Seerah 16

1. Seerah 16

2. The Farewell Pilgrimage 10 A.H

3. After the accomplishment of the Call, the proclamation of the Message and the establishment of a new society on the basis of ‘There is no god but Allâh,’  • The Messenger of Allâh (Allah bless him and give him peace) announced an intention to proceed with this blessed pilgrimage journey himself.

4. Enormous crowds of people came to Madinah, all of whom seek the guidance and Imamate (leadership) of the Messenger of Allâh (Allah bless him and give him peace)in the pilgrimage (Al-Hajj). • He proceeded with his journey with this huge crowd of people from all around, till they approached Makkah.

5. On the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah— he left for Mina where he stayed for one whole day and night and waited the next day till the sun rose up then he moved till he reached ‘Arafah, where there was a tent built for him at Namirah. He sat inside till the sun went down.

6. He ordered that camel, should be prepared for him. They saddled it and had it ready, so he went down the valley where a hundred thousand and twenty-four people gathered round him. There he stood up and delivered a speechwhich is the greatest example of modern day charter of human rights

7. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) delivered his last sermon (known as Khutba-e-hajjatul-Wida) on the ninth of DhulHijjah in 10th year after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah). The sermon was delivered in the valley of mount Arafat.

8. It was the best example of eloquence, brevity, conciseness and humility, rational and favorable to justice and equality as any message could be. The message delivered in the sermon was delivered more than fourteen centuries ago, but, it was still inclusive of all bases of equality and justice and is an essence of the true message and philosophy of Islamic faith

9. " O people! Listen to what I say. I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once again after this current year.

10. importance of social equality in Islam: • “O’ ye people! Allah says, O’ people We created you from one male and one female and made you into tribes and nations, so as to be known to one another. Verily in the sight of Allah, the most honored amongst you is the one who is most God-fearing. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and for a non-Arab over an Arab or for the white over the black or for the black over the white except in God-consciousness.” 

11. importance of private property rights, • “O’ people! Verily your blood, your property and your honor are as sacred and inviolable as the sacred inviolability of this day of yours, this month of yours and this very town (of yours). Verily, you will soon meet your Lord and you will be held answerable for your actions.” 

12. the women rights in Islam • “O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. If they abide by your rights, 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.”

13. the concept of Muslim brotherhood • “O’ People! Every Muslim is the brother of every other Muslim, and all the Muslims form one brotherhood. And your slaves; see that you feed them with such food as you eat yourselves, and clothe them with the clothes that you yourselves wear.”

14. Rope of guidance • "Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allâh and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray."

15. "O people, I am not succeeded by a Prophet and you are not succeeded by any nation. So I recommend you to worship your Lord, • to pray the five prayers, • to fast Ramadan and • to offer the Zakat (poor-due) of your provision willingly. • to do the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of your Lord and to obey those who are in charge of you then you will be awarded to enter the Paradise of your Lord."

16. "And if you were asked about me, what would you say?" • They replied:  • "We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and fulfilled your mission." • He then raised his forefinger skywards and then moved it down towards people while saying: • "O Allâh, Bear witness." • He said that phrase thrice.

17. As soon as the Prophet (pbuh) had accomplished delivering the speech, the following Qur’ânic verse was revealed to him: • "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion." [Al-Qur'an 5:3] • Upon hearing this verse ‘Umar cried. "What makes you cry?" He was asked. His answer was: "Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection."

18. The Journey to Allâh, the Sublime

19. When the Call to Islam grew complete and the new faith dominated the whole situation. The Messenger of Allâh (Allah bless him and give him peace) started to develop certain symptoms that signalled of leave-taking. They could be perceived through his statements and deeds

20. In Ramadan in the tenth year of Al-Hijra he secluded himself for twenty days in contrast to ten, previously. • The archangel Gabriel reviewed the Qur’ân twice with him • His words in the Farewell Pilgrimage (i.e. Al-Wida‘):"I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once again after this current year."

21. The Start of the Disease • On Monday the twenty-ninth of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, he participated in funeral rites in Al-Baqee‘. On the way back he had a headache, his temperature rose so high that the heat effect could be felt over his headband.

22. He led the Muslims in prayer for eleven days though he was sick. The total number of his sick days were either thirteen or fourteen.

23. Five days before death • He made a speech and told people that : • "Allâh, the Great, has given a slave of His the opportunity to make a choice between whatever he desires of Allâh’s provisions in this world, and what He keeps for him in the world, but he has opted for the latter."

24. A Day before his Death • On Sunday, a day before he died, the Prophet (pbuh) set his slaves free, paid as a charity the seven Dinars he owned and gave his weapons as a present to the Muslims. So when night fell ‘Aishah had to borrow some oil from her neighbour to light her oil-lantern. • Even his armour was mortgaged as a security with a Jew for thirty Sa‘ (a cubic measure) of barley.

25. The Last Day Alive • "While the Muslims were performing the dawn prayer on Monday,led by Abu Bakr, they were surprised to see the Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) raising the curtain of ‘Aishah’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly and smiled cheerfully. • The Messenger of Allâh (Allah bless him and give him peace) did not live for the next prayer time.

26. The Prophet (pbuh) breathes his Last • When the pangs of death started, ‘Aishah leant him against her. She used to say: One of Allâh’s bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) died in my house, while I am still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allâh has mixed his saliva with mine at his death.

27. Last actions • For ‘AbdurRahman — the son of Abu Bakr — came in with a Siwak (i.e. the root of a desert plant used for brushing teeth) in his hand, while I was leaning the Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) against me. I noticed that he was looking at the Siwak, so I asked him — for I knew that he wanted it — "Would you like me to take it for you?" He nodded in agreement. I took it and gave it to him. As it was too hard for him, I asked him "Shall I soften it for you?" He nodded in agreement. So I softened it with my saliva and he passed it (on his teeth).

28. There was a water container available at his hand with some water in. He put his hand in it and wiped his face with it and said: • "There is no god but Allâh. Death is full of agonies."

29. He then looked upwards to the ceiling and moved his lips. So ‘Aishah listened to him. She heard him say: "With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful ones (As-Siddeeqeen), the martyrs and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high."  

30. Then at intervals he uttered these words: "The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allâh we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode." This event took place at high morning time on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi‘ Al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah. He was sixty-three years and four days old when he died.

31. The Companions’ concern over the Prophet’s Death

32. ‘Umar, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people addressing them: "Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) died. The Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) did not die, but went to his Lord in the same way as Moses bin ‘Imran did. He stayed away for forty nights, but finally came back though they said he had been dead. By Allâh, the Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) will come back and he will cut off the hands and legs of those who claim his death."

33. Abu Bakr left his house at As-Sunh and came forth to the Mosque on a mare-back. At the Mosque, he dismounted and entered. He talked to nobody but went on till he entered ‘Aishah’s abode, and went directly to where the Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) was. The Prophet (pbuh) was covered with a Yemeni mantle

34. . He uncovered his face and tended down, kissed him and cried. Then he said: "I sacrifice my father and mother for your sake. Allâh, verily, will not cause you to die twice. You have just experienced the death that Allâh had ordained."

35. Then he went out and found ‘Umar talking to people. He said: "‘Umar, be seated." ‘Umar refused to do so. People parted ‘Umar and came towards Abu Bakr, who started a speech saying: • "And now, he who worships Muhammad (pbuh). Muhammad is dead now. But he who worships Allâh, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh says:

36. ‘Muhammad (pbuh)is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh, and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful.’" [Al-Qur'an 3:144]

37. ‘Umar had said: "By Allâh, as soon as I heard Abu Bakr say it, I fell down to the ground. I felt as if my legs had been unable to carry me so I collapsed when I heard him say it. Only then did I realize that Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) had really died.

38. The Success and Impact of his Call

39. Before we lose the book of seerah we ought to cast a quick glance at the great work that was a peculiarity of his. That very peculiarity that made him excel all other Prophets and Messengers and made him so superb that Allâh made him atop the formers and the latters. It was him that was addressed by:

40. "O you (Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace)) enveloped (in garments). Arise and warn!" [Al-Qur'an 74:1,2]

41. So he arose and kept on like that for over twenty years. During those years he undertook to carry the burdens of the great expectations on his shoulders for the sake of the whole mankind and humanity

42. The Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) undertook the burdens of struggle and Al-Jihad in the conscience of mankind which was then drowning in the illusions of Al-Jahiliyah and its images that were loaded with the ground weights and gravitations. • He took upon his shoulder to free man’s conscience which was chained with desires and lusts.

43. For over twenty years the Messenger of Allâh (pbuh) had been leading that progressive steady battle, disregarding any other affairs that kept him off that noble goal. He went on that way till the Islamic Call proved to be successful on a large scale that puzzled all men possessed of good reason.

44. The Islamic Call eventually prevailed all over Arabia. It removed all traces of Al-Jahiliyahfrom the horizon of the peninsula. The sick minds of Al-Jahiliyah grew healthy in Islam. They did not only get rid of idol-worship, but they also knocked them down. 

45. Scattered people and tribes were united and man moved from man’s worship of man to man’s worship of Allâh. There were no more oppressors nor oppressed; no masters nor slaves, nor people bound to other people, nor aggressors that would practise aggression. 

46. The time course of events had changed, the features on the earth’s surface and the crooked line of history had grown straight and the mentality had been rectified.

47. The spirit and the corrupted conscience of people, the distorted values and measures ofAl-Jahiliyah had overwhelmed the whole world during that period of Al-Jahiliyah. The prevalence of slavery, injustice, extravagant luxury, adultery, depression, deprivity, disbelief, stray from the straight path and darkness; all of those were faitaccomplis in spite of the existence of the heavenly religions.

48. His call freed mankind’s spirit of superstitions, illusions, white slavery, corruption and man’s worship of man, freed the human society of filth, dissolution, injustice and tyranny. There were no more social distinctions, nor clergymen’s or governors’ dictatorship

49. . Islam had set up a world built on solid virtuous and clean foundations, it was based on positivity, righteous construction, freedom and renewal. Truth, faith, dignity active steady deeds, the development and improvement of means of living and reclaim of rights were all bases upon which the Islamic state was built

50. As Muslims, we all love the Prophet (SAWS)1 dearly and we hold him very close to our hearts. Loving the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) is a principle of our faith; as Prophet (SAWS) has said, "None of you (truly) believes, until I am more beloved to him that his son, his father and all other people".