by Sujit Das
Or they say: He (Muhammad) hath invented it. Say: Then bring ten Surahs, the like thereof, invented, and call on everyone ye can beside Allah, if ye are truthful! (Q: 11.13).
Or (Why) has not a treasure been bestowed on him, or why has he (not) a garden for enjoyment? The wicked say: Ye follow none other than a man bewitched. (Q: 25.8)
Throughout the pages of the Qur’an, at least twenty times, his clan accused him of being the only Prophet who could not do a miracle. Muhammad’s inefficiency in producing even a single miracle is well recorded by his biographer Muhammad Husayn Haykal. In this biography, The Life of Muhammad published originally in 1933, Haykal (1976, chapter 5) wrote that Abu Lahab and Abu Sufyan, two noblemen of Quraysh, repeatedly asked him to perform some miracles.
Why don’t you change Mount Safa and Mount Marwah into gold? Why don’t you cause the book of which you speak so much to fall down from heaven already written? Why don’t you cause Gabriel to appear to all of us and speak to us as he spoke to you? Why don’t you resurrect the dead and remove these mountains which bound and enclose the city of Makkah? Why don’t you cause a water fountain to spring whose water is sweeter than that of Zamzam, knowing how badly your town needs the additional water supply?
They challenged him to do as much as Moses or Jesus had done. In ridicule, they asked, “ Why does not your God inform you of the market prices of the future in order to help you and us in the trade of tomorrow?” (Mahmoud, 2008, p. 37). They also asked him when the final hour (end of the world) will come. All these questions and demands were answered once and for all by a revelation. Allah commanded Muhammad,
They ask thee about the (final) Hour - when will be its appointed time? Say: “The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): None but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth. Only, all of a sudden will it come to you.” They ask thee as if thou Wert eager in search thereof: Say: “The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not.” (Q: 7.187)
Say: I do not control any benefit or harm for my own soul except as Allah please; and had I known the unseen I would have had much of good and no evil would have touched me; I am nothing but a warner and the giver of good news to a people who believe. (Q: 7.188).
Muhammad never wanted to be a miracle worker simply because he could not perform miracle. He accepted that every Prophet before him was given miracles because of which people believed them (Bukhari: 6.61.504). The pagan Meccans could not be blamed for troubling Muhammad for demanding at least one miracle. From other parts of Arabia, there were many charlatans who claimed to be God’s messenger. They had at their disposal magic tricks which they presented as proof of their divine mission. One of them was Musaylima who had a sizable following from his own tribe. He used to run up and down the country showing a flask with a narrow neck in which he had inserted an egg which he had learnt from a Persian juggler. This was his miracle. He also recited rhymed sentences that he passed off as verses of a second Qur’an (Warraq, 2000, pp. 145-6). There was another miracle claimant Awkia Bin Zohir al-Ia’adi who used to go to a lower place in Mecca, climb a ladder and tell people that God spoke to him in that place (Ahmed, 2006, p. 7). This proves how much it was necessary for a man to make some tricks as miracles to promote himself to the rank of a Prophet.
The claims in traditional Islamic sources that Muhammad was a chosen Prophet of Allah before his birth and he was born guided were fake publicities. Muhammad was fathered by an idolater and his mother was a pagan woman. Muhammad received his first revelation when he was meditating in a desert cave called Hira at the age of forty. Till that time he knew nothing about Qur’an. If he were born guided, as believed by many, why he wasted forty years of life and thus knowingly neglected Allah’s command?
In fact, Muhammad was not much religious before he claimed the title of a Prophet. Before he immigrated to Medina, he did not even know that Jews and Christians have serious theological differences (Armstrong, 2006, p. 15). Obviously, Muhammad had a religion till the age of forty and this could not be anything but the faith of his forefathers. If he were born guided, how Allah allowed it? After all Allah is supposed to be all-knowing.
Jabir b. Samura reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, ‘I recognize the stone in Mecca which used to pay me salutations before my advent as a Prophet and I recognize that even now’. (Muslim: 30.5654)
From the above Hadith, it is obvious that Muhammad used to visit the Ka’ba, before his prophethood, when 360 statues were worshipped by different Arab tribes. So, if for worshipping the statues, the nonbelievers are roasting in hell, Muhammad is also roasting in hell with them. Similarly; the angels started singing and the idols everywhere fell on their faces, fires of all fire-worshipers in Persia and India became cold, a lake flooded which caused a palace to crack at the birth of Muhammad, etc., were absurd claims. No historian had ever recorded the songs sung by angels or idols fall or fire became cold. If something extraordinary had happened, history books must have told us. Furthermore if Muhammad was really such a great miracle worker, why he could not perform a single miracle in front of the Meccans?
Muslims’ claim that Muhammad was born detached from the umbilical cord cannot be true. Umbilical cord is the only source of supplying nourishment and an unborn baby cannot stay alive in the womb without being attached to it. If this fable was true, Muhammad would have lived without food and water after birth, but he did need food and water like everybody else. The story of pregnant Amina is equally nonsense. If she had really witnessed any such divine occurrence, she would have taken much care of Muhammad by herself, instead of giving him to a nurse Halima.
In sum; there was not a single miracle to prove Muhammad’s claim of prophethood. There were no healings, walking on water, parting seas, raising folks from the dead or feeding multitudes. There are no fulfilled prophecies, like the exacting and detailed predictions that Biblical Prophets routinely made to demonstrate their divine authority. But the most troubling part about our absolute reliance on Muhammad’s testimony that he and his Qur’an were divinely inspired is that Muhammad’s character was as deficient, and his life was as despicable, as anyone who has ever lived.
These miracles attributed to Muhammad are later additions. The traditions concerning Muhammad were written down in Baghdad more than a hundred years following his death. Till that time, they were oral traditions which rested entirely in the memory of those who have handed them down. Many myths were invented and added to these oral traditions in an attempt to make Muhammad appear Messianic. The Muslim scholars who had fabricated those miracles had well-defined agendas and a practical and selfish reason to do so. When Islam appeared as a religious rivalry to Christianity, they tried their best to make Muhammad look as godly as Jesus; otherwise they would be out of business.
As a result, since the Gospels proclaimed that Christ was the light of the world, Muslims contrived Allah first created the light of Muhammad, out of which Allah created everything which constitutes the world. They even claim that Muhammad’s body emitted luminous waves rendering him visible in thickest darkness. One night this miraculous light enabled Aisha to find a needle. Also, Muhammad produced no shadow (Warraq, 2000, p. 171). The story of pregnant Amina is remarkably similar to the Christian story of Mary, who, when pregnant with Jesus, heard the angel of the Lord declare, “ You will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High”. (Luke: 1.31-32). The story of Bahira (a Christian monk who is said to have recognized in Muhammad the signs of a Prophet) was borrowed from Jewish scriptures. It resembles the Jewish story of Samuel (1 Samuel: 16.1-13). Believing in fictitious and historically worthless tales is worse than unknowing the truth.
There was another reason, those miracles were fabricated. Since everything associated with Muhammad was demonic rather than divine and Qur’an could not stand by its own merit, Muslim scholars choose to deceive others by fraudulent means to keep
the falsehood of Islam “alive” and steady going. The bread and butter of the Muslim scholars and clerics come from the business of Islam. At least those lies, though ridiculous and childish, provided their Prophet with some impression of credibility which was sufficient to attract the feebleminded people.
The Muslim scholars pass the story on to next generation and thereafter. Soon it takes on a life of its own and becomes more colorful with time and enters the realm of folklore, myth, and legend. Ultimately it is accepted by the mainstream Muslims as authentic. Today, the legend of Muhammad appears like a ridiculous collection of absurd fables and in the worst style. According to Kennedy (2008, p. 22), these fables are so contradictory and inconsistent that we cannot be certain for anything; even the very existence of Muhammad was questioned.
According to Qur’an, the only miracle associated with Muhammad was the revelation of the Qur’anic Surahs themselves. But the satanic verses incident even refuted this Qur’anic claim as already discussed earlier. Qur’an is the only religious book which is expected to be read and recited in Arabic only. It is not necessary to understand the meaning of a single word. In Qur’an, there are large numbers of contradictions and inaccuracies, and grammatical, historical, scientific, numerical and ethical errors. This book is haphazardly written. There is no chronology, no chapters of definite subject matters. Often the verses are unrelated to other and a whole chapter is a mixture of many subjects at random. It is utter stupidity to believe that this book is from God.
If Muhammad was involved in a miracle, or could do one, all he would have had to do to silence his critics was to explain the ones that had taken place, or simply summon his God’s power to perform one. But no! He failed miserably.
1.9: Conclusion
No religion in the world has been as harshly criticized as Islam. Attacks pointing out the irrationality of Islam started from Muhammad’s day and they are still continuing. Walker (2002, pp. 311-2) laments that there is not only a lack of understanding between Islam and the West but also a lack of a desire to understand. But Walker does not tell us this “lack of understanding” or “a lack of a desire to understand” is on whose part. Are Muslims misunderstanding the Western critics or it is the critics who are at fault. If the critics say that Islam is an alien, aggressive and fanatical faith, should we accuse them for their lack of understanding? Or, should we appreciate these critics for their “correct” understanding?
If we want to study Christianity, we cannot do it without learning about Christ. Similarly we cannot think about studying Buddhism by ignoring Lord Buddha, and Jainism without Mahavira Jain. Likewise, if we want to understand Islam, we have to read about Muhammad.
The greatness of the leader depends upon the quality of the followers. A poisonous tree produces poisonous fruits only. A psychopath murderer cannot teach “nonviolence” like Gandhi. Our experience shows, a Christian or Buddhist or Hindu, with deep and sincere religious devotion, can become one Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama or Gandhi. But in Islam, we see leaders like, Ayatollah Khomeini, Osama Bin Laden, Ahmadinejad, Mullah Omar, etc. We cannot say Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, or Gandhi was more religious and more sincere than Osama Bin Laden, Ahmadinejad or Mullah Omar. The argument is about something else – what are the teachings (and demands) of that religious group and the founder of that group? Let us compare few words of Muhammad, Allah and Qur’an with that of other religious leaders/ doctrines.
And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, (Q: 2.191)
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke: 23.34)
Do not injure another. Love everyone as your own self, because the whole universe is one. In injuring another, I am injuring myself; in loving another, I love myself. (The Vedanta Philosophy of Hinduism)
I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. (Q: 8.12)
Protect religion from hatred . (Hindu epic Mahabharata: Vanaparva 213.29)
Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not. (Q: 2.216)
If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew: 5.39)
For he who insults you (Muhammad), will be cut off. (Q: 108.3)
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew: 5.44)
Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. (Q: 9.5)
Let your mind be filled with love. Your pain shall be sent far away, and peace shall come to your home. (Siri Guru Granth Sahib)
Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates of hell leading to the downfall (or bondage) of the individual. Therefore, one must (learn to) give up these three.” (Bhagvada-Gita: 16.21)
Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not . (Q: 8.60)
A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego - he alone can attain real peace. (Bhagvada-Gita: 2.71)
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, He will be in the ranks of those who have lost. (Q: 3.85)
And know that whatever ye take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the messenger… (Q: 8.41)
You shall find peace, doing seva (selfless service) (Siri Guru Granth Sahib)
The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of the inner psyche, perseverance in the yog of Self-knowledge, charity, sense-restraint, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, honesty; nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, calmness, abstinence from malicious talk, compassion for all creatures, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness, splendor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, absence of malice, and absence of pride - — these are the (twenty-six) qualities of those endowed with Divine virtues. (Bhagvada-Gita: 16.1-3)
So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates. (Q: 47.4)
In the midst of this world, do seva, and you shall be given a place of honor in the Court of the Lord. (Siri Guru Granth Sahib)
How many a township have We destroyed! As a raid by night, or while they slept at noon, Our terror came unto them. (Q: 7.4).
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty . (Bhagvada-Gita: 2.47)
Does there still exist a “lack of understanding” or “a lack of a desire to understand”? Today, instead of talking about Islamic terrorism, should we be more concerned about Buddhist terrorism or Jain terrorism? Taslima Nasrin’s and Solomon Rushdie’s books were banned because “it would hurt the feelings of certain group of people”; is there a “lack of understanding” if we say Qur’an should be banned because it offends the feelings of the whole non-Muslim world?
Practically everything associated with Muhammad was decidedly unprophetlike. Whereas all other religious leaders preached love and brotherhood, talked about life, freedom & purification of soul and spiritual upbringing; Muhammad focused on hate, violence, and punishment. In his religion, war was elevated as a supreme religious duty. He approved plunder, incest, pedophilia, thievery, lying, assassination, genocide, and rape in the name of God. Paradise is no way better than a brothel and hell is a torture chamber. Muhammad was so spiritually deprived that he could not see anything beyond earthly pleasures even after death; leave aside a
ny moral upbringing. It is really surprising that today more than a billion Muslims put their blind trust on this seventh century criminal, whose life was an example of what not to do, rather than how to behave.
His God is an ungodly God. This God is so ridiculous that He is ready to bribe man with the paradisiacal luxuries, and if man does not fall for it, He frightens him with the most sadistic torture of hell. Yet this stupid God, Allah, calls himself independent, absolute and disinterested. Such a God is nothing but a clever myth invented by Muhammad. With this invention, Muhammad declared Allah as the real Master, and himself as his humble servant. This way he fooled the people by personalizing his authority in the name of God and imposed his dictatorship on them. In theory, Muslims are following Allah’s guidance, but in practice, they are offering their blind obedience to Muhammad. With all the Qur’anic revelations, Allah slowly moved away into the background, leaving the front seat to Muhammad.
The authority of the Qur’an is unquestionable and it leads to hell. Allah is very specific on this matter.
O believers! Do not ask questions about things that if revealed to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask a question about something when the Qur’an is being revealed, it will be made known to you. Allah has forgiven you what you did to date, Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing. (Q: 5.101).
Some people before you did ask such questions and later lost their faith because of those very things. (Q: 5.102)
Narrated by Ash-sha’bi … I heard the Prophet say, ‘Allah has hated you for asking too many questions (in disputed religious matters).’ (Bukhari: 2.24.555)
Why Muslims are not allowed to ask questions about the Qur’anic revelations? How God can hate us for asking many questions? The answer is simple. If Muslims start asking questions, the imposture of Muhammad will be exposed causing the fall of Islam. Therefore by revealing those two verses in the guise of Allah, Muhammad had banished reasoning from the kingdom of Islamic faith, making fanaticism the foundation of his doctrine. As Sina (2008, p. 6) lamented, “ Muslims are genuinely incapable of questioning Islam. They dismiss every doubt and consider things that are incomprehensible as ‘test’ of God. To pass that test and to prove their faith, all they have to do is to believe in every nonsense and absurdity unquestioningly”.
