The Prophet's Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada)

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

On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, standing at Arafah on his camel, the Prophet delivered the Farewell Sermon — one of the most significant addresses in human history. 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.'

The Prophet performed every ritual of Hajj with meticulous care, knowing it would serve as the permanent model. He prayed Dhuhr and Asr combined at Arafah, departed for Muzdalifah after sunset, combined Maghrib and Isha there, collected pebbles, departed after Fajr for Mina, stoned the large Jamarat with seven pebbles, supervised the sacrifice of 100 camels (personally slaughtering 63), shaved his head, and performed Tawaf al-Ifadhah. When companions asked about performing rituals out of sequence, he consistently answered, 'Do it, there is no harm.' His flexibility established that the sequence of rituals on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah is recommended (sunnah) but not obligatory.

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' (Quran 5:3). When Umar ibn al-Khattab heard this verse, he wept, understanding that the perfection of the religion implied the Prophet's mission was nearing completion. This verse, revealed at the climactic moment of the only comprehensive Hajj the Prophet performed, creates an inseparable bond between Hajj and the completion of Islam itself.