An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 71
71 The Farewell Address On reaching Mecca, the Prophet and the Muslims performed all the rites of Hajj. On the ninth of Zilhajj , the Prophet went to Arafat. Mounted on a camel, he said: “O ye people, hear my speech. I do not know whether I will be meeting you here after this year. O ye people, your blood and your property and your honour are sacred amongst you until you meet your Lord as is sacred this day, this month, this town. Whoso ha s with him the trust of the other he should render it to him. Every kind of interest is forbidden this day. The interest due to Abbas bin Muttabib is remitted today. All the bloodshed in the time of ignorance is forgiven. I forgive first the blood of Ibne Rabia bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib. God has appointed for every one a share in the property. No “will” shall now be accepted that wrongs a rightful heir. A child born in a house shall be regarded the child of the father in the house. O men, you have some rights over your wives. Your wives also have rights over you. Your right over them is that they should lead chaste lives and not take ways that bring shame to the husband in the sight of the people. Your duty is to provide them with food and garments and shelter according to your standard. Remember, you should always treat your wives well. God has charged