Two Revolutionary Sermons

Two voices, centuries apart, rose from the mountains and the deserts—voices not of kings or conquerors, but of messengers of God. More than five billion people today know of these two sermons, one delivered by Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, on a hillside in Galilee, and the other by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), son of Abdullah and Amina, on the plain of Arafat. Both spoke not of worldly power but of the eternal message of God: to live in peace, justice, and devotion. Both sought to guide humanity toward a life illuminated by divine mercy, where hearts would be softened and societies transformed.

Yet how swiftly humanity forgot. Their followers, instead of embracing the light, began to build walls of superiority. Some argued over the nature of their messenger, others over the purity of their doctrine, and many lost sight of the essence—that both prophets had condemned hatred, bloodshed, and arrogance. Instead of living by their words, people fought over them, staining the earth with violence. The same divine call for peace was turned into a banner of division. And still, the words of those sermons whisper across the ages, reminding hearts willing to listen that God’s guidance is never meant to divide, but to unite.

More than 5 billion people living today have heard about the two sermons delivered by two of the mightiest revolutionaries. One of them spoke to Jews 2200 years ago, and the other delivered it 1500 years ago at the conclusion of the final divine testament. Both wanted people to heed the divine message to create a peaceful world. Both wanted to ensure a bright future for the world.

But their followers turned the message into a source of superiority over the others. One group focused on proving the divinity of their messenger, and the other spent its resources in proving the other wrong. Both fought each other to prove their views. They killed millions and continue to kill, ignoring the essence of the message they attribute to their leader. They still fight each other, neglecting the simple fact that both spoke against violence and killings and both invited the world to a peaceful existence. It is ironic that Jews, who were the intended original addressee of Jesus, rejected Jesus and anyone who identified with divine guidance, claiming that none other than they are the recipients of guidance from God, the chosen ones.

The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad and the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus are two of the most significant addresses in the history of religions. While they originate from different contexts and traditions, they share commonalities in their core moral principles while also having distinct emphases.

The Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 5-7), is a collection of Jesus' teachings delivered to his disciples and a large crowd. It is considered a foundational text for Christian ethics.

Jesus reinterprets and "fulfills" the Jewish law, pushing for a deeper, more inward understanding of righteousness. He moves beyond outward actions to address the intentions of the heart. For example, he teaches that anger is a form of murder and that lustful thoughts are a form of adultery.

The sermon begins with a series of blessings, or Beatitudes, which describe the character and attitudes of those who are truly blessed in God's kingdom. These include the "poor in spirit," the "meek," the "peacemakers," and those who are "persecuted for righteousness' sake."

A central and radical teaching is the call to "love your enemies" and "pray for those who persecute you." This goes against the principle of "an eye for an eye" and emphasizes non-retaliation and universal love.

Jesus warns against religious hypocrisy, teaching that good deeds, prayer, and fasting should be done for God's approval, not for human praise. He gives the model of the Lord's Prayer as an example of sincere and humble communication with God.

The sermon includes teachings on not worrying about material possessions and trusting that God will provide for one's needs. It encourages followers to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."

The Sermon on the Mount concludes with several warnings and metaphors, including the famous "Golden Rule" ("Do to others as you would have them do to you").

The Last Sermon, or Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada') was delivered by the Prophet Muhammad in the valley of Uranah on Mount Arafat, during his farewell pilgrimage in 632 CE. It is considered a final summary of his message to his followers.

A powerful and central message is the absolute equality of all people. The Prophet declared that an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, a white person over a black person, or vice versa, "except by piety and good action." This is a decisive repudiation of racism and tribalism.

The sermon emphasizes the sacredness of human life and property. The Prophet stated that the lives and possessions of all Muslims are a "sacred trust" and that "hurt no one so that no one may hurt you."

The Prophet Muhammad specifically addressed the rights and status of women, urging men to treat them with kindness and fairness. He reminded them that women have rights over their husbands, just as men have rights over their wives.

The sermon calls for unity among Muslims, establishing the concept of a single brotherhood where no one should take what belongs to their fellow Muslim unless it is given freely.

The Prophet addressed the importance of fulfilling trusts and debts, and he abolished all forms of usury (interest).

Finality of Prophethood: A crucial point in the sermon is the Prophet's declaration that he is the last prophet and that no new faith would come after him. He left behind two things for his followers to adhere to: the Quran and his example (the Sunnah).

The sermon repeatedly reminds listeners that they will one day be held accountable for their deeds before God.

While both sermons emphasize justice, compassion, and righteousness, the Sermon on the Mount focuses on the internal transformation of the individual—the "heart" of the matter. It sets a high, even "impossible," standard of love and moral purity. In contrast, the Last Sermon is a final, comprehensive charter for a community, addressing social, economic, and ethical issues to ensure peace, justice, and equality for all its members. Both speeches are timeless and continue to serve as foundational guides for their respective faiths.

The Sermon on the Mount

The sun climbed over the hills of Galilee, its golden light spilling across a vast crowd gathered on the gentle slope of a mountain. The air was thick with expectation, the murmurs of thousands of people a low hum. They had come from every corner of the land, drawn by the man who sat before them, a figure of calm authority with a presence that seemed to quiet the very air. Jesus of Nazareth had ascended the mount, and as he began to speak, his voice carried not with a shout, but with a gentle clarity that reached every soul. He said not of empires or conquests, but of the blessedness of the humble. He painted a picture of a new kingdom, where the poor in spirit, the mourners, and the peacemakers were the true heirs. His words cut through the strict laws of the day, demanding a radical purity of heart. He told them it wasn't enough to avoid murder simply; the anger in one's heart was just as damaging. It wasn't enough to merely be faithful in action; a lustful thought was a betrayal. He commanded them to love their enemies, to turn the other cheek, to pray for those who persecuted them, teaching so profoundly that it felt like a reversal of the world's order. He spoke of sincerity over spectacle, of praying in private rather than in public, and of giving without seeking applause. His message was a call to an inner revolution, a transformation of the soul itself, and as he finished, the crowd was left in a stunned, silent awe.

The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad

On a vast plain under the scorching sun of Arabia, a sea of humanity stretched as far as the eye could see. It was the Farewell Pilgrimage, and over 100,000 pilgrims had gathered to hear their Prophet one final time. Mounted on his camel, his voice resonant and clear, Muhammad (peace be upon him) addressed the immense congregation. The moment was heavy with finality, a culmination of his entire life's work.

He began by establishing a bedrock of universal rights. With a powerful voice that echoed across the valley of Arafat, he declared the absolute equality of all humanity. "An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab," he proclaimed, "nor does a white person have any superiority over a black person, except by piety and good action." It was a bold declaration that shattered the ancient tribal hierarchies. He spoke with urgent precision about the sanctity of human life and property, making it clear that all Muslims were brothers and sisters, their lives and possessions a sacred trust. He specifically addressed the rights of women, instructing men to treat them with kindness and to be mindful of their duties toward them. He then turned to practical matters, abolishing all forms of interest and repaying ancient debts. The sermon was a comprehensive charter for a just and unified society, a final blueprint for his community. He ended by reminding them that he was the last of the prophets, leaving behind a legacy that would guide them forever: the Qur'an and his own example. The sun set, casting long shadows over the mountains, but his words, etched into the hearts of his followers, would forever light their way.