By Er Ashraf Fazili
On the auspicious occasion of the annual birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) falling on 12th Rabi-ul-Awal 1447 H / 6th September 2025 this write up is presented as a tribute in his honour.
The meaning of the name Muhammad is “the praised one” and while spelling this name one has to bring his lips twice together rather kiss twice. Allah is so pleased with him that He says, “indeed I and angels send salutations to this prophet, so o’ those of faith you too send salutations and salams to him.” Thus almost all books of Islam start with praise to Allah followed by praise of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) Besides many verses of praise were composed by the companion of the prophet namely Hazrat Hasan bin Thabit and recited in his presence in Masjid Nabvi which pleased the Prophet (SAWS) and many books on salutations to the prophet have been written besides innumerable Naat sharifs fill the books and are recited in gatherings and on social media. Thus, even luminaries among non Muslims have been in praise of the Prophet on observing his contribution to the mankind.
The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History is a 1978 book by the American white nationalist author Michael H. Hart. Published by his father’s publishing house, it was his first book and was reprinted in 1992 with revisions. It is a ranking of the 100 people who, according to Hart, most influenced human history. Unlike various other rankings at the time, Hart was not attempting to rank on “greatness” as a criterion, but rather whose actions most changed the course of human history. (Wikipedia)
The book consists of 100 entries as well as an appendix of Honorable Mentions. Each entry is a short biography of the person, followed by Hart’s thoughts on how this person was influential and changed the course of human history. He gave additional credit for importance for people whose actions Hart felt were unusual, unlikely, or ahead of their time compared to a hypothesized course of history had this person not lived.
Founders and shapers of successful religions were among the most influential in Hart’s view, as these shaped many people’s lives quite strongly over a long period of time. The first person on Hart’s list is the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Hart asserted that Muhammad was “supremely successful” in both the religious and secular realms, being responsible for both the foundations of Islam as well as the Early Muslim conquests uniting the Arabian Peninsula and eventually a wider caliphate after his death. Hart also believed that Muhammad played an unusually singular and personal role in the development of Islam. The development of Christianity, by contrast, has its influence split between Jesus’s initial teachings and foundational work, and Paul the Apostle, who played a pivotal role in the early spread of Christianity as well as distinguishing its doctrines and practices from Judaism and the other Greek and Roman religions of the time period. Gautama Buddha, Confucius, and Moses are all placed highly as well due to their role in establishing religions.
One of the most notable omissions was Abraham Lincoln, which Hart relegated to the “Honorary Mentions” in the appendix. Changes in the 1992 revision include the rankings of figures associated with Communism being lowered after the Revolutions of 1989, such as Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong, and the introduction of Mikhail Gorbachev. Hart took sides in the Shakespearean authorship issue and replaced William Shakespeare with Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford in the 1992 version. Hart also substituted Niels Bohr and Henri Becquerel with Ernest Rutherford. Henry Ford was promoted from the “Honorary Mentions” list, replacing Pablo Picasso. Finally, various rankings were re-ordered, although no one listed in the top ten changed their position.
The book was first published in 1978 as imprint from “Hart Publishing Company”. According to the Calgary Herald, at least 60,000 copies were sold. The book has since been translated into many languages.
For placing Muhammad in first place of the list, the book received several controversial reviews from western critics, but it was widely welcomed in the Muslim world, and is often cited in Muslim writers’ books including Ayatollah Sayed Muhammad al-Shirazi, Ahmed Deedat etc. In 1988, the former contemporary Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak honored Michael Hart for placing Muhammad in first place. Steven Skiena and Charles Ward writes in their book Who’s Bigger?: Where Historical Figures Really Rank that The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History “is probably the best known ranking of historic figures by influence”.
Likewise non-Muslims from various backgrounds and centuries have praised prophet Muhammad’s greatness, character, and influence. Here are some notable examples:
Alphonse de Lamartine: a french historian, posed a challenge to the world about Muhammad’s greatness, saying; ‘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?
George Bernard Shaw: a British philosopher and historian,admired Muhammad’s practical and rational approach to life, writing; I believe if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring much-needed peace and happiness.
Napoleon Bonaparte: the french emperor, expressed his admiration for Muhammad’s teachings, hoping to unite wise and educated men under a uniform regime based on the Quran’s principles.
Mahatma Gandhi: the Indian leader, praised Muhammad’s character, saying that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam but Muhammad’s simplicity, utter self-effacement, and intense devotion to his friends and followers.
Thomas Carlyle: a British historian, described Muhammad as a ‘silent great soul’ who kindled the world with his message, noting that he was a man of great taciturnity but spoke with emphasis and deliberation.
Edward Gibbon: a British historian, highlighted Muhammad’s achievements, stating that he moved not only armies and legislation but also millions of people, altars, gods, religions, ideas, and souls.
James a. Michener: An American author, noted Muhammad’s solitude for the poor and needy, widow, and orphan, describing him as an inspired man who founded Islam.
Reverend Bosworth Smith emphasized Muhammad’s unique leadership, stating that he was ‘Caesar and pope in one’ without the pretensions of either, ruling without standing armies or a palace
