THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S LAST SERMON
This Sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah, 10 A.H. in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat.
After praising, and thanking Allah the Prophet (peace by upon him) 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 to you 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 obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, 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 shall henceforth be waived.
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. 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 any one 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 (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, 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 black nor a black has any superiority over 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 appear before 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 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 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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Points to ponder:
--- Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon was exactly what the title says: Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon, and “not” the “Only” Sermon.
--- Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon was first and foremost addressed to an audience that happened to be Muslim believers. It's therefore imperative that the Sermon be understood in the light of the general teachings of Islam and that it be read in its entirety and not taken out of context.
Notes: Pondering the sermon, this is what comes to mind:
Man's duty towards his Maker.
The indivisibility of Rights and Responsibility
Equality of humanity.
Brotherhood of man.
The need for Justice in our world.
The beauty of Islam in our lives.
Women's high position in the home.
The sacredness of life and property.
The stress on womens rights and the weak in society.
The success of the last Messenger's mission.
The obligation on the Muslims to desimminate the message.
It is nice to be hearing from you again friend. May you be blessed. lf
Thanks for posting this up. Many of us here are enlightened with such of your postings. I am sorry if you have got hurt at the offensive remarks of OneLight. I can only wish people like OneLight understand one simple thing... and that is what is an harm in it if you poetically and factualy show your love and respect for some one..What is a harm if you share your shock with us when you get offended by some ones ignorance or indecency?
Don't we read many poems, articles and short stories here in these AD pages regarding violence, environmental pollution, war, poverty and human fragility. What if you protest at the pollution of theology and faith,particularly of Islam and Muhammad Peace be upon Him at the hands of politically motivated few. Why every one is uneasy when some one protests at this kind of pollution.
I think it is time that facts should come to the light. I hope you will post more about the Last Prophet to God. To Mr OneLight I will only request that at least he should read Michael Hart's "100 Most Influential Persons in History". He ranked Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him number one on his list. Most of OneLights concerns are answered very neutrally there.
Thank you Safi
Masood Lohar