Makhzumite woman better or Fatimah bint Muhammad? Fatimah is unquestionably superior, yet even so the Prophet ﷺ declared: “If Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”

This incident belongs to the category of occasional sermons. It was the Messenger’s practice—peace and blessings be upon him—to address the people both on fixed occasions and whenever an unforeseen matter arose. We have already cited the report of ʿIrbāḍ ibn Sāriyah, who said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ delivered to us an eloquent sermon that caused our hearts to tremble and our eyes to shed tears.”

In short, the hadith shows that anyone who serves as a judge, mufti, scholar, or preacher should stand and speak to the people about incidental issues that call for clarification, as well as about the regular gatherings—Friday prayers, the two ʿĪds, prayers for rain, and eclipses, as mentioned earlier. This is part of the Prophet’s guidance and his excellent manner of conveying the message, for a word delivered at the moment of need finds a greater acceptance.

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—relates from Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet ﷺ once rose to address the people—one of his occasional sermons—and said: “You will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.”

“Gathered” means assembled on a single, level expanse that will have no mountains, no valleys, no buildings, and no trees. The caller’s voice will reach all of them, and every eye will see them; were someone to call out, everyone would hear, for nothing will obstruct the sound, and every gaze will encompass all who are there.

Barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised—another narration adds: “bereft of possessions (buhman).”

Barefoot: they will have no sandals, no leather socks, nothing to protect their feet.