ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Brother of the : Imam ‘Ali The Mawla of the Muslims ============================ The tenth year after the Hijrah was full of important events. Two of those events were outstanding and pointed to the Messenger's belief in the nearness of his death and that he was about to be summoned by God and that he would respond. The Messenger announced to the inhabitants of the Arabic Peninsula that he would perform the duty of pilgrimage.

He urged them to accompany him during the days of his journey to learn from him the manner of its performance; and being concerned with the future of the Muslims he wanted to recommend to them what a Prophet recommends to his followers to do in the future for he thought that they would not see him in a future year. Tens of thousands of pilgrims hastened to join the Holy Prophet.

He went on leading them in their "Ihram " circumnavigating the Kaaba praying walking between Safa and Marwa; and at the sojourn at Arafat and at the time of their sacrifices. They followed him and did what he ordered them to do. He addressed them while they were on Arafat and his Message was most impressive.

He announced to them at the beginning of his sermon the nearness of his death when he said after he prayed to the Almighty: "O people listen to my words for I do not know if I will meet you after my present year at this place at any time....". Then he spoke to them about the sanctity of the human blood and Muslim's properties saying: "O people certainly your lives and properties are as sacred to you as your present day and your present month until you meet your Lord.

And you shall meet your Lord and He will ask you about your deeds and I have delivered the Message."[^1] The Holy Messenger went on urging people to discharge their trusts and declaring that every usury is prohibited. Islam prohibits retaliation for blood that was shed during the pre-Islamic days. He also reaffirmed the right of women and re-emphasized Islamic brotherhood. The main concern of the Messenger was the future of his nation.

As he was fully aware of the crises which the nation would go through he was expected not to leave the nation without a minaret of guidance through which people could pass the future crises safely. The Prophet therefore declared to the Muslims what he considered to be a security against deviation from the right road if they chose to have that security.