If you follow my social media you know that I post regularly on the life of Prophet Muhammad. I have published a peer-reviewed journal article on his relations with Christians, and I have published extensively on his legacy in outlets like Huffington Post, Middle East Eye and Mvslim (also see the search results of “Prophet Muhammad” on this blog). On several occasions I have called him a “role model,” and I have encouraged Christians to recognize him as a prophet. I hope to one day write a book about him through the lens of Catholicism, my faith.

In light of my interest in Prophet Muhammad, I am happy to see a new article “What non-Muslims throughout history say about Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam,” published by Muslim Vibe. Here are a few noteworthy quotes from non-Muslims on the character and conduct of the Prophet of Islam:

“Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?” – Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869) French poet and statesman [Translated from Histoire De La Turquie, Paris, 1854, vol. II, pp. 276-277]

“He was sober and abstemious in his diet, and a rigorous observer of fasts. He indulged in no magnificence of apparel, the ostentation of a petty mind; neither was his simplicity in dress affected, but the result of a real disregard to distinction from so trivial a source … In his private dealings he was just. He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerful and the weak, with equity, and was beloved by the common people for the affability with which he received them, and listened to their complaints … His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory, as they would have done had they been effected for selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manners and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonial of respect were shown to him.” – Washington Irving (1783-1859) Well-known as the “first American man of letters” [Life of Mahomet, London, 1889, pp. 192-3, 199]

You can find more quotes of non-Muslims in the Muslim Vibe hyperlink (see above).

The name “Muhammad” itself means “the one who is praised, often praised” and the name of the Prophet of Islam is also known as “Ahmad” meaning “the one deserving of praise.”