After having consolidated the power of Islam in Arabia, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) set out to perform Hajjatul wida, his Farewell Pilgrimage. It was the last year of his life. He left Madinah for Makkah accompanied by Madina Muslims. When the news spread that the Prophet (SAW) was going to perform the pilgrimage, various tribes living in Arabia began pouring into Makkah. Therefore when the Prophet of Islam (SAW) performed his first as well as his last pilgrimage, he was joined by(125,000) one lakh twenty five thousand Muslims. During this pilgrimage the revelations about the rules of the Hajj were given to him. These are followed by all Muslims to this day. When the Prophet (SAW) arrived at Mount Arafat he imparted some teachings to the people present on that occasion. These are preserved in the form of the ‘Final Sermon’.
The Prophet left for heavenly abode in the room attached to the Masjid-e-Nabawi. He was laid to rest in the same place. Later when Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) left for heavenly abode, they were also buried to the right and left sides of the Prophet (SAW).
During the Sermon of Arafat the last passage of the Quran was revealed: “Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed my blessings upon you; and I have approved Islam as your religion.” (5:4-5) this proved to be his last visit, that is why it came to be called the “Farewell Pilgrimage.” Only three months after his return to Madinah he fell ill and, with the consent of all of his wives, stayed in the house of Aishah. He had fever and headache. He remained ill for about two weeks and breathed his last on 12 Rabiul Awwal 10 A.H. He continued leading prayers till he became too weak to go into the mosque. But before his death he led his last prayer in the Masjid-e-Nabawi and made Abu Bakr, his closest companion, the Imam of this prayer. This was a clear indication that he wanted Abu Bakr to succeed him as the leader of the believers. The Prophet left for heavenly abode in the room attached to the Masjid-e-Nabawi. He was laid to rest in the same place. Later when Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) left for heavenly abode, they were also buried to the right and left sides of the Prophet (SAW).
