Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:

For this official and important proclamation, first Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was appointed. Later, it was revealed to you (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) through revelation that, according to the constitution of the Arabs, for such an important announcement, it is necessary for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself to be present, or otherwise, someone from his household should do it. Therefore, afterwards, Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was sent.

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) had appointed Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) as a herald along with Ali (radi Allahu anhu). (Fath al-Bari)

The matters which Ali (radi Allahu anhu) announced were these: (Lā yadkhulu al-jannata illā nafsun mu’minah, wa lā yatūfu bil-bayti ‘uryān, wa lā yajtam’i muslimun ma’a mushrikin fil-hajji ba’da ‘āmihim hādhā, wa man kāna lahu ‘ahdun fa-‘ahduhu ilā muddati-hi, wa man lam yakun lahu ‘ahdun fa-arba‘atu ashhur) (Fath al-Bari)

That is, only believers will enter Paradise, and from now on, no person will be able to circumambulate the House of Allah (the Ka‘bah) naked, nor will any polytheist be able to gather with the Muslims for Hajj after this year, and whoever has a treaty from Islam, it will remain valid for the duration specified, and for those who do not have a treaty, a period of only four months is fixed.

Within this period, they must end their conspiracies against the Muslims and become dhimmis (protected non-Muslim subjects), otherwise, after that, war will be declared against them.

After the establishment of the Islamic government, these were the key proclamations in the series of reforms, which were conveyed to every individual, both common and elite.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
Among the Arabs, it was customary that the proclamation of disavowal (bara’ah) would be made either by the head of state himself or by someone very close to him. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) dispatched Ali (radi Allahu anhu) for this task. Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) also sent other companions to assist him, among whom Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) is mentioned in this narration. In addition, the names of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (radi Allahu anhu) and Jabir ibn Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu) are found in other narrations. (Fath al-Bari: 8/404)
2.
According to one narration, when Ali (radi Allahu anhu) would become tired from making the proclamation, Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) would make the proclamation. (Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, Tafsir al-Qur’an, Hadith: 3091)
3.
The proclamation of disavowal (bara’ah) made by Ali (radi Allahu anhu) had four main clauses, the details of which are as follows:
➊ No person should circumambulate (tawaf) the House of Allah (Bayt Allah) naked.
➋ Any disbeliever with whom the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has a peace treaty, that treaty will remain valid until its appointed term.
➌ Those with whom there is no treaty are given a period of four months; during this time, if they accept Islam, they will enter Paradise, or else they should depart from here to somewhere else.
➍ After this, polytheists (mushrikun) and Muslims will not gather together (for Hajj).
(Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, Tafsir al-Qur’an, Hadith: 3092)
The meaning of these clauses was that during this period, they should either accept Islam or cease their conspiracies against the Muslims; otherwise, war would be declared against them.

Hadith Commentary:
This incident took place in the year 9 AH; the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada‘) occurred in 10 AH.
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) departed from Madinah in the month of Dhu al-Qa‘dah in the year 9 AH, accompanied by three hundred companions, and the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent twenty camels with them.
During this pilgrimage, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) made the official proclamation mentioned in the narration: that from the coming year, the Ka‘bah would be completely purified of polytheists, and the invalid custom of performing pilgrimage unclothed—which had been practiced for a long time—would also be abolished.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) in the ninth year of Hijrah to perform Hajj so that he himself could also perform Hajj and to teach the people the rulings of Hajj. Accordingly, during the Hajj, he had it proclaimed that no polytheist should perform Hajj at the House of Allah, nor should any naked person circumambulate the House of Allah.
Before this, people used to perform tawaf (circumambulation) unclothed, and it was necessary to put an end to this evil custom.
➋
In this Hajj, there were three hundred companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) with Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu). The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent twenty camels along with them.
➌
From this hadith, it is understood that Hajj had already been made obligatory before the Farewell Hajj (Hajjat al-Wada‘), and Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) performed the obligatory Hajj.
(Fath al-Bari: 8/103)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The prohibition of performing tawaf of the House of Allah while naked itself is evidence for the obligation of covering the private parts (satr).
The correspondence of the hadith with the chapter heading is in this very aspect.
(‘Umdat al-Qari: 3/291)
Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) states that in the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, a woman would perform tawaf of the House of Allah completely naked and would say, “Let someone lend me enough cloth for tawaf so that I may cover my private parts,” and she would recite poetry:
“Today, some part or the whole of the body is naked, and the part that is exposed I do not make lawful for anyone else.”
Allah the Exalted revealed this verse to put an end to such nakedness:
“Take your adornment at every masjid.”
“O children of Adam! Wear your clothing at every time of prayer in the mosque.”
(Sahih Muslim, al-Tafsir, Hadith: 7551 (3028))

➋
When Hajj was made obligatory, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) appointed Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) as the leader of the pilgrims:
He reached Makkah and assigned Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) to make the proclamation mentioned in the hadith.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had sent Ali (radi Allahu anhu) to make the proclamation of disavowal (bara’ah), which consisted of the opening verses of Surah Bara’ah.
The details of this are found in Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi:
Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) states that initially the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ordered Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) to announce these matters.
Then he ordered Ali (radi Allahu anhu):
After both had performed Hajj, Ali (radi Allahu anhu) announced four things:
© Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) are free from every polytheist; they are given only four months’ respite.
© After this year, no polytheist will be able to come for Hajj to the House of Allah.
© No one will perform tawaf of the House of Allah while naked.
© Only the people of faith will be admitted to Allah’s Paradise.
Ali (radi Allahu anhu) would make the proclamation, and when he became tired, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) would stand and announce the same matters.
(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, al-Tafsir, Hadith: 3091)

➌
The wisdom in the separate command for Ali (radi Allahu anhu) to recite the verses of disavowal (bara’ah) was that these verses contained the matter of annulment of treaties, and according to Arab custom, only the one who had made the treaty or someone from his household could annul it.
Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) wished that the matter of annulment of treaties be made absolutely clear, leaving no room for anyone to object.
Some have said that since Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) was mentioned with praise in Surah Bara’ah, it was appropriate that someone else recite the verses of disavowal.
(‘Umdat al-Qari: 3/292)

➍
The obligation of Hajj was established in the ninth year, but the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not perform Hajj that year, even though it is desirable to fulfill the obligation of Hajj promptly.
He sent Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) for Hajj.
The commentators have explained the reason for this: among the Arabs there was an evil custom that, for their own interests, they would alter the months, which the Noble Qur’an refers to as “nasi’.” Because of this reprehensible act, the days of Hajj would shift from their appointed time.
In the year Hajj was made obligatory, the same situation existed: Hajj was not performed in its specific month.
In the tenth year, Hajj returned to its proper months, which the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) clarified in various sermons during the Farewell Hajj. For this reason, he performed the obligation in the tenth year instead of the ninth, so that it would be performed in its proper time.
From this, it is understood that in those individual cases where rectification is impossible or difficult, some leniency may be exercised, because the Hajj performed by those who migrated in the ninth year was certainly valid, and no one was ordered to repeat it.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
It is understood that "Hajj Akbar" refers to the Hajj itself.
And the notion that is widespread among the common people—that Hajj Akbar is the Hajj in which the Day of Arafah falls on a Friday—there is no authentic evidence for this.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
It is understood from this hadith that "Hajj Akbar" refers to the Hajj itself, and the common belief among the public that "Hajj Akbar" is the Hajj in which the day of Arafah falls on a Friday is widespread among the masses but is not established from the hadith.

➋
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s intent is that if a treaty is to be revoked, prior notification should be given that from now on our agreement with you is terminated.
It should not be the case that an attack is launched suddenly.

➌
Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu was the leader (amir) of the Hajj.
He formally announced the termination of the treaties with the polytheists, proclaiming that we have no agreement or covenant with you.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
It is commonly believed among the people that if Hajj falls on a Friday, then that is the "Hajj Akbar" (Greater Hajj); this is not correct.
According to this hadith, the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr) is the day of Hajj Akbar.
On the Day of Tarwiyah, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) delivered a sermon, and Ali (radi Allahu anhu) recited Surah Bara’ah aloud.
This proclamation was made in the 9th year of Hijrah.
(Fath)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
According to this hadith, on the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah, that is, on the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr), this proclamation was first made by Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) at Mina.
Then, according to local narrations, this same proclamation was made by Ali (radi Allahu anhu).

➋
There were several types of polytheists (mushrikin). Those polytheists with whom the Muslims had no treaty of peace were given a respite of four months. It was explained to them whether they were prepared to fight the Muslims, or whether they wished to leave this land and go elsewhere, or whether they wanted to accept Islam. If they accepted Islam, it would be better for them in this world and the Hereafter.
This clause also included those polytheist tribes who would make treaties of peace, but would set such conditions for the treaty that left room for mischief and breaking the covenant.
That is, those tribes from whom there was a danger of treachery or mischief against the Muslims—their treaties were also annulled through this proclamation of disavowal (bara’ah), as is stated in the Word of Allah, the Exalted:
"If you fear treachery from a people, then throw back their treaty to them on equal terms." ()
However, those polytheist tribes who made treaties with sincerity of heart were given some concession, the explanation of which we have already provided.

➌
At the end of this hadith, there is clarification regarding the Day of the Greater Pilgrimage (Hajj al-Akbar), that it is the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr). Thus, in a hadith, it is mentioned that Ali (radi Allahu anhu) asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) about the Day of the Greater Pilgrimage, and he replied that it is the Day of Sacrifice.
(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Tafsir al-Qur’an, Hadith: 3088)

Hadith Commentary: Among the polytheists of Arabia, there was also a notion that their clothes were, in any case, impure. Therefore, for Hajj and Tawaf, they would either borrow the clothing of the Quraysh of Makkah, and if this was not possible, then they would perform Tawaf completely naked. This evil custom was what this proclamation was made against.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Before the conquest of Makkah, the polytheists of Makkah had imposed various restrictions on the Muslims regarding entry into the House of Allah (Baytullah), such that they could not perform the acts of worship of Hajj and Umrah therein.
In Ramadan of 8 AH, when Makkah was conquered, those restrictions were automatically lifted. Now, in 8 AH, the Muslims could not perform Hajj at all, because after the conquest of Makkah, there was not enough time for the Muslims to come from Madinah for Hajj, as they were engaged in the battles of Hunayn and Ta’if and only returned to Madinah afterwards. In 9 AH, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent the Muslims for Hajj and appointed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) as the leader (amir) of this Hajj caravan.
Up until that point, no restriction had been imposed on the entry of polytheists into the House of Allah, so in that Hajj, the polytheists also participated.
The Muslims performed Hajj according to their own method, and the polytheists according to theirs.

➋
After the departure of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), the opening verses of Surah At-Tawbah were revealed, on the basis of which not only was a restriction imposed on the entry of polytheists into the House of Allah, but a complete declaration of disassociation (bara’ah) from them was made.
In view of the importance of this declaration, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) considered it better that this announcement should be made by one of his close relatives, who in the eyes of the polytheists could be regarded as his representative. Thus, after the revelation of these verses, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) also sent Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) so that he could announce these verses at the great gathering of Hajj.
Up until that time, the circumambulation (tawaf) of the House of Allah was performed naked, and the polytheists considered this way of circumambulation to be better according to their own thinking, saying that it contained more humility. However, how could Islam tolerate such indecency (fahishah) in the House of Allah? Therefore, it was announced that henceforth, no person would ever be able to perform tawaf of the House of Allah naked.
Furthermore, the polytheists considered themselves to be the custodians (mutawalli) of the House of Allah, but now it was announced that far from being custodians, they would not even be able to come near the Ka’bah in the future.
Similarly, other announcements were also made, the explanation of which we will provide later.

Hadith Commentary:

In the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), the common Arabs would remove their clothes, saying that they had committed sins in those garments, and then they would either borrow clothes from the Quraysh to perform tawaf (circumambulation) or perform tawaf naked. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) made this proclamation.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In one narration, it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent Ali (radi Allahu anhu) after us to proclaim Surah Bara’ah. He too would proclaim along with us that in the coming year, no polytheist should come for Hajj, nor should anyone perform tawaf (circumambulation) of the House of Allah naked. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Salat, Hadith: 369) Thus, in the following year, at the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada’), no polytheist came to perform Hajj. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jizyah wal-Muwada’ah, Hadith: 3177)
(2)
In the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), the Quraysh innovated this practice that a person coming from outside could not perform tawaf in his own clothes; rather, it was necessary for him to take clothes from a Qurayshi (in this way, they would collect offerings). And if it was impossible for someone to do so, then he would perform tawaf naked. If anyone performed tawaf in his own clothes, he was inevitably required to discard those clothes. Islam abolished all these innovations, and along with this, the monopoly of the Quraysh over the House of Allah was also ended.
(3)
From this, a jurisprudential (fiqhi) ruling is also understood: that during tawaf, it is necessary to wear as much clothing as is required for prayer (salah). (Fath al-Bari: 3/610)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:

➊ This hadith shows that no polytheist (mushrik) can enter the House of Allah (Baytullah) for Hajj. Hajj is an obligation for which the House of Allah is designated. Therefore, if a polytheist cannot enter for Hajj, then, all the more so, he cannot enter under normal circumstances. According to Imam Malik rahimahullah, Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah, and Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, this ruling applies to the entire Haram. According to Imam Malik rahimahullah, a polytheist (disbeliever) cannot enter any mosque. According to Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah and Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, apart from the Haram of Makkah, a polytheist may enter other mosques with the permission of Muslims. According to the Hanafi scholars, non-treaty non-Muslims (those who do not have a pact with Muslims) should not be allowed to enter the Haram or other mosques, but the People of the Covenant (Ahl al-Dhimmah) are not prohibited from entering the Haram or any other mosques.

➋ Hajj is called Hajj al-Akbar (the Greater Hajj), and ‘Umrah is called Hajj al-Asghar (the Lesser Hajj). The day of Hajj al-Akbar is the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr). According to Mujahid, Hajj Qiran is Hajj al-Akbar, and Hajj Ifrad is Hajj al-Asghar. According to another opinion, the Day of ‘Arafah is Hajj al-Asghar, and the Day of Sacrifice is Hajj al-Akbar. According to Imam Thawri rahimahullah, all the days of Hajj are days of Hajj al-Akbar. There is no real disagreement in all these statements, because here the terms Hajj al-Akbar or Hajj al-Asghar are used merely for the sake of attribution and relativity. The strongest evidence for this is that the year the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam performed Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafah fell on a Friday, and he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam called that Hajj “Hajj al-Akbar.” However, during the Hajj led by Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu, the Day of ‘Arafah was not a Friday, and the declaration of disavowal from the polytheists was made on the Day of Sacrifice. Regarding this declaration, Allah the Exalted says:

﴿وَأَذَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ الْأَكْبَرِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ بَرِيءٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ۙ﴾ ()
(There is a proclamation from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the Day of the Greater Hajj that Allah and His Messenger are free from the polytheists.)

From this blessed verse, it is established that the Day of Hajj al-Akbar is the Day of Sacrifice, on which the greatest and most important rites of Hajj are performed. That is why the declaration of disavowal (bara’ah) was made in Mina on that day. Therefore, the widespread notion that the Hajj which falls on a Friday is Hajj al-Akbar is without evidence. Similarly, the hadith that when the Day of ‘Arafah falls on a Friday, that Hajj is superior to seventy (70) other Hajjs is also baseless.