The Messenger of Allah performed his only Haj in the tenth year after Hijrah (the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah in 633 CE). The scholars have three different names for this blessed Haj. It is called Hajjat Al-Wida (Farewell Haj), because the Messenger of Allah said farewell to his followers during it and because he did not perform any other Haj until he died later that year. It is also called Hajjat Al-Islam, for the Messenger of Allah never performed any Haj from Madinah except this one. In addition, it’s called Hajjat Al-Balagh (Delivering the Message), for the Messenger of Allah conveyed to the Muslims the sermons of Haj.

Haj was the last pillar and cornerstone of Islam to be conveyed to Muslims, and it was explained and practiced by the Messenger of Allah himself. When he conveyed and initiated the rituals of Haj for Muslims, Allah sent down to him the following Ayah when he was in the area of Mount Arafat (not the Mount itself), “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Qur’an, 5:3)

Also, while in the area of Arafat, the Messenger of Allah delivered his farewell speech, in which he detailed the major aspects of Islam regarding conduct, righteousness, piety and also stated the rights of mankind upon each other.

The Messenger of Allah said in his farewell speech, “O People! Hear what I am going to say and comprehend it. Know that every Muslim is the brother for other Muslims.

Therefore, since Muslims are brothers, none among them is allowed to acquire that which his brother owns, except what he agrees to give up. By Allah, did I convey?” They said, “By Allah! Yes, indeed.” He said, “O Allah! Be my Witness. Do not become Kuffar after my departure, smiting each others’ necks.”

Indeed, Islam seeks to strengthen brotherly relations between Muslims, by fortifying this brotherhood with the kindness, love and loyalty that they should have for each other. This is why Islam has prescribed certain rights for Muslims on each other, so that their hearts will reconcile and unite around brotherly love. Allah said, what translated means,

The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive Mercy. (Qur’an, 49:10)

One of the major cornerstones of this prescribed brotherhood is that this feeling should be apparent and announced between Muslims.

An-Numan ibn Bashir said that the Messenger of Allah said, “The example of the believers in their kindness, mercy and compassion that they have for each other is the example of the human body: When a part of it feels sick, the rest of the body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Also, Abu Musa narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “The example of the believers is the example of a building, each of its parts supports the other parts.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmithi & An-Nasaii)

To further emphasize the importance of this brotherly love, Islam calls upon Muslims to announce to each other that they love them.

Al-Miqdad reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “When one of you loves one of his brothers (for the sake of Allah), let him inform him (his brother) that he loves him.” (Ahmad)

Being loyal to other believers is an important aspect of this Islamic brotherly love. The true believer is only loyal to and friends with his believing brothers. Also, the true believer does not follow any path other than the path taken by the community of the believers, as Allah said, “Let not the believers take the disbelievers as Awliyaa (helpers, loyalists, supporters, etc.) instead of the believers, and whoever does that will never be helped by Allah in any way, except if you indeed fear a danger from them. And Allah warns you against Himself (His punishment), and to Allah is the Final Return.” (Qur’an, 3:28)

The Messenger of Allah declared during the speech that he gave in Hajjat Al-Wida that people are equal, in that they all descended from one male and one female. He said to the people: “O People! Your Lord is One and your father is one (Adam). You all are from Adam, and Adam was made from dust. Verily, the most honorable amongst you in the Sight of Allah is the one who has piety.

No Arab is better than a non-Arab, except if he has more Taqwa (fear from Allah). Did I convey? O Allah! Be a Witness.” They said, “By Allah, indeed you did (convey the Message).” He said, “Then, let those who are present convey to those who are absent.”

Indeed, Islam proclaimed that all mankind are brothers because their origin is the same.

This has taken place centuries before the present time, providing further proof that Islam is the religion for all mankind. Allah said, “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is that (believer) who has piety. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All- Aware.” (Qur’an, 49:3)

This is how Islam calls upon people to understand that which they failed to understand. Their Lord is One, their father is one, and their origin is one, from dust. This helps them abandon their prejudice and embrace the brotherhood that Islam seeks for them. The early Muslims implemented this call to the fullest and most complete form, indeed.

This is a tremendous Hadith, indeed. It is one of the most beautiful examples in the justice and equality that Islam was sent with. To the Prophet, all people, whether rich or poor, noble of mediocre, are the same.

This is how Islam destroyed the very essence and foundation of Al-Jahiliyyah and built on its ruins a society full of justice and following the truth.

During the reign of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, Jabalah ibn Al-Ayham, the king of the Ghassani Arabs in Syria, once visited the House of Allah in Makkah. This occurred after he joined the Muslims and split ranks with the Romans with whom he had joined ranks during the early years of Islam. When Islam became victorious, he embraced Islam. While he was circling the Kabaa when performing Haj, a man stepped on his garment and it fell to the ground. Jabalah smacked the man’s face and broke his nose.

The man complained to Caliph Umar, who summoned Jabalah. Umar informed him that the man has the right to avenge his broken nose by striking him on the nose. Or, the man may forfeit his right if he elects to do so.

He also said to Jabalah, “Here is your foe! Try to strike a deal with him, otherwise, he has the right to avenge what you did to him!” Jabalah said, “How can this be, while I am a king and he is nobody!” Umar then explained to him that Islam has made them equals. … Then, he asked for a grace period to think about this matter. Before the morning, Jabalah escaped to his people, converted from Islam and rejoined the Romans. Later on, he became very sorry that he did this, crying at times, although the Romans were very generous with him.

This is the Islamic civilization, where no race is better than other races, and no color is better than other colors. This is the true civilization that all those gifted with sound comprehension seek for themselves and their communities.

-Courtesy of 4salaf.com