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The farewell sermon of prophet Muhammad and its moral lessons for our polarized world (Part 1)
Kpone Katamanso Municipal Chief Imam | Certified Counsellor | Governance Expert
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, seek His help, and ask His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our misdeeds.
Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whomever He leaves astray, none can guide.
We send endless peace and blessings upon our noble Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., the Seal of the Prophets, whose final sermon stands as a moral compass for humanity.
Introduction: A Timeless Message to a Divided Humanity
In 632 CE, during his final pilgrimage, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم delivered what would become one of the most profound moral declarations in human history — Khutbat al-Wadā‘ (The Farewell
Sermon). Standing before more than one hundred thousand followers on the plains of ʿArafah, he encapsulated the essence of faith, justice, and human dignity: affirming equality, the sanctity of life, mutual respect, and unwavering devotion to God. Shortly after this address, the Qur’anic revelation affirmed the culmination of divine guidance:
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.” (Qur’an 5:3)
More than fourteen centuries later, this sermon continues to speak to a world divided by race, politics, class, and ideology. Its timeless message remains a moral compass for humanity, resonating far beyond the boundaries of faith. Scholars such as John L. Esposito (2003) and Seyyed Hossein Nasr (2015) regard it as a “charter of universal ethics” — a manifesto of spiritual equality
and social justice that transcends time, geography, and creed.
The Farewell Sermon (Opening Section)
“O people! Listen attentively to me, for I do not know whether after this year I shall ever be among you again in this place. Therefore, listen carefully to what I say and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O people! Just as you regard this month, this day, and 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. Do not wrong anyone, so that none may wrong you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and He will surely reckon your deeds.
Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer injustice.
Allah has judged that there shall be no interest, and all interest due to ‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (the Prophet’s uncle) is henceforth waived in its entirety.
The Sanctity of Life, Property, and Honour “Indeed, your blood, your property, and your honour are sacred to you, just as the sanctity of this day, this month, and this city.”(Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)
This was not only a declaration for Muslims but a divine affirmation of human dignity. The Prophet linked the sanctity of human life to the holiness of Makkah, Dhul-Hijjah, and the Day of ‘Arafah — emphasizing that harming another person is a violation of sacred trust.
Allah says:“Do not kill the soul which Allah has made sacred, except by right.” (Qur’an 17:33)
“Whoever kills a person unjustly, it is as though he has killed all mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32)
Moral Lesson and Contemporary Relevance
In a world marked by terrorism, ethnic violence, political oppression, and mass shootings, this principle is a moral anchor for all. Islam commands that human life is inviolable — whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
As Dr. Tariq Ramadan (2007) notes, “The Prophet’s final sermon redefined human relations based on divine accountability, not tribal affiliation.”
If embraced universally, this teaching could guide peace-building, conflict resolution, and social justice movements worldwide. It teaches that human life is sacred beyond borders, color, and belief — a message urgently needed in today’s fractured world.
Economic Justice and the Abolition of Exploitation
“Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); all usury obligations are abolished.”
“Verily, all forms of usury from the pre-Islamic period are abolished, and the first usury I
abolish is that of my uncle, al-ʿAbbās ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib.” (Muslim)
In a single proclamation, the Prophet ended the exploitative financial systems of his era. Islam’s economic vision is rooted in fairness, mutual consent, and compassion.
Allah commands: “O you who believe! Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly, but only through lawful trade by mutual consent.” (Qur’an 4:29)
Moral Lesson and Modern Insight
Economic justice remains one of humanity’s greatest challenges, from poverty and debt slavery to corporate greed. The Prophet’s message is not merely a prohibition of interest, but a call for economic ethics.
Non-Muslims can appreciate this as a model for sustainable finance, encouraging microcredit,ethical banking, non-interest banking system, and corporate social responsibility. The World Bank (2021) and UNDP reports affirm that societies thrive when economies prioritize fairness and reduce inequality.
Islam’s vision of wealth as a social trust (amanah) rather than an instrument of domination is a moral paradigm that the modern world urgently needs.
Respect for Women and Family Rights
“O people, you have certain rights over your women, and your women have rights over you.
Treat them with kindness, for they are your partners and committed helpers.”
At a time when women were denied inheritance and dignity, the Prophet uplifted them as equal moral agents and partners in society.
The Qur’an proclaims: “And live with them in kindness.” (Qur’an 4:19)
“And their rights are similar to the rights upon them, according to what is equitable.” (Qur’an 2:228)
Moral Lesson and Global Relevance
This message resonates deeply in contemporary gender discourse. It challenges both patriarchal injustice and modern exploitative models that objectify women.
As Amina Wadud (1999) writes in Qur’an and Woman, the Prophet’s teachings established “a moral equality that precedes modern feminist thought.”
Muslims and non-Muslims alike can embrace this principle: that strong families and societies depend on justice, empathy, and partnership not dominance. True liberation lies in mutual respect and responsibility.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
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In the pursuit of nurturing healthy, fulfilling relationships, we often focus on understanding our partners, communicating effectively, and navigating conflicts. However, a crucial element is frequently overlooked: self-awareness.
Understanding ourselves is the foundation upon which successful relationships are built. Imagine being in a relationship where every conversation feels like a minefield, and every disagreement leaves you wondering if you are truly understood.
Now, picture a relationship where you feel seen, heard, and valued—not because your partner has magically figured you out, but because you have taken the time to understand yourself. This is the transformative power of self-awareness in relationships.
What is Self-Awareness?
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is the capacity to reflect on ourselves, acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, and taking responsibility for our actions. With self-awareness, we are better equipped to manage our emotions, respond to situations more thoughtfully, and make informed decisions that align with our values.
How Self-Awareness Impacts Relationships
- Improved Communication:
When we are aware of our own emotions and needs, we can communicate them more effectively to our partner, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts. By recognising our tendency to become defensive in certain situations, we can take a step back, breathe, and respond more constructively. - Increased Empathy:
Self-awareness allows us to recognise and manage our own biases, enabling us to be more empathetic and understanding towards our partner’s perspective. By acknowledging our own emotional triggers, we can respond to our partner’s needs with more compassion. - Healthier Boundaries:
By understanding our own needs and limits, we can establish and maintain healthy boundaries, preventing codependency and resentment. Self-awareness helps us communicate our boundaries clearly and respectfully, fostering mutual respect in relationships. - Personal Growth:
Self-awareness fosters personal growth, enabling us to work on our flaws and become a better partner, friend, and individual. As we develop self-awareness, we become more resilient, adaptable, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and purpose.
Cultivating Self-Awareness
- Mindfulness and Reflection:
Regular mindfulness practices and self-reflection can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself. Schedule time for reflection, whether through journaling, meditating, or simply taking a quiet walk in nature. - Journaling:
Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can provide valuable insights into your motivations and behaviors. Reflect on your journal entries to identify patterns, gain clarity, and develop a greater understanding of yourself. - Seek Feedback:
Ask trusted friends, family, or a therapist at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) for feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth and self-awareness. - Embrace Imperfection:
Recognise that nobody is perfect, and it is okay to make mistakes. This mindset allows you to approach self-awareness with kindness and compassion, fostering a more positive and growth-oriented relationship with yourself.
As we cultivate self-awareness, we embark on a journey of growth, discovery, and transformation. By understanding ourselves, we can build stronger, more resilient relationships, and live a more authentic, meaningful life. Self-awareness is not a destination; it is a continuous process of learning, growing, and evolving—and one that requires patience, kindness, and compassion towards ourselves and others.
In conclusion, self-awareness is the cornerstone of healthy, fulfilling relationships. By understanding ourselves, we can communicate more effectively, empathise with our partner, and cultivate personal growth. As we strive to build stronger relationships, let us prioritise self-awareness, embracing our true selves, and loving ourselves for who we are. By doing so, we will become better partners, friends, and individuals—capable of building more profound, lasting connections with others, and living a life that truly reflects our values and aspirations.
To be continued …
By Counselor Prince Offei
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ONE profession which society has battled with is prostitution. Prostitutes can’t be stopped in their tracks. Soldiers have tried, policemen have doubled and redoubled to keep them off the streets. But the prostitute is like the cockroach. Sack it from the kitchen and it moves to the toilet where it can enjoy self-contained facilities. Drive it away from there and it scurries to the bedroom to become the landlord.
Prostitutes can live on land and sea. They are mysterious and defy gravity, a feat—even birds of the air have not successfully accomplished. They can change form and appear as bar girls; they dress like students; act like scholars and speak Oxford English. They are also like the chameleon but once their clients can identify them, no problem. The Sikaman prostitute normally enters the business as an amateur, having been introduced by a professional or a caricature of a pimp. But she learns quickly.
In a short time, she is able to take any size without wailing, unless of course the size is “international”.
Prostitutes are of every tribe, height, weight, colour and notoriety. These days, some are well-schooled with diplomas and degrees. They enter into the world’s oldest profession due to factors ranging from poverty to nymphomania.
Most prostitutes in Sikaman are often not sophisticated in outlook and modus operandi. Often, they easily betray themselves with their gaudy appearance, over-painted faces, skimpy skirts, cigarette in hand, walking with that kind of bottom-wriggling gait that can instantly turn a devoted clergyman into a he-goat.
In developed countries like Spain, prostitution takes different forms. Apart from those you can grab from the cheap bars and ghettos for single night stands and those managed by shameless pimps, there are some who are organised by well-established syndicates and specialised agencies.
If you need a girl for the night, you only have to telephone an agency, describing the kind and breed you want—race, height, size, colour (chocolate?), rudeness, smoking type, strip-teasing, shyness, whatever.
You give your address and the girl on time. You pay by the hour and cost per hour can make you feel dizzy without falling down. You’ll still be steady for the showdown.
The girls have been trained to use tricks and communication skills to make their clients spend several hours without really doing anything. A typical prostitute will make you drink, chat at length (they are very knowledgeable), cook for you, bathe you and breast-feed you. That takes some three hours and you have to pay if you still want her services.
If you grow a bit wiser and protest, and insist vehemently that you are tired of being babied and want some real action now, she’ll do another hour of strip-tease and belly-dance by which time you’re either bored or charged to bursting point.
And finally you will do it but never without a condom. And the kind of condom she’ll give you can’t be torn by any knife around the globe, not even okapi. Before you’re finally through, you’ve got some five-hour helluva bill to pay. Next time round, you’ll think twice and go in for the cheap-side who’ll even allow you to do it without condoms if you are tired of living and want to die of AIDS.
In Sikaman, apart from those who operate from hotels and bars, some operate in private homes. The clients come and line-up, each with a hard-on. When the queue is not moving fast some begin to sweat because they have a very low sexual boiling point. If they are not ushered in quickly they can cause problems.
They’ll start grunting and stamping and can disrupt the peaceful and orderly procedure. As it were, such clients need priority attention so that they do not cause a riot and disturb the public peace.
Incidentally, prostitutes don’t like dealing with such clients because they are bad business. They have no biblical patience at all. They rush too much, and that was why a prostitute once asked a client whether he was a Russian because he rushed a bit too much and messed up things.
Prostitution in Sikaman has taken a new turn. Girls as little as sixteen are selling their bodies sometimes with the passive connivance of their mothers. When the girls go out at 9.00 p.m. and return at 3.00 a.m, their mothers let them in without asking questions. Next day, the house is properly fed from the proceeds of the night adventure and everybody is happy and nobody talks. If you talk, no breakfast for you tomorrow morning.
The police are doing quite a job trying to get them off the streets but they go and return just like the cockroach. Many of them are surely agents for the transmission of the AIDS virus because they permit clients to forgo the condom. They only have to pay extra for the “raw” service.
Now, the idea of legalising prostitution has been a very controversial one. If prostitutes can hardly be gotten off the streets since they are defiant and are now very many, why not legalise the profession, issue licences (not to kids), offer them health services and health education, teach them how to protect themselves and others from sexually transmitted diseases and then compel them to pay tax?
That would force children out of the trade because the legal operators will themselves force out the kids who will be competing with them. They would even assist the police to kick out the 15 and 16 year olds.
If a bad phenomenon cannot be wiped out, a way must be found to make it less and less harmless, so that while it doesn’t benefit society in any grand way, it does not also harm it.
Any suggestions?
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