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."