Outline the lessons in the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) Farewell Sermon.

Answer Details

The Prophet (S.A.W.) delivered his Farewell Sermon (Khutbatul-Wada') at 'Arafah during his only Hajj in 10 A.H., before a vast gathering of Muslims. Its lessons are outlined below.

1. Sanctity of life and property: He declared that the life, property and honour of every Muslim are sacred and inviolable, like the sacredness of that day, that month and that city.
2. Abolition of usury (riba): He cancelled all interest of the age of ignorance, beginning with the interest owed to his own uncle 'Abbas.
3. Abolition of blood revenge: He put an end to the blood feuds of Jahiliyyah, starting by remitting the blood of his own kinsman.
4. Good treatment of women: He enjoined kindness and justice to women, reminding men of their rights and of the trust of Allah concerning them.
5. Brotherhood and equality: He proclaimed that all Muslims are brothers, and that no Arab is superior to a non-Arab, nor white to black, except by piety (taqwa).
6. Adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah: He urged the believers to hold fast to two things he left behind, the Book of Allah and his Sunnah, promising they would never go astray if they clung to them.
7. Fulfilment of trusts and duties: He reminded them to return things entrusted to them and to observe the five daily prayers, fasting, Zakah and Hajj.
8. Warning against Satan: He warned that Satan had despaired of being worshipped but would try to sow discord in small matters.
9. Conveying the message: He asked those present to convey his words to those absent, and had the people bear witness that he had delivered the message.

The sermon is a charter of human rights, equality and justice, summarising the moral and social teachings of Islam.