Prophet Muhammad's Last Sermon

The last sermon of the Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi wa salam) is known as 'Khutbatul Wada'. It is mentioned in almost all books of Hadith. The following Ahadith in Sahih Al-Bukhari refer to the sermon and quote part of it, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361. Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Musnad, Hadith no. 19774.

This Khutbah of the Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi wa salam) contained much guidance and instructions on many issues. The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi wa salam) gave this sermon in front of a large gathering of people during Hajj. It is a great khutbah and we should all pay attention to its message and guidance. (excerpt from soundvision.com)

The following are the basic points mentioned in this khutbah:

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' (in Mecca).

After praising, and thanking Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) he 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. ALLAH 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. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al 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 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 ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj 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 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 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".

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This khutbah is just as relevant now as it was then. Imagine if we all paid heed to this message. Let us pass it on, and may we all benefit from it, Ameen!

Objectives, pretty simple?

Bismillah,

The following was taken from the Appendix of an older copy of 'The Prophet's prayer described' with a few slight modifications. I wanted to share it as it has general principles that we as Muslims should try to attain to. All the evidences presented are from the Quran and authentic hadith.

Our Objectives

1. A return to the sublime Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet(sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam) and to comprehend them both according to the understanding and way of the Pious Predecessors (as-salafus-saalih) –may Allaah be pleased with them all- acting upon the saying of our Lord – The Majestic.

“If anyone contends with the Messenger even after the Guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in hell, what an evil refuge !” (an-Nisa 4 :115)

And the first to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhâjirûn) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. (At-Tawbah 9:100)

and His – (The One free of Imperfections) saying:

“So if they believe as you believe, they are indeed on the right path..” (al-Baqara 2:137)

and the sayings of the Messenger (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Najih al-Irbad bin Sariyah, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said:

The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, delivered an admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful. We said, "O Messenger of Allah, it is as if this were a farewell sermon, so advise us." He said, "I enjoin you to have Taqwa of Allah and that you listen and obey, even if a slave is made a ruler over you. He among you who lives long enough will see many differences. So for you is to observe my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-principled and rightly-guided Rashidite Caliphs, holding on to them with your molar teeth. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every invented matter is an innovation and every innovation(bid'ah) is a going astray.”

[Abu Dawud & Al-Tirmidhi, who says it is an authentic hadith

and

Abdullah reported: It was asked from Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) who amongst the people were the best. He said: (People) of my generation, then those next to them, then those next to them…, [Sahih Muslim]

2. To purify everything related to the life of the Muslims from Shirk in its various forms – and to warn them against the wicked innovations (Bid’ah) in the creed (Aqeedah) and acts of worship (Ibaadah) and false ideas introduced from outside, and to cleanse the Sunnah of the weak and fabricated narrations which have tarnished the pure nature of Islaam, and have been a cause of prevention of the progress of the Muslims, in realization of the responsibility due to knowledge and due to the saying of the noble Messenger: (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

“This knowledge will be carried by the trustworthy ones of every generation – they will expel from it the alterations made by those going beyond bounds, and the false claims of the liars, and the false interpretations of the ignorant.”

(Saheeh – reported by Ibn’ Adiyy, Ibn, Asaakir, Aboo Nua’im and al-Khateeb)

and in obedience to the order of Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic:


“..Help you one another in righteousness and piety, but help you not one another in sin and enmity.” (al-Maa’idah 5:2)

3. To educate and cultivate the Muslims upon their true Deen, and calling them to act according to its rulings, and to cultivate in themselves its morality and manners – which will ensure Allaah’s pleasure and result in their welfare and honour – being in agreement with the Qur’aanic description of the group who are saved from ruin

“…And (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of patience and constancy.” (al-Asr 103:3)

and due to His order:

“On the contrary (He would say): “Be you people of wisdom and knowledge for you have taught the Book and you have studied it earnestly.” (Aal-Imraan :79)

4. To revive true Islamic thought in the light of the Book and the Sunnah and upon the way of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) of this Ummah, and to remove the stagnated blind following of Madh-habs (schools of thought) and blind adherence to parties – which has overcome the minds of many Muslims and distracted them from clear and pure Islamic brotherhood/sisterhood – as demanded by the order of Allaah – The Majestic and Most High:

“And hold fast all together, by the rope of Allah, and be ye not divided among yourselves…” (Aal-Imraan 3:103)

and the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

“Be worshippers of Allaah(and) brothers !” (al-Bukhari and Muslim)

5. To provide practical Islamic solutions for the present day problems and to strive for returning to a true Islamic way of life upon the way of the Prophet (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam) – and to bring about a society guided by the Revelation, and for Allaah’s laws to be applied upon the earth – beginning this process with correction (tasfiyah) and education and cultivation (tarbiyah) – as Allaah, the Most High says:

“And instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, and purify them” (al-Baqarah 2:129)

whilst remembering the saying of our Lord – the One free of all imperfections – to His Prophet (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

“…And whether we show thee (in this life) some part of what We promise them, or We take thy soul (to Our mercy before that), - (in any case) it is to us that they shall (all) return.”(Ghaafir 40:77)

and realizing the Sharee’ah principle: “He who seeks to hasten to bring something about before its appointed time – is punished by being deprived of its achievement.”

6. To cordially invite all those who have not yet been blessed with that true Knowledge and Guidance of Islam which is the perfect final revealed Message of Allaah to His Creation, so that they may realize the peace and contentment of this life and the eternal bliss of the Hereafter.

This is our call- and we call all of the Muslims to assist us in shouldering this responsibility which will awaken and uplift them, and to spread the perpetual message of Islaam to all corners of the earth – in sincere brotherhood/sisterhood and love, having full confidence in Allaah’s aid and that He will indeed establish and grant authority to His righteous servants:

“…But honour belongs to Allaah and His Messenger, and to the Believers...” (al-Munaafiqoon 63:8)

“It is He who has sent His Messenger with the Guidance and the Religion of Truth. That He makes it prevail over all religion, even though the pagans may detest (it).” (as-Saff 61:9).

MashaAllah, very straightforward and to the point, and most importantly with daleel(evidence) from Qur'an and Sunnah. InshaAllah we as Muslims can accomplish these objectives, and I remind myself first before anyone else.

Status of Sunnah in Islam

Shaikh Salem Al-Amry talks on a very important subject that every muslim needs to know, - the Status of Sunnah in Islam.

He explains why we should follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as we are to follow the Qur'an, the book of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Shaikh Salim al-Amry is from the United Arab Emirates. He is a Computer Engineer by profession, however he has spent a major part of his youth studying under different scholars.

He has taken the effort to obtain knowledge of the different sciences of Islam including Aqidah, Usool, Hadeeth, Fiqh, Tafseer, Arabic language and more. His teachers include: Shaikh Ali Khashshan and Shaikh Mahmood 'Atiyyah, who were two of the first students of Shaikh Albani and under both, Shaikh Salim studied Aqidah.