The Prophet (s) Teaching

The Prophet (s) was the living translation of the message of Islam. He taught people by his life choices and deeds (as-sunnah) likewise by words and sayings (al-hadith). It is important to know that many of the sayings that are attributed to the Prophet (s) has been made up by people and for the saying to be accepted as true there is a very strict methodology to investigate that. In principle for the saying to be accepted without a doubt, it has to be narrated the same by many persons who witnessed it, and the same principle is applicable on his deeds.

There are many deeds are known that he used to do, some of them that he used to look to the earth of modesty and initiates others greeting (as-salām), does not talk unnecessarily, thanks good for whatever little, smiles rather than laughs, asks people about their needs, visits friends, in meetings he sits wherever he far gets, he gives from his deal, if can not give money would advise or pray for the person, very courageous, very shy, cries in his pray a lot and often ask Allah for forgiveness, he sits with poor people and eats with them, uses mirror to dress up and look properly, prefers to use the right hand, uses pleasantry to ease others, helps his wives with the house duties, keen to children, drinks on three sipes and thanks Allah (al-hamdu lillah) in between, mentions Allah before eating and thanks Him during and after finishing and similarly washes hands before and after eating, prefers to eat with others and does not finish eating while the visitor is still eating, prefers to start with dates, most of his dresses are white and likes the green dresses as well, puts a ring in his right hand's little finger, always clean and encourages others to be clean as well.

The Prophet (s) left behind him many sayings about morals and what the muslim should believe and how the muslims should behave? For the purpose of this site I am going to mention his speech during the Farewell Pilgrimage and his some of his Last Sermon short-after in a place called Ghadir Khumm.

The Farwell Pilgrimage Sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah 10 A.H. in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat in Mecca. After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (s) 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 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 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 obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.

Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abdl al-Muttalib (the Prophet`s uncle) be waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al Harith.

O People, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calender in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope of that he will 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 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 partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste. O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has 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 meet Allah and answer 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 my words, which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my Family of the House (Ahl al-bayt) 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."

And on the way back from the Farewell Pilgrimage on the 18th Dhul-Hijjah 10 A.H., he had a revelation of Quran 5:67 "O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people".

He gathered people again at place called Ghadir Khumm and said:

"O people, Allah the Most Kind the Omniscient has told me that no apostle lives to more than half the age of him who had preceded him. I think I am about to be called (to die) and thus I must respond. I am responsible and you are responsible, then what do you say?" They said, "We witness that you have informed, advised and striven. May Allah bless you." He said, "Do you not bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Apostle, and that His Heaven is true, His Hell is true, death is true, the Resurrection after death is true, that there is no doubt that the Day of Judgment will come, and that Allah will resurrect the dead from their graves?" They said, "Yes, we bear witness." He said, "O Allah, bear witness." Then he took and raised the hand of imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) and said, "O people, Allah is my Lord and I am the lord of the believers. I am worthier of believers than themselves. Of whomsoever I had been Master (Mawla), Ali here is to be his Master. O Allah, be a supporter of whoever supports him and an enemy of whoever opposes him and divert the Truth to him."

Afterward the Prophet (s) had the last revelation of Quran 5:3 "This day those who disbelieve have despaired of (defeating) your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam"