A Rejoinder to Pope's Allegations Against Islam — Page 24
THE FAREWELL ADDRESS OF THE HOLY PROPHET {Peace be upon him} A Wonderful Charter for the Modern World The farewell address of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), which he delivered in Mecca during his last pilgrimage, teaches human equality without discrimination of any race or color. This address can serve the best human charter of peace, harmony and brotherhood, in which he said: 0 men, lend me an attentive ear for I know not whether I will stand before you again in this valley and address you as I address you now. Your lives and your possessions have been made immune by God to attacks by one another until the Day of Judgment. God has appointed for everyone a share in the inheritance. No testament shall now be admitted which is prejudicial to the interests of a rightful heir. A child born in any house will be regarded as the child of the father of that house. 'i\TllOever contests the parentage of such a child shall be liable to punishment under the Law of Islam. Anyone who attributes his birth to someone e]lse'sfather, or falsely claims someone to be his master, God, His angels and the whole of mankind will curse him. 0 men, you have some rights against your wives, but your wives also have some rights against you. Your right against them is that they should live chaste lives, and not adopt ways, which may bring disgrace to the husband in the sight of his people. But if the behavior of your wives is not such as would bring disgrace to their husbands, then your duty is to provide for 24