الحج

In the tenth year after Hijrah (632 CE), Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) announced his intention to perform الحج. Muslims from across the Arabian Peninsula converged on المدينة to accompany him. He departed on the 25th of Dhul Qa'dah, entering الإحرام at Dhul Hulayfah with the التلبية: 'Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk.' Historical estimates place the number of companions at 90,000 to over 124,000. النبي seemed to sense this would be his final الحج, telling his companions repeatedly: 'Learn your rituals from me, for I do not know whether I will be performing الحج after this year.' He passed away approximately 80 days later.

On the 9th of ذو الحجة, standing at Arafah on his camel, النبي delivered the Farewell Sermon — one of the most significant addresses in human تاريخ. He declared: 'All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black over a white — except by piety and good action.' He abolished usury, declared the sanctity of every Muslim's blood, property, and honor, enjoined the rights of women, and reminded the community of their accountability before Allah. He concluded by asking the vast assembly: 'Have I conveyed the message?' When they affirmed, he said, 'O Allah, bear witness.'

النبي performed every ritual of الحج with meticulous care, knowing it would serve as the permanent model. He prayed Dhuhr and Asr combined at Arafah, departed for مزدلفة after sunset, combined Maghrib and Isha there, collected pebbles, departed after Fajr for منى, stoned the large الجمرات with seven pebbles, supervised the sacrifice of 100 camels (personally slaughtering 63), shaved his head, and performed الطواف al-Ifadhah. When companions asked about performing rituals out of sequence, he consistently answered, 'Do it, there is no harm.' His flexibility أُسس that the sequence of rituals on the 10th of ذو الحجة is مستحب (سنة) but not واجب.

During the afternoon of Arafah, a momentous verse was revealed: 'This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion' (القرآن 5:3). When Umar ibn al-Khattab heard this verse, he wept, understanding that the perfection of the religion implied النبي's mission was nearing completion. This verse, revealed at the climactic moment of the only comprehensive الحج النبي performed, creates an inseparable bond between الحج and the completion of Islam itself.