The days of Hajj are dawning upon us, those
who have been invited by their Lord are preparing and getting ready to embark
on this overwhelming journey of a lifetime. Those who have not received an
invite this year, are too preparing themselves for the ten days of Dhul Hijjah,
about which the Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) spoke. He
(Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:
“No good deed
done on other days is superior to what is done on these first ten days of
Dhul-Hijjah.” Then some companions of the Prophet said, “Not even
struggling (jihad) in the cause of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Not
even struggling in the cause of Allah, except in the case of a man who goes out
with his life and wealth in danger and returns with nothing.”
Not only are these
days so precious because of their virtues and the immense reward that lies in
them but also because it was on one of these days that the Prophet Muhammad
(Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) made his final sermon. It was on the day of Hajj,
the first and last Hajj our Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) performed, that
Islam was perfected. It was completed.
In light of this, I
wanted to remind myself and yourselves of some important lessons we can learn
from the last sermon. It was a sermon that brought tears to the eyes and still
does. For when we read it, we grow in our love of Rasulullah (Salallahu Alayhi
Sallam) and are reminded of his wisdom and eloquence. We also feel a sense of
sadness, because we know that this was the last sermon our beloved delivered before
he returned back to our Lord. It is in this sermon that the most important,
vital messages of our Deen were conveyed. It was this sermon that was filled
with many lessons for the entire mankind.
And so,
After praising and
thanking Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) began his 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, 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 indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.
Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest
obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep.
You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there
shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib
(Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…
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, 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 right then to them
belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do 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 any one 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 (Salah), fast during
the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can
afford to.
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 has no superiority over black nor a
black has any superiority over white 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 appear before Allah and answer 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 which I convey to you. I leave
behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the 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. Be my witness, O Allah, that
I have conveyed your message to your people”.
It was whilst he,
Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam, was delivering this Khutbah on the plains of Arafah,
where millions will be gathering in just a couple of days, that the following ayah
was revealed.
“…This day I have
perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have
approved for you Islam as religion..” (5:3)
I want you and I to
work together in deriving as many lessons from this Khutbah. I want us to
reflect, ponder and contemplate on these ‘final words’ of the Prophet Muhammad
(Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). I want us to really internalize the message that
is being conveyed and remind ourselves of our duties to Allah and to His
creation.
So, as a part of
this post, I thought it would be good and engaging to get you all involved and
share one point you learn from this Khutbah. One point of reflection. And
together lets get into the Hajj spirit.
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