|
The Last Sermon
of Prophet Muhammad
"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."
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 God
he 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. God 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. God has judged that there shall be no interest and that all
the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) 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 God'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 God, 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 God 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 God, that I have conveyed your message to your people".
|