Today, our topic of discussion is the Farewell Hajj. In this regard, Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.
(Quran 3:96-97)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) performed Hajj in the tenth year of the Hijrah. During this Hajj, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his final speech to the Muslim nation. Hajj was performed only once from Medina and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went for Hajj riding a camel. He performed Hajj normally. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explained the rules of Hajj to the Muslims and when he was on the plain of Arafat, Allah revealed this verse:
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
(Quran 5:3)
When it was revealed, the companions began to cry because they realized that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would not be among them for much longer. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) first touched the Kaaba and then he circumambulated it three times at a rapid pace. The next five times were generally. Then he recited this verse of the Quran:
And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], “Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].”
(Quran 2:125)
Then he prayed between the Kaaba and the Maqam Ibrahim. Then he touched the black stone again and kissed it. Then he started walking towards Safa and Marwa and started reciting the following verse:
Those who do not know say, “Why does Allah not speak to us or there come to us a sign?” Thus spoke those before them like their words. Their hearts resemble each other. We have shown clearly the signs to a people who are certain [in faith].
(Quran 2:118)
Then he ran between the mountains of Safa and Marwa seven times. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to the plain of Arafat, where a tent had been pitched for him. Then he rode a camel to the valley called Urana and gave a speech to the people present there. Which was known as the Farewell Hajj Speech.
‘O people! Your blood and your wealth are sacred to one another, just as this day, this month, and this city are sacred to you.’ (i.e., it is forbidden to destroy its honor.) ‘Listen, everything of the pre-Islamic period has been trampled under my feet. All the blood claims of the pre-Islamic period have been abandoned. The first of our blood claims that I abandon is the blood of the infant son of Rabi’ah ibn al-Harith ibn Abdul-Muttalib, who was suckling in the tribe of Banu Sa’d and was killed by the people of Hudhayl.’ ‘All usury of the pre-Islamic period has been abandoned. The first of our usury that I terminate is the usury due to (my uncle) Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib. All of it has been annulled. ‘Fear Allah regarding women. You have taken them as a trust from Allah and have made them lawful for you by the word of Allah. Your right over them is that they should not let anyone you dislike tread on your beds. If they do that, then you should beat them without any grievousness. And their right over you is to provide them with good food and clothing.’ ‘And know that I am leaving among you something which, if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray. That is the Book of Allah.’ ‘And you will be asked about me. What will you say? The people said, ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed everything, fulfilled (the trust of the Messengership) and advised.’ Then he raised his finger towards the sky and then lowered it towards the assembled people and said, ‘O Allah! Be a witness.’
“Shall I not inform you about the believer? He is the one from whose hands the wealth and lives of others are safe. And the Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands others are safe. And the Mujahid is the one who devotes himself entirely to the obedience of Allah, and the Muhajir is the one who abandons all kinds of injustice and sinful deeds.”
Remember! I will reach the Pool of Kauthar before you all. And I will boast of your superiority over all other nations. So do not stain my face with black. Remember! I will free many on that Day and many will be freed from me on that Day. Then I will say, ‘My Lord! These are my companions.’ He will say, ‘You do not know how many innovations they invented (in Islam) after you.’
Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed and immediately after that this verse of the Quran was revealed:
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
(Quran 5:3)
Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) left Arafat. Then he set off towards Muzdah Fir. Then he stayed there. Then at dawn he set out for the Masha Al-Haram. After sunrise, he went to Jafra and threw the first stone at Satan. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went to the place of sacrifice and slaughtered 63 camels. Then he asked Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to slaughter the remaining 27 camels. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had his head shaved by a barber. Then he returned to Mecca and completed the Tawaf. He drank water from the Zamzam well and then went to Mina. Then he delivered a sermon on the day of Eid and the following day. He stayed in Mina for three days and performed his farewell Tawaf.
