Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
2. The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
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THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE
After having consolidated the power of Islam in Arabia, the
Prophet set out to perform Hajjatul wida, his Farewell Pilgrimage. It
was the last year of his life. He left Madinah for Makkah
accompanied by Madinan Muslims. When the news spread that the
Prophet was going to perform the pilgrimage, various tribes living
in Arabia began pouring into Makkah.
Therefore when the Prophet of Islam performed his first as well
as his last pilgrimage, he was joined by 125,000 Muslims. During
this pilgrimage the revelations about the rules of the Hajj were
given to him. These are followed by all Muslims to this day.
When the Prophet arrived at Mount Arafat he imparted some
teachings to the people present on that occasion. These are
preserved in the form of the ‘Final Sermon’.
During the Sermon of Arafat the last passage of the Quran was
revealed:
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I
have completed My blessings upon you; and I have
approved Islam as your religion.” (5:4-5)
This proved to be his last visit, that is why it came to be called
the “Farewell Pilgrimage.” Only three months after his return to
Madinah he fell ill and, with the consent of all of his wives, stayed
in the house of Aishah. He had fever and headache. He remained
ill for about two weeks and breathed his last on 12 Rabiul Awwal
