The founder of the Ming Dynasty in China who greatly praised Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA)

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On October 21, 1328 AD, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty (in 1368), who liberated China from the rule of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, was born in a peasant family. Also known as Hongwu, he rose to command the forces that seized the Mongol capital Khanbaliq (modern Beijing).
During his 30-year rule, he transformed China into a major power, and although born a Buddhist, he embraced the Confucian doctrine, and showed inclination towards Islam.
He ordered the construction of several mosques in Nanjing, Yunnan, Guangdong, Xijing and Fujian, and had inscriptions praising Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) placed in them.
He rebuilt the Jinjue Mosque in his capital Nanjing, and large numbers of the Muslim Hui people moved to the city during his rule. He had some ten Muslim generals in his military, including Chang Yuchun, Lan Yu, Ding Dexing, Mu Ying, Feng Sheng and Hu Dahai.
He personally wrote a 100-word praise (baizizan) on Islam, Allah and Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).