Mufti Saad Abdul Razzaq
The valley of Muhassar: As Rasulullah SAAW traversed the valley of Muhassar, he hastened his camel forward. Situated between Mina and Muzdalifah, Muhassar was neither a part of Mina nor Muzdalifah. It was commonly believed to be a site of divine retribution, where the army of the elephant was destroyed.
Some narrations suggest that this valley was associated with past incidents of divine wrath, such as the shower of fire upon a man. Nabi Muhammad SAAW, following his blessed habit of hastening through places marked by divine punishment, swiftly passed through Muhassar, a practice reminiscent of his journey through the settlements of Thamud during the expedition of Tabuk. Some have suggested that Rasulullah SAAW made haste through this valley, in opposition of the disbelievers as they used to halt and remain there.
Upon reaching Mina, Rasulullah SAAW first approached the Jamarah of Aqabah, riding his camel with determination. As the sun ascended, he faced the Jamarah of ‘Aqabah and commenced the ritual of stoning, proclaiming Takbeer with each pebble cast. With the Ka’bah on his left and Mina on his right, he continued the stoning ritual. Until the first pebble of Rami was thrown, he kept on reciting the Talbiyah. This tradition was echoed by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood R.A, who emulated Rasulullah’s SAAW actions during the stoning ritual. (Sahih Al Muslim Hadith No. 1296, Pg 512)
Accompanied by Hadhrat Bilal R.A r and Hadhrat Osamah R.A, Rasulullah SAAW performed the stoning ritual at Jamarah of ‘Aqabah during the Farewell Hajj. While one companion led the camel, the other shielded the Nabi of Allah’s SAAW blessed head from the sun.
Amidst the ritual, Rasulullah SAAW imparted profound wisdom, emphasizing the importance of obedience to a ruler who upholds the teachings of the Quran. Umm e Husayn R.A narrates:
I performed Hajjatul Wada’ in the company of Rasulullah SAAW. I saw him stoning the Jamarah of Aqabah while he was riding his camel. Sayyiduna Bilal R.A and Sayyiduna Osamah R.A were with him. While one companion led the camel, the other shielded Rasulullah’s SAAW blessed head from the sun. Rasulullah SAAW imparted many advice on that day, then I heard him say: “If a maimed slave is appointed as a commander over you, the narrator says: I think she said:” a black stave” who leads you according to the Book of Allah, then listen to him and obey him.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1298, pg. 512)
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, he urged his followers to learn the rituals of Hajj from him, acknowledging that it might be his final pilgrimage. This poignant statement underscored the solemnity of the occasion and Rasulullah’s SAAW concern for his followers’ guidance.
Learn your rituals (by seeing me performing them), for I do not know whether I would be performing Hajj after this Hajj of mine.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1297, Pg. 512)
The Khutbah of Mina: Returning to Mina, Rasulullah SAAW delivered a profound sermon. He emphasized that one another’s blood, wealth, and properties are sacred and also said:
The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Zul-Qa’ da, Zul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadul Ukhraa and Sha’ban.
You will soon meet your Rabb and He will ask you about your deeds. So do not turn to disbelief after me by striking the necks of one another.
Behold! Have I conveyed the message? They said: Yes. He then said: O Allah, be witness, saying it three times.
Let him who is present here convey (this message) to him who is absent; for many a person to whom a message is conveyed has a more retentive memory than the one who hears it”. (Sahih Bukhari, Chapter of the Farewell Hajj, p. 1596)
Rasulullah SAAW mentioned the false messiah, Dajjal and emphasized on the accountability for one’s deeds, cautioning against straying from the right path after his departure. Rasulullah SAAW imparted many other such advice and reminded the people of their responsibilities and urged them to convey his message to others.
He then addressed the congregation, bidding farewell, recognizing that this would be his final gathering of such a magnitude. Rasulullah SAAW knew that this will be his farewell Hajj as Surah Nasr was revealed unto him during the days of Tashreeq, which indicated his departure from this world.
