Mauao Man

Muhammad: The Man, The Myth, The Messenger

Part 6: Muhammad’s Final Years, Teachings, and Legacy (630–632 AD)

Introduction: The Prophet Triumphant, But Not Yet Finished

By 630 AD, Muhammad was no longer a persecuted preacher but the undisputed leader of a unified Arabia. Mecca had fallen without a fight, the idols of the Kaaba were destroyed, and the Quraysh — his fiercest enemies — had either embraced Islam or submitted to his rule.

But Muhammad’s mission was not complete. In the final two years of his life, he continued to shape the young Islamic state, delivered new revelations, sent letters to foreign rulers inviting them to accept Islam, and led one final major military campaign — the Tabuk Expedition.

These last years were a time of consolidation, conflict, and final teachings. They were also marked by growing tensions within the Muslim community and a sense of urgency in Muhammad’s message. This post explores Muhammad’s final years, his core teachings, and the legacy he left behind, making it clear what is known from Islamic sources and what is based on historical evidence.

1. The Consolidation of Power (630–631 AD)

1. The Aftermath of the Conquest of Mecca:

After his conquest of Mecca, Muhammad took several key steps to secure his power:
- He declared the Kaaba as the center of Islamic worship, purging it of all idols.
- He granted a general amnesty to the Quraysh, allowing them to retain their wealth and status if they accepted Islam.
- Many former enemies, including Abu Sufyan and his wife Hind, accepted Islam and were given positions of honor.
The Kaaba became the spiritual heart of Islam, and the Hajj (pilgrimage) was redefined as a purely monotheistic ritual dedicated to Allah alone.

2. The Destruction of Idolatry Across Arabia:

Muhammad sent delegations to the tribes across Arabia, ordering them to destroy their idols and accept Islam.
Among these delegations was Khalid ibn al-Walid, who destroyed the idol of Al-Uzza, one of the three main goddess daughters of Allah.
Other tribes, seeing Muhammad’s growing power, submitted to Islam without resistance.
According to Islamic tradition, by 631 AD, almost all of Arabia had embraced Islam. This year is known as "Am al-Wufud" (The Year of Delegations), as tribes came to Medina to pledge allegiance to Muhammad.

2. The Farewell Pilgrimage (632 AD): A Final Message to the Muslim Community

1. The Last Pilgrimage (Hajj):

In March 632 AD, Muhammad led a large group of Muslims on what would be his final pilgrimage to Mecca.
During this pilgrimage, he delivered a sermon at Mount Arafat, known as the "Farewell Sermon."
In this sermon, he emphasized key teachings:
- Equality: "All of you are from Adam, and Adam is from dust. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab, except by piety."
- Justice: "O people, your blood, your property, and your honor are sacred to one another."
- Women’s Rights: "Fear Allah regarding women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah."
- The Finality of His Message: "I have left among you two things. If you hold fast to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah."

2. The Revelation of the Final Verse:

According to Islamic tradition, the final revelation of the Quran was revealed during this pilgrimage:

"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion." (Quran 5:3)

3. The Farewell Pilgrimage as a Political Display:

The Farewell Pilgrimage was not just a religious event — it was a display of Muhammad’s power.
Thousands of Muslims from across Arabia joined the pilgrimage, demonstrating the unity of the Muslim community under Muhammad’s leadership.
Muhammad’s message was clear: Islam was now the dominant faith in Arabia.

3. The Expedition to Tabuk (630 AD): A Test of Loyalty

1. The Threat of Byzantine Invasion:

In 630 AD, Muhammad received reports that the Byzantine Empire was preparing to invade northern Arabia.
To preempt this threat, he assembled an army of 30,000 men and marched to Tabuk, near the Byzantine border.
This was the largest Muslim army ever assembled during Muhammad’s lifetime.

2. A Campaign Without a Battle:

When Muhammad arrived at Tabuk, the Byzantines did not appear, and there was no battle.
Some historians question whether the Byzantines ever intended to attack at all.
Despite the lack of combat, the campaign was a demonstration of Muhammad’s growing military power.
Several northern Arabian tribes, fearing Muhammad’s strength, submitted to his authority and agreed to pay jizya (tribute).

3. The Issue of the "Hypocrites":

Not all Muslims supported the expedition. Some, known as the "Munafiqun" (hypocrites), refused to join.
Quranic verses criticized these "hypocrites" for their lack of commitment (Quran 9:38-42).
Muhammad’s authority in Medina grew stronger as loyal followers distanced themselves from those who wavered.

4. The Illness and Death of Muhammad (632 AD)

1. The Final Illness:

In June 632 AD, Muhammad fell ill with a severe fever.
He spent his final days in the house of his wife Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr.
As his condition worsened, Muhammad appointed Abu Bakr to lead the prayers in his place — a decision seen by many as an indication of his chosen successor.

2. The Last Words of a Prophet:

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad’s final words were:

"O Allah, with the highest companions."
He died on June 8, 632 AD, at the age of 63, and was buried in the house of Aisha, a site that later became part of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

3. The Crisis of Leadership:

Muhammad’s death left the Muslim community in shock.
Some Muslims, including Umar ibn al-Khattab, refused to believe he had died until Abu Bakr declared:

"Whoever worshipped Muhammad, know that Muhammad is dead. But whoever worships Allah, know that Allah is ever-living and will never die."
This crisis led to the first great debate in Islamic history: Who would lead the Muslim community now?

5. The Legacy of Muhammad: The Prophet and the State

1. Muhammad’s Teachings:

Monotheism: The absolute belief in one God (Allah).
Social Justice: Care for the poor, protection of orphans, honesty in trade.
Legal Authority: The Quran and the Sunnah (Muhammad’s example) as the basis of Islamic law.
Religious Unity: All Muslims were to be united as one Ummah (community).

2. The Expansion of Islam:

Within a century of his death, Islam had spread from Arabia to North Africa, Persia, Central Asia, and the Iberian Peninsula.
Muhammad’s successors, known as the Caliphs, built a vast empire, spreading his teachings far beyond Arabia.

3. Controversies and Divisions:

Muhammad’s death led to a crisis of succession, resulting in the split between Sunni and Shia Islam.
His legacy has been interpreted in many ways: as a spiritual guide, a social reformer, a warrior, and a political leader.

Conclusion: The Prophet Who Changed History

Muhammad began as a merchant in Mecca, became a persecuted preacher, and ended as the most powerful man in Arabia. His teachings, preserved in the Quran and Hadith, continue to influence the lives of over a billion people.

But his legacy is also one of conflict — both in his own time and in the centuries that followed. Was he a man of peace or a man of war? A spiritual guide or a political conqueror? The answer depends on who you ask.

Part 1: Muhammad’s Early Life — From Birth to Marriage (570–595 AD)
Part 2: Muhammad’s Spiritual Journey and the First Revelation (595–610 AD)
Part 3: Muhammad’s Early Preaching in Mecca (613–622 AD)
Part 4: Muhammad’s Search for Allies and the Hijra to Medina (622 AD)
Part 5: Muhammad’s Battles and the Rise of the Islamic State (624–630 AD)

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.