Outline the lessons in the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) Farewell Sermon.
Explanation
The month of Zhul Hijja is a special month. It is the month of Hajj. Just as the last ten nights of Ramadan are the best nights of the year, so are the first ten days of Zhul Hijjah. In fact, they are the best ten days of the year filled with immense blessings. One should increase his/her acts of worship (ibadat) through fasting, charity, zikr, additional prayers, supplications, and of course, udhiyah or animal sacrifice, a tradition commemorating the legacy of Ibrahim (AS) for his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael. This occasion occurs on the tenth day of Zhul Hijjah.
In the tenth year after migration to al-Madinah (hijirah), Muhammad (SAW) performed his only hajj along with thousands of companions. The journey of hajj was indeed a significant event. The Prophet (SAW) established the rites of Hajj, an important mode of worship incumbent upon every able Muslim once in his/her lifetime. Additionally, according to some scholars, it is believed that on the ninth day, the day of Arafat, he (SAW) received the last revelation, “This day, I have perfected for you your religion (deen), completed my favor upon you and am pleased with Islam as your deen (way of life).” (al-Ma’idah, 5:3)
The companions rejoiced. However, upon hearing the ayah, Omar (RAA) cried. The Prophet (SAW) asked, “What makes you cry O’ Omar?” “Although nothing is perfect, our deen is perfect now and I fear that with time it is going to deteriorate,” Omar replied. The Prophet (SAW) agreed and said, “You have spoken the truth.” He (SAW) then said, “Islam began as something strange, and shall return to being strange as it began, so blessed are the strangers.”
Indeed, the same jahili practices that were prevalent before Islam such as tribal wars, bloodshed, intoxication, music, adultery and fornication, interest and usury, etc. can be seen today everywhere in the world and just as Islam was conceived to be strange back then, the same teachings today are considered to be strange. Therefore, blessed are strangers who adhere to the deen dearly while sharing its message with others.
Throughout the journey of hajj, the Prophet (SAW) would admonish and advise his people. His speeches were collected in what is commonly known as “The Prophet’s Farewell Sermon” or Hajjatul Wada’. The sermon highlighted the most significant teachings of his prophetic mission of twenty-three years. Such pearls of wisdom have been etched in the books and minds of many Muslims for all time to come. It was, among others things, a document of human rights.
After praising and thanking Allah (SWT), the Prophet (SAW) said, “O people! Lend me an attentive ear. For I know not whether after this year I shall ever be among you. Therefore, listen to what I am saying very carefully and take these words to those who are not present here today.” Months after he delivered the sermon, the Prophet (SAW) returned back to His Lord leaving behind a great legacy.
The Prophet’s speech began with a word of caution. He addressed the sanctity of human lives. He (SAW) reminds, “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 meet your Lord and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.”
The Prophet (SAW) took advantage of the most blessed and sacred day of Arafat in the sacred month of Hajj, in the most sacred place in the world, Makkah to make a point. Bloodshed is forbidden due to the sanctity of human life. In addition to human life, people’s properties are also sacred. In a hadith the prophet insisted, “The blood, wealth and honor of the Muslim are sacred to all Muslims.” He (SAW) stressed, “The destruction of the world in the sight of Allah is lighter than the killing of one Muslim man.”
The Qur’an is very clear on this subject as many passages address the sanctity of human lives. In one place Allah emphatically stresses this point, “And do not take any human being’s life – (the life) which God has willed to be sacred – except through (due process of) law.” (17:33) The Qur’an clearly states that whoever kills an innocent soul has committed an act akin to murdering all of humanity. “If anyone kills a person; unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land, it is as if he kills all mankind, while if any saves a life it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind” (al-Ma’idah,5:32).
The US declaration of “War on Terrorism” has left millions dead. The imperial wars succeeded in dividing Muslims creating a rift between Muslim nation states sowing the seed of discord and disunity. Muslims killing other Muslims, complete destruction of cities and towns, people leaving their homes and properties to be plundered and looted by gangs that allege to be good Muslims - apparently the teachings of the Prophet (SAW) have fallen on deaf ears.
In addition to the sanctity of human lives, the Prophet mentioned the sanctity of properties, “Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners.” This statement echoes Allah’s mandate, “Allah commands you to return the trusts to their rightful owners.” (an-Nisa’, 4:58) One of the main qualities of a true believer is that they safeguard their trusts and fulfill their promises.
Muslims who have betrayed any trust, big or small, to any person, Muslim or non-Muslim, must settle it before meeting his/her Lord. Those who don’t will have a difficult time on the Day of Judgment as such matters will be settled by Allah (SWT) on the grand day of accountability, “And He is the Best of Judges.” (al-An’am, 6:57) The Prophet (SAW) made it very clear, “Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will meet your Lord and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.”
In his sermon, the Prophet (SAW) touched upon something of great importance, the subject of interest and usury (riba). Riba was introduced in Arabia by the Jews who lived there. The practice of riba is so abhorrent that even the polytheists (mushriks) of Quraish would not accept a penny earned from interest when rebuilding the Ka’bah. Originally the Ka’bah extended to the extremities of Hijr of Ismail (semi-circle). However, due to shortage of funds, they built the Ka’bah into the cube as it is known today. The polytheists of Makkah recognized the filth of riba and knew very well its negative implications and how such a practice could invite the wrath of God.
The Prophet (SAW) in his farewell sermon cautioned, “Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest). Therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no riba and that all interest due to Abbass Bin Abdul Muttalib be waived.”
The entire world economic system is based on interest (riba). This practice strengthens some countries and weakens others. It makes the rich richer and the poor poorer, thus widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots. This is purely contrary to the teachings of Islam. Fair distribution of wealth based on fair dealing and equity is the spirit of Islamic economics. The main principal clause in the Islamic economic system is “So that it (wealth) does not circulate between the rich among you.” (al-Hashr, 59:7)