Sayyiduna Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Since Allah created the heavens and the earth, time has been revolving in its cycle. The year consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred months. Three of them are consecutive: Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram, while the month of Rajab comes between Jumada al-Thani and Sha'ban." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, "What month is this?" We replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The narrator says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent, so we thought that perhaps he would give it a new name. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, "Is it not Dhu al-Hijjah?" We replied, "Yes." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then asked, "What city is this?" We replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The narrator says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent until we thought that perhaps he would give it another name. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, "Is it not the Sacred City?" We replied, "Yes." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then asked, "What day is this?" We replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The narrator says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent until we thought that perhaps he would give it another name. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Is it not the Day of Sacrifice?" We replied, "Yes." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Your lives and your wealth (here, the narrator Muhammad says: I think these words are also in the narration: your honor) are as sacred to one another as this day is in this month in this city. Soon you will meet your Lord, and He will ask you about your deeds. So do not go astray after me, striking the necks of one another. Beware! Let those who are present convey (this message) to those who are absent, for it may be that the one to whom it is conveyed will preserve it better than the one who heard it directly. Beware! Have I conveyed (the message)?"