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The Prophet's Last Sermon
This sermon was delivered on the ninth day of Dhul Hijah, 10 A.H. (632 A.D.) in the valley of Mount Arafat. The contents of the message were collected from different narrations, and there are other parts to it that are not mentioned here. This sermon still needs the authenticity of all of its parts to be checked.
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
interest, therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be
waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict
nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and
that all interest due to Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (the prophet's uncle)
shall henceforth be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in
pre-Islamic days is henceforth
waived and the first such right I waive is that arising from the murder
of Rabiyah bin Al-Harith (relative of the prophet). O Men, the unbelievers
indulge in tampering
with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade,
and to forbid that which Allah had made permissible. With Allah the
months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive
and one occurs singly between the months of Jumadah and Shaaban. Beware
of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he
will ever 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 right
with regard to your
women, but they also have rights over you. 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 any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never commit
adultery.
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship
Allah, say your five daily
prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in
zakat. 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 a black,
nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good
action. Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and
that 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 your selves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah
and answer for your deeds.
So beware, do not stray 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 my words which
I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example,
the Sunnah, 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 that those
who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed
Your message to Your people."
"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I
know not whether, after this
year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am
saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not
be present today.
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