The word debase means an attempt to lower in status, esteem, quality, or character of someone who is generally revered or held in very higher esteem by a large community or a vast majority of people. Generally the revered personality of Prophets of God are spared for they are the chosen ones by God Himself and therefore are above all criticism. Yet it is astonishing to see that a large segment of Non Muslims leave no stone unturned to debase the very revered personality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ - the last of all the prophets through whom Allah spread Islam; the last of all the Divine Religions.
This is very strange that while Allah in Qur'an ordains all Muslims to respect and revere all of the prophets sent by Him, others whose prophets are respected by Muslims and their names suffixed by Arabic " علي السلام " (peace be on him), yet Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is more often than not is not even a prophet of God and not given due respect. Derogatory caricatures of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are printed and allowed to be published under the garb of freedom of speech. But caricature of any other prophet is ever published for they are given due respect and honour.
There is a big difference between free speech and abuse. Freedom of speech doesn’t apply to abusing someone. Freedom comes with certain responsibilities and is always subjected to limitations. Unrestricted freedom is enjoyed only by animals and beasts. Sometimes even these creatures don’t cross limits. The popular proverb says “your freedom ends where my nose begins.” But nowadays unlimited freedom of expression has become a fashion and license to abuse and insult those you don’t like and this is creating a war-like situation in many societies.[1]
Thus when non Muslims debase the revered personality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ they are certainly hurt and their reaction is very severe. Unlike other religions whose followers have not very significant attachment to their prophets, Muslims feel betrayed when they see their prophet being abused due to many a misconception instilled in the hearts and minds of non Muslims by their clerics.
The genesis of hate of Jews and Christians for the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is his birth in the family of Prophet Ismail, not in the family of Prophet Ishaq. Prophets Moses and Jesus belonged to the family of Ishaq, and so Jews and Christians were expecting that the last prophet of God (foretold in the Torah and Bible) will be born in the family of their prophets. History books record that during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, Jews and Christians had expressed these feelings. [1]
They envy Muhammad because of the popularity and respect he receives worldwide even 1400 years after his death. They hate Muhammad because of the love and devotion he receives from his followers. They hate Muhammad because of the command he holds worldwide. They try to defame Muhammad to get some cheap popularity in their societies in the name of freedom of expression.
Another reason of debasement of very personality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the fear of spread of Islam, which is spreading worldwide at a very faster pace and many fear that by 2050 Islam may be the leading religion of the world, bypassing Christianity.
The recent derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by two members of ruling Indian party BJP has drawn a strong reaction by all Muslim countries and many Muslim countries are considering reduction of economic ties with India. In India, otherwise, the life and property of Muslims is under threat specially since taking over the country by BJP. Many Muslims have been tortured and killed and their houses and properties destroyed and a lot many masjid desecrated. There seems a systematic effort to condemn Muslims in India, specially in the Indian Occupied Kashmir where the entire Muslim population is under siege for many years.
The very personality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is beyond any doubt. Michael H. Hart (born April 27, 1932), an American astrophysicist and author, to the surprise of many placed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ at number one in his best selling book ever "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History." Hart believed that Muhammad was "supremely successful" in both the religious and secular realms, being responsible for both the foundations of Islam as well as the Early Muslim conquests uniting the Arabian Peninsula and eventually a wider caliphate after his death. Hart also believed that Muhammad played an unusually singular and personal role in the development of Islam. [2]
While the ordinary non Muslims, charged by their biased clerics, may downplay the image and status of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, many a men of letters have eulogized the personality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in their writings and analyses: [3]
Sir George Bernard Shaw in "THE GENUINE ISLAM, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936"
" He (Muhammad) was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth. He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms, established a powerful and dynamic society to practice and represent his teachings and completely revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior for all times to come.."
"I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesized about the faith in Muhammad (pbuh) that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe today."
"If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it would be Islam. I have always held the religion of Muhammad (pbuh) in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion, which appears to me to possess that assimilation capacity to the changing phase of existence, which can make itself appeal in every age. I have studied him (Muhammad (pbuh)) - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the savior of humanity."
EDWARD GIBBON and SIMON OCKLEY speaking on the profession of ISLAM write: "'I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, AND MAHOMET, AN 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 honor of the Prophet has never transgressed the measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion." (HISTORY OF THE SARACEN EMPIRES, London, 1870, p. 54)
Dr. Gustav Well in "History of 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 acceptable 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.
Annie Besant "The Life and Teachings of Muhammad, Madras 1932, page 4": "It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher."
There are countless accounts by non Muslims who describe Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as one of the most revered person ever lived in the history of mankind and religions. I wonder why then what leads to people to belittle such an extremely eulogized personality and make him hate target. Mere fear perhaps!!
Here We would also like to restrain the Muslims and caution them not to use power of any kind to respond the debasement of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for violence breeds violence. Muslims should instead try to organize lectures and use social and print media to introduce to the world the real and original image of all prophets including Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and tell the world how we revere and respect all prophets before Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and have never debased anyone till date. In fact due to the efforts of many learned Muslim scholars, many non Muslims are being attracted to Islam and every day more and more non Muslims are entering the fold of Islam and have since never regretted their ultimate decision of their lives.
I would request my non Muslim readers to listen to accounts of so many newly reverted Muslim from the links given at our reference page: Embracing Islam: Revert Experiences.
May Allah helps us understand Islam better by pondering over the verses of the Qur'an and acting upon the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and listening to eminent Muslim scholars and watching their video to know Islam better. Also refer to our reference page:
Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam and listen to Muslim scholars talking on some of the important issues which may answer many queries about Islam. Remember ignorance may lead you to draw wrong conclusions about Islam and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.