The Muslim world remains the center of attention of the entire world in 2025 due to its political, religious, cultural, and social diversity. In today’s era, Muslim figures are emerging who are influencing the politics and social attitudes not only of their own countries but also of the entire world. Some political leaders are leading their countries, some religious scholars are guiding them, and some athletes are inspiring Muslim youth. This list highlights the Top 10 Most Influential Muslims of 2025 who have had a profound impact on the Muslim world as well as the world due to their roles.
10. Mohammad Salah
Mohamed Salah is a Liverpool and Egypt football star. He is not only popular among Muslim youth but also enjoys considerable global popularity. His sports achievements gave him international fame, while his Muslim identity created a soft image against Islamophobia. Salah often proudly displays his Islamic identity, such as when he scores a big goal, he is seen prostrating in the stadium. In 2025, he is an influential Muslim figure not only in sports but also in cultural representation. For this reason, including Salah in the top 10 Most Influential Muslims of 2025 is justified.
9. Dr. Zakir Naik
Dr. Zakir Naik is an international Islamic scholar and preacher. He also has knowledge of comparative religion, which makes his discussions and lectures easily understandable to Muslims and non-Muslims. Even though he has controversies, the number of fans and influence he has is also very large. He is known for defending Islam in intellectual debates. Many non-Muslim scholars also draw inspiration from him due to his knowledge of other religious texts.
8. Mufti Menk
Mufti Ismail Menk is a world-renowned Islamic scholar originally from Zimbabwe. His easy-to-understand narrative that breaks stereotypes inspires millions of people. Since 2010, he has been listed on “The Muslim 500“, which is a testament to his global influence. Due to social media and motivational content, the impact on youth and Muslims around the world is quite strong. Mufti Menk is known for explaining Islam from a moderate and practical perspective. In 2025, he emerged as a positive global ambassador for Islamic scholarship, hence his inclusion on this list.
7. Abdul Malik al-Houthi
Abdul Malik is the supreme leader of the Yemeni Houthis and has become a symbol of the Muslim Resistance Movement. His leadership during Yemen’s civil war and Saudi-led coalition have made the Houthis a regional power broker. In the conflicts of 2023-25, the Houthis played a decisive role, challenging the security dynamics of the Middle East. That is why he was included in the list of most influential Muslims.
6. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al Thani
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al Thani is the Emir of Qatar and is known as a leading Muslim leader in regional diplomacy and peace efforts. Qatar has traditionally been a center of mediation and dialogue. Whether it’s an Iran-US ceasefire or US-Taliban talks, Qatar’s role has been crucial. Sheikh Tamim’s foreign policy is pragmatic and results-oriented, which gives Qatar a huge role on the global stage, despite being a small state. Qatar has also been influential in building the narrative of the Muslim world through Al Jazeera.
5. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is the President of the United Arab Emirates. He is known for his pragmatic leadership and modern vision. Under his rule, the UAE has become a hub of global investment and economic growth. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also plays a central role in diplomacy, often acting as a mediator in regional conflicts. In 2025, the UAE’s balanced foreign policy has made it a respected voice in the Muslim world and beyond. His leadership shows how small nations can achieve global influence through smart strategies. He is counted among the most influential Muslim leaders.
4. General Asim Munir
General Asim Munir is the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan. He became popular after leading a war against India in May 2025 and eventually winning that war. The Government of Pakistan promoted him to the rank of Field Marshal. As we all know, Pakistan has a strong military establishment, and the country is indirectly led by military officials. After the severe economic downfall of Pakistan in 2022-23, Shahbaz Sharif’s government, under the establishment of General Asim Munir, revived the country’s economy and achieved the milestone of $410 billion GDP within one year. Pakistan is the only Islamic country that possesses nuclear warheads, so the role of Pakistan and its military for the security of Islamic world is significant. After a remarkable victory against India, General Asim Munir gained prominence in the region and even in the United States. President Donald Trump invited him to America twice.
3. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is the President of Türkiye. He is not only popular among the people of Türkiye but also among those of the Islamic world. He has built his reputation as a strong voice for Muslims by openly supporting Palestine and challenging western pressure. Recently, he cut off all commercial ties between Türkiye and Israel and show his support for Palestine. His leadership balances Türkiye’s role as both a NATO member and a defender of the Islamic world. His personality is liked by other leaders, and he seems to be trustworthy.
2. Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)
Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and is considered the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. He is given priority because of his authority over the holy places like Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi. He is also a key player in global energy markets and Arab unity. He has positioned himself as a modernizer of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through his Vision 2030. He was also criticized by many Muslims as he did not take any action against Israel during Israeli genocide in Gaza. Mohammed bin Salman is quite well known in Western world due to his neutral personality.
1. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Khamenei is the symbol of resistance against Western influence, especially the United States and Israel. He strongly supports groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian resistance movements. He is the only leader who took action against Israel and gained popularity among the Muslims. During the Iran-Israel war in June 2025, he was the main character who was leading that war and the whole Islamic world was supporting him. The Western world and Israel fear his decisions against them. He is a man who is not afraid of international sanctions. Khamenei remains steadfast in supporting of Iran’s nuclear program. These were the reasons that he was ranked first on the list of Top 10 Most Influential Muslims of 2025.
