The Message of Islam — Page 40
40 Pilgrimage to Makkah In the eleventh year of the Hijra, the Prophet saw decided to go on pilgrimage to Makkah. On the day of pilgrimage, there was assem- bled in the valley of Arafat a concourse of a hundred thousand devout pilgrims. Muhammad saw, the chosen of Allah; rejected by Quarish; persecuted; boycotted; hounded out of Taif; forced out of Makkah with a price of one hundred camels proclaimed for his person, dead or alive; pursued by the hatred of Quraish even in Madinah; challenged by force, besieged, plotted against; faithful, loyal, steadfast, humble, obedient servant of Allah; His Messenger par excellence was now surrounded by an ocean of faithful, devoted hearts, all proclaiming the glory of Allah, cel- ebrating His praise, affirming His Unity, supplicating Him for forgiveness, mercy, compassion; and invoking His blessings on Muhammad saw. The Prophet saw proceeded on his camel, Qaswaa, to the Mount of Mercy, and standing on the back of Qaswaa, made his address of farewell. After the recitation of the Shahadah, he said that he did not know whether he would be able to meet them again on the occasion of the pilgrimage, and he asked them to lend an attentive ear to what he had to say. He went on to admonish them to order their lives in accordance with the commandments of God; to take particular care that no trespass was committed against any person in respect of his life, property, or honour; to treat women with due regard and consideration, fully observing their rights, which corresponded to the rights that men had. He expressed solicitude for the welfare of the prisoners of war, some of whom they still