Michael Hart, the American author of the bestselling book “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History,” placed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the very top of his list. His reasoning was clear: Muhammad was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels.
What World Intellectuals Said
Across cultures, languages, and centuries, the greatest minds in human history have recognized the extraordinary qualities of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and outstanding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?” – Alphonse de Lamartine, French historian
- Mahatma Gandhi said it was not the sword that won a place for Islam but the rigid simplicity, utter self-effacement, and absolute trust in God that characterized the Prophet
- Wolfgang Goethe, one of Europe’s greatest poets and thinkers, said the Quran is to be seen as divine law, not a book made by a human for education or entertainment
- Michael Hart acknowledged that his choice might surprise readers but defended it on the basis of Muhammad’s unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence
“I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam. It was the rigid simplicity, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission.” – Mahatma Gandhi
These testimonies from non-Muslim intellectuals confirm what Muslims have always known: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stands alone in human history as the most complete example of leadership, devotion, and moral excellence the world has ever seen.
