– Syed Azharuddin
In today’s vocabulary, influencers are those who shape opinions, mobilise communities, and drive change – often through platforms and algorithms. If we widen the lens beyond modern screens, history presents another kind of influencer whose reach spanned continents and centuries. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is widely recognised as one of the most influential figures in world history. Michel H. Hart, in his celebrated ranking The 100, places him at the very top, arguing that his influence extended beyond religion into politics, law, social norms, culture, and institutions that shaped civilizations. This article explores how his influence arose from six interrelated factors – Personal Motivation, Personal Ability, Social Motivator, Social Ability, Structural Motivator, and Structural Ability – and anchors each in concrete incidents from his life, while drawing parallels to notable lives of other great leaders for live, comparative illustration.
- Personal Motivation (An unwavering inner drive to pursue a transformative vision, sustained despite hardship, opposition, and doubt)
For the Prophet, the seed of personal motivation was planted in the moment of revelation and flourished in the crucible of Makkan oppression. The first revelation in the Cave of Hira, in which the messenger received the command to “read” (Iqra), marked the birth of a mission: to call people to monotheism, justice, mercy, and accountability before God. This was not a casual reform; it was a total reordering of spiritual and social life. Muhammad ﷺ endured years of hostility from those who feared a disruption of the status quo, yet his motivation remained solid – driving him to persist in preaching, guiding, and reforming.
His motivation was also deeply social and compassionate. He cared for the vulnerable – the orphans, the poor, the enslaved – and embodied a different standard of social responsibility. When hardship deepened for believers in Makkah, he did not abandon the message; he adapted his methods, encouraged patience, and held fast to the aim of a just and righteous society. The migration to Medina (the hijra) was not an improvisation born of despair but a strategic choice to safeguard and realise that vision in a community that could live by it.
When offered kingship, wealth, and comfort by the Quraysh to abandon his mission, he firmly replied: “By Allah, if you put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, I will not abandon this cause until Allah makes it prevail or I perish in the attempt.” This unwavering personal motivation inspired thousands, making his influence profound and enduring.
- Personal Ability (The internal capabilities – intellect, eloquence, moral integrity, empathy, strategic sense – that enable a person to articulate vision, persuade audiences, and act effectively)
The Prophet’s personal abilities were many and varied. His eloquence and moral clarity enabled him to articulate a complex, transformative message in a way that resonated across different tribes, languages, and social strata. He demonstrated extraordinary judgment in difficult situations, balancing faith with pragmatism. His capacity to read people, negotiate wisely, and adapt messaging to varying audiences was evident from the earliest days of preaching in Makkah to governance in Medina.
When a young companion sought permission to commit zina (fornication), instead of rebuking him, the Prophet ﷺ calmly engaged him in dialogue, asking: “Would you like it for your mother, your sister, your daughter?” The young man’s heart transformed instantly. The Prophet’s empathy turned resistance into voluntary alignment – a mark of true influence. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ didn’t merely preach; he listened, empathised, and connected. His influence came from his ability to understand people’s hearts and struggles.
Also, Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ personal integrity was his greatest strength. Long before prophethood, he was known as Al-Amin (the Trustworthy) and As-Sadiq (the Truthful). His ability to walk the talk built unshakable trust among his followers. When the Prophet ﷺ called the Quraysh to Islam, they didn’t reject him for dishonesty but out of pride. Even his enemies entrusted him with their valuables because they believed in his trustworthiness.
- Social Motivator (The capacity to inspire broad participation, binding diverse people to a shared purpose through compelling values and shared benefits)
Muhammad ﷺ mobilised thousands around a common vision of justice, brotherhood, and accountability before God. He reframed social life around a supra-tribal identity – the Muslim community (the Ummah) – that transcended kinship and clan loyalties. He emphatically spoke against oppression, uplifted the status of women and orphans, and promoted a social ethic centred on mercy, fairness, and mutual obligation. This moral appeal created a powerful pull: people who joined the new community did so not merely to recognise a new deity but to inhabit a new social order grounded in equitable conduct and mutual protection.
The four emblematic demonstrations stand out. First, his role in drafting and implementing the Constitution of Medina, which established a framework for cooperation among Muslims and non-Muslims alike, showcased political and legal acumen. Second, his handling of conflicts – most notably the Hudaybiyyah Treaty with the Quraysh – revealed strategic patience and negotiation skills that ultimately expanded the space for the Muslim community to grow and consolidate its position. Third, a critical milestone illustrating social motivation was the solidarity forged between the Muhajiroon (emigrants from Makkah) and the Ansar (the helpers in Medina). Their cooperation created a robust, cohesive community capable of defending itself, building institutions, and preserving ethical norms under pressure. Fourth, the Farewell Sermon further underscored this dimension by emphasising universal human equality and the rights of all people before God, thereby strengthening the motive for collective action on principles rather than merely on tribal advantage.
- Social Ability (The talent for building networks, coordinating efforts, and managing a community’s social fabric)
Muhammad ﷺ was a master at social construction – turning scattered tribes and factions into a functioning society. He forged alliances, managed rivalries, and created mechanisms for ongoing cooperation. The Constitution of Medina is a landmark achievement in this regard: it established rules, rights, and duties for Muslims, Jews, and other groups, and it set the terms for arbitration and collective security. He organised a diverse community around shared purposes, balancing religious duties with civil responsibilities. His social abilities extended to practical governance: coordinating religious observances, mediating disputes, and scheduling campaigns within a coherent frame. The spread of Islam from a social unit in Medina to broader regions depended on the Prophet’s capacity to align people, leaders, and communities toward common aims.
During the reconstruction of the Ka’aba, a dispute arose among the Quraish clans over who would place the Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone) in its position. To avoid conflict, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ suggested placing the stone on a cloth and asked representatives of each clan to lift it together. Once it reached its spot, he placed it himself, peacefully resolving the issue with his wisdom and social ability.
- Structural Motivator (The creation of systems of meaning, norms, and incentives that guide behaviour even when immediate forces are adverse)
A structural motivator creates lasting systems that continue to inspire and benefit people across generations, and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ exemplified this through the enduring frameworks he established for justice, education, and welfare. He introduced tangible practices like the Zakat system, a structured financial model ensuring wealth redistribution so that no one went hungry, and built Masjid an-Nabawi, which served as a hub for governance, learning, and social reform. He emphasised fairness in trade, protection of the vulnerable, and universal moral standards that transcended tribal divisions. His Farewell Sermon crystallised these principles into timeless directives on equality, respect for women, and rejection of tyranny.
The Prophet ﷺ effected a transformation of norms through a compelling, eternally resonant narrative: monotheism, social justice, compassion, and accountability before God. This normative framework made ethical behaviour a social expectation, not merely personal choice.
- Structural Ability (The construction of enduring institutions, laws, and governance mechanisms that outlast any one leader)
Muhammad ﷺ left a durable institutional legacy that enabled his message to become a long-term civilizational project. Several key elements illustrate this structural ability:
Institutions and worship centres: The early Muslim community established mosques that served as places of worship, learning, social welfare, arbitration, and communal decision-making. These centres anchored a growing religious and civic life.
Legal and political framework: The Constitution of Medina stands as one of the earliest known examples of a written, multi-faith civic compact. It codified rights and responsibilities, set rules for arbitration, and provided a framework for collective security and cooperation among diverse groups.
Economic and social institutions: The concept of Zakat and a system of waqf-like public welfare models laid the groundwork for a social economy that sought to care for the needy and regulate wealth in the community. The idea of a shared treasury and other mechanisms to sustain public goods began to crystallise in the Prophet’s community.
Spiritual and ritual continuity: The Prophet’s guidance established the rites, prayers, and alignments that would define Muslim worship and daily life across generations, ensuring continuity beyond his era.
These structural components created a lasting platform for the spread of Islam and the transformation of social orders. The institutions, legal norms, and welfare-oriented practices that emerged under his leadership continued to influence Muslim societies for centuries and beyond.
The influence of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emerges not from a single act or a moment in time but from an intricate alignment of six interlocking factors: the strength of his inner motivation, the breadth of his personal abilities, the power to inspire a shared purpose, the capacity to mobilise and organise people, the drive to embed normative incentives, and the skill to build lasting institutions. Hart’s assessment in The 100 – placing him atop the list of history’s most influential individuals – finds a compelling oracle in these six dimensions: personal conviction that did not waver; a repertoire of abilities that translated vision into reality; social magnetism that bonded radiating communities; pragmatic networks and governance that bound people into durable forms of order. Together, they illuminate how Muhammad ﷺ became an unparalleled influencer – one whose influence crosses time, geography, language, and culture.
