Mufti Saad Abdul Razzaq
The revelation of Surah al-Nasr: Surah al-Nasr was revealed during Rasulullah’s SAAW stay in Mina, where he delivered two sermons. Imam Tirmizi R.A has narrated that Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas R.A said:
Umar used to ask me questions in front of the Companions of Rasulullah SAAW. So, Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf R.A said to him: ‘Why do you ask him, while we have children like him?”
Umar said to him: ‘It is because of what you know (about him). So, he asked him about this Ayah: ‘When there comes the help of Allah and the Conquest. I said: “It is only regarding the (end of the) life span of the Messenger of Allah, informing him of it”. Then he recited the Surah until its end. So, Umar R.A said to him: “By Allah! I know not about it, but what you know”.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3362, pg. 532)
The revelation of Surah al-Nasr signalled to Rasulullah SAAW that his time to depart from the Ummah and the time to return to Allah Ta’ala was drawing near. Similarly, the companions sensed the approaching separation from their beloved Nabi SAAW.
During the same period, Hadhrat Abbas R.A sought permission from Rasulullah SAAW to remain in Makka Mukarramah at night due to his obligation to provide Zamzam water (to travellers and pilgrims). Similarly, the camel herders sought permission to spend the night outside Mina, and Rasulullah SAAW granted their request as well.
After completing the ritual of stoning the Jamaraat on the 12th of Zul-Hijjah, Rasulullah SAAW remained in Mina and pelted the Jamaraat on the 13th of Zul Hijjah as well.
Staying in Muhassab and the farewell Tawaf
Following the pelting of the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, they left Mina and arrived at Muhassab. It is recorded in Mu’jam al-Buldaan that Muhassab is also known as Abtah, Bathaa, and Khaif Bani Kinana. Rasulullah SAAW had already informed everyone of this while he was in Mina. Hence, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah R.A narrates:
Rasulullah SAAW said to us while we were at Mina, tomorrow we will halt at-Khaif of Banu Kinanah, where the Quriashh and Banu Kinanah had pledged against Banu Hashim and Banu Muttalib that they would neither marry nor do any transaction with them unless they surrender Rasulullah SAAW to them. And this pledge was taken at this (place) Muhassab. (Muslim, H 1314, Pg. 517)
Upon reaching Muhassab, Rasulullah SAAW stayed in a tent made from hair arranged by his freed slave Hadhrat Abu Rafi R.A; who was in charge of looking after the luggage and belongings of Rasulullah SAAW. While in Muhassab, Rasulullah SAAW performed the Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayer; after which he rested briefly. And from there he proceeded to Makkah Mukarramah to perform the farewell Tawaf. Hadhrat Anas R.A narrates:
Rasulullah SAAW offered the Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and the ‘Isha’ prayers and slept for a while at a place called al-Muhassab and then rode to the Ka’ba and performed Tawaf round it. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1675, Pg. 626)
The noble wife of Rasulullah SAAW, Sayyidatuna Safiyya R.A experienced menstruation upon returning from Mina, and since she had already performed Tawaful Ziyaarah, Rasulullah SAAW permitted her to return to Madinah Munawwarah without performing the farewell Tawaf. Hence, Umm ul Mu’mineen, Sayyidatuna Ayesha R.A narrates the following:
Safiyyah bint Huyay R.A, the noble wife of Rasulullah SAAW experienced menstruation during the farewell Hajj. When I informed Rasulullah SAAW about it, he said ‘Then it will stop us.” The people said that she had completed Tawaful Ifaadah, upon which Rasulullah SAAW assured them that in this case there was no need to worry. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1670, Pg. 625)
Rasulullah SAAW performed Tawaf at the time of Sehri (before dawn). His wife Hadhrat Umm e Salmah R.A was unwell and performed Tawaf on a camel instead. The narration is recorded in Bukhari. Umm e Salmah R.A narrates:
I informed Allah’s Messenger SAAW that I was ill. So, he said, “Perform the Tawaf while riding behind the people. I did so, and at that time Rasulullah SAAW was praying beside the Ka’ba and reciting Surah Tur. (Bukhari, Hadith 1552, Pg. 589)
