The Islamic Principles in the Sermons of the Farewell Hajj

We have previously proved that the Holy Prophet (S)’s Sermon of `Arafat, in the Farewell Hajj, included his prediction of the coming of the Twelve Imams as well as his recommendations in this regard. Let us now discuss the contents of the other five sermons; Sermon of Makkah on the Day of Tarwiyah, Sermon of the Second Day, Sermon of al-Khayf Masjid on the Day of Nahr and Sermon of Ghadir.
Although narrations have communicated, confusedly, a few reports about the contents of these sermons, it is possible to infer that the Holy Prophet (S), through these sermons, provided all the affairs needed by his people after him. These sermons included statements dealing with the following five bases:

1. The basis of the humanitarian equity:
- The principle of the humanitarian unity among humankind and the eradication of the racial discrimination.
- The principle of good treatment of women and the avoidance of wronging them.

2. The basis of the unity of the Ummah:
- The principle of eradicating the traces, practices and regulations of the pre-Islamic era that are in violation of the Islamic laws.
- The principle of Muslims’ fraternity and equity.
- The principle of the respect for private ownership and the illegality of violating Muslims’ properties.
- The principle of regarding Muslims’ souls and the illegality of shedding their blood.
- The principle of respecting Muslims’ honors and dignity and the illegality of abusing each other.
- The principle of maintaining properties and souls of those who speak out the creed of Islam (shahadah).
- The principle of sealing Prophethood with the Holy Prophet (S) and sealing the nations with his Ummah.
- The principle of the Holy Prophet (S)’s being the witness on his people in the Hereafter and their joining him on the Divine Pool.
- The principle of the necessity of the accuracy in acting and the admonishing against committing the insignificant actions that lead to deviation.
- The principle of warning against forging lies against the Holy Prophet (S) and the insistence on investigating whatever is ascribed to him.

3. The basis of the unity of the Islamic law -Shari`ah- and the Muslims’ culture.
- The principle of fulfilling the trusts.
- The laws of the heritage.
- The laws of the blood money and retaliation.
- The laws of the rites of the Hajj; “From me, you should learn the rites.”

4. The basis of the political affairs and the leadership after the Holy Prophet (S):
- The principle of the prediction of the advent of Twelve Imams from the Ahl al-Bayt.
- The principle of the importunate adherence to the Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt—the two weighty things.
- The principle of nominating Imam `Ali (a.s.) as the next leader of the Ummah and the first of the Twelve Imams.
- The principle of keeping on performing the obligatory rites and the compliance with the leaders.
- The principle of immortalizing the plot of Quraysh and Kinanah on the blockade of the Hashimites.
- The principle of warning people of Quraysh against playing the tyrant after the departure of the Holy Prophet (S).
- The principle of warning the Sahabah against breaking faith and struggling on power.

5. The basis of punishment of the dissenters against the Holy Prophet (S)’s course:
- The principle of cursing those who ascribe themselves to other than their fathers or masters.
To present detailed discussions about these bases and principles is impossible; therefore, let us refer to some models of these holy sermons before we refer to the topics and examples related.
It is quite clear that the Holy Prophet (S) referred to each of these bases and principles on many occasions before the Farewell Hajj. As a matter of fact, they, together with the six sermons, form an inseparably coalescing topic. The Holy Prophet (S)’s wording is a revelation that completes and explains each other. In every topic, that wording formulates a perfect doctrinal and legislative unity that contributes in the constructing of the divine comprehensive edifice of Islam.