The “Final Sermon” and Hajj 2020

As Muslims, we are grieving about not performing Hajj this year (Hajj 2020) due to the CORONA pandemic. At the same time, it is unfortunate; it allows us to ponder upon the “Final Sermon” delivered by Prophet Muhammad at the Hajj of year 632 C.E.

 “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.  God 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.  God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Al-Abbas ibn Abd’el Muttalib 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 a trust from God 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 God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat.  Perform Hajj if you have the means.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve.  An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] 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 God and answer for 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 it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.  Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

This is one of the best sermons in human history delivered by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at Hajj famously known as his “Final Sermon.” Today approximately 1400 years after his sermon, we are still struggling to understand the depth of his final sermon. On the surface, the sermon is simple, yet its depth encompasses the complete religion of Islam.

To break it down in simplest of terms, it lays down the foundation of Islam, and it pillars Shahadah, prayers, fasting, Zakat, and Hajj. It guides the next layer through the following of the Quran and Sunnah and strains from the delusions of Satan into small worldly things. Always remember that you will return to your lord.

It talks lays down the basics foundations of day to day affairs and human rights. The daily financial affairs, protecting others’ capital, and stay away from usher (interest). While today in the western world is still struggling with racism and campaigning for “Black Lives Matters,” this sermon declared that equality of human beings 1400 years ago. Today when Muslims are blamed for prosecuting women, western media blames Muslims for harassing their wives. This sermon declared about the rights of women and treating them with kindness.

This makes us ask a fundamental question as pointed to in the last part of the sermon: Is Hajj about going to Makkah and only following Sunnat Ibrahim, or is there more to it?

Today is the best time to ask this question as we are grieving being not able to perform Hajj due to the CORONA pandemic. To think is Hajj just about going to Makkah, Medina, Arafat, and Mina, or there is more to it.

It is about following the fundamentals set by the “Final Sermon.” This is the best time to reflect on our self:

• How subdued are we in our prayers, fasting, and honest in paying our Zakat?
• How we treat humanity?
• How do we act in our day to day life and affairs?
• Have we abolished the caste system, or have we cultivated it our generations?
• How deeply are we involved in usher?
• Have we broken the shackles of Satan and moved out of worldly benefits?
• What is our real source of guidance? Quran and Sunnah?

Maybe this is the best time to revisit the “Final Sermon.”

While we ponder upon these questions, we must realize that the beauty of Hajj is to realize that we wrap ourselves in one white piece cloth and pray to Allah, and ultimately, we leave this world in one white piece of cloth.

  “…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)