The Farewell Sermon

The Farewell Sermon (, Khuṭbatu l-Wadā'), also known as the Prophet's Final Sermon or The Last Sermon, was delivered by Muhammad about 72 days before his death, on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, 10 A.H. (632 CE), at the end of his final pilgrimage.
The Farewell Sermon is mentioned in almost all books of Hadith. Sahih Al-Bukhari refers to the sermon and quotes part of it. Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal has given the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Musnad. Ahmad al-Tabarsi and Sayyid ibn Tawus mention the Shia versions of the sermon, which are narrated through Muhammad al-Baqir.
==The Sermon==
This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' (in Mecca).
*First Shia version of the sermon: (No Reference For Below)
*The Second version of the sermon reads:
Both versions of the sermon can be found at wikisource.
==Differences==
Hadiths report at least three different versions of the same sermon. The most notable difference is near the end of the sermon, where Muhammad states that he leaves behind two things. One version, for instance, has the statement: "I leave with you Qur'an and Sunnah." The other version has the statement: "I leave with you Qur'an and Ahl al-bayt" (the family of Muhammad). The third version has the statement: "I leave for you the Qur'an, you shall uphold it."
These differences have theological significance for Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. Sunnis hold themselves as the followers of the sunnah or practice of Muhammad as related by his companions, the Sahaba. Sunnis also maintain that the Islamic community, or ummah, as a whole will always be guided.
The Shi'ites hold the second version of the sermon as the correct one. According to Shi'a belief, the only legitimate leadership rested in the lineage of Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. The Shi'ites believe that the rest of the Muslim community committed a grave error by electing Abu Bakr and his two successors as leaders.
Those who reject the entire hadith as guidance and advocate the Qur'an alone point out the inconsistencies in Hadith by referring to these differences.
==See also==
*Islam
*Muhammad
*Sermon on the Mount
==References==
*Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361
*Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98.
*Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085 - Imam al-Tirmidhi.
*Hadith no. 19774, Musnad of Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal.
==External links==
*Farewell Sermon Prophet Muhammad
*An analysis of The Farewell Sermon
*The Farewell Pilgrimage - Prophet Muhammad's Sermon - Charter for Social Justice
*The last sermon of the Prophet Muhammad
Category:Islamic history
Category:Muhammad
Category:Speeches