He followed with an economic manifesto — the obligation to pay off debts and stand by financial guarantees, and the duty to avoid usury and other types of economic exploitation: “Your capital and your property are sacred and inviolate and yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer injustice. All debts must be repaid, all borrowed property must be returned, all gifts must be reciprocated, and all financial losses compensated by the guarantors. All interest and usurious dues accruing from the pre-Islamic age also stand waived.” Again, leading by personal example, he said he would pay back all the interest charged by a money-lending uncle.

“O People, you have certain rights over your women and your women have certain rights over you... It is for them not to commit acts of impropriety, which if they do, you are authorized to separate them from your beds and chastise them, but not harmfully... My dictum to you is that you treat women well and be kind to them for they are your partners.” The words were revolutionary for the times.

Muhammad’s next admonition, regarding the treatment of slaves, was similarly pioneering: “Your slaves are your brethren. See to it that you feed them with such food as you eat yourselves and clothe them with the clothes you yourselves wear. If a black slave is appointed your emir [leader], listen to him and obey him.”

After reminding the believers to adhere to the teachings of the Qur’an, including giving charity regularly and performing the Haj, he called for Muslim solidarity: “Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Every Muslim is a brother unto other Muslims. Therefore, the property of one is unlawful to the other unless given willingly. Do not be unjust to one another.”

He warned against religious extremism, something that many imams and other Muslims today would do well to heed: “Be moderate in religious matters, for excesses caused the destruction of earlier communities.”

He was almost finished.

“O People, have I faithfully delivered unto you my message?” he asked. “O God, yea!” replied the multitude. The Prophet raised his forefinger and said, “O Lord, bear witness.”

The rest of the day was spent in meditation. At sunset, the Prophet mounted his camel, followed by the rest. As a commotion broke out, he cried, “Gently, gently! In quietness of soul! And let the strong among you care for the weak.”

The Wisdom of Muhammad

The sayings of Muhammad are among the treasures of mankind.

— Mahatma Gandhi

Family

One who cuts off family ties does not enter the Garden of Paradise.

Women

God enjoins you to treat women well.
Do not forbid your wife to go to the mosque.

The Young

He is not one of us who does not treat the young with compassion.
Let the younger ones salute the elderly, let the one walking salute those sitting, and let those small in number salute those larger in number.

Neighbors