The
Holy 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,
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.
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."
Translation courtesy of
Home
Page of the Muslim Students Association of Oregon State University.