A Little Story Behind My Latest Read: Jalan Nabi 3

 

I got this book in a very special way — from my husband.
He loves reading so much that buying books is basically his love language. One day, while we were busy preparing for our wedding, a package arrived at my house. Inside were three books he had ordered. Surprisingly, two of them were Jalan Nabi 3. He smiled, took one for himself, and handed the other to me.

At first, we started reading it together. But of course, his reading speed was like lightning, and mine… well, more like morning traffic. Soon enough, life got busy, and we ended up reading the same book in different places and different times. And Alhamdulillah — I finally finished it!

So, let’s talk about the book.

About the Book

Title: Jalan Nabi 3 – Legasi Purna Sang Nabi Semesta
Authors: Tim Jalan Nabi
Editors: Mukhlisin Rabusin & Abdullah Farid
Publisher: Mata Air
Published: October 2025
Size: 14.8 x 21 cm
Pages: 297

Originally written in Indonesian, Jalan Nabi 3 is a religious book focusing on the final three months of the life of Prophet Muhammad SAW. The book is neatly organized into an introduction followed by 25 chapters, each representing a “day” in the narrative.

What’s Inside the Book?

Inside the book, the introduction opens with a deep and eye-opening explanation about how the command to perform Hajj was revealed 22 years after the first divine revelation. It describes how, before Islam, the people of Jahiliyah performed Hajj in ways that were filled with ignorance and humiliation. Some of their rituals were shocking — like performing tawaf around the Ka‘bah without clothing and dividing people into social classes by allowing only certain individuals to wear special garments. The book explains how Islam came to correct all of this, bringing dignity, justice, and equality into the practice of Hajj. It reminds us that Islam teaches us not to discriminate against any group of people and to embrace differences with respect and compassion. Hajj itself is described as a powerful symbol of unity, a reminder that every human being stands equal before Allah, regardless of tribe, status, or skin color. This introduction sets a beautiful, meaningful tone for the entire book, preparing the reader to follow the final and most significant journey of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

From there, the story gently carries us into the timeline of the Prophet’s final pilgrimage, beginning on Day 1, Saturday 25 Zulkaidah, and ending on Day 25, Thursday 22 Zulhijjah. It begins with the moment Rasulullah SAW announced his intention to perform Hajj, inviting Muslims from all over the Arabian Peninsula to join him. The news spread quickly, and people from various tribes traveled to Madinah with hearts full of excitement and longing. It is estimated that around 100,000 to 120,000 companions gathered, ready to follow the Prophet on this sacred journey. They departed from Madinah as one enormous, peaceful caravan, entering ihram at Dzulhulaifah. The book describes the eight-day journey toward Makkah, showing the unity and devotion of the ummah as they traveled through the desert together.

When they finally reached Makkah, Rasulullah SAW immediately performed tawaf around the Ka‘bah, followed by sa’i between Safa and Marwah. The early days of the journey are filled with scenes of love, obedience, and spiritual beauty as the companions watched every step of the Prophet and tried to follow him exactly. On the 8th of Zulhijjah, known as the Day of Tarwiyah, the pilgrims left Makkah and traveled to Mina, spending the night in remembrance and prayer. The next day, they journeyed to Arafah, where the most important event of Hajj took place.

In the middle chapters, the book beautifully narrates the day of Arafah, describing the moment when Rasulullah SAW stood before the massive crowd and delivered his Farewell Sermon. He asked his companions what they would testify about him, and with full hearts, they declared that he had conveyed the message perfectly. The Prophet then raised his hands and said, “Ya Allah, bear witness,” three times. It was during this moment that Allah revealed the final verse of the Qur’an, announcing the perfection of the religion. This revelation brought tears to the companions — especially Umar bin Khattab — who understood that the completion of the religion also meant the nearing of the Prophet’s departure from this world.

After Arafah, the journey continued to Muzdalifah. The book describes the peaceful night the pilgrims spent under the open sky, gathering stones and resting after the emotional events of the day. The next morning, they continued to Mina, where they performed the stoning of the Jamrah, the sacrifice, and the tahalul. These chapters show how closely the companions followed every movement of the Prophet, cherishing the honor of performing Hajj alongside him. The story then moves through the Days of Tashriq — the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Zulhijjah — explaining how the Prophet guided the ummah to complete the rituals calmly and with patience.

As the chapters move into the later days, the book describes Rasulullah SAW returning to Makkah for the farewell tawaf, marking his final visit to the Ka‘bah. After completing this last rite, he prepared to leave Makkah, and the companions slowly began returning to their homes as well, carrying with them memories that would remain for a lifetime. The final chapters describe the Prophet’s return to Madinah and the last months of his life, filled with gentle reminders, teachings, and his continued concern for the ummah until the very end. About three months after Haji Wada’, Rasulullah SAW passed away, leaving behind a perfected religion and a legacy that continues to guide the world.

By the time the book reaches Day 25, Thursday 22 Zulhijjah, the reader feels as though they have walked through every moment of the Prophet’s final pilgrimage — from preparation to completion. The book closes with a sense of peace and reflection, showing how Haji Wada’ was not only a historical journey but also a spiritual message filled with lessons of unity, justice, humility, and love for all humanity.

My Personal Reflection

Reading Jalan Nabi 3 felt like walking through history with my heart wide open. The book is emotional, reflective, and deeply educational. It reminds us of the sacrifices of Rasulullah SAW, the unity of the ummah during Haji Wada’, and the essence of Islam as a religion of equality and justice.

Finishing this book was not just about turning the last page — it was a spiritual journey of its own. And the fact that it is something my husband and I both read makes it even more meaningful.

If you love Islamic history or want to understand the final days of the Prophet’s life in a warm storytelling style, Jalan Nabi 3 is definitely a beautiful book to read.