The Farewell Pilgrimage
The Prophet ﷺ announced his intention to perform Hajj, and around one hundred and twenty thousand Muslims travelled with him from Madinah and the surrounding regions. He showed each rite — the ihram, the talbiyah, the tawaf, the sa'i, the standing at Arafat, the stoning at Mina — establishing the Hajj as Muslims have performed it ever since.
The sermon at Arafat
On the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Arafat, the Prophet ﷺ stood on Mount Arafat and addressed the gathered pilgrims. He began by reminding them that they may not see him again after this year. He affirmed the sanctity of life, property, and honour: 'Your lives, your property, and your honour are sacred to one another, like the sanctity of this day, this month, this place.'
The end of tribal hierarchy
He declared the equality of all Muslims regardless of lineage: 'O people, your Lord is one and your father is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor of a white over a black, nor a black over a white — except by piety and good action.' He abolished the pre-Islamic blood feuds, beginning with the unpaid blood-money owed to his own family.
The rights of women
He addressed the rights of women clearly: 'Treat women well, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah, and have made their bodies lawful through the word of Allah.' He warned against injustice in marriage and reminded husbands of their obligations as well as rights.
The completion of religion
On that same Day of Arafat, the verse was revealed: 'This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.' The Companion Umar ibn al-Khattab is said to have wept when he heard it — he understood it meant the Prophet's mission was complete.
Final days in Madinah
The Prophet ﷺ returned to Madinah. In the months that followed he continued to lead prayers, send delegations, and prepare the community for what was to come. He grew ill in Safar of 11 AH, and during his illness asked Abu Bakr to lead the prayers in his place. He visited the cemetery of Al-Baqi and prayed for those buried there. On the morning of the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, in the room of Aisha, with his head resting on her, he passed away with the words 'rather, the highest companion' on his lips.
Abu Bakr's address
Many Companions could not accept that the Prophet ﷺ had died. Umar threatened anyone who said it. Abu Bakr came forward, kissed the Prophet's forehead, and addressed the people: 'Whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad has died. Whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and never dies.' He then recited Surah Aal Imran 3:144 — 'Muhammad is no more than a Messenger; many Messengers have passed away before him' — and the community accepted what had happened.
Reflection
The Farewell Sermon is the Prophet's summary of what he had spent twenty-three years building. He did not list military victories or political achievements. He listed: sanctity of life, equality of human beings, honour of women, abolition of unjust customs, and the completion of religion. That is the legacy he chose to name on the last public day of his prophetic mission. The community that buried him a few months later carried that summary forward — and is still carrying it now.
Primary sources
- Surah Al-Maidah (Quran 5:3)
- Surah Aal Imran (Quran 3:144)
- Sahih Bukhari (multiple narrations on the Farewell Pilgrimage and the Prophet's passing)
- Sahih Muslim 1218 (the long Hajj narration of Jabir ibn Abdullah)
- Ibn Hisham, As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyah