– Dr Syed Wahajuddin Hashmi
Hyderabad
Sadhu T.L. Vaswani, a revered saint, philosopher, and educator of the 20th century, was born on November 25, 1879, in Hyderabad, Sindh (now in Pakistan). Known for his deep spirituality, literary brilliance, and commitment to interfaith harmony, Vaswani authored numerous works, including India Arisen, The Secret of Asia, India in Chains, The Spirit and Struggle of Islam, and most notably, The Prophet of Arabia – a moving tribute to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Though rooted in the Hindu spiritual tradition, Sadhu Vaswani held deep admiration for the Prophet of Islam ﷺ. This admiration was not unique to Vaswani alone. Many prominent Hindu scholars, poets, and thinkers – from Swami Vivekananda to Swami Lakshmi Shankaracharya – have acknowledged the moral grandeur and transformative power of the Prophet’s life and teachings. They also expressed their deep and sincere love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his character, life, and teachings with such reverence that at times, their works appear to be authored by Muslims themselves.
The Prophet of Arabia is a collection of reflective essays originally published in Vaswani’s monthly journal, East and West Series, under the title “Pictures from the Prophet” in August 1972, and later compiled by Geeta Publishing House, Pune. It showcases not just an intellectual appreciation of Islam, but a saint’s heartfelt connection with the life and legacy of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Another of Vaswani’s significant works, The Spirit and Struggle of Islam, offers a broader view of Islam’s moral framework and its contribution to civilization. Both books were written with a clear purpose: to dispel misconceptions and foster a deeper, truer understanding of Islam and its final Prophet ﷺ. In his Foreword to The Spirit and Struggle of Islam, Vaswani writes:
“The essays and addresses which the publishers have brought together in this volume indicate my appreciation of the deeper values of Islam and my anxiety at the present situation created by the greed and diplomacy of the ‘Great Power.’ To wrong Islam is to wrong India and the East”.
Sadhu Vaswani was an ardent advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity. For him, true communal harmony rest on political expediency, but on mutual respect and spiritual understanding. He urged Hindus to appreciate the depth of Islamic culture and called on Muslims to honour the Rishis of Hindu tradition.
“Many of us talk, today, of Hindu-Muslim unity. What may its true basis be? Not political opportunism, but a deep human understanding. The Muslim must appreciate the Hindu Rishis: the Hindu must appreciate the deeper values of Islamic culture and civilization.” This vision is desperately needed today, at a time when religious intolerance is fuelled by narrow ideologies.
In The Prophet of Arabia, Vaswani presents the Prophet ﷺ not just as a religious figure, but as a model of ethical leadership and spiritual awakening and his ability to lead humanity through wisdom, justice, and peace. Sadhu Vaswani often spoke with great reverence about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, seeing every episode from his life as a source of enlightenment. In the Foreword to The Prophet of Arabia, Vaswani writes:
“Every picture has an experience to share, a message to give. Every picture is a teacher,” Vaswani wrote. “These pictures have been in my heart for years and have enriched my life with beauty and inspiration.”
In an era increasingly marred by Islamophobia and misrepresentation of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Vaswani’s voice stands out as a beacon of understanding. Certain groups disparage the Prophet ﷺ – often driven by blind zeal and ignorance. The writer calls on people, especially those misled by prejudice, to study the Prophet’s life with open hearts. Vaswani believed that doing so would clear misconceptions and reveal the true greatness of the Prophet ﷺ. He supported this claim by quoting an old Arab:
“Whoever saw him for the first time was filled with respect: who knew him better, loved him: who described him had to say, ‘Before him and since his time, I have never seen anyone like him. In his heart there is sympathy with men of different creeds and faiths.”
For Vaswani, the Prophet of Islam ﷺ was not a relic of history, but a living source of spiritual inspiration. Vaswani regarded Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a priceless gift to humanity. Although some may hate him out of ignorance or due to misleading propaganda, the fact remains that the Prophet ﷺ is revered across nations, communities, and generations. Vaswani believed the Prophet ﷺ continues to be loved by millions across time and geography. As Vaswani eloquently put it:
“The Koreishites, alas! hate this Prophet – God’s richest gift to them. But the nations salute him and the ages have accepted him.”
According to Vaswani, the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not confined to Arabia; it was for all of humanity. He saw in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ not a rival to his faith, but a radiant soul whose life enriched entire humanity. He salutes the Prophet, as “one of the greatest liberators of humanity”, whose message inspired a spiritual renaissance across Asia and Europe. His words are striking:
“I salute him as one of the greatest liberators of humanity… Muhammad’s name shines in the litany of the heroes of humanity.” His message, Vaswani said, sparked a renaissance not just in Arabia, but across Asia and Europe.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Prophet’s influence, Vaswani observed, is that it was achieved without any physical representation:
“Of Muhammad we have no picture, no statue, nor bust… and yet his gracious figure has left its impress upon the nations.”
At a time when narrow ideologies seek to divide people along religious lines, The Prophet of Arabia is not just a tribute; it is a call to return to truth, humility, and reverence across traditions. In Vaswani’s own words:
“Prophet Muhammad is sustained by a great faith; therefore, is he invincible.”
Vaswani also emphasised that the greatness of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ lies in his humility. While many historical figures claimed supernatural powers, the Prophet ﷺ never did. Instead, he positioned himself as a humble servant of God and of the people:
“Asia has, again and again, seen men who have claimed to be supernatural and who have built their reputation in their power to work miracles. Muhammad disclaims supernatural powers. He aspires to be a man among men, a servant of Allah and a servant of the poor and the slave.”
A person’s character is best reflected by the testimony of those around them. Despite being opposed by his fiercest enemies, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was never accused of dishonesty or moral failure. Sadly, in recent times, incidents meant to insult and degrade the Prophet ﷺ have become more frequent, especially in India – often driven by the politics of hatred and ideologies aligned with Islamophobia. Vaswani too expressed sorrow at this misrepresentation:
“Muhammad has been a world force. Western criticism has not entered into his psychology nor his message. And India has not done justice yet.”
In the closing pages of his book, Vaswani presented the truth that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is being misunderstood through the ages, as the misunderstandings about Islam and its Prophet ﷺ are often amplified by media bias and political agendas, he lamented the historical distortions that maligned the Prophet ﷺ.
“Alas, Muhammad has been misunderstood and persecuted through the centuries. The Middle Ages caricatured him and his message.”
A Prophet who transformed the lives of countless people can easily be understood through the profound impact he made. It is an undeniable fact that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the most extensively written-about figure in human history. Since the time of his Prophethood, hundreds of thousands of books have been authored about him in nearly every language of the world.
What sets him apart is that every aspect of his personal and public life has been documented with exceptional precision, authenticity, and detail. This comprehensive record offers timeless guidance and serves as a beacon of light for generations to come. It is for this reason that Sadhu Vaswani described Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as “God’s richest gift to the people,” – a testament to the unparalleled greatness of the Prophet ﷺ.
Indeed, The Prophet of Arabia is more than just a tribute; it is a sincere and thoughtful effort to dispel misconceptions and build bridges of understanding. In an age of rising sectarianism and misinformation, Vaswani’s voice echoes with relevance, calling for empathy, unity, and reverence for shared human values. Vaswani’s tribute is not just a salute from a saint; it is a timeless lesson in love, respect, and the shared values that bind us all.
