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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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Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
