Answer: Muhammad instructed his followers to do the following during his Farewell Sermon:
- To uphold the sanctity of life, property, and honor of all Muslims, and to avoid injustice and oppression.
- To abolish the practices of the pre-Islamic era, such as usury, blood vengeance, and tribalism, and to establish a brotherhood of faith and equality among all Muslims.
- To treat their women with kindness and respect, and to grant them their rights and duties.
- To worship God alone, and to perform the pillars of Islam, such as prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.
- To follow his example and teachings, and to hold fast to the Quran and the sunnah.
Explanation: Muhammad’s Farewell Sermon is considered by Muslims to be one of his most important and comprehensive speeches, delivered shortly before his death on his final pilgrimage to Mecca. It summarizes the main teachings of Islam and provides guidance for Muslims on various aspects of their personal and social lives. Some of the main points that Muhammad instructed his followers to do during his Farewell Sermon are:
- To uphold the sanctity of life, property, and honor of all Muslims, and to avoid injustice and oppression. Muhammad reminded his followers that they are all equal before God, and that they should not harm or wrong each other in any way. He declared that all bloodshed, theft, and violation of rights that occurred in the pre-Islamic era are forgiven and cancelled, and that no one has any claim or revenge over another. He also warned them that they will have to face God on the Day of Judgment and account for their deeds.
- To abolish the practices of the pre-Islamic era, such as usury, blood vengeance, and tribalism, and to establish a brotherhood of faith and equality among all Muslims. Muhammad denounced the customs and traditions that were based on ignorance and injustice, such as charging interest on loans, seeking revenge for bloodshed, and discriminating against people based on their race or lineage. He urged his followers to renounce these practices and to adopt a new way of life based on Islam. He emphasized that all Muslims are brothers and sisters, regardless of their origin or status, and that they should love and support each other.
- To treat their women with kindness and respect, and to grant them their rights and duties. Muhammad addressed the issue of women’s rights and responsibilities in Islam, which were often neglected or abused by men. He reminded his followers that women are their partners and helpers, not their property or slaves. He instructed them to feed and clothe them well, to honor their dignity and privacy, and to not oppress or harm them. He also stated that women have obligations towards their husbands, such as being faithful and obedient, and not making friends with those whom their husbands disapprove of.
- To worship God alone, and to perform the pillars of Islam, such as prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. Muhammad reaffirmed the core belief of Islam: that there is no god but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is His messenger. He urged his followers to worship God sincerely and exclusively, without associating any partners or idols with Him. He also reminded them of the essential acts of worship that they should perform regularly: the five daily prayers (salah), the fasting during Ramadan (sawm), the obligatory charity (zakat), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) if they have the means.
- To follow his example and teachings, and to hold fast to the Quran and the sunnah. Muhammad declared that he has completed his mission of conveying God’s message to humanity, and that he has left behind two sources of guidance for Muslims: the Quran (the word of God) and the sunnah (the example of Muhammad). He advised his followers to adhere to these sources faithfully and diligently, without adding or subtracting anything from them. He also warned them against dividing into sects or factions over religious matters.
Hope this helps, and have a great day! =)