And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.

Farewell Pilgrimage

In the tenth year the Prophet  , announced that he intended to perform hajj; this was the only time that he performed hajj after the Hijrah to Madinah. The Muslims came from all over the Arabian Peninsula to perform hajj with him. He left Madinah five days before the end of Dhu al Qa`dah [Ibn Hajar, Fath al Bari, 8/104; Ibn Ishaq, with a hasan isnad (Sirat ibn Hisham, 4/272). Ibn Kathir, al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, 5/111. This is the same as Ibn Ishaq’s report. He said, "Its isnad is jayyid."]. When he halted in Arafat, the following ayah was revealed to him:

“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…”

(Al Ma’idah 5:4) [Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 8/108]

The Muslims learned the rituals of the hajj from the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) when he said: “Take your rituals from me.” His hajj was full of laws pertaining to the Shari`ah, especially matters pertaining to the hajj, and general advice and laws which were mentioned in the Sermon of Arafat. For this reason, the scholars showed great interest in the farewell pilgrimage and derived many laws from it, dealing with the rituals of hajj and other matters, of which the books of fiqh and hadith explanation are full. Some of the scholars wrote books dealing specifically with the farewell pilgrimage.

“Verily your blood and your property are as sacred and inviolable as the sacredness of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours. Behold! Everything pertaining to the days of ignorance is under my feet completely abolished. Abolished are also the blood revenges of the days of ignorance. The first claim of ours on blood revenge which I abolish is that of the son of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith. And the usury riba of the pre-Islamic period is abolished, and the first of our usury I abolish is that of `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib, for it is all abolished.

Fear God concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of God, and intercourse with them has been made lawful unto you by words of God. You too have rights over them, and they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed whom you do not like. But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely. Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing in a fitting manner.

I have left among you the Book of God, and if you hold fast to it you would never go astray. And you would be asked about me (on the day of resurrection), (now tell me) what would you say? They (the audience) said: “We bear witness that you have conveyed (the message), discharged (the ministry of Prophet hood) and given wise (sincere) counsel.”

He (the narrator) said: “He (the Prophet) then raised his forefinger toward the sky and pointed it at the people (and said):

“O Allah, bear witness, O Allah, bear witness.”

[The report is from Sahih Muslim, 4/38-43, from the hadith of Jabir ibn `Abd Allah. Al Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al Din al Albani made some brief additions to it, from other books of hadith which narrated the hadith of Jabir with some sahih additions (Hijjat alNabi, pp. 71-73). See the report of Jabir in Hadith in Hijjat al-Nabii, 38-41. See part of the khutbah in Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 8/108). Ibn Ishaq mentioned the long text of the farewell khutbah without isnad. Imam Ahmad mentioned the long text of the khutbah of the farewell pilgrimage, which was given in the middle of the Ayyam al Tashriq. Its isnad includes `Ali ibn Zayd ibn Jad`aan, who al Hafiz ibn Hajar, in al Taqrib, said was weak. Al Bannaa said, "Al Bazzar narrated a similar report with the same meaning from Ibn `Umar with a different isnad." The Imams of hadith narrated parts of it in their books, in different chapters, through sahih isnads; and Allah knows best. (Al Fath al Rabbani, 279-281)]He delivered another sermon at Mina, when he said, “Do not return to Kufr, killing one another, after I am gone.” [Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 8/107; Muslim, Sahih, 1/82] 

[End of excerpt from Dr `Umari’s work] From Benefits of this Great Sermon:

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In the ninth year of hijra, at the head of an army of 30,000 Muslims which is gathering to meet the impending aggression from the Byzantine Empire, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) delivered the following speech at Tabuk on the borders of Syria:

He (SAW) praised and thanked Allah and said:

“Verily  the most veracious discourse is the book of Allah (the Qur’an). The most trustworthy handhold is the word of piety (Taqwa). The best of religions is the religion of Ibrahim. The best of the precedents is the precedent of Muhammad. The noblest speech is the invocation of Allah. The finest of narratives is this Qur’an. The best of affairs is that which has been firmly resolved upon. The worst religions are those which are created without sanction. The best of ways is the one trodden by the prophets. The noblest death is the death of a martyr. The most miserable blindness is waywardness after guidance. The best of auctions is that which is beneficent. The best guidance is that which is put into practice. The worst blindness is the blindness of the heart.

The upper hand is better than the lower (i.e. it is better to give than to receive). The little that suffices is better than the abundant and alluring. The worst apology is that which is tendered when death stares one in the face. The worst remorse is that which is felt on the Day of Resurrection.

Some men do not come to the Friday prayer, but with hesitance and delay. And some of them do not remember Allah but with reluctance. The tongue that is addicted to false expression is a bubbling spring of sins.

The most valuable possession is contentment of the heart. The best provision is that of piety. The highest wisdom is the fear of Allah, the Mighty and Great. The best thing to be cherished in the hearts is faith and conviction; doubt is part of infidelity.

Each one of you must resort to a place of four cubits (the grave). Your affairs will be decided ultimately in the next life. The worst dream is the false dream. Whatever is in store in near. To abuse a believer is transgression. Raising arms against him is infidelity. To backbite him is a disobedience to Allah. Inviolability and sacredness of his property is like that of his blood. He who swears by Allah (falsely), in fact falsifies him. He who pardons is himself granted pardon. He who forgives others, is forgiven by Allah for his sins.

He who represses anger, Allah rewards him. He who faces misfortunes with perseverance, Allah compenses him. He who acts only for fame and reputation, Allah disgraces him. He who shows patience and forbearance, Allah gives him a double reward. He who disobeys Allah, Allah chastises him.

I seek the forgiveness of Allah, I seek the forgiveness of Allah, I seek the forgiveness of Allah. 

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The Covenant of Umar 

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,

This is an assurance of peace and protection given by the servant of Allah Umar, Commander of the Believers to the people of Ilia’ [Jerusalem]. He gave them an assurance of protection for their lives, property, church and crosses as well as the sick and healthy and all its religious community.

Their churches shall not be occupied, demolished nor taken away wholly or in part. None of their crosses nor property shall be seized. They shall not be coerced in their religion nor shall any of them be injured. None of the Jews shall reside with them in Ilia’.

The people of Ilia shall pay Jizya tax [tax on free non-Muslims living under Muslim rule] as inhabitants of cities do. They shall evict all Romans and thieves.

He whoever gets out shall be guaranteed safety for his life and property until he reachs his safe haven. He whoever stays shall be also safe, in which case he shall pay as much tax as the people of Ilia’ do. Should any of the people of Ilia wish to move together with his property along with the Romans and to clear out of their churches and crosses, they shall be safe for their lives, churches and crosses, until they have reached then safe haven. He whoever chooses to stay he may do so and he shall pay as much tax as the people of Ilia’ do. He whoever wishes to move along with the Roman, may do so, and whoever wishes to return back home to his kinsfolk, may do so. Nothing shall be taken from them, their crops have been harvested. To the contents of this convent here are given the Covenant of Allah, the guarantees of His Messenger, the Caliphs and the Believers, provided they pay their due Jizia tax.

Witnesses hereto are:

1. Khalid Ibn al-Waleed

2. Amr Ibn al-’Aas

3. Abdul-Rahman Ibn’Auf

4. Mu’awiya Ibn abi-Sufyan

Made and executed in the year 15 AH.”

“http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Covenant_of_Omar“