The Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is indeed the basic document for the awakening of the conscience of mankind for human rights. It did not come from a political assembly or a committee of philosophers. It came from a man who was unlettered, yet whose words would shape civilizations.
The Historical Context: A Moment of Finality
The Prophet (PBUH) performed his only Hajj in the 10th year of Hijrah (632 CE). He knew—and told his companions—that this would be his last pilgrimage. Over 100,000 believers gathered from across Arabia. They had come to learn, to witness, and to carry his words to every corner of the earth.
The sermon was delivered on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, at Mount Arafat, during the Farewell Pilgrimage. Every sentence was deliberate. Every command was eternal. The Prophet (PBUH) began with words that still echo through time:
“Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.”
Core Human Rights Principles in the Last Sermon
Let us explore how the Last Sermon addressed the fundamental rights that the modern world struggles to define and protect.
1. Right to Life and Property
“Just as you regard this month, this day, and this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.”
This declaration established the inviolability of life and property. In a world where tribal vengeance was common and theft was often met with disproportionate violence, the Prophet (PBUH) elevated the protection of life and wealth to the level of sacred duty.
2. Right to Economic Justice (Prohibition of Interest)
“Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.”
The Prophet (PBUH) specifically waived the interest owed to his own uncle, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, demonstrating that even family ties do not exempt anyone from economic justice. This was a revolutionary declaration against exploitation.
3. Rights of Women
“You indeed have certain rights regarding your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers.”
At a time when women were treated as property in many parts of the world, the Prophet (PBUH) declared them as partners and committed helpers. He established that marriage is a sacred trust, and women have rights to kind treatment, provision, and protection.
4. Right to Worship and Religious Practice
“Listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.”
While this appears as a command to Muslims, it also implicitly established the right to religious freedom for all. The Prophet (PBUH) did not force anyone to convert. He laid out the pillars of faith for those who chose to follow.
5. Right to Equality and the Elimination of Racism
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor does a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white- except by piety and good action.”
This is perhaps the most powerful statement on human equality ever uttered. In a society deeply divided by tribe, race, and status, the Prophet (PBUH) declared that the only measure of superiority is piety and good action. Not wealth. Not lineage. Not the color of one’s skin.
6. Right to Brotherhood and Mutual Respect
“Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim, which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.”
This established a universal brotherhood that transcended tribal and national boundaries. The concept of “Ummah” (one community) was born here—a community where justice and mutual respect are the foundations.
7. Right to Guidance and the Preservation of Faith
“I leave behind me two things, the Quran, and the Sunnah (Hadith), and if you follow these you will never go astray.”
The Prophet (PBUH) did not leave his followers without guidance. He left the Quran and his Sunnah as eternal sources of light. Every human has the right to access this guidance and to live by it.
8. Right to Knowledge and Its Transmission
“All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listened to me directly.”
This was a call to knowledge sharing—a right for every generation to receive the message and a duty for every generation to transmit it. The Prophet (PBUH) even prayed that future generations might understand his words better than those who heard him directly.
9. Accountability Before Allah
“Remember one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”
This is the ultimate check on human behavior. The knowledge that every action will be accounted for creates a conscience that no earthly law can fully replicate.
Comparison: Last Sermon vs. Modern Human Rights Documents
| Human Right | Last Sermon (632 CE) | UDHR (1948 CE) |
|---|---|---|
| Right to life | “Regard life as sacred trust” | Article 3 |
| Right to property | “Return goods to rightful owners” | Article 17 |
| Economic justice | “Prohibition of interest/usury” | Not explicitly covered |
| Women’s rights | “They have rights over you” | Articles 2, 16 |
| Racial equality | “No Arab over non-Arab, no white over black” | Articles 2, 7 |
| Religious freedom | Implicit in freedom of worship | Article 18 |
| Brotherhood/unity | “Muslims constitute one brotherhood” | Article 1 (spirit of brotherhood) |
| Accountability | “You will answer for your deeds” | Legal accountability only |
The Lasting Awakening: How the Sermon Awakened Human Conscience
The Last Sermon was not just a speech—it was a revolution of consciousness. It awakened humanity to several fundamental truths:
1. Dignity is Inborn, Not Earned
Before the Last Sermon, dignity was often tied to tribe, wealth, or power. The Prophet (PBUH) declared that every human being, simply by being human, possesses dignity. This is the foundation of all human rights.
2. Justice is Universal, Not Tribal
In a tribal society, justice was often selective. The Prophet (PBUH) declared that justice applies to all—friend and enemy, rich and poor, powerful and weak.
3. Women are Partners, Not Property
This was a radical departure from the norms of 7th century Arabia. Women were given rights to kind treatment, provision, and protection. They were declared “partners and committed helpers.”
4. Wealth is a Trust, Not a Tool for Exploitation
The prohibition of interest was a direct attack on economic exploitation. The Prophet (PBUH) declared that wealth should be earned through labor and trade, not through the exploitation of others’ needs.
5. Unity is Strength, Division is Destruction
The declaration of universal brotherhood was a call to unity. The Prophet (PBUH) knew that divided communities cannot stand. He laid the foundation for a global Ummah.
The Last Sermon and Modern Human Rights Challenges
Even today, the Last Sermon offers solutions to contemporary human rights crises:
| Modern Issue | Guidance from Last Sermon |
|---|---|
| Racism and discrimination | “No white over black, no Arab over non-Arab” |
| Economic exploitation | Prohibition of interest/usury |
| Violence against women | “Treat your women well and be kind to them” |
| Theft and corruption | “Return goods to rightful owners” |
| Social injustice | “Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you” |
| Loss of moral direction | “Follow Quran and Sunnah” |
Conclusion
The Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not merely a historical document. It is a living testament to the principles of human rights—principles that were revealed over 1,400 years ago, yet remain unmatched in their clarity, justice, and compassion.
