Do you know which day is this? They said: Allah and His Messenger know best. (The Prophet [may peace be upon him] kept silent) until we thought that he would give that another name. He said: Is it not the day of Nahr (Sacrifice) (10th of Dhu'l- Hijja)? We said: Allah's Messenger, yes. He (again) said: Which month is it? We said: Allah and His Messenger knows best. He said: Is it not Dhu'l-Hijja? We said: Allah's Messenger, yes. He said: Which city is this? We said: Allah and His Messenger know best. He (the narrator) said (that the Prophet kept silent until we thought that he would give it another name besides its (original) name. He said: Is it not Balda (the city of Mecca)? We said: Yes, Allah's Messenger. He (then) said: Verily your blood (lives) and your property and your honour are as sacred unto you as sacred is this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this city of yours. Let him who is present convey it to one who is absent. He then turned his attention towards two multicoloured (black and white) rams and slaughtered them, and two goats, and distributed them amongst us.
The Book of Oaths, Muharibin, Qasas (Retaliation), and Diyat (Blood Money)
Sahih Muslim 1679 b
Contextual Analysis
This profound hadith was delivered during the Farewell Pilgrimage, establishing fundamental principles of Islamic sacred law. The Prophet's methodical questioning about the day, month, and city served to emphasize the sanctity he was about to declare.
Sacred Inviolability
The Prophet established three absolute sanctities: human life, property, and honor. By linking these to the sacredness of Mecca, the Month of Pilgrimage, and the Day of Sacrifice - all recognized by the Arabs even before Islam - he gave these protections eternal, divine weight.
Legal Implications
This declaration forms the foundation of Islamic criminal law. The protection of blood establishes the law of qisas (retaliation), the protection of property establishes laws against theft, and the protection of honor establishes laws against slander and false accusation.
Pedagogical Method
The Prophet's teaching technique - asking questions, allowing contemplation, then confirming the answers - ensured the message would be deeply imprinted in the companions' hearts and minds, guaranteeing accurate transmission to future generations.
Universal Application
The command "Let him who is present convey it to one who is absent" makes this ruling universally binding for all Muslims across time and place, establishing these protections as permanent features of Islamic law.