The Question:
I was recently asked, “Why is Muhammad and his deliverance of a divine sacred script so important to so many, Muslims and non-Muslims alike?”
My Response:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his deliverance of a divine sacred script (i.e. The Holy Qur’an) are important to Muslims and non-Muslims alike for several reasons. From a Muslim perspective, the rise of Islam is intrinsically linked with the Prophet Muhammad, who is the last in a long line of prophets. Muslims from all walks of life strive to follow his example as he was the chosen recipient and messenger of the word of God through divine revelations. After the holy Qur’an, the sayings of the Prophet (hadith) and descriptions of his way of life (sunna) are the most important Muslim texts.
For non-Muslims, the importance of the Prophet Muhammad and the sacred script lies in understanding the history and impact of monotheism, studying the rise of Islam, and acknowledging the merging of politics and religion in the life of Muhammad while considering how this legacy shapes the Muslim world today.
Prophet Muhammad’s role and the sacred script have historical, religious, and cultural significance that extends beyond the Muslim community, influencing the broader understanding of the monotheistic tradition and its global impact.
The significance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the sacred script is complex and multifaceted to say the least.
What Have Others Said?
Michael H. Hart: He was the author of “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History.” In his book, he ranked Prophet Muhammad as the most influential person in history.
He stated that Muhammad was the only person in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. He acknowledged Muhammad’s success in founding and promulgating one of the world’s great religions and becoming an immensely effective political leader.
Otto Van Bismarck: He was a prominent political figure in 19th-century Germany and is best known for his role in the unification of Germany. He served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire and played a crucial role in shaping modern Germany.
He once stated, “…humanity saw an outstanding power like you once, but will never be able to see in the future. I humbly bow to your esteemed character with the upmost degree.”
Mahatma Gandhi: He was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was known for his nonviolent approach to civil disobedience and his advocacy for the rights of the Indian people.
Regarding his views on Prophet Muhammad, he nas been reported saying, “I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions…I became more than ever convinced it was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his selflessness, his absolute trust in God and his own mission. These surmounted every obstacle. Muhammad was a great Prophet.”
He further expressed, “I have read Sir Abdullah Suhrawardy’s collection of the sayings of the Prophet with much interest. They are among the treasures not only of Muslims, but of all humanity.”
Thomas Carlyle: He was a Scottish philosopher, historian, and writer who expressed admiration for the Prophet Muhammad. In his work titled “On Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History,” Carlyle selected Prophet Muhammad under the heading “The Hero as Prophet.” He analyzed the life and mission of Prophet Muhammad, dismissing allegations of imposture, lack of sincerity, forgery, violence, or sensuality.
Carlyle highlighted the sincerity and originality of Prophet Muhammad as a “Great and Fiery” man. The work of Carlyle encouraged unbiased writings on the life of Prophet Muhammad in the modern Muslim world and has been referenced as an example of a fair Western voice on Prophet Muhammad.
William Montgomery Watt (1909-2006): He was a Scottish historian, orientalist, academic, and Anglican priest known for his work in the field of Islamic studies. He was highly respected by both Christians and Muslims for his extensive work on the biography of the Prophet Muhammad and various other books about Islam. He summary, he surmised that Prophet Muhammad was one of the greatest men that ever lived.
Montgomery Watt’s work provides a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to understanding the life and historical significance of the Prophet Muhammad. His books serve as valuable sources for those seeking to broaden their knowledge and understanding of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
Karen Armstrong: She is a world renowned British author known for her books on comparative religion. In her book “Muhammad: A Prophet For Our Time,” Armstrong describes Muhammad as both a mystic touched by God on a mountaintop and a canny political and social reformer. She also describes Muhammad as preaching loyalty to God rather than tribe, reconciliation rather than retaliation, care for orphans and the poor, and empowerment of women. She highlights his tireless campaign against greed, injustice, and arrogance and his efforts to evolve new solutions for the changing times.
Her respected views on the Prophet Muhammad emphasize his role as a complex figure who contributed to the evolution of religious and social values.
George Bernard Shaw: He was an Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist who lived from 1856 to 1950. He was known for his wit and witicisms, his support of socialism, and his work as a playwright. Regarding his thoughts about the Prophet Muhammad, he said: “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 capability to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age.” His statement shows Shaw’s positive view of the religion of Muhammad and its ability to adapt and appeal to people from different eras.
Does The Bible Mention Him?
There are Christians and Jews who will deny that he is. Others who discover this fact will try to explain it away. Why?
One disturbing reason to deny him would be the theological differences regarding his mention in their scriptures. According to the Quran, Prophet Muhammad’s coming was foreshadowed by earlier prophets and their scriptures. If this was proven and made evident, it would disrupt their philosophical and dogmatic teachings. With that said, let’s look at what they fear might be substantiated in the near future.
In the Hebrew Bible, the Songs of Solomon, it states,
חִכּוֹ֙ מַֽמְתַקִּ֔ים וְכֻלֹּ֖ו מַחֲמַדִּ֑ים זֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙
They translate it to say, “His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved.”
The problem with this is because they translated the name “Muhammad” (מַחֲמַדִּ֑) instead of leaving it as it was written. If you question this as being factual, copy the emboldened word and Google its translation in a (Hebrew to English) translator. Afterwards, ask yourself why would they do this?
Qur’anic & Biblical Texts
More Profound Evidence
Sacred Hindu Scriptures
The Bhavishya Purana has references regarding Prophet Muhammad. The specific verse from the Bhavishya Purana (Parva 3, Khand 3, Adhya 3, verses 5-6) states that “An illiterate mleccha [foreigner] teacher will appear, Mahamada is his name, and he will give religion to his fifth-class companions.” The verse does not describe much about his life, but it does mention someone by the name of Mahamada, and what he was expected to do, which was to give his own form of religion to the lower classes of his region.
The interpretation of this as a reference to Prophet Muhammad is a matter of debate but has recently become more conceding of many scholars and religious historians. The fact they can’t deny is that these writings are a thousand (plus) years older than the birth of Prophet Muhammed, which leaves scholars to view these text as prophetic scriptures.
These ancient texts reveal much more. Research these facts for yourself. After you find your eyes opened wider, ask yourself, why would Christian and Jewish scholars want to keep this information hidden? What do you think?
I f@ck with this!
Yo, peeping how non-Muslim academics break down Muhammad be mind-blowing! Real talk, their views on the Prophet be enlightening and deep, opening eyes to fresh perspectives and knowledge. Straight up facts!
Wow! This is interesting. I didn’t know any of this. I really have to look into this further and with a more open mindset. I classify myself as being agnostic, If this is true, I can see why the church would try to hide this info. If I wasn’t so invested in the comments on Mr. Wade’s sixth blog I probably would have never read this blog. Thank you (Arabic speaking person).
Good stuff! I did not know this. After fact checking, I now know not to automatic accept what people say as fact when negative aspersions are being casted out. Trust me, I am passing this article around. Lots of people got eggs in their faces.
What an article. And I’m not Muslim and find this post amazing. So much so, I had to delve in a little deeper to learn more about Muhammad. One profound aspect of Muhammad that many non-Muslims may not know is his emphasis on kindness and compassion. Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught his followers to treat all people with kindness and respect, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs. He promoted compassion, mercy, and forgiveness as essential values in Islam. One of his famous sayings is “Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith.” This emphasis on kindness and compassion is a key aspect of Muhammad’s teachings that often resonates with people of all faiths and backgrounds. I think I’m gonna become a Muslim.
It’s an appropriate time for this post. I’ve learned much from this post and if I may just add, this is attention-grabbing. Maybe you could write more on articles relating to this subject. I want to learn more!