Farewell address of Muhammad (pbuh)

Mounted on a camel, in front of thousands of people, Muhammad (pbuh) was addressing. Was he the one to fulfill Biblical prophecy? ".... he came with ten thousands of saints from Mount Paran..." (Deut 33:2).

In 622 AD, after thirteen years of torture and boycott in his hometown, Mecca, Muhammad (pbuh) migrated to Medina, a town two hundred miles away from Mecca. Meccans announced an award of one hundred camels for anyone who would assassinate Muhammad (pbuh). Two years later in 624 AD, they gathered one thousand soldiers and travelled to kill Muhammad (pbuh) and a few hundred of his followers so they could finish his mission forever. Muhammad (pbuh) defended with three hundred thirteen and defeated them at Badr. It was a great loss to Meccans as their chief Abu Jahal was killed as well. In 625 and 627 AD Meccans came back to attack and waged two more wars (Uhud & Trench) to destroy Muhammad’s (pbuh) mission but failed.

Eventually, a peace treaty was written and signed by both parties to keep peace for the next ten years. The treaty is famously known as the treaty of Hudaibiyya. Meccans, however, showed no respect for the peace treaty and killed many of Muhammad’s (pbuh) allies. The allies approached Muhammad (pbuh) for help. Pointing to a cloud in the sky he said: "Like the rain drops which you see yonder, Muslim soldiers will drop down to your help."

In 630, it was January 1st, a New Year day when a new era was started. In the command of Muhammad (pbuh) his followers and friends marched towards Mecca, crossing the valley of Faran (Paran) they reached near Mecca. Muhammad (pbuh) asked his followers to light up fire in front of every tent. This great shine of fire like sun rose in the middle of the night astonished Meccans. They did not know what this light was about. They were friends and followers of Muhammad (pbuh) and their total count was ten thousand, the saints mentioned in Deuteronomy (33:2).

Abu Sufiyan, the chief of Mecca at that time went to find out about what was happening. He met Muhammad (pbuh) and accepted Islam. Meccans surrendered and Muhammad (pbuh) took over Mecca without any bloodshed.

Muhammad (pbuh) performed pilgrimage in 631 and addressed to thousands while sitting on his camel. The address is known as “The Farewell address”. Fundamental rules were discussed to establish peace forever. He said:

Treat your wives well:

“O men, you have some rights against your wives, but your wives also have some rights against you.... Be ever mindful of the duty you owe to Allah in respect of your wives. Remember you must always treat your wives well.......”

Treatment of Prisoners of war:

“O people, you still have in your possession some prisoners of war. I advise you, therefore, to feed them and to clothe them in the same way and style as you feed and clothe yourselves. If they do anything wrong which you are unable to forgive, then pass them on to someone else. They are part of God's creation. To give them pain or trouble can never be right... “

All men are equal:

“All of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they may belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, are equal”. He raised his hands and joined the fingers of the one hand with the fingers of the other and said: “Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. No one has any right, any superiority to claim over another. You are as brothers....God made the lives, property and honor of every man sacred.... “

The message of peace (Islam) was delivered, the mission was completed and history was made to remember him. Peace and Blessings of God be upon him.