## The Context of the Farewell Hac
In the tenth year after Hijrah (632 CE), Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) announced his intention to perform Hac. Word spread rapidly throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and Muslims from every region converged on Medine to accompany him. This would be his only Hac since the conquest of Mekke — though he had performed Umre and had done Hac before the Hijrah, this was the hac ibadeti that would establish, once and for all, the definitive rituals for all future generations. Hz. Peygamber seemed to sense that this would be his final hac ibadeti, telling his companions, 'Learn your rituals from me, for I do not know whether I will be performing Hac after this year' (Muslim).
## The Journey from Medine to Mekke
Hz. Peygamber departed Medine 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 Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah, the Miqat for residents of Medine. His Telbiye 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 Telbiye in unison, their voices filling the desert air. The journey to Mekke took approximately nine days.
## Arrival in Mekke and the Rituals
Upon arriving in Mekke on the 4th of Dhul Hijjah, Hz. Peygamber went directly to Mescid-i Haram and performed Tavaf al-Qudum (the arrival Tavaf). He then performed Say between Safa and Marwah. He instructed those who had not brought a sacrificial animal (Hadi) with them to exit Ihram after Umre and re-enter it for Hac on the 8th — establishing the Hac al-Tamattu method. Those who had brought their Hadi (including Hz. Peygamber himself, who had brought 100 camels) remained in Ihram. He spent the days between the 4th and 8th in Mekke, teaching, answering questions, and preparing for the main Hac days.
## The Day of Arafah and the Farewell Sermon
On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, Hz. Peygamber 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 Hz. Peygamber stood in dua 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' (Kur'an 5:3). When Umar ibn al-Khattab heard this verse, he wept, understanding that the perfection of the religion implied Hz. Peygamber's mission — and life — was nearing completion. Hz. Peygamber 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 Hac of Hz. Peygamber's ministry in Medine, underscores the inseparable connection between Hac and the completion of Islam.
## The Remaining Rituals
After sunset, Hz. Peygamber departed Arafah for Muzdelife, where he combined Maghrib and Isha namazs and spent the night. He collected pebbles for the stoning and departed after Fajr for Mina. At the Cemerat, 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 Mekke for Tavaf 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
Hz. Peygamber Muhammad (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) passed away approximately 80 days after the Farewell Hac, on the 12th of Rabi ul-Awwal, 11 AH. His Hac 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 Hac 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 haci who stands at Arafah stands where Hz. Peygamber stood, recites what Hz. Peygamber recited, and seeks what Hz. Peygamber sought: the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. The farewell was for Hz. Peygamber; the invitation is forever.