" HAIDER - AE - KARRAR "

Farewell pilgrimage at Mecca & Final sermon . [ L16 ]

Prophet Muhammad's (saw) Final sermon or the last sermon , is a religious speech , delivered on Friday of 9th Dhu Al-Hijjah , 10 AH ( 6 March 632 ) in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat , during the Islamic Pilgrimage of Hajj .

The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is known as " Khutbatul Wada " . It is mentioned in almost all books of Hadith . This khutbah was long & contained much guidance & instructions on many issues . Prophet Muhammad (saw) gave this sermon in front of large gathering of people ( 2 lakhs ) during Hajj .

As Muhammad (saw) was returning from his last pilgrimage in 632, he made statements about Imam Ali(as) he halted the caravan at Ghaffar Khammam, gathered the returning pilgrims for communal prayers and began to address them.

{ Ghadir Khumm }

Taking Imam Ali(as) by hand ,he asked of his faithful followers whether he , Muhammad, was not closer (Maula) to the believers then they were to themselves; the crowd cried out:,"It is so, O Apostle of Allah!",he then declared:,"Man Kunto Maula fahaza Ali un Maula " ( he of who I am the Maula , of his Ali is also the Maula ) . These statements as constituting the designation of Imam Ali (as) as the successor of Prophet Muhammad (saw) & as the first Imam .

This khutbah of Prophet Muhammad (saw) contained much guidance & instructions on many issues . Following are the basic points that are also mentioned in this khutbah :

O People
Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefor 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 interest due to Abbas Ibn 'Abd al Muttalib (the 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 in 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 you 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 anyone 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 a black, nor a black has any superiority over a 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 therefor, do injustice to yourselves.

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. 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 the Sunnah (Hadith), 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 listened to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people."