The document discusses the exemplary character of the Prophet Muhammad. It describes how Muhammad influenced billions of people with his teachings and principles, more than any other historical figure. Muhammad established both the theology and moral principles of Islam through his preaching and example. Non-Muslim scholars are quoted acknowledging Muhammad's influence and importance. The document argues that Muhammad provides a moral example for all of humanity to follow and finding guidance in his teachings can help solve problems facing the world.

1. PROPHET MUHAMMAD - THE IDEAL CHARACTER
By
YAQEEN UL HAQ AHMAD SIKANDER
Ever since dawn of the civilization, mankind has witnessed the emergence of a large
number of great people who did significant contributions in their respective fields and
immortalized their names forever. Their contributions, which they left behind, have
been responsible for moulding the intellect of the people into the fashion of their
teachings. The Teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, Ashoka, Aristotle, Plato, etc even
today have an avid influence upon the lives of masses globally. But among all these
great people, only Muhammad (pbuh) possessed the most distinguished and
determined personality.
Across the centuries millions and billions of people have lived their lives loving
Muhammad (pbuh) and following his principles and guidelines in every sphere of life. No
one other than Muhammad (pbuh) in the history has been so much adored and
followed. Today one in every five persons of the world believes Muhammad (pbuh) as
the last messenger of Allah (pbuh) and millions of others are continuing to bear
testimony to this fact. He was the one who brought has billions of people from darkness
of ignorance to light. He brought peace and set of ideals to countless hearts and lives.
He is the inspiration for countless people over the globe. Even today Muhammad (pbuh)
motivates and induces whole masses to strive to shape their lives according to his
teachings. Indeed never before in the history has anyone influenced humankind up to
such extent as Muhammad (pbuh) did even beyond his death. That’s why Qur'an rightly
tells Muhammad (pbuh) to proclaim that He is the mercy for all nations which clearly
depicts the universality of his mission. The Qur'an mentions: "And We sent you not (O
Muhammad), but as a mercy to all the worlds". (Al Qur'an 21:107).
Among all the great emerged lives, only Muhammad (pbuh) was most influential and
successful and both 'Religious and Secular' levels and this made Michael.H.Hart, an
American Mathematician, Historian and an Astronomer to put Him on the No.1 in the
list of the top 100 men which he quoted in his world-famous book "The Hundred". And
the Argument that he puts forth for it is as follows:
"Since there are roughly twice [the latest estimate is that there are more than one
thousand million Muslims in the world and one thousand two hundred million
Christians] as many Christians in the world, it may initially seem strange that
Muhammad has been ranked higher than Jesus. There are two principal reasons for
that decision. First, Muhammad played a far more important role in the development

2. of Islam than Jesus did in the development of Christianity. Although Jesus was
responsible for the main ethical and moral precepts of Christianity (in so far as these
differed from Judaism), St. Paul was the main developer of Christian theology, its
principal proselytizer, and the author of a large portion of the New Testament.
Muhammad, however, was responsible for both the theology of Islam and its main
ethical and moral principles. In addition, he played the key role in proselytizing the
new faith and in establishing the religious practices of Islam". (Michael H. Hart in his
book - "THE 100"- pages 38-39)
In the words of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, "Humankind needs a set of moral
principles having universal validity as well as a real personality in which these moral
principles are exemplified. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the only answer to this
question. He proclaimed the ethics that bear the stamp of divine authenticity, and is,
moreover, a model of perfect conduct and character for all mankind. In bodily
appearance he lived in this world, but, spiritually, he was on a different plane". It was
the exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his empyreal teachings that even
made the non-Muslims bear testimony to the greatness of Muhammad (pbuh). Some of
the verdicts of Non-Muslims on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that I have compiled from
various sources are:
 "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 much needed peace and happiness."
(The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. X 1936).
 "Mohammed was the most successful of all religious personalities."
(Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th edition).
 "Muhummad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never
forgotten by those around him." (Diwan Chand Sharma, "The Prophets of the
East," Calcutta 1935, p. 122).
 "Four years after the death of Justinian, A.D. 569, was born at Makkah, in
Arabia the man who, of all men exercised the greatest influence upon the
human race ... Mohammed ..." (John William Draper, "A history of the
lntellectual development of Europe",- London 1875).
 "By a fortune absolutely unique in history, Mohammed is a threefold founder
of a nation, of an empire, and of a religion." (R. Bosworth-Smith, "Mohammed
and Mohammedanism"- 1946).
So the Qur’an rightly says to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that, "And have We not
raised high the esteem in which) thou (O Muhammad are held)" (Al Qur'an 94:4).

3. Muhammad (pbuh)'s character was indeed exemplary for whole of the humankind.
Before his death, the whole of the Arabian Peninsula was already under the rule of
Islam. He could have easily led a very luxurious life in High palaces and could have
enjoyed every pleasure of life and this world. But instead of this, he led a very simple
and austere life and created a best example for the generations to come. He used to do
his work himself. It is narrated in various Hadith the Muhammad (pbuh) used to milk his
goat, mend his clothes, do household work and repair his shoes and visited the sick. All
his companions loved him excessively but he forbade them to even getting up for him as
a sign of respect. He brought a real revolution to the whole humanity and it was the
transformation of the hearts. His companions who loved him more than anything else,
were once his most staunch enemies but his sublime character transformed them to
such an extent that they even gave up their lives for the sake of Islam. Muhammad
(pbuh) brought masses from darkness to light. He was from a rich family that enjoyed
highest status in Arabia but because of Islam, he suffered from worst persecutions and
painful torture and sufferings.
On a certain occasion, his uncle Abu Talib requested him to stop the preaching of Islam
and for that he was offered the highest status of a chief and a lot of material wealth. But
to this Muhammad (pbuh) gave a very sincere answer. he replied, "I swear by the name
of God, O Uncle!, that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-
hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist
until either God makes it triumph or I perish defending it" (Ibn Hesham). Such was the
determination of Muhammad (pbuh).
And the Qur'an again describing the character of Muhammad (pbuh) says that, "And
most certainly thou (O Muhammad) are of most sublime and exalted character" (Al
Qur'an 68:4). It was the tolerance and sublime character of Muhammad (pbuh) that
brought huge masses into the fold of Islam and the books of Seerah (Life Of
Muhammad) are full of such incidents. On the fall of Makkah to the Muslims, the
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) forgave even his most staunch enemies including Wahshi
who on the battle on Uhud had killed the beloved uncle and cousin of Muhammad
(pbuh) namely Hamza and seeing this extraordinary behaviour of Muhammad (pbuh),
Wahshi accepted Islam and became one of the Sahabees (The Companions of Prophet
Muhammad). There are so many other cases found in the books of Tafseer (exegesis)
and Seerah (Life Of Muhammad) wherein Muhammad (pbuh) by his sublime character
won the hearts of many including Abu Bakr (RA) and Abdullah bin Salaam (RA) and many
others that are considered to be the most eminent Sahabees (The Companions of
Prophet Muhammad).
It was the peaceful preaching of Muhammad (pbuh) that invaded the hearts of the
millions and is still continuing to do so. It was only by the peaceful preaching of Islam
that it spread to all the nooks and corners of the world. And even now Islam is the
fastest growing religion of the west particularly in USA and UK where many great
personalities and intellectuals like Shaykh Yusuf Estes, Hamza Yusuf, Gary Miller, Dr Bilal

4. Philips and Yusuf Islam have accepted Islam and are spreading its peaceful message
globally and yet this is fulfilling an another prophecy of the Qur'an:
"It is He (Allah) who has sent his messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the
religion of truth (Islam), that he may make it prevail over all religions, and enough is
God for a witness" (Al Qur'an 48:28).
Some of the sublime sayings of the Muhammad (pbuh) are as follows:
 The believers, in their love, mercy, and kindness to one another are like a body:
if any part of it is ill, the whole body shares its sleeplessness and fever. (Bukhari
& Muslim)
 The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in morals. And
the best among them are those who are best to their wives. (Tirmidhi &
Ahmad)
 None of you believes (completely) until he loves for his brother what he loves
for himself. (Bukhari & Muslim)
 The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Show mercy to those on
earth, and God will show mercy to you. (Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud)
 Smiling at your brother is charity... (Tirmidhi)
 A good word is charity. (Bukhari & Muslim)
 Whoever believes in God and the Last Day (the Day of Judgment) should do
good to his neighbor. (Bukhari & Muslim)
 God does not judge you according to your appearance and your wealth, but He
looks at your hearts and looks into your deeds.(Sahih Muslim)
 Pay the worker his wage before his sweat dries. (Ibn Majah)
 A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well, he descended
into it, drank his fill, and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging
out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The man said: “This dog is feeling
the same thirst that I felt.” So he went down into the well again, filled his shoe
with water, and gave the dog a drink. So, God thanked him and forgave his
sins. The Prophet was asked: “Messenger of God, are we rewarded for
kindness towards animals?” He said: There is a reward for kindness to every
living animal or human. (Bukhari & Muslim)
So to conclude, Muhammad (pbuh) was bestowed by Allah with the most exemplary
character. The nature of Muhammad (pbuh)'s teachings is universal and is directed for
all generations and times. Muhammad (pbuh) was not just a leader or statesman, but he
was and he still is, the best role model for the one who seeks guidance on the path of
the Lord. It is in his teachings that one can find solution to the ongoing spiritual turmoil
and find an innovative solution to the problems challenging the mankind. And it is in him
that every nation and generation can find its last hope and it’s his teachings that can
bring a revival to this world and save it from the disasters of hatred, bloodshed, racism
and anarchy.

5. The path that was enlightened by Muhammad (pbuh) will guide us to the eternal path of
salvation and finally Jannah. Our deviated youth only by following the teaching of
Muhammad (pbuh) can excel in all fields. The west has realized this fact and that’s why
they are turning to Islam as it’s the only solution to all the problems confronting the
humanity. If only our society would be framed and based upon the ideals and morals
taught by Muhammad (pbuh), then it would bring an end to all our problems and then
this world will really become a place to live in. The Qur'an mentions:
"Most certainly, you have in Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern (of behaviour)"
(Al Qur'an 33:21).
(The Author can be reached at www.yaqeenulhaq.info or can be mailed at
yaqeen@ymail.com)