Methodology
Bismillah. Most hadith about the farewell sermon of the Prophet (SAW) are incomplete, some covering some parts, others covering other parts, and many overlapping with different words and phrases for the same parts.
In this article, I compiled the sermon from its different sources.
I chose the wording of Bukhari if possible, then the wording of Muslim if possible, then the wording of others. When there were multiple wordings in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, I chose one which I felt reconciled the different versions best or combined some of them together.
I divided the speech into sections and graded the authenticity of those sections by which source that part of the sermon is found in.
If I found elaborative sentences and connective phrases in less authentic sources (like weaker hadith or the Seerah of Ibn Ishaq) that make the speech flow more smoothly, I added them without any clear indication. The gradings are thus for the overall sections, not for specific words.
If I found extra advice relevant to a section in weaker hadith, I included that advice at the end of the section and indicated it by the phrase “He also said.” Everything after that phrase in those sections comes from weaker hadith.
In all these cases, I did not write any word of the sermon myself. Everything is copied from a source, even if the full compilation may not be from one source.
Reconstructed Farewell Sermon
إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَطَبَ النَّاسَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ بِمِنًى فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ
During his farewell pilgrimage, the Prophet (SAW) delivered a sermon on the Day of Sacrifice (Eid ul-Adha). He was in the valley of Mina, seated on his camel so people could see him.
Listen Carefully Hasan
قال ⟪أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، اسْمَعُوا قَوْلِي، فَإِنِّي لَا أَدْرِي لَعَلِّي لَا أَلْقَاكُمْ بَعْدَ عَامِي هَذَا بِهَذَا الْمَوْقِفِ أَبَدًا⟫
He said, “O people, listen to my words, because I do not know; perhaps I will not meet you after this year at this place ever again.”
Sanctity of People’s RightsStrongly Sahih
The Prophet (SAW) started with the sanctity of every Muslim to each other. This was the central focus of the sermon. He kept repeating this message so much that this part of the sermon was the most reported by the most companions.
قَالَ ⟪يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَتَدْرُونَ أَىُّ يَوْمٍ هَذَا⟫ قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ ⟪أَلَيْسَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ يَوْمٌ حَرَامٌ؟⟫. قَالُوا بَلَى
He said, “O people, do you know what day this is?” They replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Is this not the Day of Sacrifice, a sacred day?” They said, “Yes, it is.”
قَالَ ⟪أَتَدْرُونَ أَىُّ بَلَدٍ هَذَا⟫ قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ ⟪أَلَيْسَتْ بِالْبَلْدَةِ الْحَرَامِ؟⟫. قَالُوا بَلَى
He said, “Do you know what land this is?” They replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Is this not the sacred land?” They said, “Yes, it is.”
قَالَ ⟪أَتَدْرُونَ أَىُّ شَهْرٍ هَذَا⟫. قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ ⟪أَلَيْسَ ذُو الْحَجَّةِ شَهْرٌ حَرَامٌ؟⟫. قَالُوا بَلَى
He said, “Do you know what month this is?” They replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Is this not Dhul-Hijjah, a sacred month?” They said, “Yes, it is.”
فَسَكَتَ ثم قَالَ ⟪فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ وَأَعْرَاضَكُمْ، كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا، فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هَذَا، فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هَذَا إِلَى يَوْمِ تَلْقَوْنَ رَبَّكُمْ⟫. فَأَعَادَهَا مِرَارًا
He paused, then said, “Then, know that Allah has made your blood, your property, and your honor sacred to each other, just like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this land of yours, in this month of yours, until you meet your Lord.”
He repeated this several times, saying, “Your blood, your property, and your honor are all sacred to each other, just like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this land of yours, in this month of yours, until you meet your Lord.”
⟪وَلَا يَحِلُّ لِامْرِئٍ مِنْ مال أَخِيهِ ، إِلَّا مَا طَابَتْ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ⟫
He also said, “It is not permissible for anyone to take the wealth of his brother except with his approval.”
⟪وَإِنَّكُمْ سَتَلْقَوْنَ رَبَّكُمْ، فَيَسْأَلُكُمْ عَنْ أَعْمَالِكُمْ فَمَنْ كَانَتْ عِنْدَهُ أَمَانَةٌ فَلِيُؤَدِّهَا إلَى مَنْ ائْتَمَنَهُ عَلَيْهَا⟫
“And you will all meet your Lord. He will ask you about your actions, so anyone who has a trust should fulfill it and return it to the one who entrusted him.”
Abolishment of Jahiliyyah Sahih
Then, the Prophet (SAW) declared the abolishment of all pre-Islamic customs, because Islam came to replace everything before it. In line with the sanctity of blood, property, and honor, he highlighted in his sermon the end of all blood feuds, the cancellation of all interest, the importance of giving people their prescribed inheritance, and the evil of all false claims of lineage either because of zina or something else.
أَلاَ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ تَحْتَ قَدَمَىَّ مَوْضُوعٌ
“Every matter of Jahiliyyah is abolished under my feet today.”
وَدِمَاءُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعَةٌ وَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ دَمٍ أَضَعُ مِنْ دِمَائِنَا دَمُ ابْنِ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ كَانَ مُسْتَرْضِعًا فِي بَنِي سَعْدٍ فَقَتَلَتْهُ هُذَيْلٌ
“All blood feuds of Jahiliyyah are abolished today. The first blood feud I abolish is the blood of (my cousin) Ibn Rabee’ah ibn al-Harith. He was being fostered with Banu Saad when the tribe of Huzail killed him.”
⟪وَرِبَا الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعٌ وَأَوَّلُ رِبًا أَضَعُ رِبَانَا رِبَا عَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَإِنَّهُ مَوْضُوعٌ كُلُّهُ⟫
قال ⟪وَلَكِنْ لَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ، لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ⟫
“All debts of interest from Jahiliyyah are abolished today. The first debts of interest I abolish are our interest, the interest owed to (my uncle) Abbas ibn Abd ul-Mutallib.” He said, “But, you have the original sum of your money, neither increased nor decreased.”
إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَسَمَ لِكُلِّ إِنْسَانٍ نَصِيبَهُ مِنَ الْمِيرَاثِ ، فَلَا تَجُوزُ لِوَارِثٍ وَصِيَّةٌ
He also said, “Allah has distributed to every person his share from the inheritance, so it is not allowed for anyone to write a will that changes the shares.”
الْوَلَدُ لِلْفِرَاشِ ، وَلِلْعَاهِرِ الْحَجَرُ ، أَلَا وَمَنْ ادَّعَى إِلَى غَيْرِ أَبِيهِ، فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
“The child belongs to the marital bed, and the adulterer gets the stone. Know that whoever claims paternity from other than his father is cursed by Allah, the angels, and all people.”
Treating Women Well Sahih
Then, the Prophet (SAW) emphasized the rights of women, a group that was often mistreated in Jahiliyyah and is often mistreated in human history. He said husbands have a special responsibility to treat their wives kindly and fairly because of their position, and that wives have rights over their husbands and husbands have rights over their wives.
أَمَّا بَعْدُ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانِ اللَّهِ وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللَّهِ وَلَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَنْ لاَ يُوطِئْنَ فُرُشَكُمْ أَحَدًا تَكْرَهُونَهُ . فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ ذَلِكَ فَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ضَرْبًا غَيْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
“After that, O people, fear Allah with regards to women. You took them with the trust of Allah and made them halal with the words of Allah.”
“You have the right over them that they do not allow anyone you dislike on your bed. If they do that, Allah has allowed you to discipline them without injury.”
“They have the right over you that you feed them and clothe them according to what is appropriate.”
Holding on to the Book of Allah Sahih
Then, the Prophet (SAW) reminded us that he brought us a Book from Allah that will guide us after him. The Prophet (SAW)’s guidance is not gone when he is gone since we will always have the Book of Allah.
⟪وَقَدْ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ مَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدَهُ إِنِ اعْتَصَمْتُمْ بِهِ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ⟫
“I have left behind something by which you will never go astray, so long as you hold firmly to it: the Book of Allah.”
Obedience to Rightful Authority Sahih
Then, the Prophet (SAW) told us to remain united and not rebel or create conflict with each other.
⟪وَلَوِ اسْتُعْمِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَبْدٌ حَبَشِيٌ مُجَدَّعٌ يَقُودُكُمْ بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ ، فَاسْمَعُوا لَهُ وَأَطِيعُوا⟫
“And even if a mutilated Ethiopian slave is appointed over you that rules you with the Book of Allah, listen to him and obey.”
Pillars of Islam Hasan
Then, the Prophet (SAW) reminded us of the foundation of our religion: fear of Allah and worship. All the rights of people discussed before are only fulfilled as an extension of taqwa and submission.
⟪اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ وَصَلُّوا خَمْسَكُمْ وَصُومُوا شَهْرَكُمْ وَأَدُّوا زَكَاةَ أَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَطِيعُوا ذَا أَمْرِكُمْ تَدْخُلُوا جَنَّةَ رَبِّكُمْ⟫
“Fear Allah your Lord, pray your five, fast your month, pay the Zakah of your wealth, obey those in charge, and you will enter the Paradise of your Lord.”
Shaitan’s Despair and Hope Hasan
Then, the Prophet (SAW) said that, although shirk is no longer a major concern, Shaitan will still attempt to mislead us in things we consider small but are in fact big.
أَلا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ قَدْ يَئِسَ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هَذَا أَبَدًا وَلَكِنْ سَتَكُونُ لَهُ طَاعَةٌ فِي بَعْضِ مَا تَحْتَقِرُونَ مِنَ أَعْمَالِكُمْ فَيَرْضَى
“Shaitan has lost hope that he will be worshiped again in this land of yours, but he will be obeyed in matters you think are small, and he will be satisfied.”
Human Equality Acceptable
The Prophet (SAW) emphasized that superiority between two people is not based on race but is based on who has more taqwa.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ، أَلَا إِنَّ رَبكُمْ وَاحِدٌ ، وَإِنَّ أَباكُمْ وَاحِدٌ ، أَلَا لَا فَضْلَ لِعَرَبيٍّ عَلَى أَعْجَمِيٍّ ، وَلَا لِعَجَمِيٍّ عَلَى عَرَبيٍّ ، وَلَا لِأَحْمَرَ عَلَى أَسْوَدَ ، وَلَا أَسْوَدَ عَلَى أَحْمَرَ ، إِلَّا بالتَّقْوَى
“O people, your Lord is one, and your father was one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab, nor of a light-skinned person over a dark-skinned person, nor of a dark-skinned person over a light-skinned person, except through taqwa.”
Conveyance Strongly Sahih
⟪قال ⟪وَأَنْتُمْ تُسْأَلُونَ عَنِّي فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُونَ؟ هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ؟
The Prophet (SAW) said, “You will be asked about me: What will you say? Have I conveyed the message?”
“قَالُوا “نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّيْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ
People said, “We testify that you conveyed, you fulfilled, and you counseled.”
⟪ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ بِإِصْبَعِهِ السَّبَّابَةِ يَرْفَعُهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَيَنْكُتُهَا إِلَى النَّاسِ ⟪اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدِ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدِ
The Prophet looked up, pointing his finger to the sky and then towards the people, and said, “O Allah, bear witness! O Allah, bear witness! O Allah, bear witness!”
قال ⟪فَلْيُبْلِغِ الشَّاهِدُ الْغَائِبَ، لاَ تَرْجِعُوا بَعْدِي كُفَّارًا يَضْرِبُ بَعْضُكُمْ رِقَابَ بَعْضٍ⟫ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ “فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّهَا لَوَصِيَّتُهُ إِلَى أُمَّتِهِ”
Then, he said, “Anyone present here must convey to anyone not present. Do not turn into disbelievers after me by striking the necks of each other.” Ibn Abbas (RA) said, “By Allah, this was his will to the Ummah.”
وَوَدَّعَ النَّاسَ. قال ابن عمر “فَقَالُوا هَذِهِ حَجَّةُ الْوَدَاعِ”
Then, the Prophet bid the people farewell. Ibn Umar (RA) said, “That is why they called it the farewell pilgrimage.”
Authenticity
The different sections of the sermon have different levels of authenticity:
- Final Meeting
- Narrated by Jabir and Sarra bint Nabhan
- Acceptable/Hasan, in Sunan Nasai and Tabarani
- Sanctity of People’s Rights
- Narrated by Ibn Abbas, Ibn Umar, Abu Bakrah, Jabir, and others
- Strongly Sahih, in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim
- Abolishment of Jahiliyyah
- Narrated by Jabir
- Sahih, in Sahih Muslim.
- Treating Women Well
- Narrated by Jabir
- Sahih, in Sahih Muslim
- Holding on to the Book of Allah
- Narrated by Jabir
- Sahih, in Sahih Muslim
- Obedience to Rightful Authority
- Narrated by Umm al-Husain
- Sahih, in Sahih Muslim
- Pillars of Islam
- Narrated by Abu Umamah
- Hasan, in Sunan Tirmidhi (Tirmidhi said: Hasan Sahih)
- Shaitan’s Despair and Hope
- Narrated by Amr ibn al-Ahwas
- Acceptable/Hasan, in Sunan Nasai
- Human Equality
- Narrated by an unnamed Sahabi
- Acceptable, in Musnad Ahmad
- Conveyance
- Narrated by Ibn Abbas, Ibn Umar, Abu Bakrah, Jabir, and others
- Strongly Sahih, in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim
