Why is the Prophet Muhammad the most influential figure in history?

No doubt, the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the greatness, distinction, and nobility it embodied, represents a shining beacon for those seeking ideals in its elevation, values in its purity, and heroism in its nobility. He, peace be upon him, made himself a model of humanity by the command of his Lord, guiding with his guidance, and being emulated by his footsteps… so that people stand before a revealed book representing “the methodology” in its highest manifestation, and before a sent prophet representing the human model, the living example.

Allah Almighty combined “the Prophet” and “the Qur’an” in one verse, as an expression of gratitude, saying: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book” (Al-Ma’idah: 15). Al-Tabari said: “By light, it means Muhammad (peace be upon him); Allah illuminated the truth through him, manifested Islam through him, and defeated polytheism through him; he is a light for those enlightened by him, clarifying the truth. Through his illumination of the truth, it became clear to the Jews much of what they concealed from the Book.”

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led a life filled with aspects of greatness, lessons, and examples. While we, as Muslims, view his life from the perspective of prophethood and being the bearer of Allah’s message – which is fundamental and natural within the context of faith in his prophethood and message – others who do not believe in him, peace be upon him, may look at his noble life from a different perspective, not necessarily through the lens of prophecy. Yet, they may find aspects of greatness, fascination, and admiration, leading them to revere this noble prophet.

This is what led the American “Michael Hart” to study the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to place him at the top of the list of the 100 most influential figures in history. It also led “Al-Aqqad” to write his book “The Genius of Muhammad.” Al-Aqqad’s intention was not to separate prophecy from the Prophet’s life, but rather to highlight from his life what suits all people, addressing them based on their differences.

Hart decided that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the most influential person in history, based on several factors and criteria, which are worth pondering over because they make Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a role model and an example even for those who do not believe in his prophethood and message.

The criteria that Michael Hart relied on in his assessment were:

1- That Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) “is the only person in history who succeeded absolutely in both the religious and worldly levels”:

Indeed, in history, we have known figures who excelled either spiritually, in asceticism and piety, or materially, in wealth and power. Rarely do we find someone who excels in both, even if within worldly limits. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an example in both realms because his life embodied his message, and his message combined both aspects: “And seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land.” (Al-Qasas: 77).

2- That the impact of Muhammad (peace be upon him) “remains strong and renewed”:

This is undoubtedly noticeable, despite the weaknesses and shortcomings Muslims may experience. As long as their scripture is preserved, their inspiration will remain alive, and their strength will remain capable of resurgence, despite the trials they face and the strength the hardships may take from them. This renewal is connected to what his message entails as the final message, for there is no message after it. Hence, his nation, the bearers of that message, remained capable of constant renewal and continuous giving. History is the best witness; Muslims have endured trials and crises that would have exterminated others, such as the Tartars and the Crusaders, but Allah protected them, extended their reign, and preserved them until they regained their strength and defeated their enemies, to the extent that some of these enemies embraced the “religion” they had previously fought against!

3- That he grew up in an environment that had no precedent in civilization and urbanization:

Unlike those who influenced humanity and were born into centers of civilization, from cultured political and intellectual backgrounds, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) grew up “in Mecca, in southern Arabia, in a backward region of the ancient world, far from centers of trade, civilization, culture, and art. He grew up in humble conditions and was neither literate nor educated.” Yes, the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not the result of accumulated civilizations in the reality in which it grew, so that no one would claim that the bearer of the message inherited it from his ancestors or learned it in the context of a previous civilization.

4- That he (peace be upon him) managed to unite the Arabs:

Before, they were divided into disparate warring tribes, not bound by any alliance or governed by any king, and they only knew unity under Islam, and they only experienced brotherhood thanks to it: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers” (Aal ‘Imran: 103).

Therefore, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – as Hart observes – “was able, for the first time in history, to unite them, to fill them with faith, and to guide them all with the call to the One God. That is why the small believing Muslim armies were able to carry out the greatest conquests known to humanity. Muslim lands expanded under the feet of the Muslims from the north of the Arabian Peninsula and included the Persian Empire in the era of the Sasanians, to the northwest, sweeping Byzantium and the Eastern Roman Empire. The Arabs were much fewer than all these states they invaded and defeated.”

These are four reasons that led “Michael Hart” to place Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the top of the list of the most influential figures in history.