The Great Muslim Achievers

Since the Arab Spring took place in 2011, it became apparent to the whole world that there is a new generation of Muslims who are determined to make history and create a better world for humanity. These Muslim men and women of the Arab Spring empowered the masses with their excellence, determination and courage. These Muslim men and women of the Arab Spring showed us a different meaning of productivity and activism. The young people of the Arab Spring inspired us all through their struggle against some of the most brutal and tyrannical regimes in the world.

This couldn’t have happened without the intellectual contributions and productivity of Muslim thinkers. These Muslim thinkers were later acknowledged for their contributions as they dominated the 2011 Top 100 Global thinkers list, securing the 1st position. It is really worth reading about them here.

These ordinary Muslims who are now considered Global thinkers did not work for their personal gains but influenced their nations, regions, the world and the history of the world.

As humans, we are the products of our thoughts. Our success is nothing but a manifestation of our ideas and convictions. Therefore, the more enlightened and educated we are, the better Muslims we can become. No wonder, the first word in Quran is Iqra- which is a command to read- symbolising a divine decree from God to Muslims, encouraging them to pursue knowledge. It can be argued that this first command in Quran serves a bigger purpose, which could be nothing else but to incite us into action to seek knowledge and get over our unrealistic expectations of divine miracles to improve our conditions.
Science is the true miracle that God sent us. We can harness its powers by learning and reaching excellence. To prove the point that Islam is the religion of science and knowledge, it is enough to read the Quran and see how God always emphasises the importance of thinking and reflection. How many Quranic verses end with the questions along the lines of : Don’t they understand? Don’t they think? Don’t they see?

These global thinkers did not just acquire knowledge; they also took a stand for morality and justice. They managed to influence millions with their thoughts and actions. They were activists for social justice and progress. They enjoined good and forbade evil as Islam requires us to do. They used their actions and words to empower and mobilise millions. They turned their actions into an invincible power, the power of the masses, the power of justice and truth.

Our duty in Islam is not limited to improving our own productivity but also extending it to empower others, in return, allowing them to improve their lives. Actually, in Islam, our contributions shouldn’t be limited to our Muslim nations but should extend to benefit all of humanity. Prophet Mohammad PBUH said: “The believer is like rain, wherever he goes is goodness”

There are so many ways in which you can work for Allah. We shouldn’t limit our Islam to ritual acts of worship such as Salah, Fasting and Hajj because Allah wants us to worship him through our work, our manners, our charity, our political activism, our pursuit of excellence in every field of human endeavour.

Ihsan is an Islamic principle that means excellence, Prophet PBUH said: “God desires that if you do something, you perfect it” and he also said that “Work is a form of worship”. We have a duty to excel in our contributions towards the humanity. Prophet Mohammad PBUH said that the upper hand is better than the lower hand.

Look at some of some Muslims whose contributions are reshaping the world and making it a better place. We should try to contribute in ways that are more innovative, effective, and productive with a far reaching impact.

Here is Hayat Sindi a Saudi Scientist Changing the World. I am proud of her and I hope and pray that many more Muslim women will be as successful and inspirational as she is. Muslim women like her with their success and achievements are following in the footsteps of the great Muslim women who helped shape Muslim identity and Muslim civilisation.

Here is Salman Khan who is one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Bill Gates wrote the following about him: “Sal Khan is a true education pioneer…..his impact on education might truly be incalculable”.

Read more about Salman Khan to see how he managed to become the person that he is,plenty of lessons to be learnt. His website is one of the best 50 websites in the world in 2011.


Wesam Al Sabban: Awarded a Genius Prize for his Green Falcon 11, a wind and solar powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Mohammad Baloola: Sudanese student Invents Artificial Pancreas to Eradicate Arab World Diabetes

Dr. Reshma Khan: Muslim doctor who opened a free clinic for the poor of South Carolina.

There are Muslim women who run workshops combating al-Qaida propaganda and face personal danger promoting moderate Islam.

These are some young productive Muslims who can be role models and inspire many of us:

Zohaib Ahmed: A boy from Hampshire who is thought be the youngest person to pass maths A-level with an A grade.

Omar Othman is not an ordinary 15 years old. He is doing his masters in Mathematics.
9 year old Mahmoud Wael Mahmoud is the talk of the town. His IQ score is that of a genius.

If you reach excellence, even your enemies will respect you.

It is quite telling that Obama who is perceived by many as an enemy of Muslims – thanks to American drones of terror that murdered many Muslim innocents - has admitted the great achievements of the Arab Spring. He said the following in relation to the Egyptian revolution:


“Egyptians have inspired us. They have done so by putting the lie to the idea that justice best gained through violence. For in Egypt, it was the moral force of non-violence, not terrorism, not mindless killing, but non-violence, moral force, that bent the arc of history toward justice once more.”

Isn’t it time that you become a Productive Muslim? Isn’t it time that you contribute to the progress of the Ummah (Muslim nation) and all humanity?

Further Reading:

Knowledge in Islam, your role

Reviving the Muslim mind: Pursuit of science and knowledge