The First Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)

The First Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) started the speech by praising Allaah and thanking Him then said:

“Verily, Ar-Raid (one whom his people send to search for water and grass) does not lie to his people. By Allaah! Even if I lied to all people, I would never lie to you, and if I deceived all people, I would never deceive you. By Allaah, other than Whom there is no deity worthy of worship, I am Allaah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) to you in particular and to all people in general. By Allaah! You will die just as easy as you sleep, and you will be resurrected just as easy you wake up from sleep. You will be recompensed on account of what you do, earning good for good and evil for evil. Verily, it is either Paradise for eternity or the Fire for eternity.” [Al-Kami, vol. 2, p. 27 and As-Sirah AL-Halabiyyah. vol. I. p. 272]

This speech from the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) included announcing his Prophethood and calling his people to Islam, after Allaah the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed these Ayat:

“And say (O Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)): ‘I am indeed a plain warner.'” [Quran, 15:89]

“Therefore proclaim openly (Allaah’s Message – Islamic Monotheism) that which you are commanded, and turn away from Al-Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, and disbelievers).” [Quran, 15:94]

And:

“And warn your tribe (O Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) of near kindred. And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you.” [Quran, 26:214-215]

This when the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) mounted the Safa Mount (in Makkah) and declared with the loudest voice, Wa-sabahah, which is a cry the Arabs used to herald when an imminent danger is about to encompass their people or tribe. He started heralding next, “O Bani Fihr! O Bani ‘Adi! O Bani Ka’b!” mentioning the sub-tribes of Quraish by name. When they gathered. he said to them:

“What if I told you that there are horsemen in the valley about to attack you, would you believe me?” The said, “Yes, we only experienced truth from you.” The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said, “Then I am a Warner for you of the coming of a severe Torment.”

Abu Lahab (the Prophet’s uncle) said:

“Perish you O Muhammad! Is this why you gathered us here?” Then the Divine Inspiration came:

“Perish the hands of Abu Lahab! And perish he!” [Quran, 111:1][Al-Bukhari, vol. 6, p. 94 Muslim, vol. I, p. 194]