Growing up, I have a vague memory of a wall frame that adorned our home. It was covered with writing and for this reason, I never paid much attention to it. The most fascinating thing about it was the background – mostly blue and brown showing a mountainous terrain.
I discovered later on that the writings were words from the Prophet’s 
last sermon in the ‘Uranah valley of mount Arafat (Makkah). I’m not sure what became of the frame, it likely ended up in storage. The message it carries, however, is not meant for storage – to become abandoned and forgotten. Rather, it should be stored in our hearts and utilized in our daily lives.
Listen below are 8 Personal Development Lessons for your Spiritual and Self growth (from the sermon).
1. Uphold consciousness of Allah 
Sermon: “Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”
Goal: Remember Allah always.
Tip: Engage in righteous deeds and ask yourself each night: Will Allah be pleased with my deeds of today? How can I make tomorrow more pleasing to Allah ?
2. Prioritize on your acts of worship starting with the 5 pillars
Sermon: ‘O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in zakah. Perform hajj if you can afford to.”
Goal: Master the five pillars with sincerity, excellence and devotion.
Tip: Schedule your daily prayer times on your phone as appointments – with reminders before and during scheduled times.
3. Be a conveyor of the message of Islam
Sermon: “All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.”
Goal: Become one who invites to Islam.
Tip: Share this article or at least one point of benefit with others.
4. Use Quran & Sunnah as reference points
Sermon: ‘”O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my example, the sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.”
Goal: Study the Qur’an and sunnah through authentic channels such as IOU.
Tip: Make it a daily habit to reflect on at least one verse of the Qur’an and a hadeeth in a language you understand.
5. Take note of Shaytan’s presence and plot to corrupt your heart and soul
Sermon: ”Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.”
Goal: Distant yourself from Satan; avoid sins and bad deeds.
Tip: Avoid sins and bad deeds by indulging in doing more good deeds (to wipe out your sins), repent, read about Satan’s plots [read Ibn Kathir’s ‘Stories of the Qur’an’].
6. Uphold true brotherhood – say NO to racism, tribalism and nationalism
Sermon: ”All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”
Goal: Treat fellow Muslims as equals.
Tip: Read stories of the Prophet’s companions.
7. Be attentive
Sermon: “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don’t know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.”
Goal: Listen and pay attention to people and happenings.
Tip: Use your senses to capture information correctly – through writing, active listening, etc.
8. Be just, trustworthy and interest-free
Sermon: ”O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners…”
…”Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.”
Goal: Be ‘just’ in your interactions.
Tip: Manage people and money with a just and pure intentions, knowing that you will be held accountable in front of Allah .
A Message for All Times
The Prophet’slast sermon is a message for mankind today and for all generations to come. It lays out basic principles for getting the best from oneself as well as benefiting others. Reflecting on its message is a good exercise. Applying its lessons can be equated to a similitude of using the rights tools for the right task – improving one’s life holistically.
Although, I have not seen our old family frame in a long time, the message it carries lingers in my life. I encourage you to use it as a personal development resource – understand the words and live by its message.
What other tips can you share on how to make the Prophet’s last sermon relevant and practicable in your life today? Please share in the comments below.
45 replies on “Personality Development Lessons from the Prophet’s Last Sermon”
Alhamdulillah! a very useful and significant article to ponder upon. 🙂
JazakALLAHU khair, I agree with you Sister in Islam, the message is inspirational to all faithful Muslims. We must constantly reflect upon this message and drive the required benefit from it in sha Allah!
Wa iyyak. Wa baarakallahu feek.
Alhamdulillah you found it useful and worth pondering over Eliz.
If only we followed the teachings from the Hajjatul Vida, Khutba. Great article.
الحمد للّٰه
That wuz written so beautifully sister, May اللّٰه bless you.
S. a. I have hajjatul weda(fairwell Haj sermon of Muhammad SAWS pbuh) in frame at my house since last 10years or so in my drawing/guest room for us n also guests to see it subhanallah jazakallah khair, I would like to point out the article misses on instructions about how to kindly treat women in the fairwell sermon which reads – “remember women have certain rights over you as you have over them so treat them kindly, fear ALLAH SWT in matters related to women” infact whole big paragraph is there about women, why author of this post omitted(forgot) to mention that? It’s very important in today’s society n context where Islam is WRONGLY blamed to oppress women! When fact is contrary to this as ISLAM is the sole religion which gives rights to women n ensures her esteem position as ultimate reward of Jannah is said to be under feet of a mother a woman! Plz add it, TX, s. a
Kindly share that pottrait
Wa iyyak Dr. Nawazish.
Thank you for your comment and pointer to the ‘missing part’ of the sermon.
Alhamdulillah for the rights given to women ONLY in Islam. Indeed it is important especially in today’s society. And as a Muslimah, I relate to this esteemed position wholly.
If you read through my article again you will note that it doesn’t say anywhere that it is giving a comprehensive breakdown of the sermon. In fact I specified that the lessons are meant for the ‘self and spiritual growth of Muslims in general without delving into the gender specific aspect. So I didn’t forget but rather didn’t include it deliberately.
My focus is on simple and practicable tips for developing the Muslim personality. Wallahu A’lam – And Allah (swt) knows best.
I encourage every reader to study and ponder over the entire sermon and extract more practicable personal goals and lessons as these are based on my own reflections, knowledge and understanding.
May Allah (swt) increase us in beneficial knowledge.
Wassalam ‘alaykum
Assalam walekum,
Jazallahu khair for posting this article…
our prophets(pbuh) last sermon carries great message for whole of mankind to follow as a basics to lead good human life
Wa alaykum salaam wa Rahmatullah,
You are right – they are basics for leading a good life indeed.
JazakAllah khair illustrated in a very simple way and language easy to understand
Wa iyyak.
Alhamdulillah you find the language easy to understand.
Thank you for this beautiful article. Subhanallah
Thank you so much sister for this article…I found it on the 1st Muharam where I am reflecting upon myself as a Muslim and use this as a yardstick to know where I am right now in my commitment as a Muslim. May ALLAH SWT reward your effort and place you and family in his sheltering shades. Ameen.
May Allah (swt) make us among those who keep reflecting on our lives and goals as Muslims. May He keep us committed, devoted and surrendered to Him till our last breadth.
Hajjatul wadah, a sermon with an all-encompassing message, remains applicable to our everyday life and in our dealings with fellow humans. Muslims are encouraged to have a copy of the sermon, read it constantly, reflect on it and apply its teachings to our lives. Jazakumullahu khayr sister for sharing that beautiful article.
It’s a perfect reminder on the message of our holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a complete summary of the purpose of our creation. JAZAKALLAHU KHAIRAN.
Wa iyyaki.
May Allah (swt) count us among those who take heed from the reminders we have been given.
Thanks a lot sister very useful information
Jazakhumlahi khair, may Allah gives us the grace to follow the saying and practise of the prophet (SWW).
Amin. We need to follow his example to live truly better lives.
Prophet(salalwslm) was sent as a Massenger for all human beings and will remain so till the Last Day. All human beings are equal and deserve respect.Trust in the Creator and obey His edicts.
I enjoyed reading your article.
May Knowledge delight you Inshallah.
I look forward to read your next article.
#Keepupthegoodwork, Sister
Jazakumllahu kheira
Amin. Wa iyyak. May Allah (swt) benefit us from beneficial knowledge.
I have a big problem. I have been harmed using black magic and been hearing voices in my mind, my heart, and they also can talk through my throat. They make me as if suffering from schizophrenia paranoid. They are asking me to give them a bulk of money, if I do not give them money they will kill me. They make me not to defecate and urinate, they hurt my head, ears and throat. every second they rebukes me with dirty words and nasty death threats. They know every story of my lives, and those people connected to me. Wherever I go they said they are inside of my body. They can see through my eyes, so I can not hide anything, because they see everything I see. They hack my face book account, my email, and my friend’s account and phone number. The keep stealing anything in my house because they can enter my house without seeing them. My life become miserable. It is almost one year now. They said they are very good in dzikrullah. They are not going to get out from my body unless I surrender half of my wealth to them as infak and shadaqah. I always pay my zakat infaq and shadaqah. They said, I should give infak shadaqah to them and they will distribute to the people, in other word they are the one who built a palace in paradise for me. They also say If I do not give those to them they will kill me and I will go to hell. My question is, is there a teaching from the Quran and sunnah rasul to get people pay infact shadaqah that way? What is the rule in Islam, if some one (in this case the voice we do not know and they are hackers) robb our wealth . Is it halal for them to be distributed to the poor people.
May Allah (swt) grant you complete recovery. He is the One Who Heals.
My advice is that you keep making a lot of supplication and seek professional help immediately. Ask for a Muslim who does hijama or ruqya shari’i in your area. But If there’s none, then find out how you can perform ruqya on yourself.
Remember to put your trust in Allah(swt); He will make a way out for you.
Subhanallah. Amazing piece. Can I pls print out to enlarge and hang in the house? May Allah SWT increase u and is in knowledge and may we rip the benefit of this message
Amin to your duas. Alhamdullillah. My advice is to share post via email, SMS, social media etc so others may benefit as you have. And also study the comprehensive sermon.
Will you or others benefit in any practicable way by printing article as enlargement and then hanging on a wall?
I Have seen normal version of the sermon in frames. There is detailed version, possibly word to word, in Tafsir Ibne Kathir (Arabic with English translation). Can anyone guide which is authentic .
Asalaamu alaikum sis! Thank you for the beneficial reminder, it is really so simple and practical to implement. I’d definitely look forward to sharing it. I hope you can also share this link below with others in sha Allah tala, to help a fundraiser for Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, since her husband’s passing away due to a drunk driver hit-and-run accident. May Allah, Most Merciful have mercy on him and fill his grave with abundance, blessings, and light, ameen. More info can be found on the link.
https://www.launchgood.com/project/the_family_of_zaynab_ansari_and_salah_abdulrazacq
Take care and again, thank you for the blessed reminder and words of our beloved Prophet sallahu alahi wa salaam. Jazzak Allah khair!
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This is a great article but not completely explained and a very important part is missing which is
O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
Assalamu alaykumSister Sameerah,
I explained about the missing part in a comment above. Please take out time to read over it.
Wa Alaikum Assalaam sister kindly requesting you to write goal and tips for this missing part of sermon as well.
Allah hs bestowed upon us HIS principles for how to live on dis planet in d form of HIS most beloved prophet muhammadur rasullullah (saw) pbuh….
We just hv to follow our prophet to obey d almighty as our prophet was…is…n…will b d perfect example….anywhere on dis planet….
Guys check out IERA’s (islamic education and research academy) upcoming debate. InshaAllah many haters and the uk government have been trying to close off their venues and stopping/warning their guests from attending. Let us show our support inshaALLAH.
MashAllah beautiful reminder from our beloved Habib Al Mustapha # Rasul SAW # best of all mankind #may perfect peace n blessing be upon him , his family & entire ummah of believers . Shukran Jazeelan Kareeman Ya Ukhty Beautiful reviving words
may AllH Plesed. you all
beautiful piece sister…but like it has been pointed out earlier, the one about our women is very important..
Just as the Rasuul (SAW) said we should convey the message from him, it would be nice if we could print the full sermon and distribute it to our friends, even non-muslims so that they know the kind of personality we had in the Prophet(SAW)…one brother tried it in our university and it was cool…Jazaakumullahu khairan katheeran katheeran…
Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barkaatuh
jazakillahu khair sister ….. 🙂
may Allah increase us in knowledge.
Great golden and wonderful message to whole of the mankind (including muslims) thru muslims
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Awesome and amazingly described, good article, thank you