Muhammad: "A Class of his Own"

Jihad Watch says:

But it makes no sense to discuss Islam without discussing the figure of Muhammad. He dominates Islam. He is almost more important, in Muslim psychology, than Allah -- no, he is more important.

So what do Muslims believe he did? What do they think Muhammad, Model of Conduct and the Perfect Man, uswa hasana, al-insan al-kamil, did? Well, read the Sira, the biography of Muhammad. Read as well the biographies offered by such Western scholars as Arthur Jeffery, and Sir William Muir and Tor Andrae and even Maxine Rodinson. See what you think of the episode involving the mocking poetess Asma bint Marwan, or all the others assassinated at the instigation of Muhammad, or in order to carry out what was perceived as his desire. See what you think of the attack on the inoffensive Jewish farmers of the Khaybar Oasis. See what you think about Muhammad watching as the 600-900 bound prisoners of the Banu Qurayza were decapitated one by one. See what you think of the women, the widows of men Muhammad's men had just killed, seized by him -- such as Saifullah. See what you think of the whole business of little Aisha.

And then decide: does this remind me of some other figure in world religion? Does he remind me in any way of Jesus? Of the Buddha? Of Moses? Or of those who may be said to be religio-philosophical figures, such as Confucius?

No, Muhammad is in a special class by himself. He reminds one of no other figure in other world religions.

It does not matter what the historical Muhammad may actually have done -- or whether or not he existed, or where. What matters is what Muslims believe.