The Prophet Muhammad: The Final Sermon
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.1.4
Muhammad's Final Sermon
When Muhammad conquered Mecca he was 60 years old, and he died 2 years later in 632. Before his death, he delivered a speech in Mecca called his Final Sermon. It is considered very important as it was Muhammad's final teaching to his followers!
Teachings on men and women
- The Final Sermon was quite brief. Muhammad used it to focus on some key messages for his followers.
- He taught that Muslim men have rights over their wives.
- But also that wives have rights over their husbands.
- Wives had the right to be clothed, fed, and treated with kindness, and were to be understood as partners.
- In return, wives had to remain faithful and chaste.
Teachings on the Five Pillars of Islam
- In his final sermon, Muhammad also listed what has become known as the Five Pillars of Islam. These Five Pillars are:
- The worship of Allah alone
- The five daily prayers
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan
- The sharing of wealth with those in need
- And pilgrimage to Mecca (for those who can afford it)
Teachings on community
- Muhammad also preached equality.
- Arabs are not superior to non-Arabs, and white people are not superior to black people.
- Muhammad said that the value of any human being lies in the quality of their deeds.
- He also taught the importance of the ummah, the community of believers. And the need for Muslims to support each other and to live together in a just community.
- Some of these teachings were radical for the time. Especially the relationship between men and women, and equality.
Teachings on the Qur'an
- Finally, Muhammad reminded his followers that he was the final prophet of Allah.
- And that the Qur’an was Allah’s unalterable teachings.
- Muslims must obey the Qur’an and follow the example that Muhammad had set in his own words and deed.
- This example is called the Sunnah of Muhammad.
The Hadith
- The teaching that Muslims should follow Muhammad’s example later led to collecting ‘Hadiths’.
- Hadiths are records of Muhammad's sayings and actions.
- This has given rise to some problems within Islam as disputes arose about which Hadiths are true.
- It is argued that some Hadiths were exaggerated in their message.
- This is to support a particular Muslim group over another.
Test yourself on The Prophet Muhammad: The Final Sermon
What word is used to describe the community of believers?