Prophet Muhammad's (saws) Farewell Sermon
29-04-2008
[This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah
valley of Mount Arafat' in Mecca.]
After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (saws)
said:
"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 very
carefully 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 usury (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 [the 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 Harith ibn Abdul Muttalib.
O People, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to
make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that 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 the month of Ramadan, 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 a 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 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 Qur'an and my 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 than those
who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your
message to Your people."
Submitted by a Mujahid