Madinah, the conquest of Makkah, and the farewell

9 min read

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, lived in Madinah for ten years. In that decade a small community grew into a nation, the Quran continued to come down, and Islam spread across Arabia. This lesson walks through those years briefly and ends with his last days.

Life in Madinah

Much of the daily practice of Islam took shape in Madinah: the fast of Ramadan, zakah (the yearly charity), and many teachings about family life came during these years. The Muslims also faced real danger. Quraysh and their allies fought them in several battles, including Badr, Uhud, and the Battle of the Trench. There were also times of peace, such as the years after the treaty agreed at al-Hudaybiyah. Through it all the Prophet taught, led the prayer, settled disputes, visited the sick, and lived simply among his people.

The conquest of Makkah

In the eighth year after the hijrah, the Prophet returned to Makkah with a large army of believers, and the city was entered with little resistance. The people who had mocked him, persecuted his companions, and fought him for years were now in his hands. Instead of revenge, he announced safety: whoever entered the house of Abu Sufyan, one of the leaders of Quraysh, would be safe, and the people went into their homes and closed their doors (Sahih Muslim 1780).

Then he went to the Kaaba and walked around it in worship. When he came to an idol beside the House, he struck at it with the bow in his hand, reciting:

And say, "Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart."
Quran 17:81 (Saheeh International translation of the meaning)

The house that Ibrahim, peace be upon him, built for the worship of Allah alone was returned to its purpose.

The farewell pilgrimage

In the tenth year after the hijrah, the Prophet announced that he would perform Hajj (the pilgrimage to Makkah), and huge numbers of people came to travel with him and learn from him. It was his only Hajj after the hijrah, and it became known as the Farewell Pilgrimage. On the day of Arafah he addressed the people. The companion Jabir ibn Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, preserved parts of that sermon (Sahih Muslim 1218). Among its words:

"Your lives and your property are as sacred as this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours."
"Fear Allah regarding women."
"I have left among you something, if you hold on to it, you will never again go astray, that is Allah’s Book."

Then he asked the crowd: "You will be asked about me, so what will you say?" They replied: "We testify that you have conveyed and fulfilled the message and given counsel." He raised his finger toward the sky, pointed it toward the people, and said three times: "O Allah, bear witness."

It was during this pilgrimage, while the Prophet stood at Arafah on a Friday, that Allah revealed these words (Sahih al-Bukhari 45):

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.
Quran 5:3 (part of the verse; Saheeh International translation of the meaning)

His passing

A few months after returning to Madinah, in the year 632 CE, the Prophet fell ill. He passed away in the home of his wife Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, with his head resting on her, at the age of sixty-three. Aisha said the last words he spoke were:

O Allah, the highest Companion.
Sahih al-Bukhari 4463 and Sahih Muslim 2444 (agreed upon)

The companions were in shock. Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, could not accept that the Prophet had died. Then Abu Bakr arrived, may Allah be pleased with him, uncovered the Prophet's face, kissed him, and went out to the people. He said:

Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3668

Then he recited this verse:

Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.
Quran 3:144 (Saheeh International translation of the meaning)

These words steadied the community, and they can steady you too: we love the Prophet deeply, and we worship Allah alone, who never dies.

What did Abu Bakr remind the people of when the Prophet died?

Remember

At the height of his power the Prophet chose forgiveness, and in his farewell sermon he left us the Book of Allah to hold on to.

In the last lesson of this step, you will look at the character that made him so beloved, and how you can follow his example today.

Sources

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Up next: His character: a mercy to the worlds

Step 2: The life of the Prophet, 9 min

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