The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did Hajj only once, which was the Farewell Pilgrimage, during which he addressed his companions, advising them about some things which are fundamental principles of Islamic teaching, including what is mentioned in this hadith. Abu Bakrah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) addressed the people on the Day of Sacrifice, which is the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah; this day is also Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice). He was sitting atop his camel, and there was a man holding onto the reins of his she-camel; this refers to a rope tied to a ring in the nose of the camel, so that it may be led easily. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to his companions: “What day is this?” They remained silent until they thought that he was going to change its name, because its name was well-known to all. This is also an example of their good manners with their Prophet. It also indicates that major issues should be referred to the Lawgiver. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Is it not the Day of Sacrifice?” It is so called because of what occurs on that day of the slaughter of sacrificial animals (hadiy and udhiyah). They said: Yes indeed. Then he said: “What month is this?” They again remained silent, because they thought that he was going to change the name that they knew. Then he said: “Is it not Dhul Hijjah?” So they said: Yes indeed. He asked them these two questions, then remained silent after each question, to make them focus and pay full attention to his words, and so that they would realize that what he was going to tell them was something of great importance. Hence he told them that the prohibition on transgressing against one another’s wealth and honour, and the sanctity of those things, was equivalent to the sanctity of the Day of Sacrifice, the sacred month, and Makkah al-Mukarramah. This was to emphasize how serious these matters are (and how great a sin it is to transgress against fellow Muslims). Then he instructed those who were present to convey what he said to those who were absent, for perhaps one who was absent would understand better than the one who heard it and conveyed it. This hadith indicates that it is prescribed to convey and narrate hadiths, and highlights the virtue of this knowledge and its people. It indicates that learning about hadith is one thing and understanding hadith is something else. The narrator may narrate a hadith to someone who understands it better than him, and the narrator may not understand it fully. It indicates that it is permissible to sit on an animal’s back whilst it is standing still, if there is a need to do that. It also indicates that speeches should be delivered from a high place, because that is more effective in letting the people hear and see the speaker..