Millions of Pilgrims reflect on Prophet Muhammad's farewell sermon at Mount Arafa

As over 1.8 million pilgrims converged on Mount Arafa on Saturday, Muslims reminisced about the last sermon given on this mountain by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preached Islam for 23 years, ten of which he spent in Medina.

In the last year of his life, the Prophet (peace be upon him) informed the Muslims that he would be performing Hajj that year.

The majority of the Muslims eagerly prepared to accompany him, filled with joy.

This Hajj, which was the first and last performed by the Prophet (peace be upon him), is known as the Farewell Hajj. During this pilgrimage, he delivered a sermon at Arafa which has become timeless.

In this sermon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed many important matters, including:

"People, listen to what I say carefully and understand it, as I may not be with you next year. Your blood, your property, and your honour are as sacred as this day, this month, and this city.

From now on, all revenge practices from the pre-Islamic era are abolished. I begin with the case of the blood of Ibn Rabi'ah Al-Harith. Usury from the pre-Islamic era is also abolished, starting with the usury owed to my uncle Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib.

No one is superior to another except by piety and good action. A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim.

You are all equal; no one has the right to take the property of another without their consent. Do not oppress each other.

Be aware that you will meet your Lord and will be held accountable for your deeds. Fear Allah and do not stray from the right path. Do not cut each other's throats.

I leave behind two things: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah. If you follow these, you will never go astray.

Let those who are present convey this message to those who are absent, as it might happen that the informed one might comprehend it better than the one who heard it directly.

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 rights then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness.

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 anyone 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, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford it.

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 person has no superiority over a black person, nor a black person has any superiority over a white person 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 meet Allah 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 that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things: the Quran and my Sunnah. 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.

O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed your message to Your people."

As part of this sermon, the Prophet recited to them a revelation from Allah, which he had just received and which completed the Quran, for it was the last passage to be revealed:

"This day the disbelievers despair of prevailing against your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me (Allah)! This day have I perfected for you, your religion and fulfilled My favour unto you, and it hath been My good pleasure to choose Islam for you as your religion. (Surah 5, Ayah 3)

The sermon was repeated sentence by sentence by Safwan's brother Rabiah (RA), who had a powerful voice, at the request of the Prophet and he faithfully proclaimed it to over ten thousand gathered on the occasion.

Towards the end of his sermon, the Prophet asked, "O people, have I faithfully delivered unto you my message?

A powerful murmur of assent, "O Allah! yes!" arose from thousands of pilgrims and the vibrant words "Allahumma Na'am," rolled like thunder throughout the valley.

The Prophet raised his forefinger and said, "O Allah, bear witness that I have conveyed your message to your people."

As foretold by the Prophet (peace be upon him), he lived only a few months after delivering this sermon.

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