The Book That Changed My Lens: A Scholar's Encounter with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)"

A Curious Mind Meets a Surprising Name

James Thompson was a historian and a lecturer at a British university, known for his sharp memory and deep love for historical figures. His students admired his objectivity; he admired facts and impact—not emotions or ideologies.

One quiet evening, while browsing a used bookshop in Oxford, he stumbled upon a slightly torn copy of The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History by Michael H. Hart. The book claimed to rank the most influential individuals in world history—not by virtue, but by influence. Intrigued, he bought the book for just £2, unaware that it would soon reshape his worldview.

A Surprising #1

As James flipped through the first few pages, he paused in surprise:

#1 – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

A rush of thoughts hit him.

"Surely Newton, Jesus, or Einstein would be on top," he thought.

He had read about Muhammad before—but only in the context of wars, politics, or religion. Nothing had prepared him for seeing a non-Western, religious figure ranked higher than even Jesus Christ or Isaac Newton.

He almost closed the book—but curiosity won.

“Let me read why,” he muttered.

Michael Hart’s Reasoning

Michael Hart’s reasoning was clear and unapologetic.

He wrote:

"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels."

Hart continued, explaining how Prophet Muhammad was not only a religious teacher but also a political leader, military commander, judge, and reformer. Within two decades, the Arabian Peninsula had transformed—its tribes united, idolatry abandoned, and a social order established that protected orphans, women, and the poor.

James was stunned.

History vs. Perception

That night, James couldn't sleep.

“How much of what I know about Islam and Muhammad is academic,” he asked himself, “and how much is just inherited bias?”

For the next week, he devoted his time to reading academic biographies of the Prophet. Karen Armstrong, Martin Lings, and even non-Muslim writers confirmed much of what Hart had written. His image of Muhammad as a mere desert preacher faded. What emerged instead was a man of vision, compassion, intelligence, and discipline.

An Unexpected Admiration

James didn’t convert to Islam. But he did something that shocked his friends:

He dedicated one of his university lectures to the topic:

"Why Michael Hart Placed Muhammad at #1 in History."

He presented facts:

The Prophet’s illiteracy and sudden emergence as a leader

His moral code that transformed a lawless society

The Quran's impact, preserved word-for-word

The rise of a civilization that preserved Greek philosophy, introduced algebra, hospitals, and libraries to Europe

He concluded:

“Whether one agrees with his teachings or not, Muhammad’s influence is undeniable. To ignore him is to ignore history.”

What the Book Really Did

Michael Hart’s book did more than just rank 100 people.

For James, it removed a filter. It challenged him to see beyond cultural pride and religious boundaries. It taught him that the East had leaders too—visionaries who impacted the world just as much as those from the West.

It reminded him that greatness isn’t determined by where you’re born, what language you speak, or what religion you follow—but by how deeply you shape the world around you.

Closing Reflection

Years later, James wrote in his personal blog:

“I still remember the day I bought that book. I thought I was buying a list. What I really bought was a doorway. A doorway into understanding someone I never truly knew.”

“Prophet Muhammad may not be part of my faith, but he’s part of our shared human history. And after Michael Hart’s book, he’s forever a part of my intellectual journey.”

Moral of the Story

Books can be more than paper and ink.

They can challenge prejudice, rebuild perceptions, and bridge centuries of misunderstanding.

And sometimes, all it takes is a £2 book from a dusty shelf to change the heart of a historian.