What do you think about George Bernard Shaw's quote about the Prophet Muhammad?

Question

"I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today."

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_Bernard_Shaw

Answer 1

As a Muslim, I feel that many of the posted answers to your question are biased and show typical ignorance and prejudice against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

GBS is a well respected figure. I believe that he was trying to break down the many stereotypes about our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Islam. He knew that racism exists everywhere but until we educate ourselves (Muslims and Non Muslims alike) about each other, we will not truly have tolerance and respect each other.

"O humankind, We have created you male and female and made you nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another."
(Quran Chapter 49:13)

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I hope that opinions are founded upon historical facts and not prejudiced opinions. Dont judge a religion based on a few people's actions. Dont blame the car but blame the driver.

There are many western figures (non muslims) who hold prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in high esteem. Here is the link:

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/prophet/otherscholars.html

I have also referenced other sites for educational purposes.

How many people know that every Muslim believes in all the prophets including Adam, Noah, Jesus, Moses Peace Be Upon Them all (to name a few)?

How many people know that the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned that Mary (Mother of Jesus) is one of the 4 perfect women?

How many people know that there is a whole chapter named Mary in the Quran?

By the way, my daughters name is Mary.

in Peace....

Answer 2

Ah, GBS - vegetarian, tee-totaler and frustrated reformer of the English language.
I'm glad Mr. Shaw had some good things to say about Islam. Understood correctly, it is one of the greatest religions.
But unfortunately, today there are a very small percentage of whacko fanatics who have totally misunderstood the Prophet's (PBUH) message and these few idiots are giving Islam a bad name.
I also disagree with some of Mr. Shaw's comments:
" It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age."
I don't think this is correct, as other religions - Judaism, Hinduism and Christianity, to name a few, have appealed "to every age" for even longer than Islam.
And this part of the quote:
"I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world . . .
shows me that Mr. Shaw doesn't really understand either Muhammad or Islam, for it was Muhammad himself who said:
2:256 "There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing."

So much for "dictatorship."

Answer 3

I think that, considering that Mr. Shaw died in 1950, his thoughts are not as relevant to today's world as they might have seemed at the time. I also recall that he was a great devotee of Karl Marx and Socialism, an ardent supporter of Stalin's USSR (Stalin the butcher, remember him?)... but then recanted:

"Under Socialism you would not be allowed to be poor. You would be forcibly fed, clothed, lodged, taught, and employed whether you liked it or not. If it were discovered that you had not the character and industry enough to be worth all this trouble, you might possibly be executed in a kindly manner." (Shaw, George Bernard, The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Socialism and Capitalism, p. 470. Brentano's: London, 1928. )

He was also a vegetarian, and he wrote the original Pygmalion from which My Fair Lady was taken. He rode motorcycles. He is the ONLY person ever to have won both a Nobel Prize and an Academy Award. On his headstone, it reads, "I knew if I stayed around long enough, something like this would happen." You do the math. An interesting person...

And btw, Jane Hottie, yes, he did say that. I wondered, too, so I looked it up before I responded. =)

Answer 4

I think Shaw forgot about a little thing called the Crusades in which thousands of Europeans died fighting against thousands of Muslims.

I also think he missed the social tensions in India and in what became the USSR.

Let's face it Christianity and Islam are two religions that exclude one another the minute you reach the mutually exclusive God part in either religion. You have to choose between Allah and God/Christ. You are either damned or an infidel, (evil doer), in the eyes of the opposing religion.

Let's face it there is no peace there.

I think Shaw was a simpleton who thought that hooking up with extremist philosophies made him seem colorful and helped to sell his books and plays.

In reality the extremist ideals that he supported were no better that the extremist ideals that he denounced.

I think that if anyone's ideas where so al fire powerful, that person would still be alive and not dead as most liberals end up. What is funny is the changes they died for wind up being the dogma that others now seek to rebel against.

Answer 5

As-Salaam Alaykum I'm seeking knowledge too. It is incumbent on Muslims to seek knowledge. There are some many wonderful things to learn about that will increase our taqwa. I love seeking knowledge, there are some many things that are waiting to be known by the believers. I'm studying too, lets all continue to study so that we can advance ourselves in this life and the next. may Allah continue to guide us and protect us from the whispers of Satan. God is enough of help for us. Iqra... Peace and Blessing, Your Sister Artist

Answer 6

Let's see G B Shaw, held Muhammad in high regard and could not stand Winston Churchill. I believe he also refused to father Isadora Duncan's child. The man had some interesting opinions. Add to this, he never met the Islamic fanatics that plague us today. Mayhaps, it should be said that Islam is like a lemon tree; it flowers sweet, but can bear bitter fruit.

Answer 7

Scary. He likes it because it doesn't stand on principle and simply changes with the times. Yeah peace and happiness if you don't believe in out religion were gonna saw your head off on TV. At least you'll be a star! What he likes about it is that there is no clear dogma so it is changeable. I don't think he know of what he spoke.

Answer 8

Since GBS is one of my literary heroes, I have to accept his opinion. Shaw was a very intelligent man, judging by his sense of humour.

Answer 9

I think George Bernard Shaw is like many walking down a path of false religion. The Bible is clear in many places that many will come claiming to have the Truth and if they do not teach Jesus death for the sacrifice of all mankinds sin, His burial and ressurection then that religion is false.

Answer 10

I don't agree. If this is an accurate quote representing the opinion of GBS (and I doubt that it is), then it just goes to prove that even and intelligent person is ignorant in many ways.