What They Said About the Prophet (pbuh)
With the birth of modern age which is characterized by freedom of thought, there has been a change in the approach of the western authors who have studied the prophet’s life and characteristics. We would like to quote some of their views so that the seekers of the truth can proceed with an objective attempt to better understand prophet Muhammad and his message.
The famous British scholar, George Bernard Shaw says:
“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion, which appears to possess that assimilating capability to the changing phases of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of today. Medieval ecclesiastics, either through ignorance or bigotry, painted Muhammadanism in the darkest colors. They were, in fact, trained to hate both the man Muhammad and his religion. To them Muhammad was an anti-Christ. I have studied him, the wonderful man, and in my opinion far from being called an anti-Christ he must be called the savior of humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving the problems in way that would bring it the much-needed peace and happiness.”
Michael H. Hart says:
“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religion and secular levels….. Of a humble origin, Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world’s great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive….. Furthermore, Muhammad (unlike Jesus) was a secular as well a religious leader. In fact, as a driving force behind the Arab conquests, he may well rank as the most influential political leader of all times….. It is the unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history.”
(Source: The 100, A ranking of the most Influential Persons in History)
The famous French scholar, Lamartine says:
“If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad. The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, people dynasties but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls. On the basis of a Book, every letter of which has become law, he created a spiritual nationality, which blended together people of every tongue and every race. He has left for us as the indelible characteristic of this Muslim nationality, the hatred of false gods and the passion for the one and immaterial God. Philosopher, Orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured we may well ask, is there any man greater than he is.”
(Source: Historledela Turquie)