It was the sixty-third year of the Prophet’s life which coincided with the close of the 10th of Hijra that he decided to perform Hajj, which in history, goes by the name of Hajja-tul-Wada. After performing Hajj, he addressed a large gathering .This sermon of the Holy Prophet is not only remarkable for its eloquence, but it contains a sublime message for the whole of the human race. 

Importance of Prophet Muhammad SAW’s Words

Muslims honour Prophet Muhammad’s every act and try to follow his steps. We consider his words as the most wisely spoken and righteous for our goal. Therefore, the importance of his last sermon in which he SAW himself emphasized people to listen to his words carefully could be considered as a mandatory organ of Muslims faith.

“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 convey these words to those who could not be present here today.” (Bukhari)

It means whatever he was going to deliver was surely of fundamental importance and is of great concern for the people. It was the finishing touch to his massive work and he wanted to imprint the salient points on the minds of his devoted followers so that they may always keep before them the system of life-values enunciated by Islam. The Muslims are obliged by Allah SWT to pay attention to Prophet’s words. Once, on the arrival of traders, the majority of people (hypocrites) left the mosque without letting the Prophet SAW complete his sermon. To prohibit that act, Allah SWT revealed the last ayah of Surah Jumma in Quran:

“But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave thee standing. Say: The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! And Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs).” [62:11]

The Last Sermon was a declaration of human rights and moral values, a charter of women rights. The world has not been able to lay down better principles of ethics and morality than those enunciated in it. Every word of it breathes a spirit of nobility and aims at establishing righteousness and fair dealing among men on a workable basis. It establishes brotherhood among Muslims irrespective of the divergence of their geographical, racial and colour backgrounds and provides an outline of a social order, perfectly free from oppression and injustice. It was the declaration of finality of Muhammad SAW’s Prophethood; the religion was being perfected by this Final Message from The Creator to His creatures for all times to come.

I am writing this feature on only some of the important consultations and advise which our beloved prophet SAW addressed to a large gathering at the mount of Arafat after performing his last Hajj.

Respect for the Life and Property of Other Muslim.

The foremost message was to honor and regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Islam caters the flag of ‘Human Rights’ and ‘Moral Values’ long before when there were no concept of equality of men. It is the vital reason that most of the slaves and poor people accepted Islam in no time besides some well-off of people of that time.

Indeed there are many rights of the Muslim over the other Muslim, but have you ever noticed what we mean when we say ‘paying due respect and rights’? Yes, most of us are surely aware of it. Covering of flaws and failures in another’s character (and we advertise others’ shortcomings, also add some sauce on the news for our pleasure), let-up others from difficulties (and mostly we are the cause of difficulties to them), supporting the feeble (the might is right is the rule implemented and followed by us), revering the senior (and they are considered as outdated people).

Muslims should learn from the noble example of the historic brotherhood of ‘Muhajireen’ and ‘Ansaar’. We all have to correct ourselves. For the correction of our attitude, to lift our altitude in the eyes of Allah SWT, there is surely need for a change, change in a thought, change in vision, and change in visualization of things. A Muslim to another Muslim should be like a construction that supports one another. It must be understood that if a single brick in the wall gets damaged, the whole wall is in danger. We should stop being envious and misleading towards other Muslims. No matter what the circumstances, whatever the result, never overtrade a Muslim. Allah has promised to relieve the distress from the miseries of the Last Day those who relieve a believer from the distress and miseries of this world. And whoever is seeing to the need of his brother, Allah takes care of his need.

Sabeen Zubair