The sun has almost set at Sarf but the Holy Prophet did not offer evening prayers here.
He rather preferred to cover a sufficient distance and perform prayers near the hillocks of Mecca. Satisfied with the safe conclusion of his journey he comfortably passed the whole night at his last destination.
It was Wednesday when the Messenger of God joyfully entered the sacred city of Mecca. He went round the House of God and there- after became completely engrossed in prayers. In the meantime Ali bin Abi Ti lib also arrived. After performing the rites of pilgrimage the last Apostle of God bid good-bye to the House of God and left the sacred soil.
The Desired Destination
More than 100,000 travelers were accompanying him when the Holy Prophet started from Medina. By the time of the return-journey this number had increased not by hundreds but by thou- sands. It was the fore-noon of Thursday, the eighteenth of the month of Zilhaj 10 A. H. 21st March 633 A.D.) when this caravan reached Johfa with great dignity and grandeur. The town of Johfa is situated at a distance of 13 miles from Mecca.
This is the junction from where routes for Medina, Egypt, Syria and Iraq radiate in different directions. On its border is a pond. In Arabic the synonym of the word pond or watering-place is `Ghadeer'.
Because of its location the terminology of Hadith (tradition) and History refer to it as `Khum'. The appreciation of this particular event that took place at `Ghadeer-e-Khum' is difficult.
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