Western Acknowledgments of the Noble Character of Islam
The French Orientalist M. Sedillot, in his book “Summary of Arab History”, admired the transformative power of Islamic teachings:
“Those who call Islam a savage religion are inherently biased, for they ignore the fact that the Qur'an eliminated all evil customs of the Arabs such as vengeance, tribal feuds, malice, injustice, and the burying of daughters alive. These evils were not only prevalent in Arabia but were also widespread in Europe—and still are.”
(Khulāṣah Tārīkh-e-‘Arab, Urdu tr. Abdul Ghaffar, Nafees Academy Karachi, 1986, p. 34)
British author Karen Armstrong in her book “Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam”, dispelled popular Western myths:
“Muhammad ﷺ founded a religion and civilization that was not based on the sword, despite the propaganda in the West. The very name ‘Islam’ signifies peace and reconciliation.”
(Karen Armstrong, Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam, London, 1992, p. 266)
Famed European scholar Arthur Gilman highlighted the unparalleled forgiveness and tolerance shown by the Prophet ﷺ during the Conquest of Makkah:
“When vengeance would have been natural due to the Quraysh’s past atrocities, the Prophet ﷺ restrained his army from all bloodshed and exhibited nothing but devotion to Allah. This act was a supreme example of nobility and humanity—unlike other conquerors like the Crusaders who massacred 70,000 Muslims in 1099 CE during the capture of Jerusalem, or the British who burned African cities in 1874.”
“The Prophet ﷺ’s victory was truly a moral triumph, in which he forgave the proud Qurayshi chiefs, declaring: ‘Go, for you are all free.’”
(Arthur Gilman, The Saracens, London, pp. 184–185)
Renowned Western philosopher Thomas Carlyle, in his famous work “Heroes and Hero Worship”, powerfully rejected Western accusations:
“To presume that Muhammad ﷺ was a deceiver and his religion a fraud is utterly false. Such accusations are disgraceful for the West itself. The words of the Prophet ﷺ have guided millions for over 1200 years—could that all be a lie? Never. If it were so, this entire world would lose its meaning.”
(Heroes and Hero Worship, Urdu tr. Muhammad Azam Khan, p. 23–25, Karwan-e-Adab, Karachi, 1951)
In his 1840 lecture, Carlyle further emphasized:
“Those who object to Muhammad’s character should know that their objections are based on false tales, fabricated centuries later out of jealousy. Muhammad ﷺ was so great that even his faults, if he had any, would serve as models for the world. His greatness is almost beyond comprehension—he was a son of the desert who taught the world how to bloom like a garden.”
(Shashmahi Majallah al-Sīrah, Issue 17, March 2007, p. 366)
These acknowledgments by Western Orientalists demonstrate that the teachings of Islam and the exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were not confined to one nation or creed. Rather, they served the welfare of humanity and promoted universal justice and peace. The testimonies reveal the truth of Islamic morals and the unparalleled leadership of the Prophet ﷺ—so impactful that even critics were compelled to admire.
❖ M. Sedillot's Confession (France)
The French Orientalist M. Sedillot, in his book “Summary of Arab History”, admired the transformative power of Islamic teachings:
“Those who call Islam a savage religion are inherently biased, for they ignore the fact that the Qur'an eliminated all evil customs of the Arabs such as vengeance, tribal feuds, malice, injustice, and the burying of daughters alive. These evils were not only prevalent in Arabia but were also widespread in Europe—and still are.”
(Khulāṣah Tārīkh-e-‘Arab, Urdu tr. Abdul Ghaffar, Nafees Academy Karachi, 1986, p. 34)
❖ Karen Armstrong’s Testimony (UK)
British author Karen Armstrong in her book “Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam”, dispelled popular Western myths:
“Muhammad ﷺ founded a religion and civilization that was not based on the sword, despite the propaganda in the West. The very name ‘Islam’ signifies peace and reconciliation.”
(Karen Armstrong, Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam, London, 1992, p. 266)
❖ Arthur Gilman’s Praise (Europe)
Famed European scholar Arthur Gilman highlighted the unparalleled forgiveness and tolerance shown by the Prophet ﷺ during the Conquest of Makkah:
“When vengeance would have been natural due to the Quraysh’s past atrocities, the Prophet ﷺ restrained his army from all bloodshed and exhibited nothing but devotion to Allah. This act was a supreme example of nobility and humanity—unlike other conquerors like the Crusaders who massacred 70,000 Muslims in 1099 CE during the capture of Jerusalem, or the British who burned African cities in 1874.”
“The Prophet ﷺ’s victory was truly a moral triumph, in which he forgave the proud Qurayshi chiefs, declaring: ‘Go, for you are all free.’”
(Arthur Gilman, The Saracens, London, pp. 184–185)
❖ Thomas Carlyle’s Refutation of the West
Renowned Western philosopher Thomas Carlyle, in his famous work “Heroes and Hero Worship”, powerfully rejected Western accusations:
“To presume that Muhammad ﷺ was a deceiver and his religion a fraud is utterly false. Such accusations are disgraceful for the West itself. The words of the Prophet ﷺ have guided millions for over 1200 years—could that all be a lie? Never. If it were so, this entire world would lose its meaning.”
(Heroes and Hero Worship, Urdu tr. Muhammad Azam Khan, p. 23–25, Karwan-e-Adab, Karachi, 1951)
In his 1840 lecture, Carlyle further emphasized:
“Those who object to Muhammad’s character should know that their objections are based on false tales, fabricated centuries later out of jealousy. Muhammad ﷺ was so great that even his faults, if he had any, would serve as models for the world. His greatness is almost beyond comprehension—he was a son of the desert who taught the world how to bloom like a garden.”
(Shashmahi Majallah al-Sīrah, Issue 17, March 2007, p. 366)
❖ Summary
These acknowledgments by Western Orientalists demonstrate that the teachings of Islam and the exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were not confined to one nation or creed. Rather, they served the welfare of humanity and promoted universal justice and peace. The testimonies reveal the truth of Islamic morals and the unparalleled leadership of the Prophet ﷺ—so impactful that even critics were compelled to admire.
