It was in the month of Ramadan when an incident took place, which would change the rest of Muhammad’s life and the course of human history. The Prophet (pbuh) was forty years old and until now he had lived a relatively normal life. Until this day, he wasn’t well known for anything apart from his honesty and good character.
The Prophet (pbuh) had dedicated a few days to Allah, away from the world, in seclusion. Muhammad (pbuh) was alone in a cave in mount Hira, on the outskirts of Makkah when suddenly the angel Jibrael appeared to him in the form of a man. The angel said to the prophet ‘IQRA’ which means to read, repeat or recite. The prophet (pbuh) was shocked and terrified when he saw the angel before him because he had been alone in the cave until then. The Prophet (pbuh) replied to the angel “I can not read.” The angel grabbed the prophet (pbuh) and squeezed him, repeating the same words to the prophet (pbuh) – Iqra. The Prophet (pbuh) again replied, “I can not read!”
As we know very few people could read and write at this time in Arabia. Most people had very little education and this was also true for our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The word Iqra has a few meanings and this is the character of the Arabic language. Each word is taken from a root word that defines the meaning of this word.
The angel squeezed the prophet (pbuh) a second time and then repeated ‘IQRA’ for a third time. The Prophet (pbuh) replied with the same words “I can not read!” The angel squeezed the Prophet (pbuh) a third time and said Iqra, bismi rabi kalla zi….:
Read in the name of your lord who created
He created man from a clot of blood
Read and your lord is most bountiful
He who has taught by the pen
Taught man that which he knew not
The prophet (pbuh) afterwards talked of this experience and recalled how it was – as if these words were written on his heart. The prophet (pbuh) was scared and confused. He could not believe what had happened and he ran from the cave towards the house. On the way he heard a voice above him saying you are Muhammad (pbuh) the messenger of Allah and I am Jibrael.
Muhammad (pbuh) turned around and saw the angel standing astride, filling the whole horizon. The prophet (pbuh) turned away and wherever he turned he could see the angel. The prophet (pbuh) heard the same words as before that you are Muhammad (pbuh) the messenger of Allah and I am Jibrael. Finally, the angel disappeared from the horizon and the prophet (pbuh) descended down the slope and ran home.
The prophet (pbuh) went home straight to his wife. He got home and said to Khadija ,“Cover me, cover me.” The prophet (pbuh) was trembling as he lay on the couch, covered by a cloak. He re-told the whole story to Khadija who listened to every word. She reassured him that he was a good man and that he was good to the orphans and helped the poor and needy. He looked after his guests and was always kind and generous to all. Allah did not want anything bad for such a person.
She then went to her cousin Waraqah who was old and had lost his sight. He was amazed at what he heard. He said this was the same Namus (i.e. Angel Jibrael) who had come to Musa. He also said that Muhammad (pbuh) was the messenger of Allah and that he would have joined him if he were young and able. Waraqah also said that the people would doubt you, ill treat you and drive you away from your home.
Many aspects of the life of the final messenger (pbuh) was foretold in the religious scripture of different religions. This is one of the reasons why some people accepted Islam very quickly. They could see the qualities and events about the prophet (pbuh) as described in their books. In many cases, they were waiting for a prophet (pbuh) to come.
Muhammad (pbuh) later received more verses from the Qu'ran which was followed by a period when there was no revelation coming to him. The Prophet (pbuh) was concerned that he might have said or done something to incur this silence from Allah. Khadija re-assured him that Muhammad (pbuh) was a good person and he did not do anything wrong.
After a while, the messages returned to the Prophet (pbuh) and he continued to practice Islam. Muhammad (pbuh) began to tell some of his close companions about what had happened and asked them to keep it a secret.
After Khadijah, the people that believed in the prophet (pbuh) were Ali and Zayd. Ali was only ten years old and Zayd was a slave who had no influence in the Makkan Society. After them Abu Bakr, from the tribe of Taym, accepted Islam. He was a well-mannered and liked person who was well respected by the Arabs of Makkah. He was also a successful merchant. He used to tell some of his close friends whom accepted Islam at his hands.
The early converts were people who knew the prophet (pbuh) very well. They knew his character and his good qualities. They also knew that he had always been truthful and did not doubt his word when he told them that revelation had come to him. They knew that he had never composed any words or poems in the past and the verses of the Qu’ran were a true master piece.
Another well known story, of conversion was that Uthman son of Affan, was sleeping in the desert whilst on a trade journey, when he heard a loud voice saying, “Sleepers, awake, Ahmad has come forth in Makkah.” Uthman then hurried to Makkah where he met Talha on the way. Talha said that when he was in Syria, he met a monk, who had asked if Ahmad had come to the people of the sanctuary. When Talha quizzed the monk about Ahmad, the monk replied that Ahmad was the son of Abdullah the son of Abdul Muttalib.
Both Uthman and Talha went to Abu Bakr, who was known to be close to the Prophet (pbuh). They both related their stories. Abu Bakr then took them to the Prophet (pbuh) and both young men accepted Islam. These were some of the earliest converts to Islam.
One of these remarkable people who accepted Islam in the earliest stages was a young boy by the name of Ibn Masood. He attended sheep on the outskirts of Makkah when he was a young lad. One day, the prophet (pbuh) and Abu Bakr were passing by and asked the boy for some milk. Ibn masood refused them milk saying that they were not his sheep. The prophet (pbuh) asked him to bring him a young sheep that did not bear any milk. When Ibn Masood brought the sheep over, the prophet (pbuh) did a prayer and the udder was full of milk. The prophet (pbuh) and Abu Bakr drank the milk and afterwards the udder dried up. A few days later Ibn Masood accepted Islam and became one of the leading authorities in Islam with the regards to the Qu'ran.
The angel Jibrael appeared to Muhammad (pbuh) one day and taught him about Wudhu and salah. The angel cast his heel on the ground causing a spring to start gushing from the ground. The angel then showed the prophet (pbuh) how to wash up for prayers (wudhu) and also showed Muhammad (pbuh) how to pray to Allah. It showed the prophet (pbuh) how to perform the Salah with all the different positions of bowing and sitting. The angel also told him what to say in the Salah. From then on the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) began to perform Salah.
Everything was going well for the prophet (pbuh). There were a few Muslim coverts now but they were his close friends and family. What would happen when Allah asked him to deliver the message to the Makkans? The Makkans were war-like and stubborn, how would they react? Would they get angry and try to kill the Muhammad (pbuh) or would they accept Islam? What trials and tribulations would the Muslims face?
Muhammad's Early Job, Marriage to Khadijah
MUHAMMAD'S EARLY JOB:
Muhammad (Peace be upon him), had no particular job at his early youth, but it was reported that he worked as a shepherd for Bani Sa‘d and in Makkah. At the age of 25, he went to Syria as a merchant for Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) Ibn Ishaq reported that Khadijah, daughter of Khwailid was a business-woman of great honour and fortune. She used to employ men to do her business for a certain percentage of the profits. Quraish people were mostly tradespeople, so when Khadijah was informed of Muhammad (Peace be upon him), his truthful words, great honesty and kind manners, she sent for him. She offered him money to go to Syria and do her business, and she would give him a higher rate than the others. She would also send her hireling, Maisarah, with him. He agreed and went with her servant to Syria for trade.
HIS MARRIEAGE TO KHADIJAH:
When he returned to Makkah, Khadijah noticed, in her money, more profits and blessings than she used to. Her hireling also told her of Muhammad’s good manners, honesty, deep thought, sincerity and faith. She realized that she homed at her target. Many prominent men had asked for her hand in marriage but she always spurned their advances. She disclosed her wish to her friend Nafisa, daughter of Maniya, who immediately went to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and broke the good news to him. He agreed and requested his uncles to go to Khadijah’s uncle and talk on this issue. Subsequently, they were married. The marriage contract was witnessed by Bani Hashim and the heads of Mudar. This took place after the Prophet’s return from Syria. He gave her twenty camels as dowry. She was, then, forty years old and was considered as the best woman of her folk in lineage, fortune and wisdom. She was the first woman whom the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) married. He did not get married to any other until she had died.
Khadijah bore all his children, except Ibrahim: Al-Qasim, Zainab, Ruqaiyah, Umm Kulthum, Fatimah and ‘Abdullah who was called Taiyib and Tahir. All his sons died in their childhood and all the daughters except Fatimah died during his lifetime. Fatimah died six months after his death. All his daughters witnessed Islam, embraced it, and emigrated to Madinah.
Muhammad (Peace be upon him), had no particular job at his early youth, but it was reported that he worked as a shepherd for Bani Sa‘d and in Makkah. At the age of 25, he went to Syria as a merchant for Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) Ibn Ishaq reported that Khadijah, daughter of Khwailid was a business-woman of great honour and fortune. She used to employ men to do her business for a certain percentage of the profits. Quraish people were mostly tradespeople, so when Khadijah was informed of Muhammad (Peace be upon him), his truthful words, great honesty and kind manners, she sent for him. She offered him money to go to Syria and do her business, and she would give him a higher rate than the others. She would also send her hireling, Maisarah, with him. He agreed and went with her servant to Syria for trade.
HIS MARRIEAGE TO KHADIJAH:
When he returned to Makkah, Khadijah noticed, in her money, more profits and blessings than she used to. Her hireling also told her of Muhammad’s good manners, honesty, deep thought, sincerity and faith. She realized that she homed at her target. Many prominent men had asked for her hand in marriage but she always spurned their advances. She disclosed her wish to her friend Nafisa, daughter of Maniya, who immediately went to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and broke the good news to him. He agreed and requested his uncles to go to Khadijah’s uncle and talk on this issue. Subsequently, they were married. The marriage contract was witnessed by Bani Hashim and the heads of Mudar. This took place after the Prophet’s return from Syria. He gave her twenty camels as dowry. She was, then, forty years old and was considered as the best woman of her folk in lineage, fortune and wisdom. She was the first woman whom the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) married. He did not get married to any other until she had died.
Khadijah bore all his children, except Ibrahim: Al-Qasim, Zainab, Ruqaiyah, Umm Kulthum, Fatimah and ‘Abdullah who was called Taiyib and Tahir. All his sons died in their childhood and all the daughters except Fatimah died during his lifetime. Fatimah died six months after his death. All his daughters witnessed Islam, embraced it, and emigrated to Madinah.
Poem on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Alama Iqbal
He slept on a mat of rushes,
But the crown of Chosroes lay beneath the feet of his followers;
He chose the nightly solitude of Mount Hira,
And founded a nation, law and government;
He passed his nights with sleepless eyes,
That his Millet might sleep on Chosroes throne
In the hour of battle, iron was melted by the flash of his sword.
At prayer time, tears fell like drops of rain from his eyes.
In his prayer for Divine help, his Amen' was a sword,
Which extirpated the lineage of kings.
He inaugurated a new Order in the world,
He brought the empires old to an end:
In his sight the high and the low were one,
He sat with the slave at table one;
He burnt clear the distinctions of birth and clan.
His fire consumed all this trash and bran.
What great peoples of the world says about the Greatests Man of all time of the Universe
Over a billion “ bear witness he is the Messenger of God, “1,126,325,000 Who is he ? as per ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA.
“A mass of detail in the early sources show that he was an honest and upright man who had gained the respect and loyalty of others who were like-wise honest and upright men." (Vol. 12)
MUHAMMAD pbuh is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities."
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. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion for from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity.“
"I believe that 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 it the much needed peace and happiness: GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
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.”
If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islam.“ (Sir George Bernard Shaw in 'The Genuine Islam,' Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.) GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
He did it…
He was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms.
He established a powerful and dynamic society to practice and represent his teachings and completely revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior for all times to come.
Yes, he was Prophet MUHAMMAD (pbuh)
He was born in Arabia in the year 570, started his mission of preaching the religion of Truth, Islam (submission to One God) at the age of forty and departed from this world at the age of sixty-three.
During this short period of 23 years of his Prophet hood, he changed the complete Arabian peninsula.
His Mission Impossible
From paganism and idolatry to SUBMISSION to the One True God,
From tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion,
From drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety,
From lawlessness and anarchy to disciplined living,
From utter bankruptcy to the highest standards of moral excellence.
His Mission Impossible
Human history has never known such a complete transformation of a society or a place before or since
IMAGINE all these unbelievable wonders in JUST OVER TWO DECADES.
His Mission Impossible
"He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope 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 Mohammed, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports." REV. REGINALD BOSWORTH SMITH,
"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.“
THE 100: A RANKING OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN HISTORY, New York, 1978, p. 33) MICHAEL H. HART, When he ranked him 1st in the list wrote :
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.
QUOTED IN CHRISTIAN CHERFILS’ BONAPARTE ET ISLAM (PARIS 1914)
NEPOLEAN BONAPARTE,
"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 than MUHAMMAD? LAMAR TINE,
The renowned historian, speaking on the essentials of human greatness wonders:
The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes.
This man moved not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls....
LAMAR TINE,
His forbearance in victory, his ambition, which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire; His endless prayers, his mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death; all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma.
LAMAR TINE,
Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is MUHAMMAD.
As regards all the standards by which Human Greatness may be measured, we may well ask,
IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE ?"
(ALPHONSE DE LAMAR TINE, HISTOIRE DE LA TURQUIE, PARIS, 1854, VOL. II, PP 276-277) LAMAR TINE,
The world has had its share of great personalities.
But these were one-sided figures who distinguished themselves in but one or two fields, such as religious thought or military leadership.
The lives and teachings of these great personalities of the world are shrouded in the mist of time.
There is so much speculation about the time and place of their birth, the mode and style of their life, the nature and detail of their teachings and the degree and measure of their success or failure that it is impossible for humanity to reconstruct accurately the lives and teachings of these men.
“The league of nations founded by the prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations.“ He continues: "The fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done towards the realization of the idea of the League of Nations." PROFESSOR HURGRONJE,
“I Believe In One God, & MUHAMMAD, An Apostle Of God' is the simple and invariable profession of Islam.”
The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet has never transgressed the measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude within the bounds of reason and religion.” (HISTORY OF THE SARACEN EMPIRES, London, 1870, p. 54)
EDWARD GIBBON and SIMON OCKLEY,
"The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (MUHAMMAD) are disgraceful to ourselves only…How one man single-handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades….A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the world’s Maker had ordered so."
THOMAS CARLYLE in his book HEROES AND HEROWORSHIP
Nothing more than a human being MUHAMMAD (pbuh) was nothing more or less than a human being. But he was a man with a noble mission, which was to unite humanity on the submission to ONE and ONLY GOD and to teach them the way to ideal and upright living based on the commands of God.
He always described himself as, 'A Servant & Messenger of God,' and so indeed every action of his proclaimed to be.
Nothing more than a human being
The world has not hesitated to raise to divinity, individuals whose lives and missions have been lost in legend.
Historically speaking, none of these legends achieved even a fraction of what MUHAMMAD (pbuh) accomplished. And all his striving was for the sole purpose of uniting mankind for the worship of One God on the codes of moral excellence.
MUHAMMAD (peace be up on him) accomplished so much in such diverse fields of human thought and behavior in the fullest blaze of human history.
Every detail of his private life and public utterances has been accurately documented and faithfully preserved to our day.
The authenticities of the record so preserved are vouched for not only by the faithful followers but also even by his prejudiced critics.
Nothing more than a human being
"I wanted to know the best of one who holds today's undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.. I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission….”
MAHATMA GANDHI, says in ‘Young India’..
"It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for, in the mosque, when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim: 'God Alone is Great'...
(S.NAIDU, IDEALS OF ISLAM, VIDE SPEECHES & WRITINGS, MADRAS, 1918)
SAROJINI NAIDU, the famous Indian poetess says …
"It is impossible for anyone who studies the life & character of the great Prophet of Arabia, …., to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher."
ANNIE BESANT in The Life & Teaching of MUHAMMAD says
Today after a lapse of fourteen centuries, the life and teachings of MUHAMMAD (pbuh) have survived without the slightest loss, alteration or interpolation. They offer the same undying hope for treating mankind's many ills, which they did when he was alive.
This is not a claim of MUHAMMAD’S (pbuh) followers but also the inescapable conclusion forced upon by a critical and unbiased history.
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh) was a teacher, a social reformer, a moral guide, an administrative colossus, a faithful friend, a wonderful companion, a devoted husband, a loving father - all in one.
No other man in history ever excelled or equaled him in any of these different aspects of life - but it was only for the selfless personality of MUHAMMAD (pbuh) to achieve such incredible perfections.
He was the most faithful protector of those he protected, the sweetest and most agreeable in conversation. Those who saw him were suddenly filled with reverence; those who came near him loved him; they who described him would say, "I have never seen his like either before or after." He was of great taciturnity, but when he spoke it was with emphasis and deliberation, and no one could forget what he said...
LANE-POOLE in 'Speeches and Table Talk of the Prophet’
His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory as they would have done had they been effected by selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manner and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonial of respect was shown to him.
WASHINGTON IRVING,
"People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense.
People like Jinnah, 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 MUHAMMAD, who combined all three functions. To a lesser degree, Moses did the same."
PROF. JULES MASSERMAN of USA Psychiatric Association :
The least YOU could do as a thinking and concerned human being is to stop for moment and ask yourself: Could these statements sounding so extraordinary and revolutionary be really true?
And supposing they really are true and you did not know this man MUHAMMAD (pbuh) or hear about him, isn't it time you responded to this tremendous challenge and put in some effort to know him?
Now please relax for a moment …
Redesigning & extra quotations added by Sajid Shaikh
It will cost you nothing but it may prove to be the beginning of a completely new era in ones life, even of a Muslim!
It is impossible to cover :
What this Man accomplishments in 14 centuries,
Quoting just 15 most famous people of the world,
And putting up all this on display in just Few slides,
The essence of what God told to this man in 6000+ verse.
“A mass of detail in the early sources show that he was an honest and upright man who had gained the respect and loyalty of others who were like-wise honest and upright men." (Vol. 12)
MUHAMMAD pbuh is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities."
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. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion for from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity.“
"I believe that 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 it the much needed peace and happiness: GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
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.”
If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islam.“ (Sir George Bernard Shaw in 'The Genuine Islam,' Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.) GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
He did it…
He was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms.
He established a powerful and dynamic society to practice and represent his teachings and completely revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior for all times to come.
Yes, he was Prophet MUHAMMAD (pbuh)
He was born in Arabia in the year 570, started his mission of preaching the religion of Truth, Islam (submission to One God) at the age of forty and departed from this world at the age of sixty-three.
During this short period of 23 years of his Prophet hood, he changed the complete Arabian peninsula.
His Mission Impossible
From paganism and idolatry to SUBMISSION to the One True God,
From tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion,
From drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety,
From lawlessness and anarchy to disciplined living,
From utter bankruptcy to the highest standards of moral excellence.
His Mission Impossible
Human history has never known such a complete transformation of a society or a place before or since
IMAGINE all these unbelievable wonders in JUST OVER TWO DECADES.
His Mission Impossible
"He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope 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 Mohammed, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports." REV. REGINALD BOSWORTH SMITH,
"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.“
THE 100: A RANKING OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN HISTORY, New York, 1978, p. 33) MICHAEL H. HART, When he ranked him 1st in the list wrote :
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.
QUOTED IN CHRISTIAN CHERFILS’ BONAPARTE ET ISLAM (PARIS 1914)
NEPOLEAN BONAPARTE,
"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 than MUHAMMAD? LAMAR TINE,
The renowned historian, speaking on the essentials of human greatness wonders:
The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes.
This man moved not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls....
LAMAR TINE,
His forbearance in victory, his ambition, which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire; His endless prayers, his mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death; all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma.
LAMAR TINE,
Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is MUHAMMAD.
As regards all the standards by which Human Greatness may be measured, we may well ask,
IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE ?"
(ALPHONSE DE LAMAR TINE, HISTOIRE DE LA TURQUIE, PARIS, 1854, VOL. II, PP 276-277) LAMAR TINE,
The world has had its share of great personalities.
But these were one-sided figures who distinguished themselves in but one or two fields, such as religious thought or military leadership.
The lives and teachings of these great personalities of the world are shrouded in the mist of time.
There is so much speculation about the time and place of their birth, the mode and style of their life, the nature and detail of their teachings and the degree and measure of their success or failure that it is impossible for humanity to reconstruct accurately the lives and teachings of these men.
“The league of nations founded by the prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations.“ He continues: "The fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done towards the realization of the idea of the League of Nations." PROFESSOR HURGRONJE,
“I Believe In One God, & MUHAMMAD, An Apostle Of God' is the simple and invariable profession of Islam.”
The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet has never transgressed the measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude within the bounds of reason and religion.” (HISTORY OF THE SARACEN EMPIRES, London, 1870, p. 54)
EDWARD GIBBON and SIMON OCKLEY,
"The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (MUHAMMAD) are disgraceful to ourselves only…How one man single-handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades….A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the world’s Maker had ordered so."
THOMAS CARLYLE in his book HEROES AND HEROWORSHIP
Nothing more than a human being MUHAMMAD (pbuh) was nothing more or less than a human being. But he was a man with a noble mission, which was to unite humanity on the submission to ONE and ONLY GOD and to teach them the way to ideal and upright living based on the commands of God.
He always described himself as, 'A Servant & Messenger of God,' and so indeed every action of his proclaimed to be.
Nothing more than a human being
The world has not hesitated to raise to divinity, individuals whose lives and missions have been lost in legend.
Historically speaking, none of these legends achieved even a fraction of what MUHAMMAD (pbuh) accomplished. And all his striving was for the sole purpose of uniting mankind for the worship of One God on the codes of moral excellence.
MUHAMMAD (peace be up on him) accomplished so much in such diverse fields of human thought and behavior in the fullest blaze of human history.
Every detail of his private life and public utterances has been accurately documented and faithfully preserved to our day.
The authenticities of the record so preserved are vouched for not only by the faithful followers but also even by his prejudiced critics.
Nothing more than a human being
"I wanted to know the best of one who holds today's undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.. I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission….”
MAHATMA GANDHI, says in ‘Young India’..
"It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for, in the mosque, when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim: 'God Alone is Great'...
(S.NAIDU, IDEALS OF ISLAM, VIDE SPEECHES & WRITINGS, MADRAS, 1918)
SAROJINI NAIDU, the famous Indian poetess says …
"It is impossible for anyone who studies the life & character of the great Prophet of Arabia, …., to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher."
ANNIE BESANT in The Life & Teaching of MUHAMMAD says
Today after a lapse of fourteen centuries, the life and teachings of MUHAMMAD (pbuh) have survived without the slightest loss, alteration or interpolation. They offer the same undying hope for treating mankind's many ills, which they did when he was alive.
This is not a claim of MUHAMMAD’S (pbuh) followers but also the inescapable conclusion forced upon by a critical and unbiased history.
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh) was a teacher, a social reformer, a moral guide, an administrative colossus, a faithful friend, a wonderful companion, a devoted husband, a loving father - all in one.
No other man in history ever excelled or equaled him in any of these different aspects of life - but it was only for the selfless personality of MUHAMMAD (pbuh) to achieve such incredible perfections.
He was the most faithful protector of those he protected, the sweetest and most agreeable in conversation. Those who saw him were suddenly filled with reverence; those who came near him loved him; they who described him would say, "I have never seen his like either before or after." He was of great taciturnity, but when he spoke it was with emphasis and deliberation, and no one could forget what he said...
LANE-POOLE in 'Speeches and Table Talk of the Prophet’
His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory as they would have done had they been effected by selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manner and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonial of respect was shown to him.
WASHINGTON IRVING,
"People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense.
People like Jinnah, 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 MUHAMMAD, who combined all three functions. To a lesser degree, Moses did the same."
PROF. JULES MASSERMAN of USA Psychiatric Association :
The least YOU could do as a thinking and concerned human being is to stop for moment and ask yourself: Could these statements sounding so extraordinary and revolutionary be really true?
And supposing they really are true and you did not know this man MUHAMMAD (pbuh) or hear about him, isn't it time you responded to this tremendous challenge and put in some effort to know him?
Now please relax for a moment …
Redesigning & extra quotations added by Sajid Shaikh
It will cost you nothing but it may prove to be the beginning of a completely new era in ones life, even of a Muslim!
It is impossible to cover :
What this Man accomplishments in 14 centuries,
Quoting just 15 most famous people of the world,
And putting up all this on display in just Few slides,
The essence of what God told to this man in 6000+ verse.
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