OpinionInsightful

Testimonies to the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Greatness - Dr Zakir Naik

Dr Zakir Naik

Dr. Zakir Naik discusses the greatness of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by citing Quranic verses affirming his character and referencing testimonies from non-Muslims. He highlights French historian Lamartine's assessment that by the criteria of greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results, no great man comes close to Prophet Muhammad.

Summary

In this brief segment, Dr. Zakir Naik opens by making a theological point that acting for the sake of Allah yields rewards in both this life (dunia) and the afterlife (akira). He supports this with two Quranic references: Surah Qalam (68:4), which praises the Prophet's character as being of the highest standard, and Surah Ahzab (33:21), which identifies the Prophet's conduct as the best example to follow.

Dr. Naik then shifts focus to external, non-Muslim testimonies about Prophet Muhammad's greatness, framing them as particularly compelling evidence. He quotes French poet and historian Alphonse de Lamartine from his book 'History of the Turks,' in which Lamartine argues that if the combination of greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the criteria for judging a great man, then no historical figure can come close to Prophet Muhammad. Dr. Naik emphasizes this three-part framework twice, underscoring its significance as an objective, non-Muslim endorsement of the Prophet's unparalleled historical impact.

Key Insights

  • Dr. Naik cites Surah Qalam (68:4) and Surah Ahzab (33:21) as Quranic affirmations that Prophet Muhammad possessed the highest standard of character and the best conduct to follow.
  • Dr. Naik argues that non-Muslim testimonies about Prophet Muhammad carry particular evidential weight, framing them as objective external validations of his greatness.
  • Dr. Naik quotes Lamartine's claim that greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the three criteria by which a great man should be judged.
  • Lamartine, as quoted by Dr. Naik, asserts that no great man in history can come anywhere close to Prophet Muhammad when measured by these three criteria.
  • Dr. Naik frames acting for Allah as a dual-benefit proposition, suggesting it yields both worldly and afterlife rewards, using this as a theological foundation before pivoting to the Prophet's legacy.

Topics

Quranic verses on Prophet Muhammad's characterNon-Muslim testimonies about Prophet MuhammadLamartine's historical assessment of the Prophet's greatness

Transcript

[0:00] If you do it for Allah, Allah gives you akira and dunia both. That's the reason Allah says in the Quran in Surah Qalam, chapter number 68, verse number four. Verily, thou art standeth on the highest standard of character. Allah repeated the message in Surah Ahzab, chapter 33, verse number 21. Verily, in the character of the prophet is the best conduct to follow. And you have so many testimony. You have so many testimony of non-Muslims. You can even talk on that. [0:32] Only on the testimonies of the non-Muslims about the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. If you read the writings of Lamartine, who wrote the book History of the Turks, he says that if greatness…

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