The Sermon at the Farewell Pilgrimage
After completing the pilgrimage, the Prophet stood on a small mountain (later called the mount of Mercy or Jabl al-Rahma) in the plain of 'Arafat, and gave a sermon that had an air of finality to it. It was like the period at the end of a sentence, the last chapter of a book, the last act in a play. He spoke in the past tense. “Today, I have completed the Din (complete system of life) for you… and selected for you Islam.”
He began the speech by declaring, “All the pagan practices are crushed under my feet. O mankind, your Lord is One. Without doubt, your father Adam is one. No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab or a white over a black, or a black over a white, except on the basis of Taqwa (Allah consciousness). Each Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and all Muslims are brothers. And as for your slaves, feed them what you eat, and clothe them with what you wear. All revenge from bloodshed during paganism is abolished. First and foremost, I forgive from my family, Rabi’ah bin al- Harith’s son’s murder. All usury is abolished. And first and foremost, from my family I abolish usury owed to my uncle, 'Abbas ibn 'Abdul Muttalib. Remember Allah in your dealings with women. You have rights over women, and they have rights over you. Your life and property are sacred to you till the Day of Reckoning.”
After finishing the sermon, he asked, “When Allah will question you about me, what will you say?” The companions replied, “You delivered the message, you fulfilled your obligation.” Muhammad (S) then raised his finger toward the sky and repeated three times, “Allahumma Ashhad” (O Allah, You are the witness). As he surveyed the crowd gathered to listen to him, he must have felt a sense of satisfaction. There are a number of other traditions attributed to this farewell pilgrimage. The four sacred months, in which all conflict was banned, were fixed. The practice of changing the months according to convenience was abolished.
The Final Illness
O men, If you have been worshipping Muhammad (S), then know that Muhammad (S) is dead. But if you have been worshipping Allah, then know that Allah is living and never dies.
-Abu Bakr
The speech, which Muhammad (S) gave at the last pilgrimage and some of his other pronouncements, had the tone of a person who is bidding farewell. He appeared to have a premonition that his mission on this earth was coming to a close. His final illness lasted several days, producing a high fever and severe headaches. Occasionally, he fainted due to the extreme fever. Approximately four days before he died, he gave his last speech. He talked about the “choice” human beings have of striving primarily for success in this life or focusing on the hereafter. He stressed the Qur’anic concept that personal actions determine an individual’s rewards. In a poignant Friday sermon he declared; “O Messenger of Allah’s daughter, Fatimah, O Messenger of Allah’s aunt, Safiyyah ibn 'Abdul Muttalib, perform righteous deeds for Allah, I cannot save you from Allah.”
After the sermon (khutbah) he went back to 'A’ishah’s chamber. The headache and the fever made him very uncomfortable. ‘Aishah reports him as saying, “Jews and Christians have earned Allah’s displeasure by turning the graves of their Messengers into temples of worship.” He was obviously thinking of his death and was worried that his followers might commit the same fatal error because out of devotion and respect towards him. During the last day or two of his illness, he appeared to slip in and out of consciousness. He passed away in the month of May in the year 632 AD (the eleventh year of the Hijrah, in the Muslim month of Rabi’ al-Awwal).
The news of Muhammad’s (S) death spread rapidly. Most people were understandably in shock and disbelief. 'Umar was beside himself with grief, threatening to silence those who alleged the Apostle had died. However Abu Bakr maintained his poise. When he returned to the Prophet’s house, he went up to the body, uncovered his face, and kissed him. Abu Bakr reportedly said, “… You (Muhammad have tasted death Allah has decreed it. A second death shall never overtake you.”
He then went out in the courtyard and spoke these memorable words. “O men, if anyone worships Muhammad (S), Muhammad (S) is dead. If anyone worships Allah, Allah is alive, immortal.”
Then he recited the following verse:
Muhammad is no more than an Apostle. Apostles before him have passed away. If he dies or is slain, will ye then turn on your heels? And he who turneth on his heels shall not in the least injure Allah. And Allah will soon reward the grateful. (Qur’an 3: 144)
Abu Bakr’s actions and words at this emotional and critical moment in Muslim history had an impact on the course of Islam that is far more profound than most people realize. It prevented Muslims from succumbing to the very human instinct of deification of the Prophet which people had done to the memory of many other messengers and charismatic leaders in the past.