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The
Prophet's Farewell Sermon |
The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered this sermon on
the 9 Dhul-Hijjah 10 a.h. in the valley of Mount `Arafat, during
his final Hajj, known as the Farewell Hajj. The contents of the
message were collected from different narrations, and there are
other parts of it that are not mentioned here. After praising, and
thanking Allah, he said:
(O
people, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after
this year, I will ever be among 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.
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 al-`Abbas ibn `Abdul-Muttalib 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 Rabi`ah ibn Al-Harith [a relative of the Prophet]. O
mankind, 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; four of them are holy; three of these (holy months) are
successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumadah and
Sha`ban.
O
people, 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 rights 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. 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 commit adultery.
O
people, listen to me in earnest. Worship Allah, say your five daily
prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give the share of
Zakah in your wealth. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. All
mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a
non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab;
also a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have
any superiority over a 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
that belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and
willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
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 messenger will come after me, and no new
faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and
understand my words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two
things, the Qur'an 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
than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that
I have conveyed Your message to Your people.)
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