Any positive Muslim role models out there?

[Dry]

Originally posted by Albert Speer
it should be noted though that Saladin is credited for being the first to issue a jihad...

He issued a jihad against the christians, that's a fact, but it was in response to their crusades (holy war too). And they started the process.
And I would be very surprised it was the first. IIRC, Jihad is a word used in the Kuran and is the way Islam spread through north Africa to Spain, through Persia (Iran) to Pakistan and through Byzance to Yougaslavia and Caucassus.

[Spiffor]

Yep, there was quite some trade between the Mali and the Arabs (gold and slaves especially), and quite a few scholars went there (especially religious ones). However, only a few of these people bothered to describe the Mali way of life and history in written form. Ibn Battuta's writings are among the main sources of information about the Mali of the time, along with a few other written accounts that survived till today, oral tradition, and Portuguese accounts.

[Gangerolf]

Another Arab chronicler was Ibn Fadlan. His accounts of the Rus (Vikings in Russia) are hilarious. Role model? Nah... Maybe if you're a bigot "They are the filthiest of God's creatures. They are like wild asses" etc etc.

[Al B. Sure!]

Or how about that one from the 11th century, "The people north of the pyrenees are of fair complexion and of tall stature but are lacking all penetration of wit or intellect". somebody here (was it you evil knevil?) posted that

see how this **** works out? its in cycles. the europeans were filthy, stupid barbarians compared to the brilliant, enlightened, and humane muslims...

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Evil Knevil
Muhammad was a Muslim. As were Abraham and Issac.

Modern muslims claim Abraham and Issac were muslims but since they predate the existance of Islam this is doubtful. I believe if you asked Abraham or Issac they would have told you they were Jewish.

[Solly]

Not a one. You couldn't find one.

[Az]

CharlesBHoff

[mrmitchell]

Park Avenue

Although he's really more of a "negative non-Muslim" model

000

Muhammed Ali, and then there were certainly plenty of great Muslim thinkers during the European Dark Ages, I just can't think of any. I think they've already been mentioned though.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Mohammed Ali Jinnah- the first President of Pakistan and one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan- an incredible Qawwali singer who made Pavarotti sound like an amateur.

[Solly]

Right yeah. Think I'll follow the footsteps of one of them...

[jdd2007]

Ali G

[Evil Knevil]

Originally posted by Oerdin


Modern muslims claim Abraham and Issac were muslims but since they predate the existance of Islam this is doubtful. I believe if you asked Abraham or Issac they would have told you they were Jewish.

Unless you believe the Muslim version of Prophetic history.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Mohammed Ali Jinnah- the first President of Pakistan and one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century.

"I have lived as plain Mr. Jinnah and I hope to die as plain Mr. Jinnah. I am very much averse to any title or honours and I will be more happy if there was no prefix to my name."
- Muhammed Ali Jinnah, 1942

[Bereta_Eder]

starting dividing people according to religion is a bad enough start

[Az]

founding fathers are way cool. It seems that this was the case for Pakistan, also.