IN the 10th year of Hijrah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) announced that he intended to perform Haj; this was the only time that he performed Haj after the Hijrah to Madina. The Muslims came from all over the Arabian Peninsula to perform Haj with him. He left Madina five days before the end of Dhul Qa'dah. (Ibn Hajar, Fath Al-Bari, 8/104; Ibn Ishaq and others with an authentic chain) When the Prophet (peace be upon him) halted in Arafat, the following verse was revealed to him, as reported in Al-Bukhari: “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Qur'an, 5:4) The Muslims learned the rituals of the Haj from the Prophet (peace be upon him). At Arafat, the Prophet (peace be upon him) delivered what is famously known as the farewell sermon: “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 interest, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth stand waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no usury (interest) and that all the interest due to Abbas Bin Abdul Muttalib (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 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 discharge 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 who you do not approve of, as well as never to be unchaste. “O people, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Haj 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 black nor a black has any superiority over 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, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. “Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer 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 the words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an 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 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.” Benefits n Prohibition of shedding innocent blood, and taking of wealth without right, which emphasizes on Islam's protection of life and property. n Prohibition of taking Riba (usury and interest), which is an increase on the principal, whether small or large. n Admonition to fulfill and give women their rights, and to deal with them in goodness. Many authentic Ahadith have been narrated in this regard, which elucidate their rights and warn against taking them unjustly. n Advice to strongly cling to the Qur'an and Sunnah, for verily the reason for Muslims' weakness today is their leaving of judging by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. There will be no victory for Muslims except by returning to these two sources. n Testimony of the Companions that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) conveyed the message, discharged his trust and counseled the Ummah. n Subtle indication that the Prophet's farewell would soon come. n Warning against fighting and killing among Muslims.
