Chapter 9: The Final Sermon (Farewell Hajj)

The Final Sermon (Farewell Hajj)

In the year 632 CE, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ knew that his mission was coming to its completion. After more than twenty years of struggle, patience, guidance, and sacrifice, Islam had spread across Arabia. Tribes that once fought endlessly were now united by faith. Justice had replaced chaos, and mercy had replaced revenge.

That year, the Prophet announced that he would perform Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah. Tens of thousands of Muslims from different tribes and regions gathered to join him. This pilgrimage later became known as the Farewell Hajj, because it was the only Hajj performed by the Prophet and the last major public gathering of his life.

The people sensed that something historic was about to happen.

On the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, at a place called Arafat, the Prophet ﷺ stood before a vast crowd. Some reports say more than 100,000 people were present. There were no microphones, no buildings, and no armies—only a man delivering words that would echo through history.

This speech became known as The Final Sermon.

The Prophet began by reminding people of the sanctity of human life. He declared that the lives, property, and honor of every person were sacred and must be protected. Just as the day of Arafat and the city of Makkah were sacred, so too was every human being. This was a powerful statement in a society that once valued strength over life.

He then addressed the issue of injustice and oppression. All forms of exploitation, especially unfair financial practices, were abolished. He announced the end of usury and declared that no one had the right to take advantage of others. Even debts owed to his own family were canceled, showing that no one was above the law.

The Prophet ﷺ also spoke strongly against tribal superiority. He reminded people that all humans came from the same origin—Adam and Eve. No Arab was superior to a non-Arab, and no white person was superior to a black person, except through righteousness and good character. This message shattered centuries of discrimination and tribal pride.

He emphasized responsibility and accountability. Every person would answer for their actions. Power, leadership, and authority were not privileges to abuse but trusts that would be questioned by God. This teaching laid the foundation for ethical leadership and justice.

One of the most remarkable parts of the sermon focused on women’s rights. In a society where women had once been treated as property, the Prophet ﷺ declared that women had rights just as men had responsibilities. He instructed men to treat women with kindness, fairness, and respect. This was a revolutionary message for its time.

The Prophet also reminded the people to hold firmly to guidance. He told them that if they followed the Qur’an and his teachings, they would never go astray. This guidance was not limited to one generation—it was meant for all people and all times.

Throughout the sermon, the Prophet repeatedly asked the crowd if he had delivered the message clearly. Each time, the people responded loudly, “Yes, you have.” He then raised his finger toward the sky and said, “O Allah, bear witness.”

This moment was deeply emotional. Many companions realized that this was a farewell, not just a sermon. The Prophet ﷺ was not only summarizing Islam; he was completing it.

Shortly after the sermon, a verse of the Qur’an was revealed, stating that the religion had been perfected and God’s favor had been completed. For the believers, this was both a moment of joy and sadness—joy for the completion of guidance, and sadness because the Prophet’s time with them was nearing its end.

After returning to Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ fell ill. Within a few months, he passed away. But the message he left behind did not fade. The Final Sermon became a moral foundation for human rights, justice, equality, and peace.

Even today, more than fourteen centuries later, the words spoken on the plains of Arafat continue to inspire millions. They remind the world that true strength lies not in power, but in justice; not in dominance, but in mercy; and not in division, but in unity.

The Final Sermon was not only the conclusion of a life—it was the beginning of a global legacy.