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The Prophet's ﷺ Hajj
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Comprehensive answers about how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed his Farewell Pilgrimage, based on authentic Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and other reliable sources.

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Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed his only Hajj in the 10th year of Hijrah (632 CE). This Hajj is known as Hajjatul-Wada (The Farewell Pilgrimage) because it was his final Hajj before his passing. He set out from Madinah in Dhul-Qa'dah and reached Makkah on the 4th of Dhul-Hijjah.
It is estimated that over 100,000 companions accompanied the Prophet ﷺ on this historic journey. Some narrations mention 90,000, others over 100,000, and some even say 124,000. This was the largest gathering during his lifetime and demonstrated the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
The Prophet ﷺ performed Hajj al-Qiran, which means he combined the intentions of Hajj and Umrah together and did not come out of Ihram until both were completed. He brought sacrificial animals (Hady) from Madinah, which indicated this type of Hajj. However, he advised those who did not bring Hady to perform Tamattu (Umrah first, then Hajj separately).
The Prophet ﷺ entered Ihram at Dhul-Hulayfah (also known as Abyar Ali), which is the Miqat (designated place) for people traveling from Madinah. After performing two Rak'ahs of prayer, he declared his intention for Hajj and Umrah and began reciting the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk..."
The Prophet ﷺ recited: "Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak."

Translation: "Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
The Prophet ﷺ arrived in Makkah on Sunday, the 4th of Dhul-Hijjah. He stayed in a place called Al-Abtah (near Makkah) before entering the city. Upon entering, he went directly to the Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf.
The Prophet ﷺ performed Tawaf al-Qudum (arrival Tawaf) by circling the Kaaba seven times. He performed Raml (brisk walking) in the first three circuits and Idtiba' (uncovering the right shoulder). He touched the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) at the start of each circuit when possible, and said "Allahu Akbar" each time.
Yes, after completing Tawaf and praying two Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, the Prophet ﷺ went to perform Sa'i between Safa and Marwah. He started at Safa, reciting the verse "Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah" and completed seven laps, walking between the two hills.
The Prophet ﷺ stayed at Al-Abtah (also called Khaif Bani Kinanah), which is in the valley between Makkah and Mina. This was outside the main city. He stayed there from the 4th to the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah before departing for Mina on the Day of Tarwiyah.
The Prophet ﷺ left for Mina on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Tarwiyah) in the morning. He performed Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr prayers in Mina, shortening the four-Rak'ah prayers to two. He spent the night there and left for Arafat the next morning after sunrise.
The Prophet ﷺ left Mina for Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah) after sunrise. He traveled to a place called Namirah near Arafat, where he rested in a tent until the time of Dhuhr prayer approached.
The Prophet ﷺ delivered his historic Farewell Sermon (Khutbatul-Wada) at Arafat, near a place called Jabal ar-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy), on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. He sat on his camel Al-Qaswa and addressed over 100,000 pilgrims, establishing fundamental Islamic principles of human rights, equality, and social justice.
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized: (1) The sanctity of life, property, and honor; (2) Equality of all humans regardless of race or tribe; (3) Rights of women; (4) Prohibition of usury (Riba); (5) Holding fast to the Quran and Sunnah; (6) He asked the people to bear witness that he had conveyed the message, and Allah revealed the verse: "This day I have perfected your religion for you..." (Quran 5:3)
After the sermon, the Prophet ﷺ combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers at the time of Dhuhr with one Adhan and two Iqamahs. He shortened both prayers to two Rak'ahs each. This is a special concession for pilgrims at Arafat, combining and shortening the prayers to allow more time for worship and supplication.
The Prophet ﷺ stayed at Arafat from just after Dhuhr until sunset. He spent the entire afternoon in worship, supplication, and remembrance of Allah. He remained mounted on his camel, continuously raising his hands in du'a, teaching his companions the best day for worship. He only left after the sun had completely set.
The Prophet ﷺ left Arafat immediately after sunset on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. He instructed the people to leave calmly and not to rush. He traveled with tranquility (Sakinah), advising his companions to maintain composure and not cause harm to each other in the crowds.
Upon reaching Muzdalifah, the Prophet ﷺ combined Maghrib and Isha prayers with one Adhan and two Iqamahs. He prayed Maghrib (3 Rak'ahs) and Isha (2 Rak'ahs shortened). He then slept and woke up before Fajr to pray. He collected pebbles for stoning the Jamarat. He spent the night at Muzdalifah, which is a required part of Hajj.
The Prophet ﷺ collected pebbles for stoning the Jamarat. Though the exact number isn't specified in all narrations, he needed 7 pebbles for the 10th (Jamratul-Aqabah only) and 21 pebbles for each of the 11th, 12th, and 13th (if staying) - totaling 70 if one stays all days. The pebbles should be small, about the size of a chickpea.
The Prophet ﷺ prayed Fajr at Muzdalifah early in its time, then proceeded to a place called Al-Mash'ar Al-Haram where he made du'a and glorified Allah until the sky became very bright. He then left for Mina before sunrise on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Eid). He gave permission for the weak, women, and children to leave earlier in the night.
The Prophet ﷺ performed the following in order: (1) Stoned Jamratul-Aqabah with 7 pebbles shortly after sunrise, (2) Sacrificed his animals at Mina, (3) Shaved his head (Halq), (4) Went to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i, (5) Returned to Mina to spend the night. However, he taught that the order can be changed and there's flexibility for those who do things in different sequence.
The Prophet ﷺ threw seven pebbles at Jamratul-Aqabah, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. He threw them from the bottom of the valley with Mina on his right and Makkah on his left. The pebbles should be thrown one by one, not all at once. He did not stop for du'a after stoning this Jamrah on the 10th.
The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed 100 camels. He personally slaughtered 63 with his own hand, and asked Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to slaughter the remaining 37. He had brought these animals as Hady (sacrificial offering) from Madinah, marking them and garlanding them to indicate they were for sacrifice.
The Prophet ﷺ shaved his entire head (Halq). This is considered better than trimming (Taqsir), though both are permissible. After shaving, he distributed his hair among his companions as blessings. He made du'a three times for those who shaved and once for those who trimmed, showing that shaving is preferable for men.
The Prophet ﷺ went to Makkah on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Eid) to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (also called Tawaf az-Ziyarah), which is one of the essential pillars of Hajj. This Tawaf can be done anytime on the 10th or the following days, but it's best to do it on the 10th itself. He also performed Sa'i on this day.
The Prophet ﷺ stayed in Mina for three nights after the Day of Eid: the nights of the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah (the days of Tashriq). He spent the days there performing the stoning of all three Jamarat. He left Mina after completing the stoning on the 13th, following the Sunnah of staying for all three days.
On the 11th, 12th, and 13th, the Prophet ﷺ stoned all three Jamarat after Zawwal (when the sun passes its zenith, after midday). He started with the Small Jamrah (Ula), then the Middle (Wusta), then the Large (Aqabah). He threw 7 pebbles at each, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. After the first two, he would stand, raise his hands, and make lengthy du'as facing the Qibla.
The Prophet ﷺ performed Tawaf al-Wada just before leaving Makkah to return to Madinah. This is the final Tawaf that pilgrims perform before departing. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Let none of you depart until his last action is at the House (Ka'bah)" - emphasizing that the farewell Tawaf should be the last rite in Makkah.
It is called Hajjatul-Wada (The Farewell Pilgrimage) because it was the Prophet's ﷺ last Hajj. He passed away just about three months after this Hajj, in Rabi' al-Awwal 11 AH. During this Hajj, he taught the people the complete rites in detail, delivered his historic sermon establishing fundamental Islamic principles, and Allah revealed the verse: "This day I have perfected your religion..." It was his final comprehensive teaching to the Ummah.
Key lessons include: (1) Following the Sunnah precisely - the Prophet ﷺ said, "Learn from me your rituals"; (2) Patience and gentleness with people during Hajj; (3) Making extensive du'a, especially at Arafat; (4) Unity of the Ummah - all performing the same rituals regardless of background; (5) Spiritual purification through the journey; (6) Maintaining taqwa and consciousness of Allah throughout.
For comprehensive details, we recommend: (1) Our book "The Prophet's Hajj" available for download here; (2) "Hajj of the Prophet" by Sheikh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz; (3) Relevant Hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim; (4) "Zad al-Ma'ad" by Ibn al-Qayyim; (5) Consulting knowledgeable scholars and Hajj guides who follow the Sunnah meticulously.

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