Candidates may include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.

• The Prophet received many delegations in the final year of his life. In 631 C.E / 10 A.H, the Prophet performed his final pilgrimage.
• The people knew that the Prophet (pbuh) was going for pilgrimage and around 30,000 people came to join him on this journey.
• They performed tawaf at the Ka’ba and then proceeded to Arafah.
• At ‘Arafah the Prophet (pbuh) addressed the people gathered there; this is considered his farewell speech, in which he indicated he may not be there the following year.
• In his sermon:

  • Revenge was prohibited and usury was forbidden;

  • He gave instructions for unlawful shedding of blood;

  • The obligation towards looking after wives was emphasised as well as the kind treatment of women;

  • Sticking faithfully to the pillars of Islam was emphasised;

  • The equality of humankind was emphasised saying no Arab has superiority over a non-Arab and vice versa; brotherhood was established.

  • He told them the Qur’an and sunna were left for them and reminded them they would have to answer for their deeds.

  • Then the verses 5:3 were revealed (today your religion has been perfected).

    "…Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way…" (Surah al-Ma'idah, 5:3)

• He visited Khadija’s grave before leaving Makka
• After slaughtering 100 camels, the Prophet completed his pilgrimage and returned to Madina.
• He increased his seclusion.
• The Prophet (pbuh) began frequently visited Baqi’ to ask forgiveness for them.
• Jibril reviewed the Qur’an twice with him in Ramadhan.
• Prophet (pbuh) ordered an expedition to Syria under Usama.
• His illness, first a severe headache, and then a fever, began 13 days before his death. He moved into Aisha’s apartment for the last week and continued leading the prayers giving the congregation advice.
• When he was no longer able to attend the mosque, he asked Abu Bakr to lead the prayers in his absence, which made the companions very sad.
• On the day of his death, he went out of his home to glance one last time at his companions praying.
• He called for Fatima, Hassan and Hussain and his wives.
• The Prophet passed away on 12th Rabi al-Awwal, 11AH.

Farewell Sermon

"O people, hear my words, for I do not know whether I shall meet with you again in this place."