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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Hijjat Al-wada` In 6H the Prophet (a.s) started with the intention of performing `Umrah (the Minor Pilgrimage) at Makkah but the Quraysh obstructed the effort and he returned to al-Madinah from Hudaybiyah. During 7H too he went for `Umrah but because of the terms of the truce with the infidels he could not stay in Makkah for more than three days. In 8 A.H.

Makkah was conquered and the Ka`bah was cleared of the idols. In 9H `Ali (a.s) was deputed to Makkah with the Verses of the Sūrah of Bara’ah to purify the various aspects of the Hajj from the undesirable practices of the infidels. He banned the infidels from entering the precincts of the Ka`bah.

In 10H the Prophet (a.s) decided to perform the Hajj and the invitation for the pilgrimage was announced all over: وَأَذِّنْ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ. “And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path.

(22:27)” On the call of the Prophet (a.s) Muslims came from all over and assembled in al-Madinah to join his entourage to Makkah to learn about the Islamic Rites of the Hajj and to perform the pilgrimage with him. The Prophet (a.s) left al-Madinah along with thousands of pilgrims on 26 Dhul-Qa`dah. Fatimah al-Zahra’ (a.s) and the Prophet’s spouses too were in the group.

When around the ²uhr Prayer the caravan reached the Valley of Dhul-Halifah, they took the bath prior to wearing the Hajj uniform and everyone recited the talbiyah . `Ali (a.s) was still in Yemen when the Prophet (a.s) wrote to him to proceed to Makkah for Hajj. With a small contingent of troops, he started on the journey. On the way, he gave the command of the men to a senior person, wore the Ihram at Yalamlam, and reached Makkah before the arrival of the Prophet (a.s) to welcome him.

When the Prophet (a.s) saw him, his face glowed. He asked, “O `Ali (a.s)! With what Intent have you put on the Ihram?” `Ali (a.s) replied, “Since you had not mentioned about the matter in the letter, I have worn the Ihram with the intent that I shall perform the same pilgrimage that you perform!

I have left behind 34 camels for the sacrifice.” The Prophet (a.s) said that he had with him 66 camels and that `Ali (a.s) was a member of his family for the rites of the Hajj and the Sacrifice of the animals.

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