The Last Prophet of Allah
by Ghulam Nabi Muslim
The Last Pilgrimage
In the tenth year of the Hijrat [migration] the Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] declared his intention to go for hajj [pilgrimage] without fear and hindrance. Many Muslims came over to Madina to accompany the Prophet of Allah. A large number of them went straight to Mecca to join him there. The number rose to a hundred thousand lovers of Islam.
On the appointed day, the Muslims gathered in the plain of Arafat, outside Mecca. The Holy Prophet rode a camel and addressed the Muslims for the last time, saying,
“O people, listen to what I say and take it to your heart. You must know that every Muslim is the brother of the other Muslim. You are all equal in the eyes of your Maker. The greatest is the one who is most pious and most virtuous. You are all members of one common brotherhood. Your lives, your properties and your honour must be sacred to you like this day, this month and this city of Mecca. Then, O my people, you have certain rights over your wives and so have your wives also over you. They are the trust of Allah in your hands. So, you must treat them with all kindness. As regards your slaves, see that you give them to eat of what you yourselves eat and clothe them with what you clothe yourselves.”
Then the Prophet looked up and cried at the top of his voice.
“Oh Lord, bear witness, I have delivered Your message.”
The Muslims then dispersed and the Holy Prophet returned to Madina with the Ansars [the Helpers)] and the Muhajirs [the Immigrants].