Sheikh Yusuf Estes presents a comprehensive look at the life, character, and mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), drawing from historical records, eyewitness accounts, and testimonies of both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars. The facts about this remarkable man speak for themselves and invite every fair-minded person to judge the evidence on its own merits.
The Character of the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) never fell into the common practice of his tribesmen of worshipping idols or man-made gods. He never committed adultery and forbade it. He prohibited interest-based lending, gambling, and alcohol consumption, even though these were normal in his society. He never engaged in gossip and turned away from hearing it. He fasted regularly to draw closer to Almighty God, and he prayed by standing, bowing, kneeling, and prostrating with his face on the ground, just as the prophets before him had done.
“He never at any time claimed that he was a god, a son of a god, or an incarnate of God. He always was, and is even today, considered as a simple messenger chosen by God.”
What He Taught About Jesus
- He taught that Jesus (peace be upon him) was born of the miraculous virgin birth through Mary, the best of women
- He insisted to the Jews of Mecca that Jesus was the Messiah foretold in the Torah
- He affirmed that Jesus performed miracles by God’s permission: curing lepers, restoring sight, and raising the dead
- He declared that Jesus did not die but was raised up by God, and that he will return in the last days
What History’s Greatest Minds Said
The recognition of Muhammad’s extraordinary legacy extends far beyond the Muslim world. Michael Hart, in his book ranking the 100 most influential people in history, placed Muhammad (peace be upon him) at number one. Mahatma Gandhi praised his humility and living standards despite having the power of an empire at his feet. George Bernard Shaw predicted that Muhammad’s faith would be accepted by the Europe of tomorrow. Edward Gibbon described the Islamic testimony of faith as “simple and invariable,” noting that Islam never degraded the image of God with any visible idol.
“People do not hesitate to make gods out of individuals whose lives and missions have been lost in legend. Historically, none of these legends achieves even a fraction of what Muhammad (peace be upon him) accomplished.”
The Evidence Speaks for Itself
- After 14 centuries, the life and teachings of Muhammad have survived without the slightest loss, alteration, or interpolation
- His mission was solely to unite mankind for the worship of One God upon the codes of moral excellence
- Wolfgang Goethe, perhaps the greatest European poet, said the Quran must be seen as divine law, not a human book
- Every rational person owes it to themselves to examine who Muhammad truly was and what he stood for
