Having completed the Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ left for Madinah on the morning of Wednesday the 14th of Dhul Hijjah. He stayed in Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah for a total of 10 days, having entered Makkah on Sunday the 4th of Dhul Hijjah.
The Prophet ﷺ left the city from its lowest point, today known as al-Shubaikah, taking the route of Kudai, which was his custom when leaving Makkah. During the course of the journey, he would praise and glorify God. Abdullah ibn Umar I narrates:
Whenever Allah’s Messenger ﷺ returned from Hajj, Umrah or a military expedition he used to pronounce Takbir thrice at every elevation of the ground and then would say: ‘There is no god but Allah, the One Who has no partner. His is the kingdom and His is the praise, and He has power over all things. Returning, repenting, worshipping, prostrating before our Lord, praising. Allah has fulfilled His promise, and given victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates by Himself.’
Ghadir Khumm
Al-Bara ibn Azib narrates:
We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when we alighted at Ghadir Khumm. Congregational prayer was in order. An area under two trees was swept and cleaned for the Messenger of Allah, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his progeny. He offered midday prayers and he grasped the hand of Ali and said: ‘Do you not know that I have superior authority over each believer than the believer himself?’ ‘Yes you have,’ they replied. He again inquired: ‘Do you not know that I have superior right over each believer than the believer himself?’ ‘Surely, you have,’ they answered. Then he grasped the hand of Ali and said: ‘Ali is the Mawla (master) of all those of whom I am Mawla. O Allah! Love those who love him and be hostile to those who are hostile to him.’ Then Umar came to Ali and said: ‘Congratulations, son of Abu Talib. You have become the Mawla of all the believing men and women.’
Al-Rawha
Upon reaching al-Rawha, a woman approached the Prophet ﷺ with a question about her child. Abdullah ibn Abbas I narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out and when he reached al-Rawha, he came across a group of people. He saluted them and asked: ‘Who are you.’ They replied: ‘Muslims. Who are you?’ The companions said: ‘The Messenger of Allah.’ A woman presented her child to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘Is there Hajj for this one?’ He replied: ‘Yes, and you will be rewarded.’
Dhul Hulayfah
It was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ to spend the night at Dhul Hulayfa on returning from Hajj or Umrah, before entering Madinah the following day. He would also take a different route from the one he would take on the way to Makkah. Abdullah ibn Abbas I reports:
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ would proceed (for Hajj) via al-Shajarah way and return via Muarras way. When he would go to Makkah, he would offer the prayer in the mosque of al-Shajarah and upon his return, he would offer the prayer at Dhul Hulayfah in the middle of the valley, spending the night there until morning.
Entering Madinah
In his eagerness to reach Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ would speed up his conveyance. Anas ibn Malik I narrates:
When the Prophet would return from a trip and see the walls of Madinah, he would speed up his riding camel, and if he was upon a beast, he would strike it, such was his love for Madinah.
Upon returning to Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ would organise a feast for his companions. Jabir ibn Abdullah I reports:
When the Prophet ﷺ returned to Madinah, he would slaughter a camel or a cow.
The Prophet ﷺ also gave a sermon praising his companions. Sahl ibn Malik I narrates:
When the Messenger of God ﷺ arrived in Madinah from the Hajjat al-Wada, he mounted the pulpit, gave praise and thanks to God and said: ‘People, Abu Bakr never did me harm; give him credit for that. People, I am well pleased with Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, al-Zubayr, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf and the initial Muhajirin. Give them all credit for that. People, preserve me in my companions, my relatives and my friends. God does not seek for you to harm anyone of them. People, keep your tongues off the Muslims, and if one of them should die, then say good of him.’