In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful 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."
Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!
OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me
and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me! (Aameen)
Guiding one soul to knowledge and faith is a momentous achievement.
It is what will earn us great blessings...
(Insha Allah)
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