The Fairwell Pilgrimage

speed, the saddle on the camel was worth no more than four dirhams, symbolizing the Prophet’s balance between necessity and simplicity. Before setting out, the Prophet led the people in the four Rak’ahs of Zuhr prayer. He then delivered a sermon explaining the obligations and etiquettes of donning the Ihram. Afterwards, he departed from Madinah. Five miles from Madinah, at a place called Dhul Hulayfah (the Miqat for the people of Madinah), he spent the night. The next day, after performing Ghusl (ritual purification) and offering two Rak’ahs of Zuhr prayer, the Prophet donned the Ihram for both Hajj and Umrah (Qiran) and set off, reciting the Talbiyah: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1549; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1184) As he travelled from Madinah to Makkah, whenever the Prophet ascended a hill, he would loudly proclaim, “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest), as if declaring the greatness of God to the entire world. The Prophet Muhammad reached Makkah on the 4th of Dhu al-Hijjah, completing the journey from Madinah to Makkah in nine days. It was afternoon when he entered the Haram. Upon seeing the Ka’bah, the Prophet prayed: “O Allah, increase this House in honour, greatness, nobility, and reverence.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat, Hadith No. 6132)