Claims that the Prophet's, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, character changed over time
21-1-2003 | IslamWeb
Question:
Today I read a very upsetting article about our Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, that he changed from a loving person to a "dictator". They "proved" this by ordering the Quran chronologically (Meccan chapters first and then the chapters revealed in Medina). What is the reason behind the current order? What should I tell people that say/write that the character of Muhammad (saws) changed over time?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Whoever claims that Prophet Muhammad 
changed from a loving character to a dictator becomes a disbeliever, if he is a Muslim, and if he is Thimmi (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection), he loses his protection. Thus, a Muslim ruler has to punish him in accordance with Sharee'ah (Islamic law), i.e. to be killed if he does not repent. All Quranic Soorahs (Chapters) are the Words of Allaah The Almighty who sent Muhammad and chose him and singled him out with the complete divine message and the best Divine Book. Then, it is not possible and reasonable that the Quran dispraises this generous Prophet as stated by that disbelieving writer.
Whoever reads the Quran will find the best praise to Allaah The Almighty and commendation of the Prophet . As for the Prophetic Jihaad (struggle) against non-Muslims and hypocrites after his migration, it was a Divine Order (what means): {O Prophet (Muhammad)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell, - and worst indeed is that destination.}[Quran, 9:73] This means that Jihaad is a divine obligation, and it constitutes Divine Wisdom for the sake of justice, spreading Islam and putting aside all obstacles that may face Islam or prevent people from converting to Islam. This is a faithful picture of justice. Since Allaah The Almighty has given the choice to the disbeliever: embrace Islam, pay the tribute and remain as a non-Muslim, or the Muslims will fight them.
Allaah Knows best.