Benefits and Lessons from Khutbah Al- Widaa

1. Benefits and Lessons from Khutbah Al-Widaa Delivered at ICN Olesen 10-12-12

2. Importance of the Khutbah • One of the last khutbahs the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم delivered • Over 100,000 Muslims were present during this time • Important principles of our religion were emphasized • This is the Day on which the Religion was complete

3. Sanctity of a Muslim • "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 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. Your capital, however, 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 'Abd'alMuttalib (the deceased prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived.

4. Being aware of shaytaan and fulfilling the rights of women • 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. • 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 any one 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 (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

5. Universality of mankind • 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 black nor a black any superiority over 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 your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

6. Finality of the Message and the obligation of Dawah • 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 Quran and my example, the Sunnah (Hadith), 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."

7. Major Themes • Sanctity of the life, honor, and property of a Muslim and a non-Muslim during times of peace • The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم when mentioning the seven major sins said “and to kill a soul which Allah has made haraam.” • The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم also said “Whoever kills a person under the treaty (non-Muslim) during truce will not smell the fragrance of Jannah.” • The comparison of backbiting to eating the flesh of a dead brother • Importance of returning back the trusts that we have been given

8. Importance of leaving matters of Jahiliyyah • Muslims are not against culture and practices, unless those practices conflict with Islamic principles • The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم forbade interest and other practices which conflicted with Islam • Important for leaders to start with themselves • Incident when Usamahرضي الله عنه tried to intercede on behalf of a rich woman who stole

9. Being aware of Shaytaan • Shaytaan utilizes different means to try and misguide people • Ibn Al Qayyim mentions six • Kufr • Bidah • Major Sins • Minor Sins • Mubaahat • Leaving a more preferred action for a lesser action

10. Importance of the rights of Women • Marriage is a partnership • The goal of the marriage is that spouses work together to please Allah • The husband needs to fulfill the rights of the wife • The wife needs to fulfill the rights of the husband • Allah will question people in regards to their spouses

11. Universality of Mankind • Hajj is the ultimate lesson of equality • يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ (13) • 13. O mankind! we have created You from a male and a female, and made You into nations and tribes, that You may know one another. Verily, the Most honourable of You with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2). Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware • “Allah does not look at your appearances and bodies, but He looks at your deeds and your hearts.”

12. Importance of conveying the Message • We have to encourage each other to do good and discourage each other from committing evil • Sometimes the people who hear the message can benefit more from the people that heard it directly • Incident with Imam Abu Hanifahرحمه الله • Imam Ash-Shafiرحمه اللهand his ability to derive benefits from hadeeth • The importance of sticking to the Quran and Sunnah