632 CE / 10 AHAge 63

The Farewell Sermon

خطبة الوداع
Occasion
The Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada')
Delivered on the Day of Arafah during his only Hajj
Location
Mount Arafat, near Makkah
Audience
Over 100,000 Muslim pilgrims from across Arabia
Historical Context

This was the Prophet's first and only Hajj after the conquest of Makkah. Over 100,000 companions gathered on the plain of Arafat. The Prophet knew this would be his last major address to the entire Muslim community, and he delivered a comprehensive sermon covering the fundamental principles of Islam that would guide the ummah until the Day of Judgment.

The Sermon

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! Your blood, your property, and your honor are sacred and inviolable until you appear before your Lord, as this day and this month are sacred for all. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord and He will indeed reckon your deeds. 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. A white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a whiteexcept 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. O People! It is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from Allah and with His permission. If they abide by your right 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 your right over them is that they do not allow anyone into your house whom you dislike. But if they do that, you may admonish them but not severely. If they refrain from that, they have the right to their food and clothing with kindness. O People! Listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, give your wealth in Zakat, and perform pilgrimage if you can afford to. 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! No prophet or messenger will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my 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 may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. O People! Reflect on my words. Your Lord is One, and your father is one. You all descended from Adam, and Adam was created from dust. The noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the most pious. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab except in piety. At the end of the sermon, the final revelation was sent down: "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion." (Quran 5:3) Then the Prophet ﷺ asked: "O people, have I conveyed the message?" The multitude responded with one voice: "Yes, you have, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet ﷺ then raised his index finger toward the sky and said: "O Allah, bear witness! O Allah, bear witness! O Allah, bear witness!"
Arabic Excerpts
إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ وَأَعْرَاضَكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ حَرَامٌ
كُلُّكُمْ لِآدَمَ وَآدَمُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ
لاَ فَضْلَ لِعَرَبِيٍّ عَلَى عَجَمِيٍّ إِلاَّ بِالتَّقْوَى
اتَّقُوا اللهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ
Use for Friday Khutbah

Modern talking points based on this historic sermon

8 Key Points
1

Begin with the gravity: Final pilgrimage, 100,000+ witnesses, Prophet knowing this was his last major address

2

Emphasize the sanctity of life, property, and honor - compare to modern human rights declarations

3

Quote the powerful statement on racial equality: "No Arab over non-Arab except by piety"

4

Discuss mutual rights in marriage - refute cultural practices that contradict Islamic teachings

5

Highlight economic justice principles embedded in the sermon

6

Explain the significance of Quran 5:3 revelation - completion and perfection of religion

7

Call to action: We are witnesses to this truth, responsible for conveying the message

8

Conclude with the Prophet's question: "Have I conveyed?" and call the congregation to witness

Key Lessons
  • 1.All humans are equal regardless of race or ethnicity - superiority is only through piety
  • 2.Women have rights that must be honored in marriage
  • 3.Life, property, and honor are sacred and inviolable
  • 4.The Quran and Sunnah are the two sources of guidance
  • 5.Each person is responsible for spreading this message to others
  • 6.Unity of humanity - all descended from Adam and Eve
  • 7.Beware of Satan in small things after he has lost hope in big things

Themes

Human RightsRacial EqualityGender JusticeEconomic JusticeUnity of MuslimsSanctity of LifeAccountabilityCompletion of Religion

📖Quranic References

Al-Ma'idah 5:3

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا

This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.

Al-Hujurat 49:13

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا

O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you.

📜Hadith References

Sahih Muslim#1218Sahih

Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

إن دماءكم وأموالكم حرام عليكم

The Prophet ﷺ delivered a sermon on the Day of Arafah and said: "Your blood and your property are sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this town of yours."

Musnad Ahmad#19774Sahih

Narrated by Abu Umamah

I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ delivering a sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage. He said: "O people! Fear Allah, pray your five daily prayers, fast your month, pay Zakat on your wealth, and obey your leaders - you will enter the Paradise of your Lord."

Reflection Questions
  • ?How do these principles apply to modern social issues like racism and discrimination?
  • ?What does the Prophet ﷺ say about the mutual rights between spouses?
  • ?How can we apply the principle of universal brotherhood in our communities today?
  • ?What is the significance of the revelation of Quran 5:3 during this sermon?
  • ?How should we balance rights and responsibilities in all relationships?
Scholarly Notes

This sermon is reported in multiple authentic collections with slight variations in wording but consistent core message. Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari, and other classical scholars consider this the most comprehensive summary of Islamic principles delivered by the Prophet ﷺ. The sermon addresses theology, law, ethics, and social organization - a complete code of life.