imanway
2009-09-20 05:42:50 UTC
Beloved Prophet Muhammad, may God send His praises upon him, was born
in Mecca, Saudi Arabia circa 570 C.E. He is an example for all of
humanity. He was a remarkable man at all times. He excelled in all
walks of life by being a prophet, ruler, philosopher, orator, soldier,
husband, friend, father, uncle, nephew, and a grandfather. He was a
man of love, patience, courage, wisdom, generosity, intelligence and
magnitude who inspired millions of lives throughout the world.
God says in the Quran that he was sent as a mercy for the people of
the world.
“We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.” (Quran 21:107)
His Prophetic Mission began at the age of forty, circa 610 C.E., and
continued until 632 C.E. From the path of ignorance, mankind was lead
to the straight path and was blessed with the guidance of God.
Shortly before his death, Prophet Muhammad delivered a sermon during
the Hajj, which came to be known as his “Final Sermon”. This final
sermon was not only a reminder to his followers, but also an important
admonition. The final sermon confirms the end of his Prophetic
Mission.
Year 10 A.H. of the Islamic Calendar is considered to be one of the
most significant years for three reasons. Firstly, this was the year
when the Prophet delivered his Last Sermon during his farewell
pilgrimage to Mecca. Secondly, this was the year where number of
deputations came to the Prophet to announce their Islam as well as
their tribes. Thirdly, it was the golden period of Islam when
multitudes of people embraced the faith by accepting the message of
the Prophet.
Prophet Muhammad undertook his farewell pilgrimage in the year 10
A.H. His farewell pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the most significant
historical events in the minds of Muslims, for it was the first and
last pilgrimage made by Prophet Muhammad, as well as being the model
for performing the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj.
Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon was delivered during the Hajj of the
year 632 C.E., the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the
lunar year, at Arafat, the most blessed day of the year. There were
countless Muslims present with the Prophet during his last pilgrimage
when he delivered his last Sermon.
The Final Sermon:
After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His
praises upon him 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 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 a trust from God 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, perform your five
daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat.
Perform Hajj if you have the means.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a
non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; white
has no superiority over black, nor does a black have any superiority
over white; [none have superiority over another] 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 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 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 it may be that 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.”
Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near
the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:
“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace
upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)
Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every
Muslim in every corner of the word through all possible means of
communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in
lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed
astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has
over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s
soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts.
in Mecca, Saudi Arabia circa 570 C.E. He is an example for all of
humanity. He was a remarkable man at all times. He excelled in all
walks of life by being a prophet, ruler, philosopher, orator, soldier,
husband, friend, father, uncle, nephew, and a grandfather. He was a
man of love, patience, courage, wisdom, generosity, intelligence and
magnitude who inspired millions of lives throughout the world.
God says in the Quran that he was sent as a mercy for the people of
the world.
“We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.” (Quran 21:107)
His Prophetic Mission began at the age of forty, circa 610 C.E., and
continued until 632 C.E. From the path of ignorance, mankind was lead
to the straight path and was blessed with the guidance of God.
Shortly before his death, Prophet Muhammad delivered a sermon during
the Hajj, which came to be known as his “Final Sermon”. This final
sermon was not only a reminder to his followers, but also an important
admonition. The final sermon confirms the end of his Prophetic
Mission.
Year 10 A.H. of the Islamic Calendar is considered to be one of the
most significant years for three reasons. Firstly, this was the year
when the Prophet delivered his Last Sermon during his farewell
pilgrimage to Mecca. Secondly, this was the year where number of
deputations came to the Prophet to announce their Islam as well as
their tribes. Thirdly, it was the golden period of Islam when
multitudes of people embraced the faith by accepting the message of
the Prophet.
Prophet Muhammad undertook his farewell pilgrimage in the year 10
A.H. His farewell pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the most significant
historical events in the minds of Muslims, for it was the first and
last pilgrimage made by Prophet Muhammad, as well as being the model
for performing the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj.
Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon was delivered during the Hajj of the
year 632 C.E., the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the
lunar year, at Arafat, the most blessed day of the year. There were
countless Muslims present with the Prophet during his last pilgrimage
when he delivered his last Sermon.
The Final Sermon:
After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His
praises upon him 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 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 a trust from God 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, perform your five
daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat.
Perform Hajj if you have the means.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a
non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; white
has no superiority over black, nor does a black have any superiority
over white; [none have superiority over another] 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 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 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 it may be that 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.”
Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near
the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:
“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace
upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)
Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every
Muslim in every corner of the word through all possible means of
communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in
lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed
astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has
over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s
soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts.