Khutba Hajjatul Wada

 "Khutba Hajjatul Wada"

It can legitimately be called the First Universal Declaration, or charter, of Human Rights. The Holy Prophet's "Khutba Hajjatul Wada" is recorded in the most authentic books of Ahadis and Muslim history. "He was on camel, and the people around ham represented every Arabian tribe and clan. He spoke slowly, and his words were repeated aloud by others, and thus reached the farthest end of the assembly". the Holy Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be on him) declared at the outset that sovereighty belongs to Allah, Who is One and has no partners of any sort. He next declared that we are all children of Adam and that all are equal; that no distinction or privilege can be claimed on the basis of one's race, nationality or color of one's skin; and that the only criterion for honor is piety, righteousness and fear of Allah. The Holy Prophet further declared that Muslims are all brothers; and he declared the inviolability of the lives, honour and property of every one. He declared as remitted all payments on account of blood revenges and usury. He enjoined that all debts must be repaid and all borrowed property returned. He declared that a child shall not be responsible for the crime committed by his father, and vice versa. He forbade wrongful acquisition of an other's property.In his sermon the Holy Prophet (PBUH) laid special emphasis on the rights of women and enjoined that they must be treated with kindness and liberality. He made the slave equal, in the matter of food and clothing, with his master.

H. G. Wells in his book ''The Outline of History'' has called the Khutba Hajjatul Wada as a ''Great Sermon'' and has pointed out that.....''The first paragraph sweeps away all plunder and blood feuds among the followers of Islam. The last makes the believing Negro the equal of the Caliph...they established in the world a great tradition of dignified fair dealing, they breathe a spirit of generosity, and they are human and workable. They created a society more free from widespread cruelty and social oppression than any society had ever been in the world before''.
Abstract English Translation of The Khutba
In view of the supreme importance of the Holy Prophet's last sermon. an English translation of portions of the Khutba is given below :-
''All praise is due to Allah.....I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, the One having no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and to Him is due all praise. He grants life and causes death and is Powerful over everything. There is no God but Allah, the One ; He fulfilled His promise and granted victory to His bondsman (the Holy Prophet), and He alone routed the confederates (of the enemies of Islam).

''Ye people, listen to my words, for I know not whether another year will be vouchsafed to me after this year to find myself amongst you...O ye people, Allah says : ''O people We created you from one male and one female and made you into tribes and nations, so as to be known to one another. Verily in the sight of Allah , the most Honorable amongst you is the one who is most God-fearing''. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and for a non-Arab over an Arab, nor for the white over the black nor for the black over the white, except God consciousness. All mankind is the progeny of Adam and Adam was fashioned out of clay. Behold every claim of privilege whether that of blood or property, is under my heels except that of the custody of the Ka'ba and supplying of water to the pilgrims. O people of Quraish, do not appear (on the Day of Judgment) with the burden of this world around your neck ''whereas other people may appear (before the Lord) with the rewards of the Hereafter. In that case I shall avail you naught against Allah. (to be cont)