Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tauheed.com
On the occasion of the Hajj season, in the last three sermons, we have discussed the obligation and importance of Hajj, its virtues, rules, and etiquettes, as well as the virtues of the Two Holy Sanctuaries. While mentioning the rules and etiquettes, we have stated that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, addressed the noble companions several times during the Farewell Pilgrimage. The most important sermon was the one he, peace be upon him, delivered in the plain of Arafat. Besides that, he also delivered a sermon in Mina. The purpose of today’s Friday sermon is to present these very sermons. We pray to Allah, the Almighty, to grant us the ability to understand the truth and to act upon it. Ameen.
Sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage at Arafat
Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) reached Arafat, and a tent was set up for him in Nimrah. When the sun began to set, he (peace be upon him) ordered that the howdah be placed on his she-camel (Qaswa). Then he (peace be upon him) came to the middle of the valley and, addressing the people, said: (إِنَّ دِمَائَکُمْ وَأَمْوَالَکُمْ حَرَامٌ عَلَیْکُمْ کَحُرْمَةِ یَوْمِکُمْ هَذَا فِیْ شَهْرِکُمْ هَذَا فِیْ بَلَدِکُمْ هَذَا، أَلاَ کُلُّ شَیْئٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِیَّةِ تَحْتَ قَدَمَیَّ مَوْضُوْعٌ، وَدِمَائُ الْجَاهِلِیَّةِ مَوْضُوْعَةٌ، وَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ دَمٍ أَضَعُ مِنْ دِمَائِنَا دَمُ ابْنِ رَبِیْعَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ کَانَ مُسْتَرْضِعًا فِیْ بَنِیْ سَعْدٍ فَقَتَلَتْهُ هُذَیْلٌ، وَرِبَا الْجَاهِلِیَّةِ مَوْضُوْعٌ، وَأَوَّلُ رِبًا أَضَعُ رِبَانَا رِبَا عَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَإِنَّهُ مَوْضُوْعٌ کُلُّهُ، فَاتَّقُوْا اللّٰہَ فِیْ النِّسَائِ فَإِنَّکُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوْهُنَّ بِأَمَانِ اللّٰہِ، وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوْجَهُنَّ بِکَلِمَةِ اللّٰہِ، وَلَکُمْ عَلَیْهِنَّ أَنْ لَّا یُوْطِئْنَ فُرُشَکُمْ أَحَدًا تَکْرَهُوْنَهُ، فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ ذَلِكَ فَاضْرِبُوْهُنَّ ضَرْبًا غَیْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ، وَلَهُنَّ عَلَیْکُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَکِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ، وَقَدْ تَرَکْتُ فِیْکُمْ مَّا لَنْ تَضِلُّوْا بَعْدَہُ إِنِ اعْتَصَمْتُمْ بِه کِتَابَ اللّٰہِ، وَأَنْتُمْ تُسْأَلُوْنَ عَنِّیْ فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُوْنَ؟ قَالُوْا: نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّیْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ، فَقَالَ بِأُصْبُعِهِ السَّبَّابَةِ یَرْفَعُهَا إِلَی السَّمَاءِ وَیَنْکُتُهَا إِلَی النَّاسِ: اَللّٰهُمَّ اشْهَدْ، اَللّٰهُمَّ اشْهَدْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ…)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1218)
"Indeed, your blood and your wealth are as sacred as this day of yours, in this month of yours, and in this city of yours. Beware! All matters of ignorance have been buried under my feet, and the blood feuds of ignorance have ended. First, I abolish the blood feud of Ibn Rabi'ah bin Al-Harith from my family, who was suckled in Banu Sa'd and was killed by Hudhail. The usury of ignorance has ended, and first, I declare the abolition of the usury of my family, which is the usury of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, and it has been completely abolished. And you should fear Allah regarding women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah, and you have made their private parts lawful by the word of Allah. Your right over them is that they do not allow anyone you dislike to come to your beds. If they do so, you may strike them lightly without causing injury. And their right over you is that you provide them with food and clothing according to custom. And know that I am leaving among you something which, if you hold firmly to it, you will never go astray, and that is the Book of Allah. And if you are asked about me, what will you say? The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, said: We bear witness that you, O Messenger of Allah, have indeed conveyed the religion, fulfilled the responsibility, and left no deficiency in the welfare of the Ummah. Then the Prophet ﷺ raised his index finger to the sky and waved it towards the people, saying: O Allah! Be a witness, O Allah! Be a witness, O Allah! Be a witness..."
In this sermon, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned ten points, which are:
01. Sanctity of the blood of a Muslim
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared the blood of a Muslim to be sacred, just like a sacred city, a sacred month, and a sacred day, meaning it is forbidden to shed it unjustly. Therefore, it is essential to protect the blood of a Muslim.
Whoever kills a Muslim faces severe warning. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: ﴿وَمَن يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ خَٰلِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُۥ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُۥ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا﴾
Reference: (An-Nisa 4:93)
"And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally. And Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment."
In this verse, Allah Almighty has pronounced five warnings for a person who deliberately kills a believer. The first is that his punishment is Hell, the second is that he will abide therein forever, the third is that Allah's wrath is upon him, the fourth is that he is deserving of Allah's curse, and the fifth is that Allah has prepared a severe punishment for him.
And the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained the sanctity of the blood of a Muslim in another hadith as follows: (لَا یَحِلُّ دَمُ امْرِیئٍ مُسْلِمٍ یَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَأَنِّیْ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ إلِاَّ بِإِحْدَی ثَلاَثٍ: اَلثَّیِّبُ الزَّانِیْ، وَالنَّفْسُ بِالنَّفْسِ، وَالتَّارِكُ لِدِیْنِهِ الْمُفَارِقُ لِلْجَمَاعَةِ)
Reference: (Muttafaqun Alayh)
"No Muslim who testifies that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, his blood is not lawful to be shed. Except for one of three persons: a married adulterer, a murderer, and one who abandons the religion (Islam) and separates from the community."
How great a sin it is to unlawfully kill a believer! You can understand its magnitude from this hadith:
It is narrated from Hazrat Bara bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (لَزَوَالُ الدُّنْیَا أَهْوَنُ عَلَی اللّٰہِ مِنْ قَتْلِ مُؤْمِنٍ بِغَیْرِ حَقٍّ)
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2619, Sunan al-Tirmidhi from Abdullah bin Amr: 1395. Authenticated by Al-Albani)
"The ending of the world is lighter upon Allah than the unlawful killing of a believer."
And it is narrated from both Hazrat Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَائِ وَالْأَرْضِ اشْتَرَکُوْا فِیْ دَمِ مُؤْمِنٍ لَأَکَبَّهُمُ اللّٰہُ فِیْ النَّارِ)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1398. Authenticated by Al-Albani)
"If the inhabitants of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth were all to share in the blood of a believer, Allah would cast them all into Hell."
This is why on the Day of Judgment, the first account to be taken will be of the bloodshed.
As the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (أَوَّلُ مَا یُقْضٰی بَیْنَ النَّاسِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ فِیْ الدِّمَاءِ)
Reference: (Muttafaqun Alayh)
"On the Day of Resurrection, the first matter to be judged among people will be the bloodshed."
Therefore, it is obligatory upon every Muslim to keep themselves free from the blood of a Muslim and not to unlawfully kill anyone. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (مَنْ لَقِیَ اللّٰہَ لَا یُشْرِكُ بِه شَیْئًا، لَمْ یَتَنَدَّ بِدَمٍ حَرَامٍ، دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ)
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2618. Authenticated by Al-Albani)
"Whoever meets Allah Almighty in a state that he did not associate anyone with Him and did not shed forbidden blood, then he will enter Paradise."
And a question was asked to Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) about a person who deliberately killed a believer, then repented, embraced faith, performed righteous deeds, and set out on the path of guidance. He said: He will be destroyed; how is guidance possible for him while I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: (یَجِیْئُ الْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُوْلُ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ مُتَعَلِّقٌ بِرَأْسِ صَاحِبِه، یَقُوْلُ: رَبِّ، سَلْ هذَا لِمَ قَتَلَنِیْ)
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2621. Authenticated by Al-Albani)
"On the Day of Resurrection, both the killer and the killed will come, and the killed will cling to the head of his killer and say: O my Lord! Ask him why he killed me?"
Then Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: By Allah! Allah Almighty revealed that verse ﴿وَمَن يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ ….﴾ to His Prophet and did not abrogate it.
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2621. Authenticated by Al-Albani)
02. The Sanctity of Muslim Property
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared the wealth of a Muslim to be as sacred as the blood of a Muslim. Therefore, unlawfully seizing the wealth of a Muslim is forbidden. Allah, the Almighty, says: ﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ﴾
Reference: (An-Nisa 4:29)
"O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly, but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent."
He also said: ﴿ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:188)
"And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]."
In both these verses, (بِالْبَاطِلِ) forbids consuming wealth by unlawful means, which includes every unlawful and unjust method such as theft, usurpation of someone's property, deception and fraud in buying and selling, robbery, consuming interest (usury), betrayal of trust, gambling, and trading in forbidden items, etc.
In the second verse, rulers are specifically prohibited from taking bribes to unlawfully seize someone's wealth, while this practice is common in this era. Consequently, by giving bribes to the police at police stations, false cases are registered, and innocent people are not only troubled but also oppressed. Witnesses, lawyers, and judges are bribed to secure judgments in one's favor, and all this is done solely to usurp a respectable person's wealth or unlawfully occupy their property. فإلی ﷲ المشتکي ولا حول ولا قوۃ إلا باﷲ
Considering the sanctity of wealth, Allah Almighty has prescribed a very severe punishment for the person who steals wealth. Allah Almighty says: ﴿ وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقْطَعُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَٰلًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴾
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah 5:38)
"And cut off the hands of the male thief and the female thief, as punishment for what they have done, and as a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."
And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (مَنْ حَلَفَ عَلیٰ یَمِیْنٍ فَاجِرَۃٍ لِیَقْتَطِعَ بِهَا مَالَ امْرِیئٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَقِیَ اللّٰہَ وَهُوَ عَلَیْهِ غَضْبَان)
Reference: (Muttafaqun Alayh)
"Whoever takes a false oath to seize the property of a Muslim, Allah will meet him in a state of severe displeasure."
And regarding gambling, Allah Almighty says: ﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَٰمُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴾
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah 5:90)
"O you who have believed! Indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful."
03. The End of the Matters of Ignorance
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Beware! All matters of ignorance have been buried under my feet."
Thus, the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared the end of all those practices that were prevalent among people before his mission. In many other hadiths, he pointed out some of these matters. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (أَرْبَعٌ فِیْ أُمَّتِیْ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِیَّةِ، لَا یَتْرُکُوْنَهُنَّ: اَلْفَخْرُ فِیْ الْأَحْسَابِ، وَالطَّعْنُ فِیْ الْأَنْسَابِ، وَالْاِسْتِسْقَائُ بِالنُّجُوْمِ، وَالنِّیَاحَةُ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 934)
"My Ummah has four matters from the days of ignorance which they will not be willing to give up: boasting over others based on lineage and ancestry, insulting someone's lineage, seeking rain through the stars, and mourning over the dead."
04. The End of the Blood Feuds of Ignorance
In the Farewell Pilgrimage sermon, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared the end of all matters of ignorance, and specifically, he ﷺ ended the blood feuds of ignorance, meaning that if someone had killed another during the time of ignorance, no retaliation (Qisas) would be taken for it now.
During the era of ignorance, people waged wars for years, generation after generation, to avenge blood. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ended these blood feuds of ignorance and was the first to forgive the blood of his own tribe, which was that of the son of Rabi'ah bin Al-Harith.
While Allah Almighty, when mentioning the condition of people during the time of ignorance, says:
﴿ وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَآءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِۦٓ إِخْوَٰنًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا﴾
Reference: (Al-Imran 3:103)
’’And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies, and He brought your hearts together, so you became brothers by His grace. And you were on the edge of a pit of fire, and He saved you from it.’’
05. The End of Usury
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also abolished the usury of the pre-Islamic era in his Farewell Sermon. In the pre-Islamic period, when a wealthy person gave a loan, it was given with interest. If the borrower did not repay the loan within the specified time, the lender would extend the period and increase the amount of interest as well. By doing this repeatedly, the interest would become greater than the original loan. This is a severe injustice, and Islam has categorically forbidden it. Allah Almighty says: ﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ أَضْعَٰفًا مُّضَٰعَفَةً ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴾
Reference: (Al Imran 3:130)
"O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful."
He also said: ﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُوا۟ مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٧٨﴾ فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟ فَأْذَنُوا۟ بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٧٩﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:279-278)
"O you who have believed! Fear Allah and give up what remains of interest if you are indeed believers. And if you do not, then be prepared for war from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you will have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged."
Therefore, sincerely repent from usurious transactions and immediately abandon them. Do not take loans on interest from any person or bank, whether for your needs or for commercial purposes, and do not lend to anyone on interest, nor deposit money in a bank with fixed profit because this is also a form of interest.
How great a sin is interest! You can understand its severity from the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): (اَلرِّبَا سَبْعُوْنَ حَوْبًا، أَیْسَرُهُمَا أَنْ یَّنْکِحَ الرَّجُلُ أُمَّهُ)
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2274, authenticated by Al-Albani)
"There are seventy types of sins in usury, and the least of them is like marrying one's own mother."
And in another narration: (اَلرِّبَا اِثْنَانِ وَسَبْعُوْنَ بَابًا أَدْنَاهَا مِثْلُ إِتْیَانِ الرَّجُلِ أُمَّهُ…)
Reference: (Al-Tabarani from Al-Bara, authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami': 3537)
"There are better doors to usury, and its lightest sin is like a person committing adultery with his own mother."
And the statement of Hazrat Abdullah bin Hunzala Al-Rahib (RA) is that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: (دِرْهَمُ رِبًا یَأْکُلُهُ الرَّجُلُ وَهُوَ یَعْلَمُ أَشَدُّ عِنْدَ اللّٰہِ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ وَّثَلَاثِیْنَ زَنْیَةً)
Reference: (Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah: 1033)
"Knowing the prohibition of usury, consuming even one dirham of it is worse in the sight of Allah than committing adultery thirty-six times."
And the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, narrated a dream of his. In it: "… Jibra'il, peace be upon him, said: 'Move forward,' so we moved forward until we reached a river of blood. A man was standing in it, and another was standing on its bank. In front of the man standing on the bank, there was a stone. Whenever the man standing inside tried to come out, the man on the bank would strike him on the mouth with that stone and return him to his place. They kept doing this repeatedly. I asked: What is this? They said: Move forward, so we moved forward… Then Jibra'il, peace be upon him, explained that… the one you saw in the river of blood was a usurer…"
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari)
And Hazrat Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that (لَعَنَ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم آکِلَ الرِّبَا، وَمُوْکِلَهُ، وَکَاتِبَهُ، وَشَاهِدَیْهِ، وَقَالَ: هُمْ سَوَاءٌ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1598)
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, cursed the one who consumes usury, the one who gives it to others, the one who writes it down, and the witnesses to it, and he, peace be upon him, said: All of them are equal in sin.
Brothers in Islam! People think that wealth increases and grows through usury, whereas the command of Allah, the Almighty, is: ﴿وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن رِّبًا لِّيَرْبُوَا۟ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُضْعِفُونَ ﴿٣٩﴾
Reference: (Ar-Rum 30:39)
"And whatever you give in usury to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah. But what you give in zakah, desiring the countenance of Allah - those are the multipliers."
He also said: ﴿ يَمْحَقُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ وَيُرْبِى ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:276)
"Allah destroys usury and gives increase for charities."
From these two verses, it is proven that interest does not increase wealth but rather causes a decrease. Yes, what causes an increase in wealth is charity and zakat! And those who engage in usurious transactions always trying to increase their money should keep the following saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in front of them. He ﷺ said: (مَا أَحَدٌ أَکْثَرَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِلَّا کَانَ عَاقِبَةُ أَمْرِہٖ إِلٰی قِلَّةٍ)
"No matter how much interest a person takes, his end will ultimately be scarcity and loss."
06. Practical Example
When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ forgave the blood feuds of the pre-Islamic era, he himself was the first to set a practical example by forgiving the blood of his own family. Similarly, when he ﷺ declared the usury of the pre-Islamic era null and void, he was the first to end the usury of Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, from among his family. This is evidence that every caller to Islam should first practice what they preach and present a practical example before the people. This will make their invitation more effective and others will accept it more quickly.
Allah Almighty says: ﴿أَتَأْمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ ﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:44)
"Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?"
He also said: ﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٣﴾
Reference: (As-Saff 61:2-3)
"O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Indeed, Allah loves not those who act arrogantly and boastfully."
And the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: (…رَأَیْتُ لَیْلَةَ أُسْرِیَ بِیْ رِجَالًا تُقْرَضُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَشِفَاهُهُمْ بِمَقَارِیْضَ مِنْ نَّارٍ، فَقُلْتُ: یَا جِبْرِیْلُ، مَنْ هؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالَ: هؤُلَائِ خُطَبَاءُ أُمَّتِكَ یَأْمُرُوْنَ النَّاسَ بِالْبِرِّ وَیَنْسَوْنَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَهُمْ یَتْلُوْنَ الْکِتَابَ، أَفَلَا یَعْقِلُوْنَ)
Reference: (Ahmad:120/3 and 180 with a good chain)
"I saw on the Night of Ascension that the tongues and lips of some people were being cut with the scissors of the Hellfire. I asked: Jibril! Who are these people? He said: These are the preachers of your Ummah who command people to do good but neglect themselves, even though they recite the Book. Do they not use their intellect?"
07. The Command to Fear Allah Regarding Women
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in his historic Farewell Pilgrimage sermon, particularly emphasized the rights of women and commanded to fear Allah concerning women. This is evidence that Islam has not deprived women of their fundamental rights, contrary to the nonsense being spread nowadays on this matter.
And the reality is that just as Islam has established principles and regulations for the protection of women and has upheld the rights of women, no other religion has done so. If a comparison is made between the women of the pre-Islamic era and the women of Islam, this truth becomes even clearer. Why should we go far? Even today, in those countries where women's rights are discussed and where propaganda against Islam is carried out, look at the condition of women there and see what their value and status is! Their worth is even less than something lost on the road. And anyone can trap them in their deceit whenever and wherever they want. Whereas if the life of a modest and respectable woman living in a Muslim society is considered, a clear difference between the two lives will be evident. Her life is one of humiliation and degradation, and her life is honorable, dignified, and respectable! The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, emphasized the rights of women in many other hadiths as well, as narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: (اِسْتَوْصُوْا بِالنِّسَاءِ، فَإِنَّ الْمَرْأَۃَ خُلِقَتْ مِنْ ضِلَعٍ، وَإِنَّ أَعْوَجَ مَا فِیْ الضِّلَعِ أَعْلَاہُ، فَإِنْ ذَهَبْتَ تُقِیْمُهُ کَسَرْتَهُ، وَإِنْ تَرَکْتَهُ لَمْ یَزَلْ أَعْوَجَ، فَاسْتَوْصُوْا بِالنِّسَاءِ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5185 and 5186, Sahih Muslim: 1468)
"Accept my advice regarding good treatment of women, because woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain. Therefore, treat women well."
08. Some Rights of Husband and Wife
After emphasizing the general rights of women, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, specifically mentioned some rights of husband and wife, saying:
(وَلَکُمْ عَلَیْهُنَّ أَن لَّا یُوْطِئْنَ فُرُشَکُمْ أَحَدًا تَکْرَهُوْنَهُ، فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ ذَلِكَ فَاضْرِبُوْہُنَّ ضَرْبًا غَیْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ، وَلَهُنَّ عَلَیْکُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَکِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ)
"And your right over them is that they do not allow anyone you dislike to come to your beds. If they do, you may strike them lightly without causing injury. And their right over you is that you provide them with food and clothing in a proper manner."
So the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated one of the husband's rights over his wife that the wife should not allow anyone to enter the house without the husband's permission, nor should she allow anyone whom she dislikes to come to her bed.
In another hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: (…وَلَا تَأْذَنَّ فِیْ بَیْتِهِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:5195, Sahih Muslim:1026)
"And she should never allow anyone to enter her husband's house without his permission."
Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that if she does so, the husband may strike her in such a way that she does not get hurt and no bone or rib is broken. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
(لَا یَجْلِدْ أَحَدُکُمْ اِمْرَأَتَهُ جَلْدَ الْعَبْدِ، ثُمَّ یُجَامِعُهَا فِیْ آخِرِ الْیَوْمِ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, An-Nikah, Chapter: What is disliked about striking women:5204, Sahih Muslim, Al-Jannah, Chapter: The Fire will be entered by the arrogant:2855)
"None of you should strike his wife as he strikes a slave, then have intercourse with her at the end of the day."
After that, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, explained the wife's right over her husband that he should provide her with food and clothing according to the custom and within his financial capacity.
Hazrat Muawiyah Al-Qushairi, may Allah be pleased with him, says that I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, what right does a wife have over her husband? He, peace be upon him, said: (أَنْ تُطْعِمَهَا إِذَا طَعِمْتَ، وَتَکْسُوَهَا إِذَا اکْتَسَیْتَ، وَلَا تَضْرِبِ الْوَجْهَ، وَلَا تُقَبِّحْ، وَلَا تَهْجُرْ إِلَّا فِیْ الْبَیْتِ)
Reference: (Ahmad:447/4, Sunan Abi Dawood, Nikah, Chapter on the Right of a Woman over her Husband:2142, Sunan Ibn Majah, Nikah, Chapter on the Right of a Woman over her Husband:1850, Sahih al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib by Al-Albani:1929)
"Her right is that when you eat, you should feed her as well, and when you wear clothes, you should clothe her as well, and do not hit her on the face or insult her, and if you want to leave her, then leave her in the house."
09. The Command to Hold Firmly to the Book of Allah
Another important point of the Farewell Pilgrimage sermon at Arafat is that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, advised his Ummah to hold firmly to the Book of Allah (the Holy Quran), so that they would never go astray. Therefore, it is obligatory upon us to learn, read, ponder over, and act upon the Holy Quran.
But it is regrettable that despite the strong emphasis of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, his Ummah today has distanced itself from the Holy Quran, and the Quran has merely become an ornament for shelves. Many Muslims do not even know how to read it, and among those who do, most do not know the meaning and significance of the entire Quran, let alone Surah Al-Fatiha. There are, Mashallah, many memorizers of the Holy Quran, but very few act upon it and make it the constitution of their lives!
Dear respected ones! The Holy Quran is the most excellent book of Allah Almighty and is unparalleled in its eloquence and rhetoric. That is why Allah Almighty has repeatedly issued this challenge in it that all the eloquent and articulate people together should bring even one surah like it. Then He made this clear declaration that even if all the jinn and humans come together, they cannot bring a Quran like it.
﴿قُل لَّئِنِ ٱجْتَمَعَتِ ٱلْإِنسُ وَٱلْجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا ﴿٨٨﴾
Reference: (الإسراء17:88)
"Say, if all mankind and jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to help one another."
Now the matter to ponder is why did Allah Almighty reveal such a magnificent book? The answer to this question Allah Almighty Himself has stated in His book: ﴿ كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ﴾
Reference: (ص38:29)
"This blessed Book We have revealed to you so that they may ponder over its verses and that those of understanding may take admonition from it."
Therefore, it is our duty to learn it ourselves and also teach it to our children. We should reflect upon it ourselves and also teach our children the translation and interpretation along with the memorization of the Quran so that they can benefit from its advice, because it is impossible to benefit from the Quran without understanding its meaning and significance.
The Holy Quran guides a person towards worldly and hereafter goodness and shows such a strong path that leads a person to Paradise.
The Divine command is: ﴿ إِنَّ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٩﴾
Reference: (الإسراء17 :10)
"Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most straight and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward."
It should be remembered that among other commandments in the Book of Allah (the Holy Quran), Allah Almighty has also commanded that along with obeying Allah, His beloved Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), should also be obeyed, and whatever he commands should be followed and whatever he forbids should be avoided. The Divine command is: ﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوٓا۟ أَعْمَٰلَكُمْ ﴿٣٣﴾
Reference: (Muhammad 47:33)
"O you who have believed! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds."
From this noble verse and many other verses, it is established that just as it is obligatory to firmly hold onto the Book of Allah (the Holy Quran) and make it the constitution of life, it is also obligatory to follow the blessed Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). For this reason, Allah Almighty has declared the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as an excellent example, and for this reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage: (فَاعْقِلُوْا أَیُّهَا النَّاسُ قَوْلِیْ، فَإِنِّیْ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُ، وَقَدْ تَرَکْتُ فِیْکُمْ مَّا لَنْ تَضِلُّوْا بَعْدَہُ إِنْ تَمَسَّکْتُمْ بِهِ: کِتَابَ اللّٰہِ وَسُنَّةَ رَسُوْلِه صلي الله عليه وسلم)
Reference: (Sunan al-Marwazi: 68 from the hadith of Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him)
"O people! Understand my words well, I have certainly conveyed the religion of Allah to you, and I am leaving among you something that if you hold firmly to it, you will never go astray, and that is: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ."
From this, it is understood that the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ are the sources of guidance, and by holding firmly to these two things alone can one be saved from misguidance.
10. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ conveyed the complete religion to his Ummah
While delivering the Farewell Pilgrimage sermon at Arafat, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, asked the people at the very end, "O people! When you are asked about me, what will you say?" The large crowd of people unanimously replied, "You have conveyed to us the divine religion, fulfilled the trust of Allah, and left no stone unturned in our welfare." Then, the Prophet, peace be upon him, also called Allah as a witness three times... This is evidence that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, conveyed the entire divine religion to his Ummah with complete trustworthiness and guided his Ummah in every matter that was for their good and well-being. The Prophetic saying is: (مَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئًا یُقَرِّبُکُمْ إِلَی اللّٰہِ وَیُبْعِدُکُمْ عَنِ النَّارِ إِلَّا أَمَرْتُکُمْ بِه، وَمَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئًا یُقَرِّبُکُمْ إِلَی النَّارِ وَیُبْعِدُکُمْ عَنِ اللّٰہِ إِلَّا وَنَهَیْتُکُمْ عَنْهُ)
Reference: (Hujjat al-Nabi, Al-Albani, p.103)
"I have commanded you with everything that brings you closer to Allah and keeps you away from Hellfire, and I have forbidden you from everything that brings you closer to Hellfire and distances you from Allah."
From this hadith, it is understood that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, did not leave any good or beneficial deed without commanding his Ummah to do it, nor did he leave any evil or wrongdoing without forbidding his Ummah from it. After knowing this reality, it is not difficult to reach the conclusion that there is absolutely no room for any deficiency or addition in the religion, nor for inventing new practices. Otherwise, by inventing and including new practices in the religion, it would necessarily imply that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, (God forbid) did not convey the entire religion to the people, and some good deeds were left out by him and those who followed him!
Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, says: "مَنِ ابْتَدَعَ فِیْ الْإِسْلاَمِ بِدْعَةً یَرَاهَا حَسَنَةً فَقَدْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا صلي الله عليه وسلم خَانَ الرِّسَالَةَ، اِقْرَؤُا قَوْلَ اللّٰہِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالٰی (الْیَوْمَ أَکْمَلْتُ لَکُمْ دِیْنَکُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَیْکُمْ نِعْمَتِیْ وَرَضِیْتُ لَکُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِیْنًا) وَلاَ یَصْلُحُ آخِرُ هذِہِ الْأُمَّةِ إِلَّا بِمَا صَلَحَ بِهِ أَوَّلُهَا، فَمَا لَمْ یَکُنْ یَوْمَئِذٍ دِیْنًا لاَ یَکُوْنُ الْیَوْمَ دِیْنًا‘‘"
"Whoever introduces any innovation in Islam and then thinks that it is a good deed, it is as if he has claimed that Muhammad, peace be upon him, was negligent in conveying the message (i.e., he did not deliver the complete religion). Read this command of Allah: 'Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion'... Then Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: The last people of this Ummah can only be correct with what the first people of this Ummah were correct with, and what was not religion at that time cannot be religion today."
And this reality was also explained by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, during the Farewell Pilgrimage, right there in the plain of Arafat: It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was mounted on his she-camel in Arafat, and he said: (…أَلاَ وَإِنِّیْ فَرَطُکُمْ عَلَی الْحَوْضِ، وَأُکَاثِرُ بِکُمُ الْأُمَمَ، فَلاَ تُسَوِّدُوْا وَجْهِیْ، أَلا وَإِنِّیْ مُسْتَنْقِذٌ أُنَاسًا، وَمُسْتَنْقَذٌ مِنِّیْ أُنَاسٌ، فَأَقُوْلُ: یَا رَبِّ، أُصَیْحَابِیْ؟فَیَقُوْلُ: إِنَّكَ لَا تَدْرِیْ مَا أَحْدَثُوْا بَعْدَكَ)
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah: 3057. Graded authentic by Al-Albani)
"Beware! I will welcome you at the Pond of (Kawthar) and through you, I will prove the multitude of my Ummah over other nations. So do not disgrace me. Beware! I will save some people and some people will be kept away from me. I will say: O my Lord! These are just a few of my companions? He will reply: You do not know what innovations they introduced in the religion after you!"
Therefore, one should avoid introducing new innovations in the religion.
To emphasize this point, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to say in every Friday sermon: (أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ خَیْرَ الْحَدِیْثِ کِتَابُ اللّٰہِ، وَخَیْرَ الْهَدْیِ هَدْیُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلي الله عليه وسلم وَشَرَّ الْأُمُوْرِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا، وَکُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:867)
"After praise and thanks! Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the worst matter is that which is newly invented, and every innovation is misguidance."
He also said: (عَلَیْکُمْ بِسُنَّتِیْ وَسُنَّةَ الْخُلَفَائِ الْمَهْدِیِّیْنَ الرَّاشِدِیْنَ، تَمَسَّکُوْا بِهَا وَعَضُّوْا عَلَیْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ، وَإِیَّاکُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُوْرِ فَإِنَّ کُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ، وَکُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ)
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood:4607. Graded authentic by Al-Albani)
"Hold firmly to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly guided Caliphs after me. Grasp it firmly and never let it go. And avoid innovating new things in the religion, for every innovation is misguidance."
And Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِیْ أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَیْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ)
Reference: (Agreed upon)
"Whoever introduces into this religion of ours something that is not part of it, it will be rejected."
While in a narration of Muslim, the words are: (مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَیْسَ عَلَیْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ) "Whoever does an action that is not part of our religion, it will be rejected."
Dear respected ones! This was the Farewell Pilgrimage sermon of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) at the plain of Arafat... We pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the ability to understand the truth and to act upon it. Ameen.
In the first sermon, you listened to the Farewell Pilgrimage sermon of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, at Arafat. Now, let us listen to another sermon of the Prophet, peace be upon him, which he delivered on the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr) at Mina during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
*Sermon of the Day of Sacrifice*
Hazrat Abu Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: (اَلزَّمَانُ قَدِ اسْتَدَارَ کَهَیْئَتِهِ یَوْمَ خَلَقَ اللّٰہُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ، اَلسَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا، مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ: ثَلاَثَةٌ مُتَوَالِیَاتٌ، ذُوْ الْقَعْدَۃِ وَذُوْ الْحَجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ، وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِیْ بَیْنَ جُمَادٰی وَشَعْبَانَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَیُّ شَهْرٍ هذَا؟ قُلْنَا: اَللّٰہُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ، فَسَکَتَ حَتّٰی ظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ سَیُسَمِّیْهِ بِغَیْرِ اسْمِهِ، قَالَ: أَلَیْسَ ذَاالْحَجَّۃِ؟ قُلْنَا: بَلٰی، قَالَ: فَأَیُّ بَلَدٍ هذَا؟ قُلْنَا: اَللّٰہُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ، فَسَکَتَ حَتّٰی ظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ سَیُسَمِّیْهِ بِغَیْرِ اسْمِه، قَالَ: أَلَیْسَ الْبَلْدَۃُ؟ قُلْنَا: بَلٰی، قَالَ: فَأَیُّ یَوْمٍ هذَا؟ قُلْنَا: اَللّٰہُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ، فَسَکَتَ حَتّٰی ظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ سَیُسَمِّیْهِ بِغَیْرِ اسْمِه، قَالَ: أَلَیْسَ یَوْمُ النَّحْرِ؟ قُلْنَا: بَلٰی یَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰہِ، قَالَ: فَإِنَّ دِمَائَ کُمْ وَأَمْوَالَکُمْ وَأَعْرَاضَکُمْ حَرَامٌ عَلَیْکُمْ کَحُرْمَةِ یَوْمِکُمْ هذَا فِیْ بَلَدِکُمْ هذَا فِیْ شَهْرِکُمْ هذَا، وَسَتَلْقَوْنَ رَبَّکُمْ فَیَسْأَلُکُمْ عَنْ أَعْمَالِکُمْ، فَلاَ تَرْجِعُنَّ بَعْدِیْ کُفَّارًا (أَوْ ضُلَّالًا) یَضْرِبُ بَعْضُکُمْ رِقَابَ بَعْضٍ، أَلَا لِیُبَلِّغِ الشَّاهِدُ الْغَائِبَ، فَلَعَلَّ بَعْضَ مَنْ یُبَلِّغُهُ یَکُوْنُ أَوْعٰی لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَنْ سَمِعَهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَلا هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:4406, Sahih Muslim:1679)
"The time has come full circle to the same state as it was at the creation of the heavens and the earth. There are twelve months in the year, and among them, four months are sacred. Three are consecutive (Dhu al-Qi'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram), and the fourth is Rajab Mudhar, which comes between Jumada (al-Thaniyyah) and Rajab." Then the Prophet ﷺ asked: Which month is this? We said: Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) know best. So the Prophet ﷺ remained silent until we thought that perhaps he would mention another name for this month. The Prophet ﷺ said: Is this not Dhu al-Hijjah? We said: Why not! Then the Prophet ﷺ asked: Which city is this? We said: Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) know best. So the Prophet ﷺ remained silent until we thought that perhaps he would mention another name for this city. The Prophet ﷺ said: Is this not al-Baladah (the famous city of Makkah)? We said: Why not! Then the Prophet ﷺ asked: Which day is this? We said: Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) know best. So the Prophet ﷺ remained silent until we thought that perhaps he would mention another name for this day. The Prophet ﷺ said: Is this not Yawm al-Nahr (the day of sacrifice)? We said: Why not, O Messenger of Allah! Then the Prophet ﷺ said: "Indeed, your blood, your wealth, and your honor are sacred just as this day is sacred in this month and in this city of yours. And you will soon meet your Lord, and He will question you about your deeds. Beware! Do not become disbelievers (or misguided) after me, killing one another. Beware! Whoever among you is present should convey this to those who are absent, perhaps the one to whom it is conveyed will remember it better than the one who hears it directly." Then he said: Beware! Have I conveyed the message?"
In this sermon, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, first explained the sanctity of four months out of the twelve months of the year, and the specific rulings regarding the sacred months have already been detailed in the first sermon of the month of Muharram. After that, he, peace be upon him, explained the sanctity of blood, wealth, and honor, and at the beginning of today's sermon, we have clarified the sanctity of Muslim blood and Muslim wealth in the light of the Quran and Hadith. As for the honor of a Muslim, it is also sacred in the same way that Makkah Mukarramah is a sacred city, the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is a sacred month, and the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr) is a sacred day. That is, just as the sanctity of Makkah Mukarramah cannot be violated, similarly, the honor of any Muslim cannot be violated. And just as it is necessary to observe the sanctity and reverence of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah and the Day of Sacrifice, similarly, the protection of a Muslim's honor and dignity is also a necessary matter. Due to the sanctity and respect of a Muslim's honor, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, declared a person who is killed while defending the honor of his family as a martyr. The noble saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him, is:
(…وَمَنْ قُتِلَ دُوْنَ أَهْلِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِیْدٌ)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:1421, Sunan Abi Dawood:4772, Sunan al-Nasa'i:4094, Sahih al-Jami' al-Albani:6445)
"And the person who is killed defending his family is a martyr."
From this, it is proven that attacking the honor of a Muslim and humiliating him in front of people is forbidden.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
(اَلْمُسْلِمُ أَخُوْ الْمُسْلِمِ، لَا یَظْلِمُهُ وَلَا یَخْذُلُهُ وَلَا یَحْقِرُہُ، اَلتَّقْوٰی ههُنَا، وَیُشِیْرُ إِلٰی صَدْرِہٖ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، بِحَسْبِ امْرِیئٍ مِنَ الشَرِّ أَنْ یَّحْقِرَ أَخَاہُ الْمُسْلِمَ، کُلُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَی الْمُسْلِمِ حَرَامٌ: دَمُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَعِرْضُهُ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2564)
"A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor humiliates him, nor does he look down upon him." And the Prophet, peace be upon him, pointed to his chest three times and said, "Taqwa (piety) is here." Then he said, "It is sufficient evil for a person to despise his Muslim brother. The blood, wealth, and honor of every Muslim are sacred to another Muslim."
We will, God willing, present more special points from the Prophet's sermon on the Day of Sacrifice in the next sermon. Today’s sermon we conclude with this prayer that Allah Almighty grants us the ability to remain on the straight path until our last breath. Ameen.
