হজ্জ

## The Context of the Farewell হজ্জ

In the tenth year after Hijrah (632 CE), Prophet Muhammad (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) announced his intention to perform হজ্জ. Word spread rapidly throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and Muslims from every region converged on মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা to accompany him. This would be his only হজ্জ since the conquest of মক্কা মুকাররমা — though he had performed উমরাহ and had done হজ্জ before the Hijrah, this was the হজ্জ that would establish, once and for all, the definitive rituals for all future generations. নবী করীম seemed to sense that this would be his final হজ্জ, telling his companions, 'Learn your rituals from me, for I do not know whether I will be performing হজ্জ after this year' (Muslim).

## The Journey from মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা to মক্কা মুকাররমা

নবী করীম departed মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা on the 25th of Dhul Qa'dah, accompanied by his wives and an enormous gathering of companions — historical estimates range from 90,000 to over 124,000 people. He traveled on his she-camel, al-Qaswa, and entered the state of ইহরাম at Dhul Hulayfah, the Miqat for residents of মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা. His তালবিয়াহ was heard clearly: 'Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la shareeka laka Labbayk, Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la shareeka lak.' The companions echoed the তালবিয়াহ in unison, their voices filling the desert air. The journey to মক্কা মুকাররমা took approximately nine days.

## Arrival in মক্কা মুকাররমা and the Rituals

Upon arriving in মক্কা মুকাররমা on the 4th of Dhul Hijjah, নবী করীম went directly to মসজিদুল হারাম and performed তাওয়াফ al-Qudum (the arrival তাওয়াফ). He then performed সাঈ between Safa and Marwah. He instructed those who had not brought a sacrificial animal (Hadi) with them to exit ইহরাম after উমরাহ and re-enter it for হজ্জ on the 8th — establishing the হজ্জ al-Tamattu method. Those who had brought their Hadi (including নবী করীম himself, who had brought 100 camels) remained in ইহরাম. He spent the days between the 4th and 8th in মক্কা মুকাররমা, teaching, answering questions, and preparing for the main হজ্জ days.

## The Day of Arafah and the Farewell Sermon

On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, নবী করীম rode to Arafah and delivered his Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada) from the mount known as Jabal al-Rahmah, seated on his camel. Relay callers repeated his words so the vast multitude could hear. The sermon addressed the most fundamental principles of Islam and human civilization. He declared: 'All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white — except by piety and good action.' He abolished the practices of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), forbade usury, enjoined the rights of women, and declared the sanctity of every Muslim's blood, property, and honor.

## The Revelation That Completed the Religion

During the afternoon of Arafah, as নবী করীম stood in দোয়া with tears streaming down his face, 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' (কুরআন 5:3). When Umar ibn al-Khattab heard this verse, he wept, understanding that the perfection of the religion implied নবী করীম's mission — and life — was nearing completion. নবী করীম spent the remainder of the afternoon in intense dua, raising his hands toward the sky, his face reflecting both deep peace and profound urgency. This was the last major revelation, and its timing on the Day of Arafah, during the only হজ্জ of নবী করীম's ministry in মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা, underscores the inseparable connection between হজ্জ and the completion of Islam.

## The Remaining Rituals

After sunset, নবী করীম departed Arafah for মুযদালিফা, where he combined Maghrib and Isha সালাতs and spent the night. He collected pebbles for the stoning and departed after Fajr for মিনা. At the জামারাত, he stoned the large pillar with seven pebbles. He then supervised the sacrifice of his 100 camels, personally slaughtering 63 with his own hands (one for each year of his life) and delegating the remainder to Ali ibn Abi Talib. After shaving his head, he proceeded to মক্কা মুকাররমা for তাওয়াফ al-Ifadhah. He performed all rituals with deliberate care, explaining each step, answering questions, and showing remarkable flexibility — when asked about performing rituals out of sequence, he repeatedly answered, 'Do it, there is no harm.'

## The Eternal Legacy

নবী করীম Muhammad (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) passed away approximately 80 days after the Farewell হজ্জ, on the 12th of Rabi ul-Awwal, 11 AH. His হজ্জ became the definitive model — every movement, every dua, every instruction was meticulously preserved by the companions and transmitted through chains of narration that remain the basis of হজ্জ fiqh today. The Farewell Sermon remains one of the most significant addresses in human history, anticipating modern declarations of human rights by over a millennium. Every হাজী who stands at Arafah stands where নবী করীম stood, recites what নবী করীম recited, and seeks what নবী করীম sought: the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. The farewell was for নবী করীম; the invitation is forever.