The Prophet's final acts and his achievements
The Farewell Pilgrimage, death, and lasting legacy
Section A · Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
In the final years of his life, the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) consolidated Islam across Arabia, performed his Farewell Pilgrimage in 632 CE delivering the landmark Farewell Sermon, and died in Madinah in the arms of Aisha (رضي الله عنها). This topic examines the Prophet's final teachings, his extraordinary achievements across society, religion and politics, and the events of his death.
Key Points
- 1By 630 CE the Prophet had peacefully conquered Makkah (declaring amnesty for all) and united Arabia under Islam, within 23 years of the first revelation
- 2The Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada', 632 CE), approximately 100,000 pilgrims accompanied the Prophet to Makkah for what he foresaw as his final pilgrimage
- 3The Farewell Sermon at Arafat: declared racial equality, sanctity of life and property, women's rights, return to Qur'an and Sunnah, and the brotherhood of all Muslims
- 4During this pilgrimage, Qur'an 5:3 was revealed, 'This day I have perfected for you your religion', confirming the completion of Allah's revelation
- 5The Prophet died on 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 11 AH (June 8, 632 CE) in Madinah in the house of Aisha (رضي الله عنها); Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) announced his death with the words 'Whoever worshipped Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has died; whoever worships Allah, Allah is alive and does not die'
- 6Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)'s announcement reassured the community and preserved Tawhid, preventing the deification of the Prophet
- 7Religious achievements: delivered the complete Qur'an, established prayer, Zakah, fasting, Hajj, created a unified theology based on Tawhid
- 8Political achievements: united the fractious Arabian tribes, established the first Islamic state, set a model of governance; Social achievements: reformed treatment of women, slaves and the poor, ended female infanticide
Timeline of Events
- 630 CE(8 AH)Political
Conquest of Makkah, amnesty declared
Makkah entered peacefully; general amnesty given to former persecutors, the Prophet's mercy and magnanimity at its greatest
- 632 CE (March)(10 AH)Personal
Farewell Pilgrimage and Sermon at Arafat
Final major public address; Qur'an 5:3 revealed completing Islam; farewell to 100,000 Muslims
- 632 CE (June 8)(10 AH)Personal
Death of the Prophet in Madinah
Died in Aisha (رضي الله عنها)'s arms; Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)'s announcement preserved Tawhid; question of succession immediately arose
Key Terms
Hajjat al-Wada'
The Farewell Pilgrimage (632 CE), the Prophet's final and only Hajj, during which he delivered the Farewell Sermon and received the revelation of Qur'an 5:3 confirming the completion of Islam.
Farewell Sermon
The Prophet's final address to approximately 100,000 Muslims at the plain of Arafat, 632 CE. He declared racial equality, sanctity of life and property, women's rights, and commanded adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Arafat
A plain near Makkah where pilgrims stand in prayer on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the central act of Hajj. It was here that the Prophet delivered the Farewell Sermon.
Aisha (رضي الله عنها)
The Prophet's beloved wife with whom he died. She reported many Hadiths and became one of the most important teachers of Islam after his death.
Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)'s announcement
When the Prophet died, Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) announced: 'Whoever worshipped Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has died; whoever worships Allah, Allah is alive and does not die.' This preserved Tawhid by preventing the Prophet's deification.
Exam Passage
Qur'an 5:3
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
This passage is used in the (d) assess question for this topic. Learn it carefully.
Exam Tips
Explain · 6 marks
For 'explain the significance of the Prophet's Farewell Sermon', THREE points: (1) it summarised his key social teachings (racial equality, women's rights); (2) the command to follow Qur'an and Sunnah gave Muslims a complete guide after his death; (3) it was witnessed by 100,000 Muslims, making it one of the most widely witnessed events in history. Fact + significance.
Assess · 12 marks
Qur'an 5:3 ('This day I have perfected for you your religion') was revealed at the Farewell Pilgrimage. For 'Assess the most significant achievement of the Prophet': AGREE, religious achievements (delivering the Qur'an) are most significant; DISAGREE, his political achievement of uniting Arabia may have been necessary for Islam's survival. Use different categories: religious, social, political.
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Related Topics
Teachings and example of the Prophet on specific issues of justice and equality
The Farewell Sermon is the fullest statement of the justice and equality teachings covered in 1.6
The Prophet as leader
The Prophet's final political achievements consolidated the Islamic state he built as leader
Hajj
Hajj ritual is directly linked to the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet performed and explained Hajj during this journey