Islamic Articles::Citizenship & Social Responsibilities
The Last Sermon of the Final MessengerThis Sermon was delivered on the Ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, 10 A.H. [Hijrah Calendar] (631 CE [Christian Era])
During the Prophets one and only Hajj pilgrimage at the 'Uranah Valley of Mount Arafat, Arabia, in the presence of approximately 140,000 Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet Muhammad). A day on which the Prophet's (pbuh) speech was miraculously audible to all who were present.
After praising and thanking Allah, the holy Prophet (pbuh) said:
'O people lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
Do not Oppress one Another
O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city (Makkah) 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. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation 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.
Fair Treatment to Women
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 to take them as your wives only under Allah's trust 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 committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O people, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your daily prayers (salah), fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat (obligatory charity). Perform Hajj (pilgrimage) if you can afford to.
Equality of Races in the Brotherhood of Muslims & Humanity
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; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white 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 Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
The Final Message of Guidance
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 Qur'an 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 may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people.' They (the Companions) said: 'We bear witness that you conveyed (the message), discharged (your duty) and advised (us).'
Below are the views of some prominent Western writers about the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
George Bernard Shaw
'I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess the assimilating capability to the changing phases of existence which can make itself appeal to every age.'
'I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today. Medieval ecclesiastic, either through their ignorance or bigotry, painted Muhammadanism in the darkest colours. They were, in fact, trained to hate both the man Muhammad and his religion. To them Muhammad was anti-Christ. I have studied him, the wonderful man, and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ he must be called the saviour of humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modem world he would succeed in solving the problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness. Europe is beginning to be enamoured of the creed of Muhammad. In the next century it may go still further in recognising the utility of that creed in solving its problems, and it is in this sense that you must understand my prediction.' A collection of Writings of Some of the Eminent Scholars - Page 77 published 1935
Lamartine
If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modem history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes This man moved not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then-inhabited world; and more than that he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls.
His forbearance in victory, his ambition which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire, his endless prayers, his mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death-all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma. This dogma was twofold: the unity of God and the immateriality of God; the former telling what God is, the latter telling what God is not; the one overthrowing false gods with the sword, the other starting an idea with the words. Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad.
As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he? Histoire de fa Turquie, Pans 1854, Vol. 11, pp. 276-77.
Bosworth Smith
He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without Pope's pretensions, Caesar without the legions of Caesar: without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue. If ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by the right divine, it was Mohammad, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports. Mohammad and Mohammadanism, London 1874, p 92.
W Montgomery Watt
His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement all argue his fundamental integrity To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad. Mohammad At Mecca, Oxford, 1953, p 52.
Michael H. Hart
My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level. The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, New York: Hart Publishing Company Inc. 1978, p 33.
Thomas Carlyle
The lies, which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man, (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only. The word of such a man (Muhammad) is a voice direct from nature's own heart; men must listen to that, as to nothing else; all else is wind in comparison ... ' 'On Heroes, Hero Worship and the Heroic in History, The Hero as Prophet'
