Hajjatul Widaa’

This is the year when Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) performed Hajjatul Widaa’ or the Farewell Hajj. It is known as such because he passed away three months after this hajj.

He departed from Madinah Munawwarah on Saturday 25th Thil Qa’dh after Zuhr Salaat and reached Makkah Mukarramah on 4th Thil-Hajj. More than a hundred thousand Sahaabah had accompanied him. On the occasion of this Hajj he delivered several discourses. The essence of all his talks was:

‘Learn the laws (of Islam) well because we may not meet here again in future.’

Among the advices and admonition he gave are the following:

 Your blood, wealth and reputation are sacred, to be honoured by one another, just as the sanctity of this day, this month and this city.
 Soon (i.e. after death) you will be gathered in the presence of Allah Ta’ala. You will be questioned regarding your deeds.
 All customs of Jaahiliyyah (the times of ignorance) have been crushed underfoot. Revenge for blood spilled in the times of Jaahiliyyah is not to be demanded.
 All debts of riba (interest) are waived.
 Do not adopt kufr after my demise by slitting each other’s throats.
 Obey the ruler who governs over you according the Book of Allah.
 Fear Allah regarding females. Fulfil their rights in full measure.
 I am leaving two things with you; the Qur’aan and my Sunnah.

After having concluded his discourse, he asked:

“People! On the Day of Qiyaamah you will be questioned about me. What will you say?”

The assembly responded: “We shall say that you had delivered Allah’s Law to us.”

Thereafter, raising his finger towards the heaven, he exclaimed: “O Allah. Be witness!”

At the time of Qur’baani he scarified one hundred camels. He slaughtered 63 with his own blessed hand while Hadhrat Ali (karramallahu wajhah) slaughtered the remaining 37.

Signs of the End
When the mission of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was accomplished and the Deen of Islam had spread to every side, the time had approached for him to return to Allah Ta’ala.

According to some Ulama, Surah Nasr

was revealed during this Hajj. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) understood from this Surah that his time for departing from this earthly abode had approached. In this regard, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu), in order to test the Masha-ikh of Makkah, asked them about the circumstances for the revelation of this Surah. Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (radhiyallahu anhu) responded that this Surah conveyed the tidings of Rasulullah’s imminent demise. Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) concurred with him.

There were also other signs which apprized Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) of the approach of his Maut. He, therefore, once said to the gathering of Sahaabah:

“Allah has granted one of his servants the choice of either living on earth or by Allah. The servant has chosen to live by Allah.”

This statement implied that his death was close at hand. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) immediately understood the implication. While shedding tears, he said: “May my mother and father be sacrificed for you. What is it that you are saying?”

Expressing his pleasure at Hadhrat Abu Bark’s intelligence and his fathoming of the meaning of the statement, Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said:

“If I have to befriend any person, it would be Abu Bakr, but Abu Bakr is my Deeni brother.”

After having made this statement, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) ordered that besides the window of Abu Bakr, all other windows opening into the Musjid be closed up. According to the Ulama, this instruction pointed towards the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu).

His Last Illness

He was at first overtaken by a headache followed by a severe fever. At this time he was staying with Hadhrat Maimunah (radhiyallahu anha). Taking permission from her and his other wives he moved into the apartment of Hadhrat Aishah (radhiyallahu anha). During these days of indisposition he would attend the Musjid for Namaaz. When the illness had deteriorated greatly, he instructed Hadhrat Abu Bakr to lead the Namaaz. Hadhrat Aishah said: “O Rasulullah! Abu Bakr is very tender of heart. Entrust this service to Umar.”

Hadhrat Hafsah (Hadhrat Umar’s daughter) supported the proposal put forward by Hadhrat Aishah. Reprimanding both his wives, Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said:

“Allah and the Muslims will not accept anyone besides Abu Bakr. Therefore, tell Abu Bakr to lead the Salaat.”

While Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was alive, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) led the Salaat seventeen times. On one occasion when Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) felt a slight improvement in his condition, he entered the Musjid and sat at the side of Abu Bakr who was leading the Salaat. Most probably this was on a Saturday at the time of Zuhr.

Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) had learnt that the Muhaajireen and Ansaar were crying with grief on account of his separation from them caused by illness. Being the spiritual father, he could not bear their grief. He therefore came leaning on the shoulders of Hadhrat Ali and Hadhrat Fadhl Bin Abbas. On account of extreme weakness, he could not walk by himself. He was brought to the mimbar where he sat down on the first step and delivered a brief discourse in which he offered many advices to the Sahaabah. Among the things he said were:

“I have heard that you are fearful of the impending demise of your Nabi. Has any Rasool lived forever on earth? Undoubtedly, I am about to meet Allah. You too will meet me after a short while. Remember! I am going ahead and you will follow to meet me. I shall meet you at the fountain of Kauthar. Listen! Whoever wishes to meet me at the Fount of Kauthar should refrain from misusing his hands and tongue. Hear! When the subjects are virtuous, the king too becomes virtuous and if the subjects are evil, the king too is evil. I exhort the Ansaar and the Muhaajireen to treat one another with kindness.”

After this talk, he returned to the apartment of Hadhrat Aishah. Thereafter he once again, lifted the curtain of his room during Fajr Salaat and for the last time gazed at the Sahaabah. When they observed this, they were close to breaking their Salaat, but Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) beckoned to them to continue and he dropped the curtain. This happened on the 10th Rabiul Awwal. On this day Hadhrat Aishah observed that his gaze was focussed on the heavens and he was repeatedly saying:
اللّهمّ الرفيق الأعلي
“O Allah! The Highest Friend!”

She understood that the time for his departure from this earthly abode was imminent. Within a short while he was united with his Highest Friend.

The news of Rasulullah’s demise spread like wildfire. The Sahaabah whose hearts were brimming with his love were stunned and could hardly accept the reality of his demise. Even a powerful and brave man like Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) lost his composure. He stood with his sword drawn, threatening to slay anyone who said that Muhammad (صلى الله عايه وسالم) had died. It was only the presence of a man of Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s stature who could bring the situation under control.

Taking in the explosive scene, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) entered the Musjid and delivered a speech. Consoling the Sahaabah, he said:

“People! Those who worshipped Muhammad should know that he has died. Whoever worships Allah should know that most certainly He is alive and that He will remain eternally alive.”

He then recited the gracious aayat:

“And, Muhammad is only a Rasool (Divine Messenger). Verily, Messengers have gone by before him. What! If he dies or is killed, will you turn on your heels?”

This discourse restored calm and rationality. The Sahaabah were convinced of Rasulullah’s death. After ghusl, the Janaazah was placed in Hadhrat Aishah’s room. The Sahaabah entered in groups. Each group performed Janaazah Salaat.

صلى اللّه تبارك وتعالى عليه وعلى اله واصحابه وازواجه
وسلم تسليما كثيراً كثيرا