🕌 Masjid Nimrah

Masjid Nimrah (Arabic: مسجد نمرة) is located in Waadi Urana, near the plain of Arafat. During the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ Farewell Hajj (10 AH / 632 CE), he camped here on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. After midday, he delivered his famous Farewell Sermon in the valley of Urana while seated on his camel, and then he led the congregational prayer. More than 100,000 companions (Sahabah) were present with him on this historic occasion.

📜 The Farewell Sermon of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

After praising and thanking Allah ﷻ, the Prophet ﷺ said:

• Sanctity of life & property – “O People, just as you consider this day, this month, and this city as sacred, so too must you consider the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Do not harm others so that you are not harmed in return. Remember, you will meet your Lord, who will hold you accountable for your deeds.”

• Prohibition of usury (riba) – “All interest (usury) is forbidden. From this day, all interest obligations are canceled. Your capital remains yours to keep, but you shall neither oppress nor be oppressed. Even the interest due to my uncle, Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, is hereby abolished.”

• Warning against Shaytan – “Beware of Shaytan for the safety of your religion. He has lost hope of leading you astray in major matters, but beware of following him in small things.”

• Rights and duties between men and women – “O People, you have rights over your wives and they have rights over you. You have taken them as wives only under Allah’s trust and permission. Treat them kindly, for they are your partners and helpers. Feed and clothe them in kindness, and protect their honor.”

• Pillars of Islam – “Worship Allah, pray your five daily prayers, fast during Ramadan, give zakat, and perform Hajj if you are able to.”

• Equality of mankind – “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab. A white has no superiority over a black, nor a black over a white — except in piety and good action.”

• Brotherhood of Muslims – “Every Muslim is a brother to another Muslim. Nothing belonging to a Muslim is lawful for another except with free consent.”

• Finality of Prophethood – “No prophet or messenger will come after me, and no new religion will be established after Islam. I leave behind me two things: the Qur’an and my Sunnah. If you hold fast to them, you will never go astray.”

Finally, the Prophet ﷺ concluded:

“All those who hear me must convey my words to others. Perhaps those who receive it later will understand it better than those who hear it directly. O Allah, bear witness that I have conveyed Your message.”

📖 Revelation After the Sermon

Soon after the sermon, Allah ﷻ revealed the verse:

“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)

🕌 The Construction of Masjid Nimrah

• In the second century of Islam, Masjid Nimrah was built at the very spot where the Prophet ﷺ delivered his sermon and led the salah.

• The valley of Urana (where the sermon was delivered) lies outside the boundaries of Arafat. Therefore, part of the masjid is outside Arafat.

• During later expansions, the masjid was divided into two sections:

  • Front section → outside Arafat.

  • Back section → inside Arafat.

• Signboards inside the masjid now inform worshippers about this division. After praying Zuhr and Asr in congregation, pilgrims must remain in the back section or outside in Arafat until sunset.

• If a pilgrim spends the entire time in the front section only, his stay at Arafat becomes invalid, and consequently, his Hajj will be incomplete.

📌 Masjid Nimrah – FAQs

📍 Where is Masjid Nimrah located?

Masjid Nimrah is located in Waadi Urana, near the plain of Arafat, about 20 km east of Makkah.

🕌 Why is Masjid Nimrah significant?

Because this is the place where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his Farewell Sermon during his last Hajj and led the congregational prayer in front of more than 100,000 companions.

📖 What was revealed after the sermon?

Allah ﷻ revealed the verse in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3):
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.”

⚠️ Why is Masjid Nimrah partly outside Arafat?

The sermon was delivered in Urana Valley, which lies outside the boundary of Arafat. When the mosque was built and later expanded, one part remained outside Arafat (front section) while the back section was inside Arafat.

⏳ What must pilgrims be careful about in Masjid Nimrah?

Pilgrims must ensure that after Zuhr and Asr prayers, they spend the rest of their time inside the Arafat section or outdoors in Arafat until sunset. If they remain only in the front section (outside Arafat), their Wuquf Arafat will not count and their Hajj will be invalid.