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 , 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 youto 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. Yourcapital, however, is yours to keep.
You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that
thereshall 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 forbidthat 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 withregard to your
women, butthey also have rights over you. If they abide by your right
then to them belongsthe right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do
treat your women well andbe 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
andEve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has
any superiority over anArab; 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 shallbe
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 willnever 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 wordsbetter that
those who listen to me directly. Be mywitness O Allah, that I
haveconveyed Your message to Your people."

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