for it to be delivered he would preach, and if not, he would refrain. The sounder view, however, is that it belongs to the class of regular sermons, and that it is recommended for anyone who performs the eclipse prayer to stand afterward, address the congregation, remind them, and warn them, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did.

Occasional sermons, by contrast, are those given only when a specific need arises. One example is his sermon when the owners of Barirah—a slave girl purchased by ʿAʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her)—stipulated that the patronage (walāʾ, the right of inheritance after manumission) should remain theirs. ʿAʾishah rejected the condition and informed the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said, “Take her, set her free, and allow them to stipulate the patronage.” He then rose, addressed the people, and announced, “Patronage belongs to the one who frees the slave.”

Another instance is his sermon after Usāmah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) interceded for the Makhzūmī woman who used to borrow articles and deny them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) had ordered that her hand be cut off. The Quraysh were distressed by the matter and sought someone to intercede with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). They asked Usāmah ibn Zayd to plead on her behalf, and when he did, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Are you interceding concerning one of the prescribed punishments of Allah?” He then rose, delivered a sermon, and declared, “What ruined those who came before you was that when a noble person among them stole they excused him, but when a person of low status stole they applied the penalty.”

During the Farewell Pilgrimage the Prophet (peace be upon him) preached on the Day of ʿArafah and again on the Day of Sacrifice, exhorting and reminding the people. These are among the regular sermons for which it is recommended for the leader