‘Uthmaan’s Last Khutbah

‘Uthmaan’s last khutbah to the people of Madeenah several weeks after the siege:

“Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, has given you this world as a means of seeking the Hereafter; He has not given you this world for you to be content with it.  This world is transient but the Hereafter will abide forever. So do not let that which is transient distract you from that which will abide forever.  Show preference to that which will abide forever over that which is transient.  This world will come to an end and your destiny will be with Allaah.  Fear Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, for fear of Him is a protection and a shield against His Wrath and Punishment.  Adhere to the main body of the Muslims and do not break into fractions. 

Allaah Says (which means): ‘And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (this Qur’aan), and be do not divided among yourselves, and remember Allaah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grave, you became brethren, and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it.  Thus Allaah makes His Aayaat clear to you, that you may be guided.’ (Aal-’Imraan).

O people of Madeenah! I bid you farewell, and I ask Allaah to appoint a good Khaleefah for you after I am gone.  By Allaah, I shall never enter upon anyone again after this day until Allaah lets His Decree come to pass.  I shall leave these rebels outside the door and I shall not give them anything they might use against you in religious or wordly terms, until Allaah Decrees whatever He Wills.”

[Taareekh at-Tabaree 5/399]