The world has seen countless great leaders, thinkers, and influencers who have shaped human civilization.
Yet, when Michael H. Hart, an American historian, astronomer, and mathematician, published his book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History in 1978, his decision to rank Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the most influential figure sparked global discussions, especially among Christian and Jewish communities.
Hart’s Criteria for Ranking
Hart’s book was not a ranking of the best or holiest people in history but rather those who had the most influence on humanity. His criteria included:
- Impact on Human History – How deeply a person’s ideas, actions, or leadership shaped the world.
- Longevity of Influence – Whether their impact continued long after their time.
- Scope of Influence – Whether their influence was limited to a specific region or extended globally.
- Direct vs. Indirect Influence – Did they personally lead a movement, or was their impact mostly through followers?
- Combination of Religious and Political Leadership – A unique aspect of leadership that amplified historical influence.
Based on these factors, Hart concluded that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most successful leader in both religious and secular history.
Why Did Hart Rank Muhammad (PBUH) No. 1?
- Founder of Islam and Political Leader Unlike Jesus Christ or Moses, who focused primarily on religious teachings, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) not only established a faith followed by over 1.9 billion people today but also laid the foundation for a powerful and just socio-political system.
- Direct and Immediate Impact While Christianity spread largely through Saint Paul and later Roman emperors, Islam’s spread was directly led by Muhammad (PBUH). His teachings, laws, and leadership in state-building had an immediate and lasting effect.
- A Comprehensive Legal and Social System Islam’s legal and ethical framework, introduced by the Prophet (PBUH), continues to influence laws, governance, and social norms in Muslim-majority countries even today.
- Preservation of Teachings The Quran, revealed to the Prophet (PBUH), remains unchanged, and his Hadiths (sayings and actions) serve as a complete guide for personal and societal matters. No other historical figure has had such a well-documented and preserved influence.
The Controversy and Hart’s Defense
Hart’s ranking of Muhammad (PBUH) at No. 1 was met with criticism, particularly from Christian and Jewish communities, including university students who questioned his choice. They argued that figures like Jesus Christ, Moses, or even scientific innovators deserved the top spot.
How Hart Defended His Decision:
- Separation of Personal Belief from Academic Analysis Hart clarified that his list was not based on religious beliefs but on historical influence. As a Christian himself, he acknowledged that Jesus had a profound influence, but his teachings were spread by others, while Muhammad (PBUH) directly shaped history.
- Influence Beyond Religion Jesus and Moses were primarily religious leaders, whereas Muhammad (PBUH) was a religious, political, and military leader who shaped not only faith but also governance and law.
- Islam’s Rapid and Sustained Growth Hart highlighted how Islam expanded within the Prophet’s (PBUH) lifetime and remained a global force, shaping civilizations across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
- Honest Historical Assessment Despite the backlash, Hart refused to change his ranking in later editions of his book, reaffirming that Muhammad (PBUH) had the most comprehensive impact on human history.
Final Thoughts
Michael Hart’s decision to rank Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the most influential person in history was a rare moment of intellectual honesty in the West. While debates continue, his methodology provides a factual and objective basis for this recognition.
This ranking is not about religious superiority but about acknowledging historical impact, and Hart’s work remains a significant academic contribution to global discussions on leadership, influence, and civilization-building.
