Thousands of persons pitched up tents in the outskirts of...

Thousands of persons pitched up tents in the outskirts of Madina and awaited the departure of the Prophet.[^1] The Prophet appointed Abu Dujanah as his representative in Madina and proceeded to Makkah on the 28th of Zil Qa'dah taking with himself sixty sacrificial animals.

When he reached Zil Hulayfah he put on, at Masjid Shajarah, ehram, which consisted of two plain sheets of cloth, and while putting on ehram he recited the well-known supplication, which commences with the word Labbayk (Here am I) which is a reply to the call of Prophet Ibrahim. He said Labbayk every time he saw a rider or arrived at a high or a low spot. When he reached near Makkah he discontinued reciting Labbayk.

He arrived in Makkah on the 4th of Zil Hajah went straight to the Masjid Haram entering there through the gate of Bani Shaybah. He was then glorifying Allah and seeking blessings for Prophet Ibrahim. During tawaf he stood opposite the Black stone. In the first instance he performed its istilam[^2] and then went round the Ka'bah seven times. Thereafter he stood behind Maqam-i Ibrahim and offered tawaf prayers consisting of two rak'ats.

After offering the prayers he commenced Sa'i between Safa and Marwah.[^3] Then he turned to the pilgrims and said: "Those who have not brought sacrificial animals with them should come out of the state of ehram and all the things which are unlawful for them (during ehram) will become lawful with taqseer (shortening the hair and/or cutting the nails).

However, I and others who have brought sacrificial animals with us shall remain in the condition of ehram till we have slaughtered the animals in Mina. This thing weighed heavily on some persons and their excuse was that they did not like that the Prophet should continue to remain in ehram whereas they should go out of it, and the things which were unlawful for him should become lawful for them.

At times they said: "It is not correct that we should be the pilgrims of the House of Allah and the drops of the water of (ceremonial) washing should be falling from our heads and necks".[^4] The Prophet chanced to see Umar who was still in the state of ehram and asked him whether he had brought any sacrificial animal with him. He replied in the negative. Thereupon the Prophet said: "Then why have you not come out of ehram.

He replied: "I don't like that I should come out of ehram whereas you should continue to remain in the same state".