of the pilgrims to address the people just as the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—addressed them.

Among the statements he made in his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage was: “O people, be mindful of your Lord.” This echoes Allah’s words: “O mankind, fear your Lord” (Q 4:1). Thus the Messenger—peace be upon him—commanded all people to fear their Lord, the One who created them, sustained them with His favors, and prepared them to receive His messages; in short, he ordered them to fear Allah.

He also said, “Pray your five,” meaning: observe the five daily prayers that Allah, Exalted is He, made obligatory upon His Messenger.

And he said, “Fast your month,” that is, the month of Ramadan.

And he said, “Pay the zakat due on your wealth,” meaning: give it to those entitled to it and do not withhold it.

And he said, “Obey your rulers,” referring to all whom Allah has placed in authority over you—local and regional governors as well as the supreme leader of the entire state. It is incumbent upon the subjects to obey them so long as they do not command disobedience to Allah. If they do command disobedience, it is impermissible to obey them, for the obedience owed to a created being can never override obedience to the Creator, Glorified and Exalted.

For this reason Allah says: “O you who believe, obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you” (Q 4:59). By placing obedience to the rulers after obedience to Allah and His Messenger, the verse shows that such obedience is subordinate, for whatever is conjoined follows what it is conjoined to. Notice also that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says: “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger” (Q 4:59), repeating the verb to make clear that obedience to the Prophet—peace be upon him—is an independent obligation: one must obey him in his own right just as one must obey Allah. Nevertheless, obedience to him is, in reality, obedience to Allah, for the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him