Islam Rediscovered
16. Islam Stands the Test of History
~ 279 ~
But the case of Islam is quite different. Even after a
period of one thousand five hundred years, Islam
has suffered no erosion of its validity. The well
known British historian, Edward Gibbon, describes
the rise and expansion of Islam as “one of the most
memorable revolutions which has impressed a new
and lasting character on the nations of the globe.”
An Indian historian, M.N. Roy, has observed:
“Muhammad must be recognized as by far the
greatest of all prophets, before or after him.” He
goes on to say that “the expansion of Islam is the
most miraculous of all miracles.” (
The Historical Role
of Islam
, pp. 4-5)
The American writer, Michael Heart, in his book,
“The 100” has made a selection of the 100 most
influential persons in history, who have achieved
the most outstanding success in this world. Right at
the top of this list is the Prophet Muhammad, may
peace be upon him, of whom the author writes:
He was the only man in history who was
supremely successful on both the religious
and secular levels.
