This text is adapted from the book Islam Mustafa (عليه الصلاة والسلام) by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi, with added headings and structured formatting for ease of reading.
The Farewell Sermon (Khutbat Hujjat al-Wada‘) delivered by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stands as a comprehensive, practical, and exemplary charter of life. It encompasses principles of human civilization, the preservation of human rights, global peace, brotherhood, justice, economic welfare, and social purity.
Narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه) as recorded in Sahih Muslim (Book of Hajj, Hadith No. 2950):
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the sanctity of life, property, and honor, equating their inviolability with the sacredness of the day of Arafah, the sacred month, and the holy city of Makkah. He declared the end of pre-Islamic practices such as blood revenge and usury, beginning with his own family. Women’s rights were also firmly upheld.
The Prophet ﷺ left behind the Book of Allah as the guiding authority and reminded the ummah of its responsibility to uphold his message.
Narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه) in Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 3, p. 313, Hadith No. 14364), authenticated by Shaykh Shu‘ayb Arna’ut:
The Prophet ﷺ reiterated the sacredness of life and property and emphasized equality and accountability, stating:
“Every wrongdoer will be accountable for their own deeds. No father will bear the sin of his child, nor will the child bear the sin of the father.”
As narrated by Sulaiman ibn ‘Amr (رضي الله عنه) in Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith No. 3055), authenticated by Albani:
Narrated by Abu Hurrah al-Raqashi in Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 5, p. 73, Hadith No. 20695), graded as "Sahih li-Ghayrihi" by Shu‘ayb Arna’ut:
This sermon highlighted:
Narrated in Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 5, p. 211, Hadith No. 23789) and Majma‘ al-Zawa’id (Hadith No. 5622):
The Prophet ﷺ declared:
“No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, and no white is superior to a black, except through taqwa (piety).”
He warned the Quraysh against relying on lineage over good deeds.
Narrated by Abu Qabilah in al-Tabarani al-Kabir:
The Prophet ﷺ proclaimed the end of Prophethood and urged the Ummah to adhere to five obligations:
① Worship of Allah
② Establishment of Salah
③ Observance of Ramadan
④ Obedience to rulers
⑤ Entry into Paradise as a reward
❖ The Farewell Sermon: A Timeless Ethical Manifesto
The Farewell Sermon (Khutbat Hujjat al-Wada‘) delivered by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stands as a comprehensive, practical, and exemplary charter of life. It encompasses principles of human civilization, the preservation of human rights, global peace, brotherhood, justice, economic welfare, and social purity.
❖ Core Themes from the Sermon
Narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه) as recorded in Sahih Muslim (Book of Hajj, Hadith No. 2950):
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the sanctity of life, property, and honor, equating their inviolability with the sacredness of the day of Arafah, the sacred month, and the holy city of Makkah. He declared the end of pre-Islamic practices such as blood revenge and usury, beginning with his own family. Women’s rights were also firmly upheld.
The Prophet ﷺ left behind the Book of Allah as the guiding authority and reminded the ummah of its responsibility to uphold his message.
❖ Fiqh al-Hadith (Jurisprudential Inferences)
- Rejection of communism in wealth; affirmation of individual ownership
- Abolishment of pre-Islamic customs and usury
- Protection of women's rights
- The Qur’an as the final authority post-Prophet ﷺ
- Preservation of Prophethood
- Affirmation of Allah’s elevated status over His throne
❖ The Sermon on the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr)
Narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه) in Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 3, p. 313, Hadith No. 14364), authenticated by Shaykh Shu‘ayb Arna’ut:
The Prophet ﷺ reiterated the sacredness of life and property and emphasized equality and accountability, stating:
“Every wrongdoer will be accountable for their own deeds. No father will bear the sin of his child, nor will the child bear the sin of the father.”
❖ Sermon on Hujjat al-Wada‘: Additional Points
As narrated by Sulaiman ibn ‘Amr (رضي الله عنه) in Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith No. 3055), authenticated by Albani:
- Equality in justice and legal rights
- Iblis's despair over being worshiped in the Arabian Peninsula
- The Prophet ﷺ's fulfillment of the prophetic mission
- Warning against trivializing small sins
- Emphasis on delivering the message to those not present
❖ Another Sermon During the Days of Tashriq
Narrated by Abu Hurrah al-Raqashi in Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 5, p. 73, Hadith No. 20695), graded as "Sahih li-Ghayrihi" by Shu‘ayb Arna’ut:
This sermon highlighted:
- Sanctity of life, property, and honor until the Day of Judgment
- Justice as a divine mandate
- Importance of trust and its return
- Abolishment of pre-Islamic customs and usury
- Restoration of the natural calendar as created by Allah
❖ Sermon Emphasizing Human Equality
Narrated in Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 5, p. 211, Hadith No. 23789) and Majma‘ al-Zawa’id (Hadith No. 5622):
The Prophet ﷺ declared:
“No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, and no white is superior to a black, except through taqwa (piety).”
He warned the Quraysh against relying on lineage over good deeds.
❖ Sermon on Finality of Prophethood and Obedience
Narrated by Abu Qabilah in al-Tabarani al-Kabir:
The Prophet ﷺ proclaimed the end of Prophethood and urged the Ummah to adhere to five obligations:
① Worship of Allah
② Establishment of Salah
③ Observance of Ramadan
④ Obedience to rulers
⑤ Entry into Paradise as a reward
❖ Key Jurisprudential Takeaways
- Upholding the rights of Allah
- Superiority is based on taqwa, not race or lineage
- Brotherhood in faith is paramount
- Lineage without deeds is of no value
- Finality of Prophethood
- Obedience to Muslim rulers
- Caution against seemingly minor sins
