You may wonder, as an aside, how a sermon was delivered to that many people without the convenience of microphones and speakers. It is said that the prophet lined up criers radially out from his position at the base of the mount where he was standing. They repeated his speech and conveyed it out as he spoke it.Here then is the text of the Last Sermon, after he had praised and thanked Allah:
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 very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
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 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. Therefore all usurious obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no usury and that all the usury due to Abbas ibn' Abdel Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) 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 the 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.
to be completed 2007-09-05
