Prominent thinkers from the Western world, spanning nearly two centuries and vastly different fields—from socialist politics and romantic poetry to modern science—have consistently recognized the unique and powerful influence of the Prophet Muhammad.
These three assessments show why Prophet's impact is considered unparalleled: he was the only figure in history who fully succeeded in founding both a major spiritual faith and a powerful political state during his own lifetime.
1. George Bernard Shaw: The Prophet of Pragmatic Leadership
George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was a famous Irish playwright, a Nobel Prize winner, and a co-founder of the London School of Economics (LSE). As a socialist and social critic, Shaw focused on how effectively a system could solve society's problems.
His famous statement—"I believe that if a man like him [Muhammad (pbuh)] were to assume the dictatorship of the Modern World, he would succeed in solving its problem in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness"—was published in the journal The Genuine Islam in 1936.
Shaw admired Islam's "wonderful vitality" and its capacity to adapt to change, believing it could appeal to every age. He saw Muhammad as a "Saviour of Humanity" and his system as a model for rational, decisive, centralized leadership . Shaw’s use of "dictatorship" was not praise for tyranny, but rather for strong, uncorrupted political administration—the kind he wished to see in the chaotic modern world of his time. He explicitly ranked Muhammad as one of the greatest prophets, having made a "huge success where Jesus made a complete failure," though he later noted that the system required reform to conquer the world.
2. Alphonse de Lamartine: The Ideal of Human Genius
Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) was a celebrated French poet and statesman who played a crucial role in founding the Second Republic. Writing in the 19th century, he measured historical figures by a standard of pure genius.
In his comprehensive work, Histoire de la Turquie (History of Turkey), Lamartine posed a clear test for greatness :
"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad?"
Lamartine concluded that no one was greater because Muhammad successfully combined nine major roles in one person, including: "Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images" . He was credited with founding both "twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire," leading Lamartine to ask: "As regards all the standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?" .
3. Michael H. Hart: The Quantification of Dual Success
Michael H. Hart, an American astrophysicist and amateur historian, authored the best-selling book, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, first published in 1978. Hart emphasized that his ranking was based strictly on influence—the quantifiable degree to which a person changed the course of human history—rather than moral goodness.
Hart justified placing Muhammad first on his list, acknowledging that the choice might surprise some :
"My choice of Muhammad (S.A.W) to lead the list of the Worlds most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others but he was the only man in the History who was supremely successful on both the Religious and Secular Levels."
Hart reasoned that in Christianity, the primary influence was diffused: Jesus laid the ethical foundation, but St. Paul was the main architect of the theology and much of the New Testament. In stark contrast, Muhammad was the singular source for Islam's theology, moral principles, religious practices, and political structure, as well as the author of its holy scripture, the Qur’an. This unparalleled concentration of religious and secular success in one man’s life maximized his historical influence.
Conclusion: The Unity of Spiritual and Secular Authority
These three diverse thinkers all arrived at the same central conclusion: Muhammad’s extraordinary historical impact stems from his unique achievement of successfully merging the spiritual and temporal mandates.
Whether viewed through the lens of a pragmatic socialist (Shaw), a romantic historian (Lamartine), or a quantitative scientist (Hart), the Prophet Muhammad established a civilization where spiritual doctrine and political administration were intrinsically linked. This unprecedented synthesis of roles ensured his enduring influence across history and continues to command deep respect and analysis across the global intellectual spectrum.
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