The Last Public Address of the Holy Prophet

From the day of his migration onwards, Holy Prophet advanced his mission at an average speed of 622 Square Kilometers per day for ten consecutive years. In the beginning of Islam the Muslims were so handicapped and poor that in the first three battles which they had to fight against infidels, there was only one camel for every two Muslim soldiers. In the Battle of Baddar, there were only two horses with 313 volunteer soldiers but later on the Muslims had grown so well off and strong that at the time of Battle of Hanain they had 1000 horses and in the Battle of Tabuk Islamic army had ten thousand horses.

There were only four Muslims who fought the first ever combat of Islam with infidels at Nakhla and in the second combat they were 313, while in Uhad Muslim soldiers were seven hundred in number but at Tabuk there were thirty thousand soldiers who went to the battle field. There were battles in which Muslims did not receive much damage but there were battles in which they suffered very heavy losses. But, in view of the benefits of having control over the vast land of Arabia their losses were negligible as compared to their opponents. In the ninth year of Migration Holy Prophet fell sick and stayed in Medina but in that year he held meetings with delegations from various tribes and ambassadors of adjoining states of Arabia. At that time Holy Prophet was the only religious, political and military leader of entire Arabia but when an ambassador or a delegation would visit him from far and wide, they were amazed to see him sitting on a simple mat made of palm leaves and living the same simple life, which he used to live for years. There wasn't any change in his life style even when he was enjoying the supreme authority over the entire Arabia.

In the 10th A.H. Holy Prophet went to Makka from Medina with fourteen thousand companions to perform pilgrimage. On 9th Zul Hajj of 10 A.H., after the sunset Holy Prophet seated upon his she-camel Qaswa, appeared upon Jabalar Rehmat, in the valley of Nimrah. The sermon delivered at the occasion of performing his last pilgrimage, is considered to be the basic constitution of Islam and contains all the fundamental principles of Islam. This address was made about 80 days before the Holy Prophet breathed his last. He said: -

"O, my people! Listen to me carefully. I may not meet you again at this place after this.

"God says, He has created you from one man and one woman. And, your tribes and clans are to enable you to recognize one another. Verily, the most respected in the sight of Allah is he who exercises utmost care in having the understanding of Allah, therefore no Arab has any superiority over any non-Arab nor any non-Arab has any superiority over any Arab. Similarly, no black has any advantage over any white-man or vice versa."

"O, the people of Quraish! Don't let it happen that on the Day of Judgment your necks are found burdened with worldly things and the others have goods for the Hereafter. If it happened I won't be able to save you from the Wrath of God."

 "O people! You have been forbidden to kill one another and to take possession of other person's belongings: these are as sacred to you as this day of this month. Always remember you have to appear before God and he is swift to take account of all your deeds."

"O, people! Your women have rights on you just as you have rights on them. Treat them with kindness and love. Remember, You exercise control over women because God has made you to do so, therefore, be careful in carrying out your duties in this regard."

"Treat your slaves well. Provide them the food that you eat, clad them the clothes that you wear. And, if they commit a mistake that you find difficult to forgive, it's better to leave them because they too are the creatures of God. Don't treat them harshly."

"O, people! Listen to me carefully to consider and understand. All the Muslims are brothers to one another and are tied in a relation of love and fraternity. It is not fair to use anything of your brother unless he permits you willingly."

"Beware! I have trampled down all the customs that you practiced during your days of ignorance. No blood shed during that period is to be avenged."

"Also beware! Don't let injustice come near you. I am leaving behind a thing, if you held it firmly, you will not go astray and that thing is the Book of God. There is no prophet after me and there will not be any new religion after yours."

"Keep worshipping God alone. Establish Salaat, fast during the month of Ramazan, pay Zakat of your goods willingly and circumambulate the House of your Lord. Avoid exaggerations and overdoing in religious matters because the nations before you have destroyed them only for this."

"Beware! Don't get astray after me and don't start killing one another. You have to appear before God and you will be questioned about your deeds."

"Obey even a black slave, if he is your leader and make, you to go according to the Book of God."

"O. people! Sincerity in deeds, well wishing for your brethren and unity among the people help in keeping you away from worries."

"O, People! What will you say, when you would be asked about nee?"

When people present there submitted that they would testify that he delivered the message of God and fulfilled his duties diligently, Holy Prophet raised his index finger towards the sky and lowered it down towards the audience saying. "O, Allah, be a witness to this."

Then concluding his address, Holy Prophet said, I demand of you who are present here to convey my teachings to those who are not present here whether they are existing or would born hence, as many of them would take care of my teachings more than those who are listing to me now."