Muhammad ﷺ Through The Eyes of Others - Part 5

Who is the most influential person in human history?

Scientists. Philosophers. Political leaders. Religious figures. Inventors. Conquerors. How could anyone possibly compare them?

Yet in 1978, American astrophysicist and author Michael H. Hart attempted to do exactly that.

In The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Hart ranked one hundred individuals according to their influence on human history. His number one?

Muhammad ﷺ

Hart knew his choice would raise eyebrows: “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…”

Why Muhammad ﷺ?

“…but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels.”

That is no small judgement.

Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah in 570 CE. Orphaned as a child, he inherited no throne and commanded no empire. At forty, he began calling people to the worship of One God. He was mocked, persecuted and forced from his home.

Yet just 23 years after beginning his mission, the transformation was extraordinary.
He had transformed religious beliefs and morality, united warring tribes, established a community and state, and left a message that would reach across the world.

More than fourteen centuries later, over a billion people continue to follow his teachings and model their lives upon his example.

Hart considered this combination of religious and secular influence enough to describe Muhammad ﷺ as “the most influential single figure in human history.”

And perhaps this is an appropriate place to end this short series.

We have encountered Muhammad ﷺ through people who did not share the Muslim faith.

George Bernard Shaw ranked him among “the greatest of the Prophets.”
Thomas Carlyle rejected the portrayal of him as a “scheming Impostor.”
Annie Besant reflected upon the respect due to him and the devotion Muslims have for him.
Mahatma Gandhi, famous for non-violence, studied his life and concluded that “it was not the sword” that explained his influence.
And Michael H. Hart placed Muhammad ﷺ at number one.

But none of these people gives Muhammad ﷺ his greatness.
He does not need their validation.
Allah has already declared: وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ “And We raised high for you your mention.” (Qur'an 94:4)

The testimony of others may cause someone to reconsider what they have heard about Muhammad ﷺ. But his honour was never dependent upon their testimony.

So, to anyone who has encountered Muhammad ﷺ primarily through headlines, polemics or social-media caricatures, the invitation remains:

Read his life. Study his character. Then make up your own mind.