At Mina, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Do you know what is the day today?" The people replied, "Allah and His Apostle know it better." He said, "It is the forbidden (sacred) day. And do you know what town is this?" They replied, "Allah and His Apostle know it better." He said, "This is the forbidden (Sacred) town (Mecca). And do you know which month is this?" The people replied, "Allah and His Apostle know it better." He said, "This is the forbidden (sacred) month." The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "No doubt, Allah made your blood, your properties, and your honor sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours." Narrated Ibn `Umar: On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul-Hijja), the Prophet (ﷺ) stood in between the Jamrat during his Hajj which he performed (as in the previous Hadith) and said, "This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul-Hijjah)." The Prophet (ﷺ) started saying repeatedly, "O Allah! Be Witness (I have conveyed Your Message)." He then bade the people farewell. The people said, "This is Hajjat-al-Wada`)."
The Sacred Proclamation
The Prophet's rhetorical questioning establishes the sanctity of time and place - the sacred day of 'Arafah, the sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah, and the sacred city of Mecca. This pedagogical method emphasizes the gravity of these divinely protected entities.
The Threefold Sanctity
Allah established three inviolable protections: blood (life), property, and honor. The Prophet draws analogy to the universally recognized sanctity of the sacred day, month, and territory, making the prohibition of transgressing these rights intuitively understood.
The Farewell Pilgrimage Context
This occurred during Hajjat al-Wada' (the Farewell Pilgrimage), where the Prophet delivered essential final teachings. His repeated invocation "O Allah! Be Witness" confirms the completion of his prophetic mission and the perfection of Islamic teachings.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
Scholars derive from this hadith the prohibition of all unlawful killing, theft, and violation of honor. The sanctity extends to all Muslims universally, not limited to the sacred precincts or times mentioned.
The Day of Nahr's Significance
Ibn 'Umar's addition clarifies this occurred on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr), the greatest day of Hajj when sacrifices are offered and major rites are completed, emphasizing the culmination of the pilgrimage rituals.