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Prophet Muhammad's (saws) Last
Sermon
[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 Harithibn. 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 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 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 Quran 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."
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