THE FAREWELL SERMON AS A CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS:A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS THOUGHT

Abstract

Human rights are considered among the most important subjects of modern intellectual, political, and legal discourse. Although the formal codification of human rights is generally associated with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), many scholars maintain that the foundations of justice, equality, dignity, and social responsibility had already been presented in earlier religious traditions. Among the most remarkable examples is the Farewell Sermon of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, delivered during the Farewell Pilgrimage in 10 AH / 632 CE.

This article examines the Farewell Sermon as a charter of human rights and compares its principles with contemporary international human rights thought. The study focuses on themes such as sanctity of life, equality, women’s rights, racial harmony, economic justice, and social accountability. Using analytical and comparative methodology, the article argues that the Farewell Sermon articulated universal principles of justice and human dignity centuries before the emergence of modern international human rights frameworks. The study also highlights important similarities and differences between Islamic and secular approaches to human rights.