Lessons from the Farewell Pilgrimage
of the Messenger (PBUH)
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and
was made obligatory in the tenth, ninth or sixth year, according
to different reports. In the tenth year, the Prophet (peace be
upon him) announced that he intended to perform hajj; this was
the only time that he performed hajj after the Hijrah to Madinah.
The Muslims came from all over the Arabian Peninsula to perform
hajj with him. He left Madinah five days before the end of Dhul
Qi`dah (a lunar month).
When he halted in Arafat, the following verse was revealed to
him: "…This day, I have perfected your religion for you,
completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as
your religion…" (Holy Qur'an, 5:4)
The Muslims learned the rituals of the hajj from the Prophet when
he said: "Take your rituals from me." His hajj was full
of laws pertaining to the Shari`ah, especially matters pertaining
to the hajj, and general advice and laws which were mentioned
in the Sermon of Arafat.
For this reason, the scholars showed great interest in the farewell
pilgrimage and derived many laws from it, dealing with the rituals
of hajj and other matters, of which the books of Fiqh (jurisprudence)
and Hadeeth explanation are full.
A large gathering of Muslims participated in the event and listened
to the farewell sermon given by the Prophet . Some of the scholars
wrote books dealing specifically with the farewell pilgrimage.
"Verily, your blood and your property are as sacred and inviolable
as the sacredness of this day of yours, in this month of yours,
in this land of yours.
"Behold! Everything pertaining to the days of ignorance is
under my feet completely abolished. Abolished are also the blood
revenges of the days of ignorance. The first claim of ours on
blood revenge which I abolish is that of the son of Rabi`ah ibn
al Harith. And the usury of the pre-Islamic period is abolished,
and the first of our usury I abolish is that of `Abbas ibn `Abd
al Muttalib, for it's all abolished.
"Fear God concerning women! Verily, you have taken them on
the security of God, and intercourse with them has been made lawful
unto you by words of God. You too have rights over them, and they
should not allow anyone to sit on your bed whom you do not like.
But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely. Their
rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and
clothing in a fitting manner.
"I have left among you the Book of God, and if you hold fast
to it you would never go astray. And you would be asked about
me (on the day of resurrection), (now tell me) what would you
say? They (the audience) said: 'We bear witness that you have
conveyed (the message,) discharged (the ministry of Prophethood)
and given wise (sincere) counsel.' He (the narrator) said: He
(the Prophet) then raised his forefinger toward the sky and pointed
it at the people (and said): 'O God, bear witness, O God, bear
witness.'" [Muslim]
He delivered another sermon at Mina, when he said, "Do not
return to Kufr (disbelief,) killing one another, after I am gone."
[Bukhari]
From Benefits of this Great Sermon:
1. Prohibition of shedding innocent blood, and taking of wealth
without right, which stresses Islam's protection of souls.
2. Nullification of validity of actions of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance
Period, before Islam.)
3. Prohibition of taking usury or interest, which is an increase
on the principal, whether small or large. Allah, The Most High,
says: "But if you repent, you may have your capital."
[Holy Qur'an, 2:279]
4. Admonition to fulfill and give women their rights, and to deal
with them in goodness. Many authentic Ahadeeth have been narrated
in this regard, which elucidate their rights and warn against
taking them unjustly.
5. Advice to strongly cling to the Book of Allah, in which lies
the honor of Muslims and their victory. Likewise, the order to
stick to the Sunnah, which explains the Qur'an. Verily, the reason
for Muslims' weakness today is their leaving of judging by the
Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. There will be no
victory for Muslims except by returning to these two sources.
6. Testimony of the Companions that the Messenger of Allah conveyed
the message, discharged his trust and counseled the Ummah.
7. Order to take rituals of Hajj and other rituals from the Prophet's
sayings, actions and tacit agreements.
8. Subtle indication that the Prophet's farewell would soon come.
9. Warning against fighting and killing among Muslims, which is
disbelief in action, which does not take one out of the fold of
Islam.
