The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad

After his first and the last Hajj on Friday, 9th Dhul al’Hijjah, 10 AH (632 AC), the day the fictitious lunar calendar coincided with the true calendar, the Prophet Muhammad saw delivered his landmark Sermon in the valley of Arafat in which he spotlighted twenty-five cardinal points, mostly embedded in the Qur’an (Q). These points summarize his teachings as the Last Messenger of Allah SWT over a period of 23 years and constitute the core principles and the dominant features of an Islamic society. Rephrased (slightly for brevity, where needed), the Sermon is presented in an abridged format with relevant Qur’anic references, using the format: [Qur’an, Surah: Verse(s)].

The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad Delineated in Twenty-five Points

1. Listen to me carefully as I may not be with you again [Hint: Mission accomplished/departure time; see Q, 5: 3; 110: 1-3].
2. Take these words to those who could not be here today [Q, 2: 143].
3. Regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust [Q, 5: 32].
4. Return the goods entrusted to you to the rightful owners [Q, 2:283; 4: 58].
5. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you [Q, 2: 279].
6. You will meet your Lord and He will reckon your deeds [Q, 2: 203, 281; 3: 25; 10: 4].
7. Allah has forbidden riba (interest) [Q, 2:278-280; 3: 130].
8. Unbelievers tamper with the calendar in order to switch around halal and haram [Q, 9: 37].
9. Beware of Satan for the safety of your religion [Q, 35: 6].
10. He has lost hope to mislead you in big things, so beware about small ones [Q, 2: 268; 7: 16].
11. Just as you have rights over your women, they too have rights over you [Q, 2: 228].
12. You have taken them as your wives under Allah’s trust and with His permission [Q, 4: 1].
13. Treat your women with kindness, for they are your committed companions [Q, 2:236; 4: 19].
14. They must not make friend with anyone you do not approve of, nor they be unchaste [Q, 4: 34].
15. Worship (One) Allah, establish salat, fast during Ramadan, pay zakat, and perform Hajj [Q, 2: 21; 24: 56; 2: 183; 3: 97].
16. Oh people, be mindful of those who work under you. Feed and clothe them as you feed and clothe yourselves [Q, 16: 71]. .
17. All mankind are equal; none is superior to the other, except by piety and good deeds [Q, 49: 13].
18. Muslims are brothers of one another and they constitute one brotherhood [Q, 49: 10].
19. A Muslim’s property is not legitimate to other Muslim unless given freely and willingly [Q, 4: 29].
20. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves [Q, 4: 29].
21. You will appear before Allah for accountability, so do not go astray after I am gone [Q, 2: 281; 10: 4].
22. No Prophet or Messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born [Q, 33: 40].
23. Reason well, therefore, and understand words which I convey to you [Q, 16: 12 5; 29: 46].
24. I leave behind the Qur’an and my Sunnah; if you follow them you will never go astray [Q, 3: 132; 24: 54, 55].
25. Those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; may be the last ones may understand my words better than those who listen to me directly [Q, 8: 24].

The Prophet (SAW) concluded his sermon by saying: Be my witness, O’Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people [Q, 5: 67].