The Proclamation of Tawḥīd and Purification of Pilgrimage Rites on The Day of the Greater Ḥajj

 

بَابُ قَوْلِهِ : ﴿وَأَذَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْحَجِ الْأَكْبَرِ﴾

 حديث ٥٢٧

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ لله رضي الله: أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرِ الصِّدِّيقَ رضي الله عنه بَعَثَهُ فِي الْحَجَّةِ الَّتِي أَمَّرَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَيْهَا قَبْلَ حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ فِي رَهْطٍ يُؤَذِّنُ فِي النَّاسِ: لَا يَحُجُّ بَعْدَ الْعَامِ مُشْرِكٌ، وَلَا يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ عُرْيَانٌ. 

Chapter: The Divine Proclamation on the Day of the Greater Pilgrimage

(Referencing the verse: “And a proclamation from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage...” [Sūrah al-Tawbah, 9:3])

Hadith 527

It is narrated from Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) was dispatched by the Prophet ﷺ in the year of the pilgrimage he appointed him over—prior to the Farewell Pilgrimage—on the Day of Sacrifice, amidst a company of men to proclaim to the people:

"No polytheist shall perform pilgrimage after this year, nor shall anyone circumambulate the House while unclothed."

 Key Lessons from the Hadith:

1. Sanctity of Monotheism in Pilgrimage – Ḥajj is exclusively for those who affirm the oneness of Allah.
2. Abolition of Pre-Islamic Practices – The hadith marks the end of pagan customs such as performing ṭawāf while unclothed.
3. Authority of the Prophet ﷺ – The command was issued through the Prophet ﷺ and carried out by his appointed deputy, affirming prophetic leadership.
4. Proclamation as Divine Instruction – The declaration was not merely a political move but a divine mandate aligned with Qur’anic revelation (9:3).
5. Establishment of Purity in Sacred Rites – Ensuring both physical and spiritual propriety during pilgrimage became a condition of its validity.
6. Transition to Islamic Norms – This event signifies a clear transition from pre-Islamic to Islamic religious governance over the Ḥaram.
7. Urgency and Importance of Conveyance – The use of public proclamation underscores the urgency and gravity of the new divine rulings.