The Farewell Pilgrimage

Hajj is a collective ritual that is fulfilled by the Muslims with the intent of achieving unity and accord among them. This Islamic congress is effective on strengthening the relations among the Muslims to solve the difficulties by cooperation and helping each other to better their political economic relations. However, regretfully, nowadays the Muslims do not get the benefit of what the Holy Lawgiver willed for them. It is because of the negligence of some leaders of the Islamic countries.

At any rate, on the return of the sacred month of pilgrimage, the Prophet, under the presentiment of his approaching end, determined to make a farewell pilgrimage to Mecca. According to the Prophet’s command, all the tribes of Arabia were informed that if they wished to take part in Hajj with the Prophet they should gathered in Medina. In February 632 A.D., he left Medina with a very considerable concourse of Muslims. It is stated that from ninety thousand to one hundred and forty thousand people accompanied the Prophet.

It was a didactic journey, neither military nor politico-economic. The Prophet gave his noteworthy lecture to the people when he arrived at Arafat (a sacred place in Mecca).

In Ghadir Khumm

After completing his last pilgrimage (Hajjatul-Wada’), the Prophet (S) was leaving Mecca toward Medina, where he and the crowd of people reached a place known as Ghadir Khumm (which is close to today’s al-Juhfah). It was a place, where people from different provinces used to greet each other before taking different routes for their homes.

In this place, the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed, “O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you do not do it, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people ....” (Qur’an; 5:67)

The last sentence in the above verse indicates that the Prophet was mindful of the reaction of his people in delivering that message but Allah informs him not to worry, for He will protect His Messenger from people.

Upon receiving the verse, the Prophet stopped on that place (the pond of Khumm) which was extremely hot. Then he sent for all people who have been ahead in the way, to come back and waited until all pilgrims who fell behind, arrived and gathered. He ordered Salman to use rocks and camel saddles to make a pulpit (minbar) so he could make his announcement. It was around noontime in the first of the fall, and due to the extreme heat in that valley, people were wrapping their robes around their feet and legs and were sitting around the pulpit, on the hot rocks.

In this day, the Messenger of Allah spent approximately five hours in this place. He reminded and warned people of their deeds and future. Then he gave them a long speech. The following is a part of his speech:

The Messenger of Allah declared, “It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious things and if you adhere to them both, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my Progeny that is my Ahlul Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise).”

Then the Messenger of Allah continued: “Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?” People cried and answered, “Yes, O’ Messenger of Allah.”

Then the Prophet held up the hand of Ali and said, “Who is more authorized and rightful to the believers than themselves?” All replied, “Allah and His messenger are more aware.”

The Prophet said, “Allah is my master and I am the master of believers, and I am more authorized and rightful than themselves! Beware, O People! Whoever I am his master (mawla) and authority, this Ali will be his master and authority (mawla). O Allah, be friend with whoever is friend with Ali and be an enemy with whoever is an enemy of Ali. Help whoever helps him, and leave whoever leaves him, make him the criteria of right!”

Immediately after the Prophet finished his speech, the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed, “Today I have perfected your religion and completed my favor upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion.” (Qur’an; 5:3)1

The Story Of Mubahila

The Story of Mubahila2

There was a flourishing country between Arabia and Yemen named Najran where the Christians were living at that time. The Prophet of Islam sent a letter to them for preaching purposes like the letters that had been sent to the rulers of the adjoining countries formerly. The bishop of Najran named Abu-Harithah put the matter for discussion before the great religionists.

A man of mind and intelligence named Shurahbeel, in reply to the bishop, said, “We have heard our religious leaders saying that someday the Prophet-hood would be transferred from Isaac’s generation to the sons of Ishmael. Therefore, we should not be surprised that Muhammad, who was one of the descendants of Ishmael, might be the very Prophet, whom our fore great religionists had informed of. I propose that a mission of some wise men is to be sent to Medina to consider what Muhammad claims. It seems to be reasonable.”

The mission arrived at Medina and went straight to the mosque. The Prophet welcomed them warmly and then they began their negotiation. The argument was as the following:

The Prophet said, “I just summon you to monotheism and I want you to obey Allah and to put His commandments into practice.” The mission said, “If Islam invited people to godliness recently, it was a long time that we have worshiped Allah and His obedience was obligatory on us.

The Prophet said, “How do you obey the unique Allah whereas you pay homage to the cross and you pretend that Allah has begotten a son?” The mission answered, “We worship Jesus as a God because he had restored dead persons to life and he had cured sick and paralytic people. He made some birds of mud and made them fly. He could do all these things.”

The Prophet expressed, “No, it is not right. Jesus Christ was a sincere servant of Allah and he was put into the womb of Holy Mary. This miracle was done by the Divine will to make people believe in Him.” The mission replied, “Since nobody had married his mother, hereon God would certainly be his father.”

A Qur’anic verse was revealed at this moment; “Surely the likeness of Jesus is with Allah as the likeness of Adam; He created him from dust, then He said to him: Be, and he was.” (Qur’an; 3:59)

The Prophet continued: “The situation of Holy Christ is similar to Adam, whom Allah has created him without parents. If non-existence of the father is the reason of Godhead, so Adam must be obeyed as God since long ago.”

Anyhow, this disputation did not come to a conclusion, and they resolved that both sides should pray Allah that curse be upon the obstinate side. At the same time, the Prophet was inspired by a verse,

“But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say, Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars.” (Qur’an; 3:61)

The two parties made ready to determine the matter of praying for the curse of Allah to be on each other next day to show which party was right. The heads of the Christians said to each other, “Before we face the Prophet let us see that if he comes with his companions and chief commanders of his army, surely he is a liar. But if he brought his dear relatives, he has confidence in God and he is really a truthful person in his claims because he is ready to take his nearest kinfolk towards mortality.”

The Prophet selected four persons from his own family, who were the elects among all the Muslims; Fatimah his honorable daughter as his woman, and her two sons Hasan and Hussain as his own sons, and her husband Ali as the nearest man to him.

Next day when the Christians saw the Prophet coming with his family, they were surprised at the full and were convinced that Allah would respond to his prayer.

At last, the Christians did not agree to damn each other and it was decided that they were to pay a tribute (Jizya) to the Muslims in lieu of protecting their lives and wealth by the Islamic government from foreign aggressions.

Jizya (Per Capita Tax)

What does Jizya mean? Why did the Prophet ask Non-Muslims to pay Jizya?

Qur’an says, “Fight those who do not have faith in Allah …, until they pay the tribute (Jizya).” (Qur’an; 9:29)

In states ruled by Islamic law, jizya or jizyah was a per capita tax (tribute) imposed on free non-Muslim adult males who are neither old nor sick nor monks. It was in exchange for being allowed to practice their faith, subject to certain conditions, and to enjoy a measure of communal autonomy as well as being entitled to Muslim protection from outside aggression and being exempted from military service. In return for the tax, those who paid the jizya were permitted to keep their own religion. Their community was considered to be under the protection of the Muslim state, subject to their meeting certain conditions. Non-Muslims were also exempt from zakat, or mandatory charity paid by Muslims.

The Usama Army

The last year of Prophet Muhammad’s life was spent at Medina. There he settled the organization of the provincial and tribal communities, which had adopted Islam and become the component parts of the Muslims federation. More officers had to be deputed to the interior provinces for the purpose of teaching their inhabitants the precepts of the religion, administering justice, and collecting tax (Zakat).

A force was being prepared under Usama Ibn Zaid, whose father was killed at Muta, against the Byzantines, to exact the long-delayed reparation for the murder of the envoy to Syria. However, the news of the Prophet’s sickness and failing health caused that expedition to be stopped.

The Pretender

Mussaylamah was a pretender who gave himself out as a prophet. Haroun, better known as Mussaylamah, addressed to the Prophet a letter, which ran as follows: “From Mussaylamah the Prophet of Allah to Muhammad the Prophet of Allah. Peace be to you. I am your partner. Let the exercise of authority be divided between us. Half the earth will be mine, and half will belong to your Quraish. But the Quraish are too greedy to be satisfied with a just division.” To this letter, the Prophet replied as follows: “From Muhammad the Messenger of Allah to Mussaylamah the liar. Peace be to those who follow the right path. The earth belongs to Allah. It is He Who makes the reign whomsoever He pleases. Only those will prosper who fear the Lord.”

The Prophet’s Death

The Prophet (S) passed away in 632 A.D. (28 Safar, 11 Hijri3), in Medina while he was 63 years old.

A grave was dug in the ground within the house of his wife Aishah and under the bed on which the Prophet died. In this grave, the body was buried, and those who were present performed the usual rites.

Thus ended the glorious life of that Prophet Muhammad may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

The Appearance Of The Prophet

Umm Ma’bad Al-Khuza’iyah, describing the Messenger of Allah (S), who passed by her tent on his journey of migration, said to her husband:

“He was innocently bright and had broad countenance. Neither was his belly bulging out nor was his head deprived of hair. He had black attractive eyes finely arched by continuous eyebrows. His hair was glossy and black, inclined to curl. His voice was extremely commanding. His head was large, well formed, and set on a slender neck. His expression was pensive and contemplative, serene and sublime. The stranger was fascinated from the distance, but no sooner he became intimate with him than this fascination was changed into attachment and respect. His expression was very sweet and distinct. His speech was well set and free from the use of superfluous words as if it were a rosary of beads. His stature was neither too high nor too small to look repulsive. He was a twig amongst the two, singularly bright and fresh.

He was a master and a commander. His utterances were marked by truth and sincerity, free from all kinds of falsehoods and lies.”

Ali (peace be upon him) describing him said, “The Messenger of Allah (S) was neither excessively tall nor extremely short. He was medium height among his friends. His hair was neither curly nor wavy. It was in between. It was not too curly nor was it plain straight. It was both curly and wavy combined. His face was not swollen or meaty-compact. It was fairly rounded. His mouth was white. He had black and large eyes with longhaired eyelids. His joints (limbs) and shoulder joints were rather big. He had a rod-like little hair extending from his chest down to his navel, but the rest of his body was almost hairless. He had thick hand palms and thick fingers and toes. At walking, he lifted his feet off the ground as if he had been walking in a muddy remainder of water. When he turned, he turned all.

He is the Seal of Prophets, the most generous and the bravest of all. His speech was the most reliable. He was the keenest and the most attentive to people’s trust and was very careful to pay people’s due in full. He who has acquaintance with him will like him. He who describes him says: ʻI have never seen such a person neither before nor after seeing him’.”

The Important Events Of The Prophet’s Life (From His Birth To Death)

571 AD

Birth of Muhammad (S). He was born in Mecca (Makkah), the famed town of the Arabian Peninsula.

576 AD

The death of Aminah, Muhammad’s mother. He was barely 6 years old then and became an orphan. His grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib becomes his guardian.

578 AD

The death of his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib. His uncle Abu-Talib becomes his guardian.

582 AD

Travels to Syria where a Christian monk foretells his Prophet-hood.

595 AD

At the age of 25, Muhammad marries Khadijah, a noble and a wealthy woman.

602-609 AD

Dissatisfied with the oppression, immorality, and idolatry prevalent in the society, Muhammad used to go to a cave, known as cave of Hira on the Jabal-an-Noor (mountain of light) a few miles outside Mecca to meditate.

610 AD

Muhammad’s call to Prophethood in the Cave Hira. The angel Gabriel appears to him and orders him to read. The first verses (“Read, in the name of thy Lord, who created...”)4 are revealed.

613 AD

Beginning of public preaching. Beginning of persecution of Muslims by the powerful leaders of Quraish. Some Muslims are murdered (Yasir and his wife Summayah), some burnt and beaten on the scorching sands (Bilal, etc.) and some beaten and whipped (Ammar, etc.).

615 AD

Emigration of around 70 Muslims to Abyssinia to escape persecution and to seek refuge under the Christian King Negus.

616 AD

The Prophet’s uncle Hamza (peace be upon him) the great convert to Islam, boosting the morale of the Muslims. Seeing the Muslims gaining strength, the Quraish sign an edict to begin an economic social boycott of the Muslims and their protecting clans. The latter are secluded in a valley known as Shi’b Abi-Talib. The Muslims and the protecting clans go through untold pain and suffering.

619 AD

End of the boycott. The deaths of the Prophet’s wife, Khadijah and his Uncle, Abu-Talib – his two greatest supporters. The Isra’ and Mi`raj take place – Muhammad’s night journey to Jerusalem and then to the Heavens. Five times prayers (Salat) is ordained by Allah for all Muslims.

620 AD

Muhammad goes to Taif (south of Mecca) but is chased away by street urchins throwing stones at him. Six people from Yathrib (Medina) convert to Islam.

621 AD

The first Pledge of Aqabah by a group of 12 Muslims of Medina, promising to obey Prophet Muhammad. Prophet sends Mus`ab ibn Umayr to Medina to preach Islam.

622 AD

The second Pledge of Aqabah by a group of 72 Muslims of Medina, promising to stand by him even with their lives if so required. Musab has reported that every household but four have converted to Islam. Muslims of Medina invite Prophet to Medina.

622 AD

The Hijrah, (emigration to Medina) by the Prophet and his followers. Having seen to the safe exit of his followers, he was among the last to leave Mecca. This marks the start of the Islamic calendar. After his arrival, the Constitution of Medina is framed, outlining the rights and duties of the Muslims and the Jews within the Islamic State of Medina. The Prophet is recognized as the ruler, judge, and arbiter of the Islamic State of Medina.

624 AD

The Battle of Badr between 313 ill-equipped Muslims and 1000 well-equipped Quraish non-believers (Kuffar). The Muslims are victorious. Thirteen Muslims are martyred and prominent leaders of Quraish are killed (including Abu-Jahl, Utbah, Shaybah and Walid, leaders of the Quraish) or captured. Banu Qaynuqa`, one of the Jewish tribes are expelled from Medina for their breach of the constitution of Medina and a declaration of war on Muslims.

625 AD

The Battle of Uhud between 700 Muslims and 3000 Meccan Quraish. Ends in a statement with 72 Muslims martyred. 300 hypocrites desert Muslims. The second Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir expelled from Medina for their treachery and conspiracies to kill the Prophet and rebellion.

627 AD

The Battle of the Ditch (Khandaq). Medina besieged by 10,000 Meccans and their confederates for a month. A ditch dug by the Muslims prevents the advance of the enemy. Eventually, after some skirmishes, supplies running short, dissension arose in the enemy army ranks and the weather was bad. Siege was lifted. The men of the third Jewish tribe in Medina – Banu Qurayzah are executed according to a judgment of their own law for rebellion against the state of Medina. Their women and children are sold into slavery and move to the oasis of Khaybar.

628 AD

The Treaty of Hudaibiyah signed between the Muslims and Meccans with unfavorable terms towards Muslims. The treaty forced the Muslims to return to Medina without performing Umra (lesser pilgrimage). Other terms of the treaty set peace for 10 years between the Quraish and the Muslims and forcing any Quraishis henceforth who would convert to Islam to be given into the custody of the Quraish in Mecca. The Jews of the oasis of Khaybar prepare to invade Medina. The Muslims attack Khaybar and conquer it. The Prophet sends emissaries to all neighboring kings and emperors of the Middle East to accept Islam.

629 AD

As per the treaty of Hudaybiyah, Muslims go to perform Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage).

630 AD

Allies of the Meccans violate treaty of Hudaibiyah by attacking a clan that is allied to the Muslims. In retaliation, 10,000 Muslims march to Mecca and conquer it without shedding any blood. Abu-Sufyan and many other Meccan nobles accept Islam. With the conquest of Mecca, the tribe of Hawazin feel threatened and start amassing a force to subjugate the Muslims. Two months later, 12,000 Muslims face 30,000 Hawazin at Hunayn. After an initial setback, the Muslims are victorious.

630-2 AD

Deputations of tribes from all over Arabia come to pay allegiance to Prophet Muhammad in Medina. All of Arabia becomes part of the Islamic State.

631 AD

By this time, most of the Arabs all over Arabia have accepted Islam.

632 AD

The Farewell Hajj and the Farewell Address or Last Sermon delivered by the Prophet at Arafat.

632 AD

The completion of the Qur’an and the Prophet’s message in Ghadir Khom.

The death of Muhammad (S), the Last Messenger of Allah, in Medina at the age of 63.

• 1. This verse clearly indicates that Islam without clearing up matter of leadership after Prophet was not complete, and completion of religion was due to announcement of the Prophet’s immediate successor.
• 2. The Mubahila was an ancient way of ascertaining the truth. In a religious contest, each of the disputing parties was required to take a solemn oath that they were right and true, and called on God to wreak His vengeance on them if they lied. It was believed that in such cases, the liar was visited by the wrath of God and was destroyed.
• 3. Hijri/Hijrah: The Islamic calendar year.
• 4. Qur’an; 96:1-5.