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The last Sermon of Prophet Mohammad ( )
| (This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah, 10 A.H.
(632 AD) in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat in Makkah. It was the
occasion of the annual rites of Hajj (the pilgrimage). It is also
known as the Farewell Pilgrimage.) |
After praising, and thanking ALLAH, the Prophet (pbuh) began with
the words:
"O People! lend me an
attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever
be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I am
saying and Take These Words to Those Who Could Not Be Present Here
Today.
O People! just as you regard this month, this day, this city as
Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred
trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners.
Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will
indeed meet your LORD, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.
ALLAH has forbidden you to take usary (interest), therefore all
interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is
yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.
ALLAH has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the
interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) be
waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is
henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that
arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al-Harithiah.
O Men! the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calender in
order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit
which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve
in number. Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and
one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all
hope of that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so
beware of following him in small things.
O People! it is true that you have certain rights with regard to
your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you
have taken them as your wives only under ALLAH'S trust and with His
permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the
right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well
and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed
helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with
anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O People! listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five
daily prayers, fast during month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in
Zakat (obligatory charity). Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a
non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a
white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority
over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim
is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one
brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs
to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.
Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you
will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not astray from
the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People! No Prophet or Apostle Will Come after Me and No New Faith
Will Be Born. Reason well, therefore, O People! and understand words
which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QUR AN and
my SUNNAH (i.e., sayings, deeds, and approvals) and if you follow
these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and
those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words
better than those who listen to me directly.
Be my witness O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your
people."
As part of this sermon, the Prophet (pbuh) recited them a Revelation
from Allah which he had just received and which completed the Qur'an,
for it was the last passage to be revealed:
" This day the
disbelievers despair of prevailing against your religion, so fear
them not, but fear Me (Allah)! This day have I perfected for you
your religion and fulfilled My favor unto you, and it hath been My
good pleasure to choose Islam for you as your religion." 5:3
The sermon was repeated sentence by
sentence by Safwan's brother Rabiah (RA), who had a powerful voice,
at the request of the Prophet and he faithfully proclaimed to over
ten thousand gathered on the occasion. Toward the end of his sermon,
the Prophet asked O people, have I faithfully delivered unto you my
message?" A powerful murmur of assent O Allah, yes!", arose from
thousands of pilgrims and the vibrant words Allahumma na m rolled
like thunder throughout the valley. The Prophet raised his
forefinger and said: Be my witness O ALLAH, that I have conveyed
your message to your people." |