By Sumayya
PESHAWAR: The farewell sermon of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), delivered during his final pilgrimage in 632 AD, stands as one of the most significant declarations of human dignity, equality, justice, and social responsibility in Islamic history. Delivered at Jablur Rehmat Arafat on 9th Zilhijjah, 10 AH, during Hajjatul Wida, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) presented principles that emphasized the sanctity of human life, property, and honor, equality among people, justice, compassion, and social responsibility. Described in the Holy Quran as Rehmatul-lil-Alameen (mercy for all the worlds), the Holy Prophet (PBUH) transformed the social order of Arabia by replacing tribal discrimination, injustice, and oppression with principles of mercy, brotherhood, equality, and accountability.
This monumental address, known as Hajjatul Wida, functions as an absolute charter of human rights and a roadmap for establishing peace, socioeconomic development, and interfaith harmony. It places great emphasis on justice, equality, and righteous conduct, while directing people to treat women and the vulnerable with kindness and compassion, according to Professor Dr. Abdul Ghafoor, former Dean of the Sheikh Zayd Islamic Centre at the University of Peshawar. He said the arrival of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a great blessing from Allah Almighty for all humanity, as he was sent as Rehmatul-lil-Alameen. Referring to the sanctity of the month of Zilhijjah, the day of Arafat, and the sacred place, Dr. Ghafoor said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) stressed on Muslims to respect the life, property, and honor of others and to uphold righteousness and honesty in all aspects of life. The last Prophet of Allah laid great emphasis on compassion and instructed people not to harm others, while strongly discouraging injustice, oppression, slavery, and dishonesty.
The Prophet (PBUH) also emphasized the dignity and rights of women, directing people to treat their wives with kindness and recognize their rights. The sermon states that people have certain rights with regard to their women, but women also have rights over them, reminding believers that they have taken them as their wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) further instructed Muslims to treat slaves and those under their authority with kindness, providing them with food and clothing comparable to what they themselves consumed and wore. He also directed believers to worship Allah alone, establish the five daily prayers, observe fasting during Ramazan, pay Zakat, and perform Hajj when financially and physically able.
The historic sermon delivered a powerful message of equality, declaring that all human beings descend from Prophet Adam and Eve and that no Arab is superior to a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab superior to an Arab. Likewise, no person is superior because of colour or race; superiority, the sermon emphasized, is based on piety and righteous conduct. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) further stressed the unity and brotherhood of Muslims, saying that every Muslim is a brother to another Muslim and that nothing belonging to another person is permissible unless it is given freely and willingly. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) emphasized the sanctity of human life, property, and honour, while establishing principles of justice and prohibiting oppression and wrongdoing. He also urged people to return entrusted property and reminded them of their accountability before Allah Almighty for their deeds.
Dr. Ghafoor said the last sermon conveyed enduring principles of equality, kindness, unity, and fair treatment, particularly towards women, the weak, and vulnerable members of society. He said Hajjatul Wida provided a comprehensive framework for social justice and human dignity centuries before the emergence of later legal and political documents dealing with human rights. Despite the passage of centuries, the universal principles contained in the last sermon continue to provide guidance on equality, justice, social responsibility, and peaceful coexistence, noted religious scholar Muhammad Tila Saddique. He said the sermon clearly established that superiority among human beings was not based on caste, colour, race, or nationality, but on piety and good conduct.
Many contemporary challenges, including extremism, terrorism, poverty, unemployment, and socioeconomic inequality, are aggravated by injustice, discrimination, lack of merit, and unfair distribution of resources. Tila Saddique said that Islam strictly forbids violence and terrorism, adding that the principles of Hajjatul Wida could provide valuable guidance for addressing these challenges and promoting peace, justice, and social harmony if implemented in their true spirit. He said that the historic Hajjatul Wida sermon had outlined the Holy Prophet’s universal message of a righteous, inclusive, tolerant, and prosperous society. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) left humanity with the most important lesson that everyone is equal, and no one has any superiority over any other on any basis except by piety and righteousness.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is beautifully illuminated with colourful buntings and festive lights on the eve of Eid Miladun Nabi, celebrating the birthday anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with great respect and religious enthusiasm. Buildings, markets, and homes throughout the province are festooned with decorative lights and buntings, and the air is filled with recitations of Durood o Salam on the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who was sent as Rehmatul Lilalameen (mercy for mankind). From South Waziristan to Upper Kohistan, and from Chitral to Dera Ismail Khan, every district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is adorned in green colours, symbolizing the significance of the historic day. People of all walks of life, local and government organizations, and communities are holding naath khwani events, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The day begins with a 31-gun salute in Peshawar. Special prayers are offered for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity besides eternal peace of all martyrs, who laid down lives for the protection of the motherland. Milad processions are a key feature of the celebrations, with significant processions organized by Idara Tableeg Islam. Milad processions are taken out of Rampura Gate, while another, led by Syed Inayatullah Shah, begins in Gulbahar at Peshawar. Participants in large numbers in these processions recite Durood o Salam, reflecting their deep love and veneration for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Government offices and public institutions across the province are closed, allowing residents to take part fully in the milad celebrations.
Addressing a seminar on the life and Seerah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in connection with Rabiul Awal celebrations, Professor Dr. Hifazatullah Shah, Chairman of the Islamic Studies Department at Islamia College Peshawar, said that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had broken the shackles of slavery, cruelty, and injustices in the Arab peninsula where tribes were fighting for centuries on petty disputes, establishing lasting peace there. More than fourteen centuries ago, a child named Muhammad (PBUH) was born into the family of Hazrat Abdullah in Makkah, present-day Saudi Arabia, who changed human history and civilizations besides the Arab Peninsula through the peaceful propagation of Islam and made warring tribes into friends and brothers, he told the seminar attended by a cross-section of society, academia, and students in large numbers.
Dr. Hifazatullah said that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been revered as the last prophet of Allah Almighty in a lineage that includes many other significant prophets in the religious history of the world. He said the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have left an indelible mark on the entire world, demonstrating a profound impact on human history and the course of civilizations of all times. Historical and scholarly records converge on a remarkable fact that within a brief span of only twenty-three years, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had transformed a society characterized by ignorance, cruelty, and barbarism into one renowned for its great tolerance, mutual coexistence, mercy, and moral integrity. The Arabian peninsula, once known for its long tribal conflicts and social injustices, became a beacon of ethical conduct and enlightened leadership under His (SAWW) guidance.
Dr. Hifazatullah Shah highlighted that the Prophet’s (PBUH) life of compassion and justice established a model for ethical living that continues to influence billions. Through peaceful means, he transformed society, embodying honesty and mercy, leaving a legacy of peace and spiritual guidance for humanity.
