What they say about Muhammad?

[bamalli]

What they say about Muhammad?

Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Warrior, Conqueror of ideas, the Restorer of rational beliefs, the preacher of a religion without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one heavenly Empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards [I repeat, 'ALL'] by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, "Is there any man greater than he?" (Alphonse Lamartine, French poet)

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? Mohammad established a system based upon true and immortal ideology. Is there any like he? (Alphonse Lamartine)

People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense. People like Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand, and Alexander, Caesar and Hitler on the other, are leaders in the second and perhaps the third sense. Jesus and Buddha belong in the third category alone. Perhaps the greatest leader of all times was Mohammed, who combined all three functions. To a lesser degree, Moses did the same. (Jules Masserman, Professor of History, Chicago University)

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 religious and secular levels. (Michael H. Hart, The 100)

I believe that if a man like Mohammad's caliber were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today. (George Bernard Shaw)

I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man, and in my opinion, he must be called the Savior of Humanity. (George Bernard Shaw)

He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pop without Pope's pretensions, Caesar without the legions of Caesar: without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue; if ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by the right divine, it was Mohammad, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports. (Reverend B. Smith)

Mohammad never assigned himself a status more than a common man and a messenger of God. People had faith in him when he was surrounded by poverty and adversity and trusted him while he was the ruler of a great Empire. He was a man of spotless character who always had confidence in himself and in God's help. No aspect of his life remained hidden nor was his death a mysterious event. (M.H. Hyndman)

The personality of Muhammad, it is most difficult to get into the whole truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I can catch. What a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes! There is Muhammad, the Prophet; there is Muhammad, the Warrior; Muhammad, the Businessman; Muhammad, the Statesman; Muhammad, the Orator; Muhammad, the Reformer; Muhammad, the Refuge of Orphans; Muhammad, the Protector of Slaves; Muhammad, the Emancipator of Women; Muhammad, the Judge; Muhammad, the Saint. All in all these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is like a hero. (Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao)

I become more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme for life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and his own mission. These and not the sword, carried everything before them and surmounted every trouble. (Mahatma Gandhi)

Mohammad was the greatest Executive Officer for implementation of the Divine Will. Like other prophets he knew that time will come when all mankind will become one community. (H.N. Spalding)

If the object of religion be the inculcation of morals, the diminution of evil, the promotion of human happiness, the expansion of the human intellect, if the performance of good works will avail in the great day when mankind shall be summoned to its final reckoning it is neither irreverent nor unreasonable to admit that Muhammad was indeed an Apostle of God. (S. P. Scott)

Muhammad adhered meticulously to the charter he forged for Medina, which - grounded as it was in the Qur'anic injunction, "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (2:256) - is arguably the first mandate for religious tolerance in human history. (Huston Smith)

Mohammad introduced the concept of such Glorious and Omnipotent God in Whose eyes all worldly systems are pieces of straw. Islamic equality of mankind is no fiction as it is in Christianity. No human mind has ever thought of such total freedom as established by Mohammad. (Dr. Mawde Royden)

The Book revealed to Muhammad is one and unique of its kind. It has left indelible impression on the hearts of humanity. Nothing can overcome its majesty. The Qura'n has given new dimensions to human thinking - Surprising reforms, stunning success! (Rev. B. Margoliouth)

Muhammad saved the human civilization from extinction. (J.H. Denison)

He laid the foundation of a universal government. His law was one for all. Equal justice and love for everyone. (George Rivorie)

Islam is the only religion that gives dignity to the poor. (Ramsey Clark, Former U.S. Attorney General)

The message of Mohammad, Islam, is nothing but a blessing for mankind - The usher from darkness to light and from Satan to God. (Rev E. Stephenson)

In Islam the believer is a worshiper and a soldier ever ready to go to the battlefield but only for that battle which is waged to eradicate the evil. (H.N. Spalding)

Mohammad's religion reformed all existing dogmas and brought the Arabs ahead of the super powers of the time. (Dr. Marcus Dods)

Islam does not set impossible goals. There are no mythological intricacies in this message. No hidden meanings or secrets and absolutely no priesthood. (Phillip K. Hitti, American historian and philosopher)

Kingdom of God on Earth! God's messenger serving as the greatest proponent of human brotherhood, His viceroy on earth in the form of Muhammad. (Philip K. Hitti)
Muhammad was the most successful of all religious personalities. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 4th & 11th editions)

The Message of Mohammad is not a set of metaphysical phenomena. It is a complete civilization. (W.A.R. Gibb)

The Christian World came to wage crusades against Muslims but eventually knelt before them to gain knowledge. They were spellbound to see that Muslims were owners of a culture that was far superior to their own. The Dark Ages of Europe were illuminated by nothing but the beacon of Muslim civilization. (F.J.C. Hearushaw)

The power that created in Muslims a ravenous appetite for knowledge sprung from the Qur'an. (Rev. B. Margoliouth)

The solution to all international conflicts lies only in embracing Islam en masse because Islam is the only religion that can transcend nationalism. I see, with great dismay, that nationalism is gaining grounds even among the bearers of the Qur'an. I will hope for the day when all humanity will break this idol and unite all as the children of God. (Arnold J. Toynbey)

Fellow inhabitants of the planet! Search for the ideal Prophet, who in the 7th century, has shown you the way to total success. (Lewis Mumford)

All religions, save the word of Muhammad, are broken boats. They cannot take humanity to the shore of serenity. (Dr. E.B. Hocking)

Mohammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him. (Diwan Chand Sharma)

I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of Qur'an which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness. (Napoleon Bonaparte)
The Islamic teachings have left great traditions for equitable and gentle dealings and behavior, and inspire people with nobility and tolerance. These are human teachings of the highest order and at the same time practicable. These teachings brought into existence a society in which hard-heartedness and collective oppression and injustice were the least as compared with all other societies preceding it. Islam is replete with gentleness, courtesy, and fraternity. (H.G. Wells)

The Creed of Mohammad is free from ambiguity and the Qur'an is a glorious testimony to the unity of God. (Edward Gibbon, British historian)

The greatest crime, the greatest 'sin' of Mohammad in the eyes of the Christian West is that he did not allow himself to be slaughtered, to be 'crucified' by his enemies. He only defended himself, his family and his followers; and finally vanquished his enemies. Mohammad's success is the Christians' gall of disappointment: He did not believe in any vicarious sacrifices for the sins of others. (Edward Gibbon)

The towering personality of Muhammad has left bright and indelible imprints on all mankind. (John William Draper)

The man who of all men exercised the greatest influence upon the human race--Muhammad. (John William Draper)

Among leaders who have made the greatest impact through ages, I would consider Muhammad before Jesus Christ. (James Gavin, Speeches of a U.S. Army General)

Absolutely unique in history, Muhammad is a threefold founder of a nation, of an empire and of a religion. (Reverend B. Smith)

The noble founder of a nation, an empire and a religion. The unlettered one bestowed upon the world the Book which is a miracle, the eternal miracle and the true miracle. (Reverend B. Smith)

In the person of the prophet of Islam we see the rarest phenomenon on earth walking in flesh and blood i.e. the union of the theorist, the organizer and the leader in one man. (Prof. K.S. Ramakrishna Rao)

A man of truth and fidelity, true in what he did, in what he speaks and thought - this is the only sort of speech worth speaking. (Thomas Carlyle)

The lies that we (Christians) have heaped round this man (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only. (Thomas Carlyle, British author)