FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE (10 A.H / 632 A.

D)
BY SIR SAAD KHAN
 It was proclaimed throughout the Madinah that the Prophet (PBUH) himself would lead the pilgrimage. Masses
assembled to the city from all directions, glad of the opportunity of accompanying the Prophet (PBUH)
THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE.

 Since his emigration to Madinah, he had not performed the Hajj. Therefore, accompanied by vast masses
including all wives and household members, the Prophet (PBUH) set out from Madinah on the 25th of Zul
Qa’dah, in the year 10 A.H, after performing the Zuhr prayer. At sunset on the 10th day (4th Zul Hajjah) the
Prophet (PBUH) halted an easy march from Makkah, and the next morning having bathed, entered the city and
performed the rituals of Umrah. The Prophet (PBUH) and his companions stayed in Makkah in the 8th of Dhul-
Hajjah, the time when the duties of the pilgrimage were due. Starting from Makkah on the 8th DhulHajjah, the
Prophet (PBUH) went to Mina, where he spent the night before leaving for Arafat.
MAIN SUBJECTS OF THE LAST SERMON

 Worship of God alone.

 Respect of life and honor of people.
 Universal Muslim brotherhood.
 Dignity of women.
 Equal and respectful treatment of slaves.
 Obligation of five pillars of Islam.
 Quran and Sunnah are declared as the sources of divine guidance.
 Completion and perfection of Islam.
 Condemnation of usury (interest).
 Prohibition of bloodshed.
THE DAY OF ARAFAT AND THE FAREWELL SERMON

 On the 9th of Dhul-Hajjah, the Prophet (PBUH) rode on after daybreak to Arafah and delivered his farewell address mounted
on his camel (Qaswa) before about 120000 of his followers. The main teachings of the sermon are as follows:
 ➢ All you people listen well to my words, for I don’t know if I shall ever be among you after this year. Therefore, listen to
what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who couldn’t be here today.
 ➢ All you people, just as you consider this month, this day and this city Holy, so regard the life and property of every Muslim
as a sacred trust. Return the things that are entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one will hurt you.
 ➢ Know that every Muslim is a brother to every other Muslim and that Muslims are on brotherhood. Nothing is allowed for a
Muslim if it belongs to another Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not do wrong to yourselves.
 ➢ Remember that you will indeed meet your lord, and that he will indeed weigh your actions. Allah (swt) has forbidden you to
take interest; therefore, all interest requirements are cancelled. Your original money is yours to keep. You will neither cause nor
suffer from unfairness. Allah (swt) has judged that there shall be no interest and so all the interest that is due to Abbas (RA) the
son of Abdul Muttalib is cancelled
 ➢ Beware of Shaitan for the safety of your way of life. He has lost all hope in leading you astray in big things, so
beware of following him in small things.
 ➢ Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is also your
rightthat they don’t make friends with a person you don’t approve of as well as to never be unfaithful.
 ➢ All you people. Listen to me closely, serve Allah (swt), say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of
Ramadan and give your wealth in Zakat, perform the Hajj if you can afford it
 . ➢ All humans are from Adam and Hawwa. An arab is not better than a non-Arab nor is a non-Arab better than an
Arab. A white is not better than a black, nor is a black better than a white except in Taqwa (piety) and good deeds.
 ➢ All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones
understand my words better than the first.
 Finally, he ended his brief sermon with an earnest question, “O people! Have I faithfully delivered to you my
message? The people replied as one, “Yes!” At this Prophet (PBUH) added, O Allah (swt)! You are my witness”
He also declared that no nonMuslims would ever be allowed in the Holy city ever again. When the prophet
(PBUH) finished his speech, he recited the following new revelation from Allah (swt):
 “Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favors upon you and have chosen for you Islam as
your religion.” No legal command whatsoever was revealed after this verse. Soon after the rites of the pilgrimage
had been finished, the prophet (PBUH) took his journey back to Madinah with his followers.