The Spirit of Hajj

THE FAREWELL SERMON that you have conveyed the message, fulfilled the duty, and sincerely advised us.” Then, raising his index finger towards the sky and pointing it towards the people, he said, “O God, bear witness! O God, bear witness! O God, bear witness!” (Al-Muntaqa by Ibn Jarood, Volume 1, Page 123; Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith No. 321). The Second Sermon “O people! Do you know which day it is, which month it is, and which city it is?” They said, “It is a sacred day, a sacred month, and a sacred city.” He said, “So your blood, your wealth, and your honour are sacred to you, as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this city of yours, is sacred until the day you meet Him.” Then he said, “Listen to me and live accordingly. Beware, do not oppress! Beware, do not oppress! Beware, do not oppress! Indeed, it is not permissible to take a person’s wealth unless he gives it willingly. Know that all blood feuds, usurious wealth, and privileges of pride from the time of ignorance are beneath my feet until the Day of Resurrection. The first blood-revenge to be abolished is that of the son of Rabi’ah ibn al-Harith ibn Abd alMuttalib; he was a toddler under the care of a wet nurse from the Banu Sa‘d tribe when he was killed by the Hudhayl tribe. All usury from the time of ignorance is abolished, and the first usury to be abolished is that of Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib. You are entitled to your principal, neither oppressing others nor being oppressed. Know that time has returned to its original state as it was on the day God created the heavens and