حج

## The Context of the Farewell حج

In the tenth year after Hijrah (632 CE), Prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) announced his intention to perform حج. Word spread rapidly throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and Muslims from every region converged on مدینہ منورہ to accompany him. This would be his only حج since the conquest of مکہ مکرمہ — though he had performed عمرہ and had done حج before the Hijrah, this was the حج that would establish, once and for all, the definitive rituals for all future generations. نبی کریم seemed to sense that this would be his final حج, telling his companions, 'Learn your rituals from me, for I do not know whether I will be performing حج after this year' (Muslim).

## The Journey from مدینہ منورہ to مکہ مکرمہ

نبی کریم departed مدینہ منورہ 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 احرام at Dhul Hulayfah, the Miqat for residents of مدینہ منورہ. His تلبیہ 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 تلبیہ in unison, their voices filling the desert air. The journey to مکہ مکرمہ took approximately nine days.

## Arrival in مکہ مکرمہ and the Rituals

Upon arriving in مکہ مکرمہ on the 4th of Dhul Hijjah, نبی کریم went directly to مسجد الحرام and performed طواف al-Qudum (the arrival طواف). He then performed سعی between Safa and Marwah. He instructed those who had not brought a sacrificial animal (Hadi) with them to exit احرام after عمرہ and re-enter it for حج on the 8th — establishing the حج al-Tamattu method. Those who had brought their Hadi (including نبی کریم himself, who had brought 100 camels) remained in احرام. He spent the days between the 4th and 8th in مکہ مکرمہ, teaching, answering questions, and preparing for the main حج days.

## The Day of Arafah and the Farewell Sermon

On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, نبی کریم 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 نبی کریم stood in دعا 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' (قرآن 5:3). When Umar ibn al-Khattab heard this verse, he wept, understanding that the perfection of the religion implied نبی کریم's mission — and life — was nearing completion. نبی کریم spent the remainder of the afternoon in intense دعا, 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 حج of نبی کریم's ministry in مدینہ منورہ, underscores the inseparable connection between حج and the completion of Islam.

## The Remaining Rituals

After sunset, نبی کریم departed Arafah for مزدلفہ, where he combined Maghrib and Isha نمازs and spent the night. He collected pebbles for the stoning and departed after Fajr for منیٰ. At the جمرات, 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 مکہ مکرمہ for طواف 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

نبی کریم Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) passed away approximately 80 days after the Farewell حج, on the 12th of Rabi ul-Awwal, 11 AH. His حج became the definitive model — every movement, every دعا, every instruction was meticulously preserved by the companions and transmitted through chains of narration that remain the basis of حج 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 حاجی who stands at Arafah stands where نبی کریم stood, recites what نبی کریم recited, and seeks what نبی کریم sought: the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. The farewell was for نبی کریم; the invitation is forever.