1. Farwell Pigramage and Last sermon

2.  The performance of the farewell Hajj of Nabi was an extraordinary event in the annals of Islam. This Hajj was the first and last Hajj of Nabi after Hijrah. As soon as the news of the intention of Nabi to perform  Hajj reached the Sahabah, they started to come from far and wide to take part in this auspicious pilgrimage of Islam with the Prophet of Allah as their Amir.  The inhabitants of Madinah Munawarrah and its surrounding areas became the travel companions of Nabi. As the caravan of Hujjaj حجاج travelled, whichever town or village they passed by, they would encounter people and they too would join the group and make the intention for Hajj.  The group grew to such an extent that it became difficult to count or imagine the number of people taking part.

3. It is related that Nabi Karim’s journey of Hajj took place on Saturday 25th Dhul Qadah, 10 Hijrah, after Zohar Salah from Madinah Munawarrah. On Sunday the 4th Dhil Hijjah they reached Makkah Mukarammah. From Makkah Mukarammah on Thursday 8th Dhul Hijjah they went towards Mina. On the day of Friday 9th Dhul Hijjah 10AH (6th March 632), Hajj took place at Arafat. From there they went to Mina until the 13th Dhul Hijjah for the stoning of the devil -Rami al Jamaraat. On the morning of the 14th Dhul Hijjah RasulAllah left for Madinah Munawarrah. In total Nabi Karim spent 10 days from arriving in Makkah and performing the rites of Hajj to their return journey to Madinah Munawarrah. It should be noted that RasulAllah remained in the world approximately only 90 days after performing the final Hajj. There was never such a large gathering that accompanied Nabi anywhere other than on this occasion of Hajj. In light of this Nabi stated many things as advice to the Ummah at that time, and for those to follow until Qiyamah.

4. Introduction Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every Muslim in every corner of the word through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts. After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His praises upon him 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. God 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. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd’al Muttalib 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 a trust from God 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 God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means. All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; white has no superiority over black, nor does a black have any superiority over white; [none have superiority over another] 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 God and answer for 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 it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.” The farewell sermon of the Holy Prophet occurred in Mecca,although thousands of Muslims witnessed the Farewell (last) Sermon given by the Prophet Muhammed, the Ahadith books reported at least three versions of the same Sermon. The three main versions of the sermon related to the prophet’s advice to be abided forever and the keys to enter paradise,as interpreted by different islamic groupings (1) Quran only, Khaarijites claim or the deserters (2) Quran and my Sunnah( as interpreted by Sunni Muslims) and (3) Quran and my family ( by Shiites muslims). The Farewell Sermons The Farewell Sermons The Islam as Perfected, Final Verse Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down: “…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3) The Impact The Sermon Points in the Qur’an Sermon: "Oh 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. Remember that you will indeed appear before God and answer for your actions." Quran: "If anyone killed a person unless it is for a murder or spreading mischief on earth it would be as it he killed the whole mankind, and if anyone who saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of whole mankind" (5:32). "Then on that day not a soul will be wronged in the least and you shall but be prepaid in the needs of your past deeds" (36:54).

5. Important Lessons  Prohibition of shedding innocent blood, and taking of wealth without right, which stresses Islam’s protection of souls.  Nullification of validity of actions of Jahiliyyah  Prohibition of taking Riba (usury and interest), which is an increase on the principal, whether small or large. Allah the Most High says: "But if you repent, you may have your capital." [Al Baqarah (2:279)]  Admonition to fulfill and give women their rights, and to deal with them in goodness. Many authentic hadeeths have been narrated in this regard, which elucidate their rights and warn against taking them unjustly.  Advice to strongly cling to the Book of Allah, in which lies the honor of Muslims and their victory. Likewise, the order to stick to the Sunnah, which explains the Qur’an, 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.  Testimony of the Companions that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, conveyed the message, discharged his trust and counseled the Ummah.  Order to take rituals of Hajj and other rituals from the Prophet’s sayings, actions and tacit agreements.  Subtle indication that the Prophet’s farewell would soon come.  Warning against fighting and killing among Muslims, which is disbelief in action, which does not take one out of the fold of Islam, as in his, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, saying: "Cursing a Muslim is fusooq, and fighting him is kufr." [Agreed upon]