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طريق حجة الوداع
The Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took place in 10 AH (632 CE). Setting out from المدينة with over 100,000 Muslims, النبي entered الإحرام at Dhul Hulayfah and performed every الحج rite, instructing the ummah: 'Take your rituals from me.' His Farewell Sermon at عرفة addressed human rights, equality, and the completion of Islam.
In Dhul Qi'dah 10 AH, النبي (PBUH) announced his intention to perform الحج. Over 100,000 Muslims joined him from across Arabia. He entered الإحرام at Dhul Hulayfah, arrived in مكة, performed الطواف and السعي, then proceeded to منى on the 8th of ذو الحجة. On the 9th, he stood at عرفة and delivered his Farewell Sermon, addressing the sanctity of life, property, and honor, women's rights, abolition of riba (usury), and racial equality. He performed every rite of الحج methodically, saying 'Take your rituals from me, for I do not know if I will perform الحج again after this year.' He passed away approximately 80 days later.
The Farewell Pilgrimage is the definitive model for all الحج rituals. النبي's instruction 'Take your rituals from me' أُسس every step of الحج as it is performed today. The Farewell Sermon is considered one of the greatest speeches in تاريخ, establishing principles of human rights and equality. It was during this الحج that the verse 'Today I have perfected for you your religion' (5:3) was revealed.
The Farewell Pilgrimage route follows the standard الحج route that millions retrace annually: المدينة to Dhul Hulayfah (الإحرام), مكة (الطواف, السعي), منى (8th), عرفة (9th), مزدلفة (night of 10th), منى (stoning and sacrifice, 10th-13th), and back to مكة (farewell الطواف). Every الحج الحاج essentially follows this same route. Understanding the prophetic الحج enriches every step of the modern الحج. Read about the Farewell الحج before departing to understand the أهمية of each location.