Human Rights from the Prophet’s Hajj Khutbah

Dear pilgrims! Whenever the month of Thul-Hijjah comes and the time for Hajj nears, a radiant chapter from the history of Islaam becomes apparent. One important factor of Hajj, aside from the rituals, is the extremely significant and poignant words and principles that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam conveyed to the Muslims during his Hajj, which was a year before his death. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not merely express these principles as empty slogans, rather these were the same principles that he had propagated from the very dawn of Islaam when he was vulnerable, oppressed and had few followers. These principles never changed for any reason, whether it was the small number of his followers, the particular circumstances of war or peace, or the fact that life was extremely difficult and he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was at times in a state of great difficulty and dire need. These were well-grounded principles that he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam instilled in the souls of his followers so that they could convey them to the world in order for mankind to achieve felicity, tranquillity and success.

Since these principles were firm and well-founded, they did not fade away or weaken due to the passing of time; nor did they fade as generations succeeded one another; rather, they are solid and are actually revived when people act on these teachings and propagate them. Tears were shed when these principles were being laid down, as this was the last sermon of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and this is why it was called ‘The Final Hajj Sermon’. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam warned during his speech against the fatal disease of shirk that destroys humanity, disunites it, detaches it from the source of goodness and causes it to be driven by its whims and desires. Therefore, the meaning or focal point of Hajj and indeed the entire religion of Islaam is the unity of Allaah.

During his speech he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Your blood, wealth and honour are as sacred as this day (the day of ‘Arafah), this land and this month (Thul-Hijjah)” (Muslim & Bukhaari). These are eternal human rights which no man-made law or system could ever dictate or administer. To safeguard people’s blood, Allaah says that which translates as: “There is for you in legal retribution (saving of) life” (Al-Baqarah: 179).  To safeguard peoples wealth Allaah says that which translates as: “As for the thief, the male and female, amputate their hands” (Al-Maa’idah: 38).  To preserve the honour and dignity of mankind, Allaah says that which translates as: “The (unmarried) woman or (unmarried) man found guilty of sexual intercourse – lash each of them with a hundred lashes” (An-Noor: 2).