English Shafaqna- Since the Middle Ages and throughout the centuries that followed, the trustworthy and virtuous Prophet of Islam has been portrayed to the people of Europe through the most vile and obscene legends. Nevertheless, there have always been enlightened thinkers who courageously depicted a beautiful image of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in their poems and writings, and referred to him as the Prophet of Goodness.
According to Shafaqna, in what follows, we introduce Western Orientalists whose writings and works have clearly portrayed their genuine fascination with the sacred person of the Seal of the Prophets.
Washington Irving, American Author
Washington Irving, the American author and statesman, authored a work titled Life of Mohammed and the Caliphs after studying fifty-two books, through which he eloquently disseminated the truths of Islam to Europe and America. Unlike Christian proselytizers, he set aside prejudice; not only did he refrain from criticizing, slandering, or fabricating false attributes regarding the Prophet (PBUH), but he also praised his faith. Regarding the Prophet’s (PBUH) mission, he remarked:
“If the Prophet’s mission had been for the sake of fame, he would not only have been a person of renown and intellect in his birthplace, but he would have been peerless—especially considering that the most illustrious of the Arab tribes at that time was his own, the Quraysh. Had his mission been for the pursuit of sovereignty, power, and grandeur, the guardianship of the Kaaba and the authority over Mecca would have remained within his family from generation to generation, and everyone in that city would have looked to his lineage for hope. Furthermore, he was well aware that by renouncing the religion of his ancestors, he would forfeit all aforementioned social privileges and benefits, facing the enmity of his tribe, the aversion of the city’s inhabitants, and the hatred of all the idol-worshippers of the Kaaba. Despite these circumstances, he showed no hesitation; even when he was forced into exile for long periods and everyone in Mecca turned away from him, for what reason, then, did he renounce worldly glory and endure the reprimand of the people for years on end without abandoning his purpose? In every battle he won, he never had an eye for anyone’s wealth. He never allowed pride or arrogance to enter his heart, and even when he attained majesty and authority, his conduct remained unchanged from his past; rather, his kindness toward his subordinates grew day by day. At the height of his grandeur, whenever he entered a presence, he never demanded humility or formal courtesy.”
Karen Armstrong, Irish Author
In her bestselling book, Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time, Irish author Karen Armstrong aims to present an accurate and distinct portrayal of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the Western world. She contends that the true character of the Prophet is fundamentally different from the depiction offered by Salman Rushdie.
In the preface of her book, Karen Armstrong expresses her regret that the image of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Western mind is often limited to either the depiction provided by Salman Rushdie or the lingering prejudices stemming from the era of the Crusades. According to the author, the events of September 11, 2001—marked by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon—once again thrust Islam and Muslims into the global spotlight. To many in the West, this event served as perceived evidence of Islamic intolerance, casting Islam as a religion of terror, slaughter, and fear.
Regarding the conflicts during the era of the Prophet (PBUH), Armstrong contends that while Muhammad was a man of jihad, he was also a true man of peace. To substantiate this, she cites various historical instances, noting that during the Treaty of Mecca, the Prophet (PBUH) risked the lives, faith, and loyalty of his closest companions to ensure that this union was achieved without bloodshed—a sentiment beautifully reflected in Surah Al-Fath. Furthermore, the author argues that based on the fundamental principles of Islam, the Prophet (PBUH) was consistently oriented toward negotiation and peace; she points out that the very word “Islam,” meaning submission to God, shares its linguistic root with “Salam,” meaning peace.
Reinhart Dozy, Dutch Orientalist
Reinhart Dozy (1820–1879), the renowned Dutch Orientalist, wrote of the Prophet (PBUH):
“Muslims have always held in enduring memory his kindness toward kin and companions, the compassion he showed his foster-mother, and the profound impact left by the death of his beloved son, Ibrahim, who was his greatest hope. They could never erase those moving memories from their minds, nor the counsel he imparted to himself and his descendants—urging them to honor their fathers and cherish their mothers, who had nurtured them in infancy and cared for them in their youth.”
Elsewhere, Dozy remarks:
“Yes! Muhammad (PBUH) was a man of truth and sincerity. With utmost integrity, he conveyed his mission to the Arabs, fully convinced of his own veracity and the nobility of his cause. Based on this conviction, he defended his faith through truth, reason, and compassion, believing he was fulfilling his duty toward his country, his nation, and all of humanity.
Is there any historian today capable of finding flaw or error in Muhammad’s (PBUH) unparalleled conception of God? Can anyone present to us such enchanting manifestations of the Muhammadan spirit, or evoke such sublime thoughts—thoughts that, like a soothing melody, resonated through the harshest hearts of men?
Indeed, such sublime thought and such ingenious vision are worthy of appearing only through Muhammad (PBUH). Modern civilization is undoubtedly incapable of producing anything of such caliber, let alone something superior. Thus, one must concede that what Muhammad (PBUH) brought forth was truly revelation, descended from God.”
Additional Testimonies from Western Writers regarding the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The following accounts provide further insights from esteemed Western authors regarding the life and character of the Prophet of Islam.
Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer and philosopher
“I am one of those who are very much impressed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was chosen by the One God to have His last message revealed through his soul, heart and mind. He chose him to be the last prophet; hence, no other prophets would come after him. His acknowledgement of the prophets, who had been sent by God before him to produce the global social building for which Muhammad had been sent to complete, is indubitable evidence that he came with Islam to conclude the social building for the entire humanity everywhere.”
John Medows Rodwell, English clergyman and writer
“Muhammad’s career is a wonderful instance of the force and life that resides in him who possesses an intense faith in God and in the unseen world. He will always be regarded as one of those who have had that influence over the faith, morals and whole earthly life of their fellow men, which none but a really great man ever did, or can exercise; and whose efforts to propagate a great verity will prosper.”
David Samuel Margoliouth, English orientalist and Anglican priest
“His humanity extended itself to the lower creation. He forbade the employment of living birds as targets for marksmen and remonstrated with those who ill-treated their camels. When some of his followers had set fire to an anthill he compelled them to extinguish it. Foolish acts of cruelty which were connected with old superstitions were swept away by him [along] with other institutions of paganism.”
Alfred W. Martin, American philosopher and writer
“Nor is anything in religion’s history more remarkable than the way in which Muhammad fitted his transfiguring ideas into the existing social system of Arabia. To his everlasting credit, it must be said that in lifting to a higher plane of life the communities of his day and place, he achieved that which neither the Judaism nor the Christianity of Medieval Arabia could accomplish. Nay, more, in the fulfillment of that civilizing work, Muhammad rendered invaluable service not only to Arabia but also to the entire world.”