The most  pronounced  aspect of the  life of    Holy   Prophet Muhammad PBUH was his abiding concern for humanity. He was a breadth of fresh air at a time when humanity was suffocating and panting under the gruelling impact of treachery, intimidation, coercion, deception and fraud. God Almighty in the Quran says, “We haven't sent you but as a mercy to the worlds.” (21:107)

He was unlike Hannibal of Carthage, Caesar of Rome, Darius of Persia and Alexander of Macedonia. No parallel is possible. He was much more than a philosopher like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Although they refreshed minds but, each failed to be a perfect guide, to deliver humanity from moral failings, social inequalities, class exploitation, intellectual corruption and psychological depression.

P.K. Hitti in the beginning of his book “The Maker of Arab History”  remarks: “History records the names of several men, who founded  religions, others who fathered nations, still others who instituted states, but if ever there was a man other than Mohammed, who initiated all the three institutions, history must have forgotten his name.”

His teachings benefited even those who did not accept him. The people of the world have progressed and prospered to the extant they have followed the Islamic principles. Even today Islam influences all religions; otherwise the concept of God would have vanished.

By branding him only as the prophet of the Muslims, we have done a great disservice to him. No debt that he himself is the hub of the belief system he brought to the world and anyone who does not recognize him as the citadel of Islam can't remain a Muslim.  

When we have a close look on his message, we reach one inescapable conclusion: his was a message for the whole humanity. He transcends the limits of time and space and goes down in human history as a vigorous preacher of human dignity, sanctity and honour. He is a trend setter, an embodiment of fortitude and consistency, a torch bearer of the humanists and a hope for the down trodden till the day of judgement.

He was more than a philosopher, preacher or a reformist. He never deviated from the Prophetic traditions of the past; however, his operations to create a humane society are unique and unusual.

Little wonder that in the present human history he stands out as the only  man who has exercised most influence on humanity. Although still most world in Christian, however, it was the impact of his teaching that the Christian world had remained under tremendous stress to improve its social laws and customs.

He was the first man in modern human history to speak about the fundamental rights regarding security, protection of honour, right to privacy and the right to protest against injustice. He also sanctified the rights of minorities and women.

Seeking inspiration from his teachings the West achieved its first, though very late, milestone of human rights in 1215 when Magna Carta was signed. It was followed by the English Bill of Rights in 1689. Then there was the French revolution  exerting the Rights of Man (1789). Tom Pain wrote a book on Rights of Man in 1791 which fascinated and captured the imagination of most of Europe.

Such events followed American war of Independence and the basic premise again was the intrinsic right of human freedom. The Christian world could not do away with Slavery as late as 18th century. One only feels sorry that due to its myopic vision the West has got late to enjoy the benefits of Muhammad’s teachings.

Despite material gains the increasing number of cults in the West is significant and hints at the fact that people's spiritual needs are not adequately met. The West is groping with ravaging crave for spiritualism. Muhammad has solution to all of their problems.

He obliterates distinction between the spiritual and the temporal and sees life as a whole and not in segment. Ultimately the Christian world will have to turn to this man who at once is a preacher and a Prophet, a statesman as well as law-giver, for inspiration from his universal message that he had brought fourteen centuries ago.

Muhammad's message was knowledge, peace, unity, brotherhood, charity, tolerance, justice, equity and accommodation as against ignorance, obliviousness, illiteracy, intimidation, coercion and plunder. Terrorism in the name of Islam is the greatest disservice to Islam one may do. Islam disowns any injustice done in its name and curses the perpetrator in the strongest terms.

“Iqra”, the very first word of “Wahi” revealed on him sets the tone of  Muhammad’s revolution. His appeal is to the common sense. He is bound to succeed. In the Quran, God Himself time and again asks why the unbelievers don't use their intellect “Aql” and think about what does He say; (16:125), (53:6), (10:16-100), (16:77-125), (6:32), (7:169), (21:10-67) etc. “And when it is said to them, Follow what Allah has revealed, they say: Nay! we follow what we found our fathers upon. What! and though their fathers had no sense at all, nor did they follow the right way. And the parable of those who disbelieve is as the parable of one who calls out to that which hears no more than a call and a cry: deaf, dumb (and) blind, so they do not understand.”  (2:170-171)

Following the teachings of Muhammad the world at least can unite on certain universal principals that are common in all religions and cultures to bring serenity, security and prosperity to human civilization.