Hajj

On 10 AH, at the occasion of the farewell pilgrimage, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) performed the Hajj along with the Holy Prophet (sa).

(Asharah Mubasharah, Bashir Sajid, p. 801, al-Badr Publications Urdu Bazar, Lahore, 2000)

Accounts relating to Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) were being narrated. One narration with regards to Hajjat-ul-Wada [farewell pilgrimage of the Holy Prophet (sa)] is recorded in the following manner. The Holy Prophet (sa) left for Hajjat-ul-Wada on a Thursday, when only six days were remaining to the month of Dhul-Qadah, in the 10th year after Hijrah. According to another narration, the Holy Prophet (sa) set off on a Saturday.

(Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, Bab Hajjatul Wada [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2002], p. 361)

Nevertheless, in one narration, Hazrat Asma bint Abi Bakr (ra) relates, “When the Holy Prophet (sa) intended to set off for Hajjat-ul-Wada, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) submitted, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! I have a camel and we can load our provisions upon it.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) agreed to this. Hence, the same camel was used for the provisions of the Holy Prophet (sa) and those of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa) had provisions prepared from flour and barley and loaded them on Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) camel. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then handed the camel to his servant.”

Hazrat Asma bint Abi Bakr (ra) further relates, “We set off for Hajj alongside the Holy Prophet (sa). When we reached Arj, the Holy Prophet (sa) dismounted his camel and we did so as well. Following this, Hazrat Aisha (ra) sat down beside the Holy Prophet (sa) and I sat down beside my father. The provisions of the Holy Prophet (sa) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) were on the same camel, (as has been mentioned) and this was with a servant of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was waiting for him to arrive. The servant arrived, but the camel was not with him. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) asked, ‘Where is your camel?’ He replied, ‘I lost it the previous night.’ Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said, ‘There was only one camel and you have lost that as well?’ Following this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stood up in order to hit him. The Holy Prophet (sa) was smiling and said, ‘Look at this Muhrim [a pilgrim who is in the state of Ihram]! What is he doing?’”

Ibn Abi Rizmah relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) only said, “Look at this Muhrim! What is he about to do?” The Holy Prophet (sa) then started smiling.

(Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 7, Fi Husn Khulqih [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], pp. 12-13), (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Manasik, Bab al-Muhrim Yu’addibu Ghulamah, Hadith 1818)

Nevertheless, when some of the companions came to know the provisions of the Holy Prophet (sa) had been lost, they brought him some hees. This is a confection of very high quality made from dates, flour and butter. This was presented before the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) addressed Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who was reprimanding his servant, and said, “O Abu Bakr! Be lenient as this matter is neither in your control, nor ours. This servant must certainly have tried not to lose the camel, but it still got lost.” In any case, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “Look, this is a pure form of nourishment, which has been brought to us from Allah the Almighty and it is a replacement of our provisions that were with this servant.” Following this, the Holy Prophet (sa) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) ate the food and those who used to eat with them also ate therefrom until all were satisfied with their fill.

Thereafter, Hazrat Safwan bin Mu‘attal (ra) arrived. His responsibility was to follow the entourage. The task that was entrusted to him was the same as mentioned in the incident of Ifk; to follow and see if anything had been left behind.

Hazrat Safwan (ra) arrived and with him was the camel which was carrying the travel provisions. He brought the camel and sat it at the entrance of where the Holy Prophet (sa) had camped. The Holy Prophet (sa) then said to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), “Check to see if any of your belongings are missing.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “Aside from a bowl which we used to drink water from, nothing is missing.” Upon this, the servant said, “That bowl is with me.”

(‘Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, Bab Hajjatul Wada’ [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2002], p. 365), (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 110)

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) relates that he departed alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) to perform the pilgrimage during the Hajjatul Wada. With him was his wife, Asma bint Umais (ra). When they reached Dhul-Hulaifah, Hazrat Asma’ (ra) gave birth to Muhammad bin Abi Bakr. Dhul-Hulaifah is situated 6-7 miles from Medina. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and informed him about the birth. The Holy Prophet (sa) said to him, “Tell Asma to bathe, then wear the Ihram for Hajj, and perform all the rites that others do – i.e. the other pilgrims – except for performing the circuits around the House of Allah.”

(Sunan al-Nasa’‘i, Kitab al-Manasik al-Hajj, Bab al-Ghusl li al-Ihlal, Hadith 2664), (Yaqut Ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Hamawi, Mu’jam al-Buldan, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah], p. 339)

When the Holy Prophet (sa) passed by the valley of Usfan he asked, “O Abu Bakr (ra), which valley is this?” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) submitted, “This is the valley of Usfan.” The Holy Prophet (sa) then stated, “Hazrat Hudra and Hazrat Salihra passed by here to perform the pilgrimage of the Ancient House, on two red camels, the bridles of which were made from the bark of date palms. They were wearing a cloak, wrapped with a black and white patterned cloth on top, and they were reciting the Talbiyah [prayer invoked whilst performing the pilgrimage].”

(Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 8, Fi Siyaq Hajjat al-Wada’ [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], p. 461)

Along the journey during the Farewell Pilgrimage, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was among those who had sacrificial animals with them.

(‘Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, Bab Hajjatul Wada’ [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2002], p. 369)

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) relates:

“I saw during the Farewell Pilgrimage that Suhail bin Amr was stood at the place to make the sacrifices, and he was ushering the sacrificial animal of the Holy Prophet (sa) closer to him. The Holy Prophet (sa) slaughtered it with his own hands. He then called for a person to shave off the hair on his head.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) further says, “I saw Suhail was placing the blessed hair of the Holy Prophet (sa) on his own eyes. I then remembered that this was the same Suhail who was stopping the Holy Prophet (sa) from writing ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ [in the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful] during the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. Upon this, I praised and glorified Allah, Who guided Suhail to Islam, and who then excelled immeasurably in his sincerity and devotion after being granted guidance.”

(Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 5, Fi Ghazwat al-Hudaibiyah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], p. 64)

It is recorded with regards to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) being the leader for Hajj, that in 9 AH, the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed him as the Amir [leader] of Hajj and sent him to Mecca. Details of this are that when the Holy Prophet (sa) returned from Tabuk, he decided to perform Hajj. He was told that the disbelievers join in with others on the occasion of Hajj, and so they would be present there reciting idolatrous incantations while circling the Kabah without any clothes on. Upon hearing this, the Holy Prophet (sa) decided not to perform Hajj that year, and appointed Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) as the leader.

(Ibn Hisham, Al-Raud al-Unf fi Tafsir al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Vol. 4, Hajj Abi Bakr (ra) bi al-Nas… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah], pp. 318-219), (Badr al-Din Mahmud Ibn Ahmad Aini, ‘Umdat al-Qari, Kitab al-Hajj, Bab la Yatufu bi al-Bait ‘Uryan, Vol. 9 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi, 2003], p. 384)

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) set out from Madinah along with 300 companions, and the Holy Prophet (sa) sent 20 animals for sacrifice along with them. The Holy Prophet (sa) put collars around their necks and marked them himself in order to indicate that these were sacrificial animals. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) also took five sacrificial animals of his own.

(‘Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, Bab Sarayuh wa Bu’uthuh… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2002], p. 295)

It is narrated that Hazrat Ali (ra) announced the initial verses of Surah al-Taubah on the occasion of Hajj. The narration is as follows:

Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin Ali narrates that when Surah Bara‘ah (i.e. Surah al-Taubah) was revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa), he had already sent Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) as the leader for Hajj. It was suggested to the Holy Prophet (sa) that he should convey this chapter to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) so that he may recite it there. The Holy Prophet (sa) said that none other than someone from his own family could fulfil this task on his behalf. He then summoned Hazrat Ali (ra) and instructed him to take what had been stated in the beginning of Surah al-Taubah and announce it among the people on the day of sacrifice when they gather in Mina that no disbelievers shall enter Paradise, and after that year, none of the disbelievers would be allowed to perform Hajj. No one would be allowed to perform circuits around the House of Allah while naked, and whoever entered into a treaty with the Holy Prophet (sa) its period would be fulfilled.

Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talibra took the Holy Prophet’s (sa) camel Adba and set out, and met Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) along the way. Hazrat Ali (ra) met Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) either in Arj or the Valley of Dajnan. Arj is a valley between Mecca and Madinah where caravans would encamp; Dajnan is a place on the outskirts of Mecca, at a distance of 25 miles on route to Madinah. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) saw Hazrat Ali (ra) along the way, he asked whether he had been appointed as the amir or whether he would be under his leadership. This was the degree of Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) humility, he immediately asked whether the Holy Prophet (sa) had sent Hazrat Ali (ra) as the amir or if Hazrat Ali (ra) would work under his leadership in the convoy. Hazrat Ali (ra) said that he would be under Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) leadership, and then both of them continued on.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) oversaw all matters relating to Hajj. That year, the people of Arabia set up their camps in the same places where they used to during the time of ignorance. When the day of sacrifice arrived, Hazrat Ali (ra) stood and announced that which the Holy Prophet (sa) had instructed him to say:

“O people, no disbeliever shall enter Paradise and after this year, no disbeliever shall perform Hajj, nor shall anyone be allowed to perform circuits of the House of Allah while naked. Whoever has a treaty with the Holy Prophet (sa), its term shall be completed. From the day of this announcement, the people will be given a period of four months, so that every tribe can return to their places of security or dwellings. Thereafter, there shall be no oath or treaty with a disbeliever nor will they be entrusted with any duty, excluding those oaths and treaties which have already been formed with the Holy Prophet (sa) for a set period of time (in other words, those treaties for which the stipulated timeframe still remained). Aside from these treaties, there will be no new treaties. The existing treaties made with the Holy Prophet (sa) will be honoured according to their fixed time period.”

After that year, no disbeliever performed Hajj, nor did anyone perform circuits of the Kabah while naked.

In another narration, Hazrat Ali (ra) is recorded to have said:

“Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) came to Arafah and addressed the people. When he completed his address, he turned to me and said, ‘O Ali, stand and deliver the message sent by the Holy Prophet (sa).’ I stood and recited the [first] 40 verses of Surah Bara‘ah to them.” Thereafter, both Hazrat Ali (ra) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) returned to the Holy Prophet (sa).

(Ibn Hisham, Sirat Ibn Hisham, Hajj Abi Bakr (ra) bi al-Nas… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-’Ilmiyyah, 2001], p. 832), (‘Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 12, Bab Sarayuh wa Bu’uthuh… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], p. 73), (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 7, Dhikr Ba’th Rasul (sa) Allah Aba Bakr (ra) Amiran ‘Ala al-Hajj… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Hajr, 1997], pp. 228-229), (Yaqut Ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Hamawi, Mu’jam al-Buldan, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah], p. 515), (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 198)