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Edward Gibbon and Simon Oakley in 'History
of the Saracen Empire,' London, 1870
"The greatest success of Mohammad's life was effected by sheer
moral force…. It is not the propagation but the permanency of
his religion that deserves our wonder, the same pure and perfect
impression which he engraved at Mecca and Medina is preserved
after the revolutions of twelve centuries by the Indian, the African
and the Turkish proselytes of the Koran.... The Muhammadans have
withstood the temptation of reducing the object of their faith
and devotion to a level with the senses and imagination of man.
'I believe in One God and Muhammad the Apostle of God' is the
simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image
of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the
honors of the prophet have never transgressed the measure of human
virtue, and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude
of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion."
Dr. Gustav Weil in 'History of the Islamic
Peoples'
Muhammad was a shining example to his people. His character was
pure and stainless. His house, his dress, his food - they were
characterized by a rare simplicity. So unpretentious was he that
he would receive from his companions no special mark of reverence,
nor would he accept any service from his slave which he could
do for himself. He was accessible to all and at all times. He
visited the sick and was full of sympathy for all. Unlimited was
his benevolence and generosity as also was his anxious care for
the welfare of the community.
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