The Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ): A Timeless Message of Islam

The Last Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada’) of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is a historic and spiritually profound address delivered during his farewell pilgrimage (Hajj) in the year 10 AH (632 CE). This sermon encapsulates the core principles of Islam, emphasizing human rights, justice, and the unity of the Muslim Ummah.

Delivered to over 120,000 companions at Mount Arafat, this address holds unparalleled significance for Muslims worldwide as it summarizes the essence of the faith.

This blog explores the content, themes, and relevance of the Last Sermon with references from the Qur’an and Hadith in Arabic and English.

Context of The Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad

The Prophet (ﷺ) undertook his first and only Hajj in the final year of his life. During this pilgrimage, he outlined the key elements of the Islamic message, leaving behind clear guidance for his followers. Allah (SWT) revealed during this time:

ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينًاۚ
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)

This verse underscores the significance of the occasion, marking the completion of the divine message.

The Last Sermon: A Translation of Key Points

Below is a translation of the main themes of the Last Sermon, complemented with Arabic references from the Qur’an and Hadith.

Sanctity of Life, Property, and Honor

The Prophet (ﷺ) began by emphasizing the sanctity of human life, property, and honor:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ حَرَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا، فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هَذَا، فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هَذَا.

“O people, just as you regard this month, this day, and this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust.”

This teaching reflects the Qur’anic command:

وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ
“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:33)

Abolition of Pre-Islamic Practices

The Prophet (ﷺ) declared the end of unjust pre-Islamic customs, such as usury (riba) and blood feuds:

“كُلُّ أَمْرٍ مِنْ أُمُورِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ تَحْتَ قَدَمَيَّ مَوْضُوعٌ، وَدِمَاءُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعَةٌ، وَأَوَّلُ دَمٍ أَضَعُ مِنْ دِمَائِنَا دَمُ ابْنِ رَبِيعَةَ.”

“All matters of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) are now under my feet. The blood feuds of the past are abolished, and the first claim of blood I cancel is that of Ibn Rabi’ah.”

Usury, a widespread practice in pre-Islamic Arabia, was prohibited:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُواْ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰاْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:278)

Equality of All Humans

The sermon emphasized the equality of all humans, abolishing racial and tribal superiority:

“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ وَاحِدٌ، وَإِنَّ أَبَاكُمْ وَاحِدٌ، لَا فَضْلَ لِعَرَبِيٍّ عَلَى أَعْجَمِيٍّ، وَلَا لِأَعْجَمِيٍّ عَلَى عَرَبِيٍّ، وَلَا لِأَحْمَرَ عَلَى أَسْوَدَ، وَلَا لِأَسْوَدَ عَلَى أَحْمَرَ إِلَّا بِالتَّقْوَى.”

“O people, your Lord is one, and your father (Adam) is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor of a white person over a black person, except in piety.”

This reflects the Qur’anic principle:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ
“O mankind, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”
(Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13)

Rights and Responsibilities

The Prophet (ﷺ) reminded the gathering of the mutual rights and responsibilities among Muslims, particularly concerning family life:

“اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ، فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانَةِ اللَّهِ، وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللَّهِ، وَلَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ حَقٌّ، وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ حَقٌّ.”

“Fear Allah regarding women. Treat them kindly, for they are your partners and committed helpers.”

The Qur’an reinforces this principle:

وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ
“And live with them in kindness.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:19)

Upholding the Five Pillars of Islam

The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized the core obligations of Islam:

“صَلُّوا صَلَوَاتِكُمُ الْخَمْسَ، وَصُومُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ، وَأَدُّوا زَكَاةَ أَمْوَالِكُمْ، وَحُجُّوا بَيْتَ اللَّهِ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا.”

“Observe your five daily prayers, fast in the month of Ramadan, give Zakat, and perform Hajj if you are able.”

These practices are foundational in maintaining faith and connection to Allah (SWT).

The Qur’an and Sunnah as Guidance

The Prophet (ﷺ) provided his followers with a roadmap for guidance:

“تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ، لَنْ تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا: كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّتِي.”

“I leave behind me two things: the Qur’an and my Sunnah. If you follow them, you will never go astray.”

The Qur’an affirms its role as a guide:

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ يَهۡدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقۡوَمُ
“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:9)

Conveying the Message

The sermon concluded with a call to action for all Muslims to propagate the message of Islam:

“فَلْيُبَلِّغِ الشَّاهِدُ الْغَائِبَ.”

“Let those who are present convey it to those who are absent.”

This echoes the Qur’anic directive:

وَلۡتَكُن مِّنكُمۡ أُمَّةٌۭ يَدۡعُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡخَيۡرِ وَيَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِۚ
“And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.”
(Surah Aal-E-Imran 3:104)

Key Themes of the Last Sermon

Relevance of the Last Sermon Today

The relevance of the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) today remains profound and timeless. Delivered during his Farewell Pilgrimage, the sermon encapsulates universal principles of justice, equality, and compassion, which are crucial in today’s world.

• Equality and Social Justice: The Prophet (ﷺ) declared that no person has superiority over another based on race, ethnicity, or social status, but only in piety. In a world still grappling with racial inequality and discrimination, this message promotes unity and the inherent dignity of all humans, regardless of their backgrounds.
• Rights of Women: The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized the fair and kind treatment of women, making his sermon a crucial foundation for gender equality. In societies where women’s rights are still under discussion, this message calls for respect and fairness in all spheres of life.
• Peace and Tolerance: By abolishing all practices of pre-Islamic ignorance, such as blood feuds and unjust tribal divisions, the sermon advocates for reconciliation, peace, and the end of cycles of violence—an important message for today’s conflicts.
• Adherence to Islamic Teachings: The Prophet’s call to adhere to the Qur’an and Sunnah continues to guide Muslims in navigating modern challenges, ensuring that faith remains relevant in contemporary society.

In these ways, the Last Sermon serves as a beacon of moral guidance, urging us to live by the values of justice, equality, and piety.

Conclusion

The Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) serves as a timeless and profound guide for humanity. It addresses core values of justice, equality, compassion, and the sanctity of human life, which remain deeply relevant in today’s world. The message of unity, the abolition of all forms of discrimination, and the importance of adhering to the Qur’an and Sunnah resonates across cultures and time periods.

The Prophet (ﷺ) taught that the only true measure of a person’s worth is their taqwa (piety), reminding us that all people are equal before Allah, regardless of race or status. As Allah says in the Qur’an:

“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ.

” (الآية 13، سورة الحجرات)
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an, 49:13)

The Last Sermon also stresses the importance of treating women with kindness and respect, a message that is echoed throughout Islamic teachings. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ، وَأَحْسِنُوا إِلَيْهِنَّ” (Sahih Muslim)
“Fear Allah regarding women and treat them kindly.”

By embracing these teachings, we can work towards a society rooted in justice, respect, and mutual understanding, just as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) envisioned.

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