The Farewell Pilgrimage
The Farewell Pilgrimage (Arabic: Hujjat- al-wada') was the last and only Hajj pilgrimage the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) participated in, in 632 CE (10 AH). Muhammad (S.A.W) told his followers that the Angel Gabriel came to him every year to recite the Quran with him, but this year he came twice. Muhammad understood this to mean that his time was coming to an end, and thus told his close followers to call all people from various places to join him in his final pilgrimage to Mecca. This occasion marked the first time that Muslims of this number had gathered in one place in the presence of their leader. It has been reported that more than seventy thousand people followed him to Mecca and that on the fourth day of Dhu'l-Hijjah, more than one hundred thousand Muslims had entered Mecca to complete the rites of the Hajj. Since Mecca had embraced Islam, and the Battle of Tabuk had ended, most of the Arabian Peninsula was under Muhammad's leadership, and there was a record high attendance to the pilgrimage.
>The Farewell Sermon:
The Farewell Sermon (Arabic: , Khubatu l-Wad), also known as Muhammad's Final Sermon or The Last Sermon, was delivered by Mahummad on the 9th of Dhu-al-Hajjah, 10 Ah (9 March 632) The Farewell Sermon is mentioned in almost all books of Hadith. The Sermon consists of a series of general exhortations for Muslims to follow the teachings that Muhammad had set forth in the Quran and Sunnah. The Prophet directed his Speech to all
humankind. He used the term O' People instead of using the terminologyO' Muslims or O' Believer.
> Analysis of The Farewell Sermon:
Muhammad begins by praising and thanking God. He then addresses those in attendance. At the beginning of the address, the Prophet asked the people to pay close attention to what he was about to say. He demands that his message be delivered to all mankind, to be transported from place to place, and from generation to generation. The Prophet instructs humankind to worship and obey Allah, and to follow the rules and regulations as mandated in the Qur'an. The Prophet tells the people that Satan has lost hope in making people worship him, but has not lose hope in diverting man from practicing the teachings of Islam. Satan will create animosity among people, the Prophet states, and Satan will attempt to divert man's attention from the straight path set by Allah. The Prophet warns humanity from falling into the path of Satan. He (S.A.W) also stated that there are twelve months per year in both the lunar and solar calendars. Muslims are to observe their sacredness; no one has the right to change them or to temper with the calendar. Prophet also states that there are four holy months: Zul Qidah, Zul hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. He (S.A.W) said: "O men! the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit what Allah has made permissible. With Allah, the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, three are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban."
* Rights to Women
"O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you.
Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste." The Prophet mandates his best declaration for womens rights in his farewell address. He asks that husbands treat their wives with kindness and gentleness. Men are to know that their women are their partners, the Prophet says, and that Islam recognizes the duties and responsibilities of both partner. The Prophet emphasizes that man is head of the household while the woman is the heart of household. Both are leaders of the home and complement one another. The Prophet spells out specifically the individual rights and duties of each spouse in the home.
*Equality of Mankind:
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves" This is the most often quoted portion of the Farewell Sermon. The Prophet spoke of the equality of mankind in the sight of God and in front of the law. Man is born from Adam and Eve, the Prophet said, and both of these parents, and all of humans, are made of dust, and in this right, no one person is better than the other.The concept of equality is based on justice: All are equal and no one can claim that he is more pious or even more righteous than the other except through piety and righteousness.
*Brotherhood in Islam:
"Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone." The Prophet prohibited transgressions at all levels. With the above statement, he said that when a person commits injustice and transgresses his limits, the penalty will fall upon him, and him alone. The Prophet said that God does not like those who commit injustice, and he urged his community to stick to the right path at all times.
*Seal of Prophethood:
"O People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore O People! and understand words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray." The Prophet declared that neither a new religion nor another Prophet would come after him. The Prophet urged Muslims to be united by taking only the Qur'an.
