The Farewell Sermon is the final and most significant address given by the Prophet Muhammad. This sermon was delivered on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the 10th year of Hijrah in the plains of Arafat. The Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajj) was the largest Islamic gathering during the Prophetic era, with approximately 125,000 Companions in attendance. About two months before his passing, the Prophet delivered this sermon, making a final proclamation of all the teachings for which he had been sent.
The Farewell Pilgrimage is extensively mentioned in the books of Hadith, yet the complete text of the Farewell Sermon is not found in any single narration. Different narrations contain various parts of it. Numerous scholars have attempted to compile these parts into a cohesive collection.
In essence, this sermon proclaimed the greatness of God and the equality of all human beings. The Prophet emphasized that the only valid distinction among people is between those who are pious and those who are not. All other distinctions are artificial and were declared invalid, and the Muslim community was tasked with continuously proclaiming this truth.
A practical demonstration of this proclamation was evident during the sermon, when he addressed an assembly of 125,000 people on the majesty of God and the equality of all humans, the two Companions closest to the Prophet were freed slaves: Bilal al-Habashi, who held the reins of the Prophet’s camel, and Usama bin Zayd, who shaded him with a cloth held above his head.
The Sermon Delivered by the Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Arafah:
“Indeed, your blood and your wealth are as sacred and inviolable as this day, this month, and this city of yours. Listen attentively: every negative practice from the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah) has been abolished, and the blood-revenge from that era is annulled. The first act of blood revenge I abolish is our own—the killing of the son of Rabi‘ah bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib. He was a toddler, under the care of a wet nurse from the Banu Sa‘d tribe, when he was killed by the Hudhayl tribe. The usury of Jahiliyyah is abolished, and the first usury I abolish is that of our uncle, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, which is entirely abolished. Be mindful of God regarding women. You have taken them as a trust from God, and they have been made lawful to you as spouses by God’s word. You have rights over them that they do not allow anyone you dislike to sit on your bed, and if they do, you may discipline them gently. And they have rights over you to provide for them and fittingly clothe them. I have left among you something which, if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray: the Book of God (and the Sunnah of His Prophet). You will be asked about me, so what will you say?” They said, “We bear witness that you have conveyed the message, fulfilled the duty, and sincerely advised us.” Then, raising his index finger towards the sky and pointing it towards the people, he said, “O God, bear witness! O God, bear witness! O God, bear witness!”
(Al-Muntaqa by Ibn Jarood, Volume 1, Page 123; Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith No. 321).
The Second Sermon
“O people! Do you know which day it is, which month it is, and which city it is?” They said, “It is a sacred day, a sacred month, and a sacred city.” He said, “So your blood, your wealth, and your honour are sacred to you, as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this city of yours, is sacred until the day you meet Him.” Then he said, “Listen to me and live accordingly. Beware, do not oppress! Beware, do not oppress! Beware, do not oppress! Indeed, it is not permissible to take a person’s wealth unless he gives it willingly. Know that all blood feuds, usurious wealth, and privileges of pride from the time of ignorance are beneath my feet until the Day of Resurrection. The first blood-revenge to be abolished is that of the son of Rabi’ah ibn al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib; he was a toddler under the care of a wet nurse from the Banu Sa‘d tribe when he was killed by the Hudhayl tribe. All usury from the time of ignorance is abolished, and the first usury to be abolished is that of Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib. You are entitled to your principal, neither oppressing others nor being oppressed. Know that time has returned to its original state as it was on the day God created the heavens and the earth.” Then he recited the verse: “He decreed that the number of months should be twelve in number. Out of these, four are sacred. That is the true religion. Do not wrong your souls in these months.” (Quran 9:36) He continued, “Beware, do not return to disbelief after me, striking each other’s necks. Beware, Satan has despaired of being worshipped by those who pray, but he seeks to sow discord among you. So fear God concerning women, for they are dependent upon you and possess nothing for themselves. Your rights over them are that they do not allow anyone on your bed whom you dislike, and they should not permit anyone into your house whom you dislike. If you fear disobedience from them, then admonish them, forsake them in bed, and discipline them lightly. Their right over you is that you provide them with food and clothing in a fitting manner. Indeed, you have taken them as a trust from God, and they were made your spouses by the word of God. Let those who have been entrusted with anything fulfil their trust.” Then, spreading out his hands, he said, “Have I conveyed the message? Have I conveyed the message? Have I conveyed the message?” He then said, “Let those who are present convey it to those who are absent, for perhaps the one informed may understand better than the one who heard it.”
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 20695; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1218).
Explanation
The essence of this entire sermon is encapsulated in the words: “Beware, do not oppress! Beware, do not oppress!” The purpose of this sermon is to close every door that leads to oppression, whether it arises from false superstitions, wrongful laws, or arrogance and rebellion.
To achieve this, it was declared that, in principle, the blood, wealth, and honour of every individual are inviolable to others unless justified by the clear law of God. Actions driven by pre-Islamic customs and vengeful emotions were absolutely prohibited.
Usury (interest) was completely forbidden, as it fosters economic oppression among different segments of society and significantly hinders social justice. The rights of women were explicitly defined, and men were prohibited from exploiting their vulnerability.
The Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet were established as the final criterion for all interactions among people. Muslims were required to resolve all their disputes according to the rulings of the Quran and Sunnah, regardless of whether those rulings aligned with their desires or not.
Muslims were warned against the greatest cause of their deviation—internal discord. God has secured and preserved the final religion to such an extent that Satan can no longer find a path to corrupt it. However, by inciting false disputes, he will attempt to instigate fighting among Muslims. If Muslims can protect themselves from this trial, nothing else will harm them.
Faith demands that a sense of trustworthiness be cultivated among Muslims. Conveying the religion of God to others also fulfils trust. Returning the property of others to them is fulfilling a trust. Recognizing the competence of a deserving person and making space for them is also a fulfillment of trust. Every Muslim is required to prove themselves trustworthy and responsible in every matter of trust.
The Prophet’s sermon is, in essence, a living call. A true pilgrim listens to this call during Hajj and returns from it with the determination to make this sermon the guiding principle of their entire life.
