حجة الوداع
The Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada')
Dhul Hijjah, 10 AH (632 CE)
Arafat, Mina, and Makkah عرفة ومنى ومكة
In the tenth year after Hijrah, the Prophet ﷺ performed Hajj — the only Hajj of his life — with approximately 100,000 or more Muslims. On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, standing at Arafat, he delivered his Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada'), addressing all of humanity with principles of equality, justice, women's rights, the prohibition of usury, and the sanctity of life and property. He asked the people: 'Have I conveyed the message?' and they responded: 'Yes!' He said: 'O Allah, bear witness.'
Why this matters
This was the culmination of the Prophet's ﷺ 23-year mission. The Farewell Sermon is one of the greatest speeches in human history, establishing principles of human rights, racial equality, and social justice that were centuries ahead of their time. On this occasion, the final verse of legislation was revealed, declaring the perfection of the religion. The Prophet ﷺ hinted at his impending departure.
Quran references
ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا
Surah Al-Ma'idah, 3
This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.
Hadith references
Sahih Muslim, #1218
Narrated by: Jabir ibn Abdullah
“The Prophet ﷺ said in his sermon at Arafat: 'O people, your blood, your property, and your honor are sacred to you, like the sanctity of this day, in this month, in this city. All the practices of Jahiliyyah are under my feet. The usury of Jahiliyyah is abolished... Fear Allah regarding women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah...'”