by Sujit Das
Ask forgiveness for them (O Muhammad), [speaking in 1st person] or ask not forgiveness for them; though thou ask forgiveness for them seventy times Allah will not forgive them [switching to 3rd person]. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger, and Allah guides not wrongdoing folk . (Q: 9.80)
So know (O Muhammad) that there is no Allah save Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy sin and for believing men and believing women [speaking in 1st person]. Allah knoweth [shifting to 3rd person] (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest . (Q: 47.19)
And do not plead on behalf of those who act unfaithfully to their souls; [speaking in 1st person] surely Allah does not love [shifting to 3rd person] him who is treacherous, sinful . (Q: 4.107)
And never (O Muhammad) [1st person] pray for one of them who died, nor stand by his grave. Lo! They disbelieved in Allah and His messenger, [switching to 3rd person] and they died while they were evildoers . (Q: 9.84)
And Noah called upon his Lord, [3rd person] and said: “O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!” He said: “O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!” [while talking to Abraham Allah uses the correct pronoun and when speaking to Muhammad Allah uses a wrong pronoun, suddenly speaking of himself in 3rd person] Noah said: “O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost! (Q: 11.45-47)
Did Muhammad keep on forgetting that he should represent the Qur’an as word of Allah and hence Allah should not allude to Himself in third person? Many critics have noticed this inconsistency. Bell and Watt (1977, p. 66) wrote, “ The assumption that God is himself the speaker in every passage, however, leads to difficulties. Frequently God is referred to in the third person. It is no doubt allowable for a speaker to refer to himself in the third person occasionally, but the extent to which we find the Prophet apparently being addressed and told about God as a third person, is unusual ”.
Muslim scholars have noticed this discrepancy too, but they have a readymade answer for this. They say that Qur’an is a masterpiece of Arabic literature. It is not just a bland piece prose in Arabic that was revealed to hand down some instructions to Muhammad. The unusual use of pronouns is actually a style of presentation. A reader who is not fully conversant with literary writings may consider this as an error of the author (in this case Allah). For this reason, the Qur’anic style of presentation should not be critically examined from the point of view of ordinary logic. In a brief, these apologists want to say that in Allah’s language, wrong uses of pronouns add beauty to the language. But the fact is, switching from one pronoun to another without notice only creates confusion and it does not transform a prosaic writing into a masterpiece of literature. It only indicates that the author of the book was either an illiterate man or mentally unstable or both.
Now I should give a scientific explanation. Linguistic beauty is pure nonsense. At times of crisis, or danger, or depression, or when ample narcissistic supply is not available; a strange sensation sets in and pervades the psyche of the Narcissist, and he feels that he is watching himself from outside (Vaknin, 1999, p. 118). This is not an out-of-body experience. The Narcissist does not really “exit” his body nor does he believe that he is doing so, but he simply assumes. For a normal person, such assumption is absurd. In his delusion, involuntarily, the Narcissist takes the position of a spectator, a polite and silent observer, mildly interested of only one person – the Narcissist himself as if he is seeing himself in a movie (Zayn and Dibble, 2007, p. 105). On the screen, he observes events and people, his own experiences and loved ones of his own life. As a spectator, he finds some parts of this “movie” are exciting and some parts may be boring.
This detachment continues for as long as this crisis situation persists. During this time, the Narcissist cannot face who he is, or what he is doing, or what are the consequences of his deeds. Unfortunately, for a Narcissist, this is the case for most of the time, and he gets used to seeing himself in the role of the hero of a motion picture or of a novel. This strange pattern of behavior fits well with his grandiosity and fantasies. In sum; the Narcissist does not occupy his own soul, nor apparently does he inhabit his own body (Vaknin, 1999, p. 119). He is not fully there, entirely present.
In this situation, the Narcissist frequently talks about himself in third person singular. At times he calls his “other” narcissistic self in a different name (Vaknin, 1999, p. 118). Ultimately, this “motion picture solution” becomes the permanent one – an important feature of his own life. He will switch pronoun frequently and without prior notice. Often he will describe his life, its happenings, ups and downs, pain, excitement and disappointment in the most remote voice. So when Allah had sent down some “revelations” to Muhammad, it was, in fact, Muhammad received those instructions from himself while playing two different roles. He switched role frequently without any prior indication. This is the actual reason of using wrong pronouns in the Qur’an – the motion picture solution. As Muhammad changed role, naturally the pronouns were also changed. The very idea that shifting of pronouns makes the Qur’an a masterpiece of Arabic literature is utterly nonsensical. It makes much more sense to recognize this as being a very human error of the person who composed the Qur’an. If we apply the same reasoning to all parts of the Qur’an, there would not be much left as the word of Allah.
The problem is that the Narcissist practically “feels” this way. The presentation of “life as a movie”, gaining control by “writing a scenario” or by “inventing a narrative” is a very common trait for a Narcissist. He really experiences his life as belonging to someone else and his body as just a dead weight or as an instrument in the service of some entity (Vaknin, 1999, p. 118). For Muhammad, it was Allah, his own mental figment. So when Muhammad claimed the title of Prophet of Allah, he really “felt” that way. If we say that Muhammad was sincere in his claim it was on which his sincerity based. Those Qur’anic revelations originated from his own sick mind. As Tisdall (cited Trifkovic, 2002, p. 75) concluded, “ The Qur’an is a faithful mirror of the life and character of its author. It breathes the air of the desert, it enables us to hear the battle-cries of the Prophet’s followers as they rushed to the onset, it reveals the working of Muhammad’s own mind, and shows the gradual declension of his character as he passed from the earnest and sincere though visionary enthusiast into the conscious imposter and open sensualist. All this is clear to every unprejudiced reader of the book ”.
In this respect, every verse is meaningful if analyzed from a Narcissist’s point of view. These revelations, put in the name of God, actually sanctioned Muhammad for his personal pursuit of sex, plunder and to fulfill his strong desire to achieve power even to solve his domestic problem. Now we know why Allah was always at readiness to entertain Muhammad.
Allah spies on Muhammad’s wives and alert him on various domestic issues.
The Prophet confided a certain matter to one of his wives but thereafter she disclosed it, then Allah revealed what she had done to him. He made part of it known and another part not. And when he acquainted her with it, she said: ‘Who has told you this’? He replied: ‘I was told of it by the Knower, the Aware. ‘ (Q: 66.3)
If both of you (wives) turn to Allah in repentance, even though your hearts inclined; but if you support one another against him, (know that) Allah is his Guardian, and Gabriel, and the righteous among the believers; and thereafter the angels are his reinforcers. (Q: 66.4).
We always wonder if God has nothing better job to do. A large portion of the Qur’an is preoccupied with the personal and political affairs of one man and his companions at one particular stage in the history. Most of these statements have no value to any other generation contrary to popular Muslim belief that Qur’an is eternal. Muhammad knew this
fact very well. Therefore, he was never interested to compile the verses in a single book before his death.
Another important point needs to be noted. Muhammad said that he used to get revelations only when he slept with Aisha (Bukhari: 3.47.755). It is surprising; why not when he slept with other wives? Very few Islamic scholars will ever try to find out the answer. The fact is; except Aisha, all his wives were grown up and matured. They had seen the wickedness of life. It was not easy to convince these women about his divine communications with Allah via Gabriel. But Aisha was a kid. With all her childlike simplicity and innocence, it was easy for Muhammad to exploit her. She was completely dependent on Muhammad’s maturity, and was ready to believe in whatever he told her about Allah, Gabriel, revelations, etc. Following Hadith will throw some more light on Muhammad’s deception.
Narrated Abu Salama: ‘Aisha said that the Prophet said to her “O ‘Aisha’ This is Gabriel and he sends his salutations to you.” ‘Aisha said, “Salutations to him, and Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be on him,” and addressing the Prophet she said, ‘You see what I don’t see’ . (Bukhari: 4.54.440).
If Gabriel could come in front of Aisha to give Muhammad Allah’s revelations, what made him shy to show his face to the child? Children are sinless; there was no reason why Gabriel could not show him to the child. But no; the Narcissist’s manipulative capacity has its limits. Let alone Aisha; no one had ever seen Gabriel because all those divine confrontations were drama.
Bukhari recorded (6.61.512) that once a blind man corrected Allah’s revelation. Ibn Umm Maktum, a man from Mecca, requested Muhammad to correct a verse to exempt him to join in a jihad because of his blindness. When a jihadi verse was revealed, “Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and those who strive and fight in the Cause of Allah.” (Q: 4.95), Ibn Umm Maktum said, “ O Allah’s Apostle! What is your order for me (as regards the above verse) as I am a blind man?” Therefore Allah changed His mind and corrected His verse, “ Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.) and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah. ”
Thus, we can see how cleverly Muhammad had corrected, deleted, and modified the contents of a verse to suit his purpose. Qur’an itself confirms that there was a human hand which was involved in the construction of the Qur’an and his identification is also revealed.
Rather, I swear by the returning orbiting, disappearing; by the night when it approaches and the morning when it extends, it is indeed the word of an Honorable Messenger of power, given a rank by the Owner of the Throne, obeyed, and honest . (Q: 81.15-21)
Many Muslim scholars, unable to defend, concoct that the above verses refer to Gabriel, as the “Honorable Messenger” of Allah. Even then, those verses indicate that the Qur’an contains Gabriel’s words and not completely Allah’s words. However, the next two verses help us to recognize this Honorable Messenger. It was obviously not Gabriel.
And your companion is not gone mad. (Q: 81.22)
And of a truth he saw himself on the clear horizon. (Q: 81.23)
4.5: Internal Contradictions of the Qur’anic Verses: A Logical Explanation
The Qur’anic verses were revealed according to the caprices of Muhammad as if it was Muhammad who instructed God and Gabriel in what verses Allah must reveal to him. That is why many verses were revealed for worthless reasons while many other contradicted each other and laws of logic. When Muhammad was weak, Allah revealed the following verses,
And bear with patience what they utter, and part from them with a fair leave-taking. Leave Me to deal with the deniers … ( Q: 73.10, 11)
And do not dispute with the People of the Book (Nazarenes) except in the best manner, except for those among them who do wrong and say (to them): ‘We believe in that which was sent down to us and that which was sent down to you. Our God and your God is One, and to Him we have surrendered . (Q: 29.46),
There is no compulsion in religion. (Q: 2.256)
But when he became strong enough to move from the stage of weakness to the stage of jihad, Allah revealed the following verses which were not so peaceful.
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 (All spiritual good). (Q: 3.85)
Fight those who do not believe in God and the last day… and fight People of the Book, who do not accept the religion of truth (Islam) until they pay tribute by hand, being inferior . (Q: 9.29).
Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers, (Q: 9.14)
Kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out . (Q: 2.191)
Fighting is enjoined on you, and it is an object of dislike to you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know . (Q: 2.216)
Muslim scholars have noticed the contradictions too. According to them, it is impossible to understand some verses unless the reasons for the revelations were known, because many verses were revealed after certain incident or after a question was directed to Muhammad. But this cannot be true because Qur’an is supposed to be the eternal word of God.
Let us take a set of inconsistent verses – the verses concerning the consumption of alcohol are not in harmony. In the initial days of Islam, before Muhammad gained a following, he presented a moderate approach to intoxicants.
They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: ‘In them is great sin, and some profit for men; but the sin is greater than the profit’ … Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications that you may ponder (Q: 2.219)
As his power grew, he presented a stronger position. It was not acceptable to Allah to have had any intoxicants close enough to prayers to fog the mind.
O you who believe! Do not go near prayer when you are intoxicated until you know (well) what you say … (Q: 4.43)
When Muhammad’s position was established and he had full control over his followers, Allah forbade the use of intoxicants entirely.
O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination, of Satan’s handiwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper . (Q: 5.90)
Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain? (Q: 5.91)
Allah’s final revelation calls the use of intoxicants “Satan’s handiwork”. But this put Allah in an awkward position because previously He had approved Satan’s handiwork when He said that there was “some profit for men” in the use of intoxicants. One may wonder that if Allah is really omniscient and omnipotent and His word unchangeable, why did He not reveal the right verses to His Prophet from the beginning. However, this leads to some questions – Does God vacillate on sin? Would God approve of sin at one time and condemn it later? Does God sometimes loses his wisdom and makes mistakes?
Muslim scholars attempt to explain this contradiction by arguing a principle they call “progressive revelation”. It means that a principle is first stated, later, it is elaborated upon, and finally, God’s will concerning the matter is clearly stated. This process was deemed necessary because of the extremely corrupt nature of the society in which Muhammad lived. This interpretation technique provides a handy argument for explaining inconsistencies in the Qur’an. The claim is made that they are not really contradictions; they are steps in the progress of revelations.
The contradictions and the inconsistencies show that the Qur’an is incompatible in its assertions and teachings. An inconsistent or contradictory teaching cannot be from a real God. The idea that God would modify truth, which is what progressive revelation really claims, is absurd. Truth does not change.
But I wa
nt to give a scientific explanation. This is the typical thinking style of a Narcissist to keep his false self inflated at any cost – even let it be at the cost of the God. Allah revealed verses as situation demanded and as it suited Muhammad’s self-serving needs. The Narcissist has a one track mind as if he is playing according to a written script. When difficulty arises he makes changes in the script and then starts all over again. Thus the script and dialogue change as situation changes. As Zayn & Dibble (2007, p. 89) wrote, “ When the things are not going the way the Narcissist intends, he simply rewrites the script. The Narcissist needs to maintain a sense of control in his relationships, so when the things are not going the way the Narcissist intends, a rewrite is necessary .” When often appears to be mind games to us are merely new scripts for the Narcissist.
This was such a mind game of Muhammad. At any cost the Narcissist wants to ensure self-gratification. Sometimes there are sudden urgencies, sudden change of plan, some new selfish ideas need to be incorporated replacing the old ideas, etc. Muhammad achieved this by abrogating verses and/or revealing verses in perfect contradictory manner. At any cost the show must go on. As situation demanded, he just followed a new script leaving the old one invalid. If the new script demands violence, Allah’s verses are violent and if the script is peaceful, the verses are also peaceful. Accordingly, the scene also changes – one moment it is peaceful and in the very next moment it might be violent. So when all the “old” and “new” scripts were compiled into one whole book, what we call Qur’an, the contradictions and irregularities were prominently visible.
Muhammad’s followers often did not notice the contradictions because they were blinded in faith. This is the charisma of a Narcissist. But in many cases when the contradictions were prominently noticeable, they maintained silence due to fear – after all who has the courage to challenge Allah’s authority. And when there were murmurs of disbelief, Muhammad simply abrogated the old verses with new one, or killed the critics. Surprisingly, these contradictions, inconsistencies and abrogation of verses never bothered Muhammad. Narcissists are goal-oriented and it really does not matter how he achieves his goal. Adding and removing from the script is a minor matter. Zayn & Dibble (2007, pp. 89, 92) described,
