Haj and details about the last Haj

Haj is a great article of Islam.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) performed 3 Haj after the declaration of Prophethood and it is mentioned in a narration (Riwayah) that in His stay at Makkah, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) performed a Haj every year.  After Haj was declared Fardh (obligatory), the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) performed only 1 Haj, which is famously known as Hujjatul Wada'a (the farewell Haj).  This is the great, memorable Haj, in which the Sahabah (companions) joined from the corners of the world and benefited from the company of the law-giver Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and had the honor of performing all the articles of Haj in His guidance.

 

As given in Seerat Halabiyya, Vol. 3, Pg. No. 283.

 

There are 4 opinions about when Haj became Fardh.

 

6 Hijri, 7 Hijri, 8 Hijri or 9 Hijri.

 

The author of Seerat Halabiyya says:

 

6 Hijri is the opinion of the majority, Imam Rafa'i and Imam Nawawi has declared it as Sahih (rigorously authenticated).

 

However, in Durre Mukhtaar and its commentary, Radd Ul Muhtaar the opinion of 9 Hijri has been preferred.  As given in Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 151.

 

As the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has complete and absolute knowledge of His blessed life, His stay in this earthly world and His passing away into the presence of Allah Ta'ala, by the grant of Allah Ta'ala, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) postponed the Haj and blessed 124,000 of His slaves with His company and performed it in 10 Hijri.

 

Why Hujjatul Wada'a is called so?

 

(1)  Hujjatul Wada'a

 

(2)  Hujjatul Tamaam

 

(3)  Hujjatul Balagh.

 

(4)  Hujjatul Islam.

 

The First Reason:

 

This is called Hujjatul Wada'a because in this Haj, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) addressed His Ummah and bid them farewell.

 

 

The Second Reason:

 

In that era, even though there were no facilities for travel and journey, Muslims came from far-off places, 124,000 Sahabah were present and as per another Tradition, 114,000 were present at that time.  This large a congregation did not gather before the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) after this.  Also, for many who had come from far-off places, this was their last and farewell coming.  For this reason, it is called Hujjatul Wada'a.

 

Reason for Calling It Hujjatul Tamaam:

 

This verse about the absoluteness and perfection of Islam was revealed on the 9^th of Dhul Hijjah during the stay in Arafaat:

 

Today I have perfected your Din (Religion) for you, and have completed My Blessing upon you, and have chosen for you Islam (as) Din (a complete code of life).  Surah Maida (5:3)

 

Thus, it is also called as Hujjatul Tamaam.

 

Why Hujjatul Balaagh

 

This is called Hujjatul Balaagh because in the sermons of this Haj, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) described the laws of Islam and demanded testification from those who were present, declared them as witnesses and said:

 

Translation:  Lo!  The person who is present should pass it on to those were absent.  (Seerat Halabiyya, Vol. 3, Pg. No. 282/283)

 

Hujjatul Islam:

 

This is called Hujjatul Islam, because in the sermon of this Haj, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) described the essence of the teachings of Islam and gave instructions about every aspect of Islamic teachings.

 

By:

 

 

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,

 

 

[Associate Professor of Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,

Founder/Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]