Gracious, the Most Merciful
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 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."
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