Since the time when Prophet Ibrahim (A) had built the Holy Ka'aba, it had been a place of worship. Over the years, this worship had deteriorated into strange and undesirable practices. People used to dance naked around the Holy Ka'aba, and they had installed idols inside it. Even after the conquest of Makka by the Muslims, when these idols were broken, the people did not know how to perform the Haj ceremonies properly.

For this reason, Allah commanded the Prophet (S) to participate personally in the Haj in 10 A.H., so that the people would remain in no doubt as to how it should be performed. He could also use the opportunity to practically demonstrate the obligatory actions (Wajibaat) and discard the old and undesirable practices. He could also instruct the people about the boundaries of Mina and Arafat and teach them about the times of departure from these places.

With these purposes in mind, the Prophet (S) made arrangements to undertake the journey. In the eleventh Islamic month of Zilqad he announced that he was going to perform the Haj that year. This news caused great interest amongst the Muslims and thousands gathered outside Madina awaiting his departure.

The Prophet (S) proceeded toward Makka on the 28th of Zilqad 10 A.H. He took with him 60 animals for sacrifice.

At the mosque of Shajarah, he put on his Ihram, which consisted of two plain sheets of cloth and recited "Labbayk"

In Makka, the Prophet (S) proceeded straight to the Holy Mosque, Masjidul Haraam, entering it through the gate of Bani Shaybah.

During Tawaaf, he first stood opposite the Black Stone, and then went round the Holy Ka'ba seven times.

Thereafter he stood behind Maqame Ibrahim (A) and offered two raka'ats of prayers of Tawaaf.

After that he began the Sa'i, which is the act of walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times.

The Prophet (S) then turned to the pilgrims and said, "Those who have not brought animals to sacrifice should come out of the state of Ihram and perform Taqseer, the shortening of hair or nails. They should treat whatever they have already performed to be Umrah and then wear the Ihram for Haj. However, I and some others who have brought animals for sacrifice shall remain in the condition of Ihram till we have slaughtered the animals in Mina."

During this time Imam Ali (A) joined the Prophet (S) in Makka from Yemen.

On the 8th of Zilhaj the Prophet (S) proceeded to Arafat via Mina and stayed at Mina till sunrise on the 9th of Zilhaj. Then he mounted his camel and came to Arafat. While he was still mounted on his camel, he stopped at a place called Numrah and delivered his famous and historical speech to the thousands of people who had gathered.

The Prophet (S) addressed the people and went through a summary of his teachings to them. He repeated all the major and minor elements of Islamic principles so that there could be no doubt left in their minds. When he finished he offered his noon and afternoon prayers with 100,000 men.

The Prophet (S) stayed in Arafat on the 9th of Zilhaj till the sunset and before the darkness spread, he left for Muzdalifah and spent a part of the night there. He then spent the time between dawn and sunrise in Mash'ar.

On the 10th of Zilhaj he proceeded to Mina and performed the ceremonies of Rami-i-Jamaraat (stoning the pillars), sacrifice and TaqsIr. Thereafter he proceeded to Makka to perform the final Tawaaf and instructed the people about the closing ceremonies of the Haj.

This Haj is known as Hijjatul Wida (the Farewell Haj) because it was the last Haj that the Prophet (S) performed in his life. During this Haj he practically explained every feature of the ceremony, so that there could be no confusion later.

The Prophet (S) was preparing the ground for his departure as he knew that very little time was left for him on earth and soon Allah would call him away to Himself.