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He then returned to Minā and delivered an eloquent sermon, explaining to the people the sanctity of the Day of Sacrifice, the prohibition against violating it, its excellence in Allah’s sight, and Mecca’s sanctity above all other lands. He instructed them to hear and obey whoever led them according to the Book of Allah, and to learn their pilgrimage rites from him. He said: “Perhaps I will not perform Hajj again after this year” (1).

He taught them their pilgrimage rites and assigned the Emigrants and the Helpers their respective places. He commanded the people not to revert after him to disbelief, striking one another’s necks, and instructed them to convey his teachings to others. He explained that someone to whom a teaching is conveyed may understand it better than someone who heard it directly (2).

In his sermon, he said: “Only the offender himself bears responsibility for his offense” (3).

He positioned the Emigrants on the right when facing the direction of prayer, and the Helpers on the left, with the people around them. Allah enabled the people to hear him, so that the people of Minā heard the sermon in their lodgings.

In that sermon, he said: “Worship your Lord, perform your five prayers, fast your month, and obey your ruler; you will enter your Lord’s Paradise” (4).