The Most Influential People in History

Examining the Lives That Changed the World

Throughout the ages, certain individuals have left indelible marks on humanity, shaping civilizations, ideas, and the very fabric of our global society. In understanding who the most influential people in history are, we embark on a journey that spans continents and centuries, touching every domain from religion to science, politics to philosophy. This article explores those towering figures, especially among the most influential men in history, while spotlighting one man who stood above all in a widely regarded ranking our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

What Makes a Person the “Most Influential”?

Before diving into the list of names, it’s essential to outline what influence truly means. Influence goes far beyond mere fame, celebrity status, or temporary recognition. It’s not about how well-known someone is during their lifetime, but about the enduring impact of their actions, ideas, or creations.

An influential individual is someone who alters the course of history, shaping the way people think, live, govern, or worship for generations to come. Their contributions resonate far beyond their own era, creating ripple effects that span continents and centuries. These figures often serve as catalysts for societal transformation, ushering in new eras through their leadership, discoveries, or ideologies.

They may have introduced a new religion that redefined spiritual and moral frameworks for billions, invented revolutionary technology that reshaped how we live and communicate, or sparked political and cultural revolutions that overturned empires and redrew maps. True influence endures, it evolves with the world, embedded in the systems, beliefs, and structures that govern our lives today.

Michael H. Hart’s Ground-breaking Book: The 100

In 1978, American astrophysicist and historian Michael H. Hart published a controversial book titled The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History. Hart sought to rank individuals based on the impact they had on humanity, regardless of their morality or intentions. Hart’s goal was objectivity in measuring influence, regardless of ethical judgments. He assessed how deeply and lastingly each person had shaped human events and civilization. Among them, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was ranked number one by Michael H. Hart due to his significant influence as both a religious and secular leader. This placement, ahead of well-known figures like Jesus Christ, Isaac Newton, and Buddha, sparked considerable discussion. However, Hart explained his reasoning clearly and thoroughly

“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level.” – Michael H. Hart

Prophet Muhammad: The Most Influential Person in History

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the messenger of Allah (The God), is revered by over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. Born in 570 CE in Mecca, he transformed a fragmented tribal society into a unified spiritual and moral community through the message of Islam, as revealed in the Quran.

He was born into the Quraish tribe (specifically the Banu Hashim clan), one of the most powerful and respected tribes in Mecca. The Quraish were custodians of the Kaaba, the sacred sanctuary believed to have been built by Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Isma’il), which made them both influential and economically prosperous due to the annual pilgrimage of various Arabian tribes.

Life in Mecca Before Islam

Before the advent of Islam, Meccan society was deeply rooted in polytheism and tribalism. Each tribe had its own idols, many of which were housed in the Kaaba. The society was patriarchal and class-based, where slavery, female infanticide, blood feuds, and exploitation of the poor were common. No common ethical or spiritual code bound the society together.

While trade enriched certain segments of society, everyday life was marred by social injustice, frequent tribal conflicts, and entrenched inequality. Women, in particular, possessed few rights and were often regarded as property rather than individuals. Orphans and the impoverished were left vulnerable, with little to no protection or support.

It was in this environment that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), at the age of 40, received the first divine revelation from Allah (The God) through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). These revelations, later compiled as The Quran, called for the worship of one God, moral accountability, compassion for the weak, and the establishment of justice.

This message posed a direct challenge to the Quraish elite, who feared it would undermine their social order and economic dominance. Yet, despite severe persecution, Prophet Muhammad and his early followers remained steadfast, ultimately laying the foundation for a spiritual revolution that would reshape not only Arabia but the entire world.

Religious Impact

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) introduced a Islam (monotheistic faith) that challenged the prevailing polytheism in Arabia. His message of equality, charity, and spiritual devotion laid the foundation for one of the world’s major religions. Within a century after his death, Islam spread from Spain to India, an expansion largely credited to the power of his message.

Political and Social Reform

Unlike many spiritual leaders, Muhammad also governed a state. He united the tribes of Arabia under a single polity, introduced legal systems, promoted social justice, and emphasized the rights of women and orphans. His leadership style, administrative reforms, and emphasis on community welfare are still studied today.

Michael H. Hart noted that while Jesus was the spiritual foundation of Christianity, the religion’s form and structure were significantly shaped by others like Paul of Tarsus. In contrast, Muhammad himself played a central role in both the theological and political evolution of Islam, making him unique.

Other Most Influential Men in History

While Prophet Muhammad ranks at the top, many other individuals have profoundly influenced human civilization. Let’s examine a few who consistently appear in historical and academic rankings of the most influential people in history.

Jesus Christ

As the central figure of Christianity, Jesus Christ has shaped Western civilization more than any other individual. His teachings about love, forgiveness, and spiritual salvation have transcended cultures and epochs. With over 2.3 billion adherents, Christianity remains the world’s largest religion.

Isaac Newton

Often regarded as the greatest scientist in history, Isaac Newton revolutionized our understanding of the physical universe. His laws of motion and universal gravitation laid the groundwork for classical physics. Newton’s influence extends beyond science into philosophy and mathematics, with calculus being one of his most enduring contributions.

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)

Born in the 6th century BCE in what is now Nepal, Buddha renounced his royal life in search of enlightenment. His teachings on suffering, mindfulness, and compassion gave rise to Buddhism, a religion and philosophy followed by over 500 million people. His impact on Eastern thought and culture is immeasurable.

Confucius

Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher, laid the moral and ethical foundation of Chinese civilization. His ideas on family loyalty, ancestor worship, and social harmony have influenced not just China but much of East Asia for over 2,000 years.

Albert Einstein

A symbol of genius, Albert Einstein transformed modern physics with his theory of relativity. His equation, E=mc², altered our understanding of time, space, and energy. Beyond science, Einstein was a vocal advocate for civil rights and peace, cementing his legacy as both a thinker and humanitarian.

Controversial Figures Among the Most Influential

Influence doesn’t always equate to benevolence. Some individuals are remembered for their enormous impact—regardless of whether it was good or bad.

Adolf Hitler

Hitler’s leadership of Nazi Germany led to World War II and the Holocaust, events that reshaped global geopolitics. His influence is a chilling reminder that power, when misused, can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Genghis Khan

The Mongol warlord Genghis Khan created the largest contiguous empire in history. His brutal conquests were matched by an impressive ability to govern, trade, and connect East and West. While controversial, his role in shaping Eurasian history is undeniable.

Patterns Among the Most Influential People in History

Analyzing the lives of these individuals reveals some striking patterns:

• Vision and Belief: Each person had a vision that challenged the status quo—religiously, scientifically, or politically.
• Communication Skills: They were compelling communicators, capable of inspiring mass movements.
• Resilience: Many faced rejection, exile, or persecution, yet remained steadfast in their missions.
• Legacy: Their ideas or systems continue to influence societies today.

In conclusion, Michael H. Hart’s The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History remains a bold and thought, provoking attempt to objectively assess the individuals who have most significantly shaped human history. His decision to place Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the top of the list was not rooted in religious bias, but rather in an acknowledgment of the unparalleled influence the Prophet had both as a spiritual leader and a transformative statesman. Unlike many historical figures who excelled in one domain, Prophet Muhammad united religious doctrine with socio-political reform, turning a fragmented tribal society into a cohesive, value-driven civilization. His teachings, preserved through the Quran and the Sunnah (his practices), continue to guide nearly two billion people around the world today. For Michael H. Hart, this dual legacy of religious and temporal power, coupled with the enduring global impact of Islam, made Prophet Muhammad undeniably the most influential person in human history.