What Great Minds Said About Islam
Insights from philosophers, historians, and thinkers across centuries.
Featured Quote"As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?"
Book: Histoire de la Turquie (Paris, 1854)
— Alphonse de Lamartine
Voices Across History
What philosophers, historians, and great minds have said about Islam and Prophet Muhammad
William Montgomery Watt
"I am not a Muslim in the usual sense, though I hope I am a "Muslim" as one surrendered to God, but I believe that embedded in the Quran and other expressions of the Islamic vision are vast stores of divine truth from which I and other Occidentals have still much to learn..."
[Islam and Christianity Today, London 1983, p. IX]
John L. Esposito
"Islam means submission to the will of God." He explains Islam as part of the same monotheistic tradition as Judaism and Christianity.
[Islam: The Straight Path]
Leila Ahmed
"Islam as a faith has always been plural and diverse, with women playing vital roles in its history."
[Women and Gender in Islam (1992)]
Seyyed Hossein Nasr
"Islam is not a mere set of beliefs; it is a complete way of life, encompassing the spiritual, moral, and social dimensions of human existence."
[The Heart of Islam]
Amina Wadud
"The Qur'an addresses all human beings, and its ethical teachings provide a foundation for justice and equality."
[Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective (1999)]
Questions You Might Have
Clear, honest answers to questions people often ask about Islam and Muslims
In Islam, Jesus (peace be upon him) is greatly loved and respected as one of God's greatest prophets. Muslims believe in his miraculous birth, his message, and his miracles by God's permission. They do not see him as divine, but they honor him deeply and believe he will return at the end of times.
Islam is a universal message for all of humanity, regardless of race, nationality, or language. While the Quran was revealed in Arabic, Muslims come from every corner of the world. In fact, the vast majority of Muslims are not Arab.
Islam granted women rights to education, property ownership, inheritance, and choosing their own spouse over 1,400 years ago. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the spiritual equality of men and women, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) championed women's dignity and rights.
Not at all. Accepting Islam means affirming Jesus as one of the greatest prophets and messengers of God. Muslims believe in his miraculous birth, his teachings, and his return. Islam honors Jesus while directing worship to God alone.
Islam, which literally means 'peace' and 'submission to God,' teaches compassion, justice, and mercy. The Quran states that taking one innocent life is like taking all of humanity, and saving one life is like saving all of humanity. Violence contradicts the core teachings of Islam.
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