Islamic sources contain various narrations regarding the final advice of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These final words are mainly composed of his recommendations during the last days of his life. Among them, the most well-known are as follows:
1. Emphasis on Prayer and Worship
The Prophet (pbuh) strongly advised his ummah not to neglect prayer in his final moments. According to narrations, he said:
“Take care of the prayer! And be mindful of the rights of those under your care!”
(Ibn Majah, Wasaya, 1; Abu Dawud, Adab, 14)
2. Holding Firm to the Qur’an and Sunnah
The Prophet (pbuh) emphasized following the Qur’an and his Sunnah, assuring that guidance would be found through adherence to them:
“I leave behind two things. As long as you hold firmly to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
(Muwatta, Qadar, 3)
3. Respect and Love for Ahl al-Bayt
According to some reports, the Prophet (pbuh) advised his ummah to show respect and kindness to his family — the Ahl al-Bayt:
“I advise you regarding my Ahl al-Bayt. Fear Allah and treat my family well.”
(Musnad Ahmad, 4/367)
4. Protection of Women's Rights
The Prophet (pbuh) gave special attention to the rights of women and called his followers to be just and kind toward them:
“Treat women well, for they are entrusted to you.”
(Bukhari, Nikah, 80; Muslim, Rada, 61)
5. Preserving Unity within the Ummah
The Prophet (pbuh) strongly discouraged division and conflict among Muslims, urging brotherhood and harmony:
“Do not hate one another, do not envy one another, and be brothers!”
(Muslim, Birr, 23)
6. The Request for Pen and Paper and the Issue of Caliphate
According to some narrations, shortly before his passing, the Prophet (pbuh) requested pen and paper to dictate something, but a disagreement among the companions prevented it. This incident is known as the “Thursday Event” and is one of the debated episodes in Islamic history.
Conclusion
The final advice of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) centers around preserving faith, upholding justice, respecting human rights, and remaining steadfast in prayer and worship. These timeless principles continue to serve as a moral compass for Muslims around the world.