Tor Andrae (1885-1947) was a Swedish scholar of comparative religion and bishop (1936 onwards). In his book ‘Mohammed, the Man and His Faith’, he remarked that the concept of the period of Enlightenment permitted a just estimate of Prophet Muḥammad’s (peace be upon him) personality. In their inexperienced fashion the thinkers of this period often evaluated the outstanding wisdom and virtue of ancient lawgivers and founders of religions, and stressed the reasonableness of alien faiths, praising them at the expense of Christianity.
Tor Andrae remarks by referring to the genuineness, realness and gentleness of the Prophet Muḥammad’s inspiration. He says:
“It is hard to believe that a man could have won such absolute confidence, or could have made such an impression upon his surroundings, had he not possessed an overwhelming and convincing faith in his own message.
Prophet Muḥammad regarded his call with the utmost sincerity; he felt his heart tremble before the King of the Judgment Day, and he responded to His prophetic commission with fear and trembling.
‘But if Muḥammad had fabricated any saying concerning us, we had surely seized him by the right hand, and had cut through the vein of his neck. Nor would we have withheld any of you from him’. Allah stations watchmen who walk before and behind His Apostle to make sure that he is faithfully transmitting his message.
One need not be especially well disposed to personal quality of a religious proclamation in order to hear the footsteps of these stern watchmen in the fearful warnings of the Prophet, as well as the drastic expressions of his sorrow and per plenty when no one heeds his preaching”.
Yet at another place, Andrae said:
“The piety which characterizes the sincere believers of the first generation is certainly derived from the basic religious attitude of the Prophet himself.”
Tor Andrae also throws light on the achievements and versatile and vibrant personality of Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him).
“A new form of religious life like that of Islam is not merely a body of doctrine or a system of ritual. It is, when profoundly regarded, a form of spiritual energy, a living seed.
It develops its own life and attracts other spiritual life to itself, according to a law whose significance and purpose is completely revealed only after an extended development.
There is originality enough in Muhammad’s achievement in catching up into a vital and adaptable personal synthesis the spiritual potentialities in his age”
He quoted the translation of this verse of Quran:
Truly ‘My prayers and my worship and my life and my death are unto God, Lord of the worlds. He hath no associates. This am I commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims’. [Quran 6:162-163]
Andrae uphold, that the first of the Muslims! Muḥammad is absolutely justified is so designated himself he is the first representative of a new and independent religious type.
Even today, after a period of development of thirteen centuries, one may clearly discern in genuine Islamic piety the uniqueness which is ultimately derived from its founder’s personal experience of God.
Tor Andrae Praises Prophet Muhammad
Tor Andrae appreciated Prophet Muḥammad for his personal qualities which are characterized by his unique kindliness, sociability and friendliness.
- He was never the first to withdraw his hand when he greeted anyone, and he was never the first to turn his face away conversing with another.
- No one whether a red man or a black (that is, an Arab or a Negro) ever spoke to him without receiving a reply, and he often picked up discarded dates and put them into his mouth, because he thought that they might be a gift and did not wish to offend the givers.
- He greeted every one, slaves and little children as well.
- He showed special kindness to his enemies; such friendliness in fact, that it sometimes aroused that anger of his friends.
- It seems to have been most natural for Muḥammad to try to win men through friendliness and accommodation, and few were able to resist his personal charm.1
Andrae himself appreciated Prophet Muḥammad and highlighted those who are impressed by the transcendental personality and character of Prophet Muḥammad.
Other Authors who Appreciated Prophet Muhammad
Tor Andrae mentions George Sale for his comparison of Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) with Numa and Theseus.
He quoted De Boulainvilliers ‘Life of Muhammad’ in which Boulainvilliers showed superiority of Islam on Christianity and portrayed Prophet Muḥammad as a wise and enlightened lawgiver who sought to establish a reasonable religion in place of the dubious dogmas of Judaism and Christianity.
Another writer quoted by Andrae is Savary, whose translation of Quran was published in 1752 A.D. Savary expressed same attitude as Boulainvilliers, and he regards Prophet Muḥammadas one of those unusual personalities occasionally appearing in history, who remake their environment and enlist men in their triumphant train.
Savary thinks that anyone studying Prophet Muḥammad’s career must marvel at the achievements of which human genius is capable when circumstances are favorable.
Although born among idolaters, Prophet Muḥammad rose to the worship of one God.
In the course of his travels he observed how the divided Christians poured condemnation upon one another, and how the Jews, ‘the scum of the nations’, obstinately adhered to their laws.
In contrast with this Prophet Muḥammad sought to establish a new universal religion, by setting up a simple doctrine which contained only what the reason must accept, namely belief in one God, Who rewards virtue and punishing transgressors.2
1. Raẓa Naqvi, Dr. Syed ‘Ali, op. cit., p. 140
2. El Affendi, Abdelwahab, op. cit., pp. 26-27