Before the opening of Mecca the Angel Gabriel brought the Prophet (sa) a new chapter that exhorted the praise of his Lord and the asking of His forgiveness.

"When the victory of Allah and the opening comes, and you see people embracing the Religion of Allah in throngs, exalt with the praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness from Him. For indeed, He is the Turner (for the penitent)." (Koran Chapter 110)

The chapter was not only a sign that he would soon open Mecca, but also an indication that after these signs had been fulfilled his time upon earth would soon be at an end, however, it was not until later that he disclosed the indication to his daughter, Lady Fatima. As the middle of Ramadan approached the Prophet (sa) made his customary retreat to the Mosque in which he would spend ten consecutive days and nights.

After the passing of the ten days he invited his companions to remain with him in the Mosque until Eid, which was a further ten days away. During the course of each year it was customary for the Arch Angel Gabriel to visit and recite the Holy Koran to him in its entirety after which the Prophet (sa) would recite it to Gabriel.

That year Gabriel recited it twice and this confirmed his understanding that it would not be too long before he left this earthly life. As the time for the pilgrimage approached, the Prophet (sa) announced he would lead the pilgrimage that year.

News spread throughout Arabia of his intent and over thirty-thousand pilgrims, men, women and children congregated in Medina from all quarters of Arabia. Later, Lady Ayesha narrated that some of the pilgrims had made the intention to offer the greater pilgrimage, whilst others, the lesser pilgrimage, and some both.

Five days before the end of the month, the Prophet (sa) set off with the pilgrims for Mecca. That year all the Prophet's wives accompanied him, each riding in their own howdah, led by Abdur Rahman, Awf's son and Othman, Arfan's son.

The Birth of Abu Bakr's Son

Amongst the pilgrims was the Prophet's long time friend and companion, Abu Bakr had been amongst the first to believe and had accompanied him during his migration to Medina ten years earlier. Asma, Abu Bakr's wife was expecting their child but did not want to miss the pilgrimage even though her delivery was near and so she decided to accompany her husband.

On one of the halts along the pilgrimage route, Asma gave birth to their son who they named Muhammad. Abu Bakr planned to send mother and child back to Medina, but when the Prophet (sa) learned of his intent he told him to let her continue by making the major ablution, and then rededicating herself to offering the pilgrimage. Ten days after having left Medina the Prophet (sa) and the pilgrims reached the pass through which he had entered Mecca on the day of its opening, and spent the night there.

The following morning was the fourth day of Dhul Hijja whereupon the Prophet (sa) and his companions made their intention to offer the lesser pilgrimage and assumed the state of "Ihram", which is a state in which certain permissible deeds are no longer permissible to pilgrims, then donned the unstitched white robe of pilgrimage. Now that their intention had been made they resumed the final part of their journey into Mecca.

Soon after, the Prophet (sa) gazed upon the beloved Ka'ba whereupon he released the rein's of his camel as he reverently raised his hands up high, as he supplicated, "O Allah, increase this House in honor and greatness; in bounty and in reverence, and piety that it gives to mankind.” He now stood before Ka'ba then completed the seven rounds after which he offered his prayer at the Station of Abraham, which is the place where Abraham stood when he and his son Ishmael rebuilt the House of Allah.

Then he proceeded to the hill of Safwa and supplicated as he walked quickly between it and the hill of Marwa seven times. Upon its completion the Prophet (sa) returned to the Mosque where Othman from the tribe of Abd Ad Dar, the keeper of the keys to Ka'ba, unlocked the door of Ka'ba and the Prophet (sa), together with Othman, Bilal and Osama entered inside.

Entry into the Ka'ba does not constitute an obligatory part of the pilgrimage and later that day when the Prophet (sa) returned to Lady Ayesha's tent he mentioned his concern that because the pilgrims had seen him enter the Ka’ba they might l be disquieted if they were unable to enter it in the future whilst offering their pilgrimage.

Umm Hani offered to accommodate the Prophet (sa) in her home, but he declined as he wished to remain near the beloved Ka'ba. As the time approached for the pilgrims to continue on to the valley of Mina, they assembled together and the Prophet (sa) mounted his camel. It was already late in the day when they reached Mina so they spent the night there and in the early light of the following morning, after the prayer, made their way through the valley of Arafat to the Mount of Arafat, which is often referred to as the Mount of Mercy, for Allah has said that upon the Day of Arafat He forgives more sins than on any other day. There they spent the rest of the day in prayer, reciting the Koran, exalting Allah and supplicating for His Mercy and Forgiveness.

The Farewell Sermon

On the day of Arafat, the Prophet (sa) gave what was to become known as his "Farewell Sermon" it was concise, and yet another indication that the time was near at hand for him to meet his Lord. After praising and exalting Allah he began the sermon saying: "Time is running in the same manner as it did on the day Allah created the heavens and the earth. A year has twelve months four of which are sacred; three are consecutive -- Zul Ka'ad, Zul Hajj and Muharram. Rajab falls between Jumada and Sha'ban."

Then he asked, ‘What month is this?’ and without exception, the vast congregation in total surrender replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ The Prophet (sa) remained silent for a while and they thought he was about to rename it. When he said, ‘Isn't it Zul Hajj?’ and they answered, ‘Yes, indeed.’ Then he asked, ‘Which City is this?’ whereupon they again replied in total surrender, ’Allah and His Messenger know best.’

The Prophet (sa) remained silent as before and again they thought he was about to rename it. Then he said, ‘Isn't it the Sacred City (Mina)?’ and they replied, ‘Yes, indeed.’ Then he asked, ‘What day is this?’ and once again they replied in total submission, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ And again he remained silent and they thought he was about to rename it. Then he said, ‘Isn't it the Day of Sacrifice?’ and once again they replied, ‘Yes, indeed.’ Then he told them, ‘Your lives, possessions and honor must be as sacred to one another as this Sacred Day, this month and City. Let those who are present take this message to those who are absent. You are about to meet your Lord, who will call you to account for your deeds. As of this day all sums of interest are remitted, including that of Abbas, son of Abd Al Muttalib. Every right arising from homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived, and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah the son of Al Harith, son of Abd Al Muttalib. O people! this day satan has despaired of re-establishing his power in this land of yours. Nevertheless, should you obey him, even in what may seem to you trifling, it will be a mater of pleasure for him. Beware of him, therefore, for the safety of your religion. O my people! you have certain rights over your wives and your wives have certain rights over you. Allah has entrusted them to your hands, so you must treat them with all kindness. It is your right that they do not associate on intimate terms with any one of whom you do not approve, and that they never commit adultery. All Muslims, free or enslaved, have the same rights and responsibilities. No one is higher than another unless he is higher in virtue. O people, even if an Abyssinian slave becomes your Amir (ruler), listen and obey him, as long as he executes the Book of Allah among you. O people! listen to what I say, and take it to heart. I leave you with the Book of Allah, and the ways of His Prophet (sa). If you follow them, you will never go astray. You must know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are equal. You are members of one common brotherhood. It is forbidden for any of you to take from his brother except that which the latter should willingly give. Do not oppress your people.’ Then he asked. ‘Have I conveyed the Command of Allah, have I conveyed the Command of Allah?’ And they replied, ‘Yes!’ Then he supplicated, ’O Allah, bear witness."

As the sun set the Day of Arafat drew to a close and after the offering of the evening prayer it was time to leave. The Prophet (sa) mounted his camel and with Osama riding behind him led the pilgrims at a modest pace on to Aqabah.

In their eagerness to reach Aqabah, the pilgrims started to hasten their pace, whereupon the Prophet (sa) told them to slow down saying, "Gently, gently, in the quietness of the soul. Let those who are strong care for the weak." Lady Swaydah found it difficult to keep up with the rest of the pilgrims, so she sought the Prophet's permission to leave Muzdalifah in the coolness of the pre-dawn hours for Aqabah so that she might fulfill her duty before the multitude of pilgrims arrived.

The Prophet (sa) gave his permission and Lady Umm Sulaym accompanied her with Abbas' son, Abdullah, leading the way. Now that the thin thread of light had appeared on the horizon it was time for the dawn prayer, so the call to prayer was made and the Prophet (sa) led the pilgrims in prayer. After its completion it was time to leave for Aqabah, but this time Fadl rode behind the Prophet (sa). Upon reaching Aqabah, the Prophet (sa) stoned the pillars seven times and as he did he exalted Allah saying, ‘Allahu Akbar!’ and the pilgrims took up the exaltation.

It was now time to offer the consecrated animals and all were sacrificed as they remembered the first sacrifice, the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham so many centuries before. Now that the sacrifices had been offered, the Prophet (sa) called for a barber to shave his head and as his hair was shaved as pilgrims vied with one another receive a strand. Khalid was standing near the Prophet (sa) during his shaving and asked him for a lock of hair.

Upon receiving it he pressed it against his eyes and lips out of sincere love and place it securely under his turban and from that time onwards neither and an encounter nor was he killed in hostilities. After the pilgrims completed their shaving, the Prophet (sa) told them to press on to the Ka'ba and then return to spend that night and the next two at Mina, however, he and his wives did not leave immediately and remained in Aqabah until the afternoon before leaving for Ka'ba. Meanwhile, Lady Ayesha’s monthly cycle arrived.

After it stopped she took her cleansing bath and the Prophet (sa) told her to renew her intention to offer the pilgrimage. Then he asked her brother, Abdur Rahman, to accompany his sister to outside the Sacred precincts to begin her pilgrimage and them circumambulate the Ka'ba.

The Questioning of the Koraysh

The pilgrimage to the House of Allah had been fulfilled, however, some of the new Koraysh converts questioned the validity of standing on Mount Arafat which lies some thirteen miles outside Mecca, saying that in the past they had not left the Holy Land when they went on pilgrimage.

The Prophet (sa) informed them that Arafat was indeed an essential part of the obligatory rites of the pilgrimage established by Prophet Abraham, but on account of neglect, then disregard, it had become forgotten over the passage of time. Then he recited the Words of Allah:

"Then surge on from where the people surge and ask Allah for forgiveness. He is Forgiving and Most Merciful." (Koran 2:199)

and explained that "from where the people surge" referred to Arafat.

The Prophet (sa) and the Newly Born

During the Farewell pilgrimage, a baby, who was given the name Mubarak Al Yamana, was born in Mecca and taken to the Prophet (sa). As soon as the baby was presented to the Prophet (sa) it spoke whereupon the Prophet (sa) said, "You have spoken the truth, may Allah bless you." The child did not spoke again for many years, in fact it wasn’t until he became an adult that he spoke.