from Makkah, all weapons were left there. A group of noble Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم was appointed under the leadership of Sayyiduna Bashir ibn Sa‘d رضي الله تعالى عنه to guard them. The Noble Prophet ﷺ kept nothing with him except a sword and proceeded toward the Haram while reciting the Talbiyah together with the Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم. As they were about to enter Makkah, the poet of the Prophetic court, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Rawahah رضي الله تعالى عنه, walked ahead holding the reins of the Beloved Prophet’s ﷺ camel and passionately recited these verses loudly: *خَلُّوْا بَنِی الْکُفَّارِ عَنْ سَبِیْلِہٖ* *اَلْیَوْمَ نَضْرِبُکُمْ عَلٰی تَنْزِیْلِہٖ* “O sons of the disbelievers! Move out of his way. Today, if you prevent him from entering, we shall strike you with the sword for opposing the Revelation.” *ضَرْبًا یُّزِیْلُ الْھَامَ عَنْ مَقِیْلِہٖ* *وَیُذْھِلُ الْخَلِیْلَ عَنْ خَلِیْلِہٖ* “We shall strike such blows that heads will be separated from their resting places, And a friend will forget his beloved companion.” Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله تعالى عنه objected and said: “O ‘Abdullah ibn Rawahah! Are you reciting poetry ahead of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and within the Sacred Sanctuary of Allah?” The Noble Prophet ﷺ replied: “O ‘Umar! Leave him, for these verses are more piercing upon the disbelievers than arrows.” (Shama’il al-Tirmidhi, p. 17; Zarqani, vol. 2, pp. 255–257) When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the Sacred Haram of the Ka‘bah, some of the Quraysh were so consumed by jealousy that they could not bear the sight and went up into the mountains. Others stood near Dar al-Nadwah (their council house), staring wide-eyed at the Muslims intoxicated with the love of Tawhid and Risalah as they performed Tawaf. They mocked among themselves, saying: “How will these Muslims perform Tawaf? Hunger and the fever of Madinah have weakened them completely.” Upon entering Masjid al-Haram, the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed Idtiba‘, meaning that he ﷺ draped his upper cloth in such a way that his blessed right shoulder and arm remained uncovered. Then the Beloved Prophet ﷺ said: “May Allah shower mercy upon the one who displays his strength before these disbelievers.” Thereafter, during the first three circuits of Tawaf, the Noble Prophet ﷺ and his Companions رضي الله تعالى عنهم walked briskly with forceful movements and vigor, moving their shoulders energetically. In Arabic, this is called Ramal. This Sunnah remains established to this day and will remain until the Day of Judgment: every person performing Tawaf of the Ka‘bah performs Ramal during the first three circuits of Tawaf. (Sirat Mustafa, citing Sahih al-Bukhari, p. 397, Maktabat al-Madinah)

The Third Umrah

The Beloved Prophet ﷺ Performing Umrah from Ji‘ranah Ji‘ranah is located approximately 26 kilometers from Makkah al-Mukarramah زادها الله شرفًا وتعظيمًا on the route toward Ta’if. You too should enter into the state of Ihram for Umrah from here, because after the Conquest of Makkah and upon returning from the victory of Ta’if, our Beloved Prophet ﷺ entered into Ihram for Umrah from this very place. Yusuf ibn Mahak عليه رحمة الله الخالق narrates that three hundred Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام entered into Ihram for Umrah from Ji‘ranah. The Noble Prophet ﷺ planted his blessed staff into the ground at Ji‘ranah, from which a spring of water gushed forth that was extremely cool and sweet. (Balad al-Amin, p. 221; Akhbar Makkah, vol. 5, pp. 62, 69) It is well known that a well now exists at that place. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله تعالى عنهما states that the Noble Prophet ﷺ stayed here upon returning from Ta’if and also distributed the war booty at this location. The Beloved Prophet ﷺ entered into Ihram for Umrah from here on the 28th of Shawwal al-Mukarram. (Balad al-Amin, pp. 220–221) This place is named after a woman from Quraysh whose title was Ji‘ranah. (Ibid., p. 137) Common people refer to this place as “the Big Umrah”. This is an extremely emotional and spiritually moving place. Sayyiduna Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haqq Muhaddith Dehlawi عليه رحمة الله القوي narrates in Akhbar al-Akhyar that his spiritual guide and master, Sayyiduna Shaykh ‘Abd al-Wahhab Muttaqi عليه رحمة الله القوي, strongly advised him: “Whenever you get the opportunity, definitely enter into Ihram for Umrah from Ji‘ranah, for this is such a blessed place that within a short portion of a single night here, I saw the Beloved Prophet ﷺ in a dream more than one hundred times.” Alhamdulillahi ‘ala Ihsanihi. It was also the regular practice of Sayyiduna Shaykh ‘Abd al-Wahhab Muttaqi عليه رحمة الله القوي that whenever he intended to enter into Ihram for Umrah, he would fast and travel on foot to Ji‘ranah. (Rafiq al-Haramayn) The Fourth Umrah This was the fourth Umrah performed by the Noble Prophet ﷺ in 10 AH when he entered into Ihram for Hajj al-Qiran. Its details have already been mentioned earlier.

The Farewell Sermon exists in the books of Hadith, Seerah, and Islamic history through narrations reported by different narrators. Some scholars even compiled these narrations into separate books dedicated specifically to the Farewell Sermon. It is called the “Farewell Sermon” because this was the final Hajj of the Noble Prophet ﷺ, and after migration (Hijrah), this was the only Hajj he performed. The Beloved Prophet ﷺ himself had foretold at various occasions that this would be his final Hajj. For example, when he appointed Muadh ibn Jabal as governor and sent him to Yemen, he said to him: يَا مُعَاذُ اِنَّكَ عَسىٰ اَنْ لَا تَلْقَانِي بَعْدَ عَامِي هَذَا وَلَعَلَّكَ اَن تَمُرَّ بِمَسْجِدِي هَذَا وَقَبْرِي “O Muadh! Perhaps you will not meet me after this year of mine, and perhaps you will pass by this mosque of mine and my grave.” Upon hearing this, Muadh ibn Jabal began to weep out of grief over separation from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. ( Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 22052 ) Come! Let us understand the precious counsels given by the Noble Prophet ﷺ in the Farewell Sermon and strive to implement them in our lives.

Fulfilling the Rights of Allah

Sayyiduna Abu Umamah رضی اللہ عنہ narrates that in the Farewell Sermon, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Fear your Lord, perform the five daily prayers, fast during Ramadan, pay the Zakah of your wealth, and obey those in authority over you; then you will enter the Paradise of your Lord.” ( Jami at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 606 )

The Lesson of Human Equality

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, after praising and glorifying Allah, said: “Indeed, Allah Almighty says: ‘O people! We have indeed created you from one man and one woman, and have made you into various nations and tribes that you may recognize one another. Indeed, the most honorable amongst you, according to Allah, is the one who is most pious amongst you.’” (Para 26, Surah Al-Hujurat, Verse 13) Then he ﷺ said: “No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab. Neither does a white person have superiority over a black person, nor a black person over a white person—except through piety (taqwa).” ( Al-Mujam al-Kabir, Hadith 16 )

The Sanctity of Life and Wealth

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in the sermon of the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr): “Indeed, your blood, your wealth” — one narrator says that he perhaps also said — “and your honor are sacred to one another, just as this day of yours is sacred, in this city (Makkah), and in this month (Dhul Hijjah). Soon you will meet your Lord, and He will question you regarding your deeds.” ( Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4406 )

The Rights of Husband and Wife

In the narration of Sayyiduna Amr bin Ahwas, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in the Farewell Sermon: “Listen carefully! Indeed, your women have rights over you, and you also have rights over your women. Your right over them is that they protect their honor and do not allow into your homes anyone whom you dislike. Listen carefully! Their right over you is that you provide them with good food and good clothing.” ( Jami at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1166 )

The Best Means of Remaining on the Straight Path

Sayyiduna Jabir ibn Abdullah narrates that on the Day of Arafah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ delivered a sermon while seated upon his she-camel, Qaswa. He ﷺ said: “O people! Indeed, I am leaving among you that which, if you hold firmly to it, you will never go astray: The Book of Allah and my Ahl al-Bayt.” ( Jami at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3811 )

Conveying the Message of Prophethood to Others

At the end of the sermon on the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “So let the one who is present convey (my message) to the one who is absent, for many times the person to whom the message is conveyed preserves it better than the one who originally heard it.” ( Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1741 )

The Command to Remain Steadfast

After giving advice and admonition in the sermon of Yawm al-Nahr, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “So after me, do not return to the ways of disbelief, such that you begin killing one another.” ( Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1739 )

Bearing Witness to the Conveyance of the Divine Message

In the narration of Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah, it is reported that after the sermon, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “O people! You will be asked about me, so what will you say?” The people replied: “We bear witness that you indeed conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, and gave sincere counsel.” Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his blessed index finger toward the sky and, pointing toward the people, said: “O Allah, bear witness! O Allah, bear witness!” He repeated this three times. ( Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2950 )