The Prophet's Last Sermon

This sermon of Prophet Muhammad was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah (632 CE) in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat (in Makkah). It was the occasion of the annual rites of Hajj (pilgrimage.) It is also known as the Farewell Pilgrimage.

After praising and thanking Allah (The One True God) the Prophet began with the these words:

"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 obligations 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 (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 that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al-Harithiah.

"O Men! The unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha'ban.

"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's your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste. O People! Listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat (obligatory charity). 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 (person) has no superiority over a black (person) nor a black has any superiority over a white except by piety and good action. Learn that Muslims are brothers to each other 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 about 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. O People! Reason and understand well the words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and my Sunnah (i.e. sayings, deeds and approvals), 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."

As part of this sermon, the Prophet recited a Revelation from Allah, which he had just received: "…This day, the disbelievers have given up all hope of your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…" (Holy Qur'an, 5:3)

Towards the end of his sermon, the Prophet asked: "O people, have I faithfully delivered unto you my message?" A powerful murmur of assent "O Allah, yes!" arose from thousands of pilgrims and rolled like thunder throughout the valley.

The Prophet raised his forefinger and said: "Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people."