Hajj (pilgrimage of Ka’aba) is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every Muslim adult, man, or woman is required to perform Hajj, once in a lifetime, provided they have enough resources and are physically fit to do so. A shorter form of Hajj is also in practice, known as Umrah. The process and rituals to be performed during Hajj or Umrah were practically exhibited by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ during his lifetime, which is followed by Muslims, since then.
The pilgrimage of Ka’aba had been in practice among the Arabs for a long, even before the inception of Islam. Over the years, this sacred practice was falsified by the pagans of Mecca. They had filled the Ka’aba with idols and were badly involved in polytheism. They also changed the rituals of pilgrimage. After the inception of Islam, it was important to bring back the spirit of the pilgrimage of Ka’aba in accordance with the teachings and practices of Islam.
However, the Quraysh of Mecca controlled Ka’aba until the conquest of Mecca. On the other hand, every act and practice of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ would have to set a precedence for the Muslims. That’s why the Prophet did not perform Hajj till such time that the Ka’aba came under the custodianship of Muslims, and all the idols were removed from it after the fall of Mecca to Muslims.
So, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ performed his first Hajj in 632 CE (10 AH), along with his followers. He practically exhibited the rituals of Hajj. All the practices and rituals performed by the Prophet on this occasion became the Islamic way of performing the Pilgrimage of Ka’aba (Hajj). Eventually, this also proved to be his last Hajj, as he left this world soon after that. Hence, the rituals of Hajj were clearly defined by the Prophet during his first and last Hajj, which is included in the basic elements of Islam.
The Sequence of Events Leading to the First Hajj by the Prophet
The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, along with his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina, as a result of continued persecutions by Quraysh of Mecca. This was the year 622 CE and the start of the Hijri date system. After migration to Medina, the Prophet focused on establishing the Islamic state.
· First Two Battles
However, the conflict between the Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca did not end, which resulted in isolated clashes between them ever since the migration. This ongoing conflict resulted in a full-scale war, known as “the battle of Badar”, in 624 CE, two years after migration. The battle was won by Muslims under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
After one year in 625 CE, another battle was fought, commonly called “the Battle of Uhud”. Initially, Muslims dominated the field, but due to non-adherence to the Prophet’s instructions by a group of soldiers deployed by him at a strategic location, Muslims could not maintain their position. This was a lesson for the Muslims to strictly follow the instructions of the Prophet.
· Third Battle
In 627 CE, the third battle between Muslims and Quraysh took place, commonly known as “the Battle of Trench.” Muslims emerged victorious in this battle. The Prophet adopted the strategy of defending Medina while staying in the city. A trench was dug around the entry points of Medina. The siege lasted for around 15 days, after which the Quraysh returned. The Muslim forces comprehensively won this battle.
· The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
In the 6th year after the migration (628 CE), the Prophet decided to travel to Mecca for the pilgrimage of Ka’aba. He started marching towards Mecca along with a group of 1,500 believers. The Quraysh, on hearing this news, decided not to allow them to enter Mecca. Resultantly, the Prophet camped on the outskirts of Mecca at a place known as Hudaybiyyah. After hectic negotiations, the historic treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed between the Muslims and the Quraysh.
According to this treaty, Muslims were allowed to return for pilgrimage for three days next year. The Prophet along with his followers, returned to Medina this time. Other terms of the treaty of Hudaybiyyah included a critical clause, which allowed the allegiance of different tribes, either with Quraysh or Muslims. It was also agreed that any attack on any of the tribes would be considered an attack on the party to which they would ally.
· The Conquest of Mecca
Soon after the treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Quraysh violated the terms of the agreement by attacking the tribe of Banu Khazah and killing their men, who took refuge in Ka’aba. This violation was seriously viewed by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He asked the Quraysh to either pay blood money for the victims or terminate the treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
The Quraysh leadership realized the gravity of the situation and tried to settle the issue by sending Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. This visit did not bring any success for Abu Sufyan, which was quite disheartening for him and the Quraysh. On the other hand, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ asked his companions to prepare for marching towards Mecca.
Eventually, the Prophet Muhammad and his 10,000 companions conquered Mecca in January 630 CE (8 AH). During this campaign, several notables of Quraysh, including Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb accepted Islam. The city of Mecca fell to the Prophet without any resistance. The Ka’aba was cleared of all the idols. The Prophet personally led this clearing operation after a brief stay in Mecca, the Prophet and his followers returned to Medina.
The Prophet’s First and Last Hajj
Mecca was conquered in 8 AH (630 CE). In 10 AH (632 CE), the Prophet announced his intention to perform his first Hajj. It is believed that this was done after the revelation of the 27th Verse of Surah Al-Hajj:
Translation
Announce the Pilgrimage to the people. They will come to you on foot and riding along distant roads on lean and slender beasts
The response of the Muslims was enormous. As the news spread, Muslims started gathering in Medina. It is estimated that more than 100,000 Muslims gathered there to accompany the Prophet for his first Hajj. As it was also his last Hajj, it is more commonly referred to as “Farewell Hajj” (حِجَّة ٱلْوَدَاع).
This Hajj of the Prophet was Hajj al-Qiran. It is a type of Hajj where Umrah is also performed. The Prophet had not performed any Hajj, whereas he has performed Umrah four times, including one with his first and last Hajj.
· Umrahs Performed by the Prophet
The four Umrahs performed by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is mentioned in different Hadiths, such as Hadith 1252c of Sahi Al-Muslim:
Translation
Qatida saia. That Anas (Allah be pleased with him) had informed him that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) performed four ‘Umras, all during the month of Dhu’l-Qa’da except the one he performed along with Hajj (and these are) the Umra that he performed from al-Hudaibiya or during the time of (the truce of) Hudaibiya in the month of Dhu’l-Qa’da then the Umra of the next year in the month of Dhu’l-Qa’da, then the Umra for which b’e had started from ji’rana, the place where he distributed the spoils of (the battle of) Hunain in the month of Dhu’l-Qa’da, and then the ‘Umra that he performed along with his Hajj (on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage).
So, the previous three Umrahs were performed by the Prophet during the month of Dhul Qa’da, whereas the last one was performed along with the Hajj, in the month of Dhul Hajjah.
· Rituals Performed by the Prophet during the Farewell Hajj
The Prophet started his journey for the Farewell Hajj, along with his followers, on the 25th of Dhul Qa’da. He appointed Abu Dujana Al-Ansari as the Governor of Medina for the period he would remain out of the city for the performance of Hajj.
· Miqat and Ihram
The entire process and the rituals performed by the Prophet during this Hajj were educating the Muslims on how to perform Hajj or Umrah. His first stay was at Miqat Dhul Al-Hulayfah. This is the Miqat point, where Muslims must enter into the state of Ihram for the performance of Hajj or Umrah before entering the boundaries of Mecca. Here, the Prophet educated the Muslims on wearing the Ihram, consisting of two unsewed pieces of cloth, preferably Cotton. The Prophet then performed Zuhar Salah at Miqat Dhul Al-Hulayfah, before proceeding to Mecca.
· Prophet Reached Mecca
The Prophet and his companions reached Mecca on the 5th of Dhul Hajjah, 10 AH. Before that, he spent the night outside of Mecca. The next day, they entered Masjid Al Haram. The Prophet then performed the ritual of Tawaf (Circumambulation of Ka’aba). Here, he also touched the Hajr Aswad (the Black Stone). Then he drank the Zamazam water.
Thereafter, he proceeded to the hills of Safa and Marwa. Here, he performed the ritual of Saee (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa). The circumambulation and saee were done seven times. Since he was performing the Hajj Al-Qiran, he did not remove Ihram at this stage.
· Prophet Reached Mina and Mount Arafat
At sunset on the 8th day of Dhul Hajjah, the Prophet and his companions left Mecca for Mina. Here, he spent the night and day and performed the prayers of Zuhar to Fajr. Then he left for mount Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hajj after performing Fajr Prayers. Here, a tent was erected for him, where he took rest till the sun crossed the peak. After that, the Prophet proceeded to the valley of Uranah while riding his camel.
· Farewell Sermon
On the 9th of Dhul Hajjah, the Prophet reached the valley of Uranah, Mount Arafat. Here, he delivered the historic sermon, which is known as “the Farewell Sermon” (خطبة الوداع). Around 100,000 Muslims who accompanied the Prophet on this occasion listened to it. After that, he led the two prayers, Zuhar and Asr, performed in conjunction.
Text of Farewell Sermon as appears in Hadith 1216 of Sahih Al-Muslim:
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 town 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’a b. al-Harith, who was nursed among the tribe of Sa’d and killed by Hudhail. And the usury of she pre-Islamic period is abolished, and the first of our usury I abolish is that of ‘Abbas b. ‘Abd al-Muttalib, for it is all abolished. Fear Allah concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah, and intercourse with them has been made lawful unto you by words of Allah. You too have right over them, and that 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 Allah, 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 will bear witness that you have conveyed (the message), discharged (the ministry of Prophethood) and given wise (sincere) counsel. He (the narrator) said: He (the Holy Prophet) then raised his forefinger towards the sky and pointing it at the people (said):” O Allah, be witness. 0 Allah, be witness,” saying it thrice
After delivering this sermon, the Prophet went to the plains of Arafat and stayed there till the afternoon. He spent this time in supplications. It is believed that the 3rd verse of Surah Al-Ma’idah was revealed after this farewell sermon of the Prophet:
Translation
Forbidden you is carrion and blood, and the flesh of the swine, and whatsoever has been killed in the name of some other than God, and whatever has been strangled, or killed by a blow or a fall, or by goring, or that which has been mauled by wild beasts unless slaughtered while still alive; and that which has been slaughtered at altars is forbidden, and also dividing the meat by casting lots with arrows. All this is sinful. Today the unbelievers have lost every hope of (despoiling) your creed; so do not fear them, fear Me. Today I have perfected your system of belief and bestowed My favours upon you in full, and have chosen submission (al-Islam) as the creed for you. If one of you is driven by hunger (to eat the forbidden) without the evil intent of sinning, then God is forgiving and kind.
The close companions of the Prophet, after listening to this verse and the farewell sermon of the Prophet, got the impression that this might be a sign of the end of the Prophet’s life in this world.
· Last Rituals of Hajj
At sunset on the same day (9th Dhul Hajjah), the Prophet moved towards Muzdalifah. Immediately upon reaching Muzdalifah, the Prophet performed the Prayers of Maghrib and Isha combinedly. He spent the night at this place. After offering the Fajr prayers, he left Muzdalifah and returned back to Mina on the morning of the 10th day of Dhul Hajjah. Here, he performed the next ritual of the Hajj, stoning the three devils, commonly known as Jamrah.
After that, the ritual of sacrificing the animals was performed. The Prophet and his Companions ate the meat of the sacrificed animals. They gave the rest of the meat for charity, setting an example for using the sacrificial meat.
Thereafter, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ returned back to Mecca, performed Tawaf and offered Zuhar Prayers. After that, the Prophet again drank Zamzam water. Then, he again went back to Mina and performed the ritual of stoning the three devils. This was repeated for the next three days, from the 11th to the 13th of Dhul Hajjah. These three days are referred to as the “Days of Tashriq.”
It is believed that Surah An-Nasr was revealed on this occasion:
Translation
- WHEN THE HELP of God arrives and victory
- And you see men enter God’s discipline horde on horde
- Then glorify your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Verily He is relenting
With that, the first and the last Hajj of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was concluded. This was a significant event in the history of Islam and the life of the Prophet. The farewell sermon and revelation of particular surahs, as referred to above, marked the completion of his Prophetic mission. It also marked the completion of the teachings of Islam, leaving behind the Quran and Sunnah for the guidance of the coming generations of mankind till the day of resurrection.
