Islam is not the name of some unique religion presented for the first time by Prophet Muhammad (saw) who should, on that account be called the founder of Islam.
The Qur'an states that Islam - the complete submission of man before his one and only Unique Creator - is the one and only faith and way of life consistently revealed by God to humankind from the very beginning. Noah, Solomon, David, Abraham, Moses, Isaac and Jesus - prophets who appeared at different times and places - all propagated the same faith and conveyed the same message of Tawheed (Oneness of God), Risaalat (Prophethood) and Aakhirah (the Hereafter). These prophets of God were not founders of different religions to be named after them. They were each reiterating the message and faith of their predecessors.
However, Muhammad (saw) was the last Prophet of God. God revived through him the same genuine faith which has been conveyed by all His Prophets. This original message was earlier corrupted and split into various religions by people of different ages, who indulged in interpolation and admixture, These alien elements were eliminated by God, and Islam - in its pure and original form - was transmitted to humankind through prophet Muhammad (saw). Since there was to be no messenger after Muhammad (saw), the Book revealed to him (i.e the Qur'an) was preserved word for word so that it should be a source of guidance for all times.
The miracle of Prophet Muhammad (saw), i.e. the Qur'an, is for all times. All the previous Prophets of God were sent only to their people and their nation and their complete message was meant for a particular time period. Therefore the miracles they performed such as parting of sea by Prophet Moses (pbuh), giving life to dead by Prophet Jesus (pbuh), etc. convinced the people of that time but these miracles cannot be analyzed and verified by us today.
Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the last and final Messenger of God, sent for the whole of humankind and the message he delivered is for eternity. The Qur'an says:
Therefore the miracles of the last and final Messenger should also be everlasting, examinable and verifiable by people of all ages, after its revelation. Though Prophet Muhammad (saw) performed several miracles as mentioned in the Hadith (recorded traditions, sayings and actions of the Prophet), he never emphasized them. Though we Muslims believe in these miracles we only boast of the ultimate miracle given to him by Almighty God, which is the Qur'an.
Al-Qur'an is the miracle of all times which proved itself to be a miracle 1400 years ago and which can be reconfirmed today and forever. In short, it is the Miracle of Miracles.
Many people have a misconception that Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the founder of the religion of Islam. However, Islam is in existence since the first man (Prophet Adam) first set foot on earth. Since then, Almighty God sent several prophets and revelations, the last in this chain being Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the Qur'an.
Three options regarding authorship of the Qur'an
Probably, the only point of agreement amongst those who have the slightest knowledge of the Qur'an irrespective of whether they are Muslims or not., is that the Qur'an was recited for the first time by a man who was born in Makkah in Arabia in the 6th century (C.E) by the name of Muhammad (saw). Regarding the sources of the Qur'an there can be four basic assumptions for a non-Muslim;
- Prophet Muhammad (saw) himself was the author of the Qur'an; consciously, sub-consciously or unconsciously.
- Prophet Muhammad (saw) learnt it from other human sources or copied or adopted from the previous scriptures or revelations.
- Qur'an has no human author but it is a word for word revelation from God.
- Prophet Muhammad (saw) was not the author of the Qur'an.
1) Muhammad (saw) never claimed the authorship of the Qur'an
It is highly abnormal to challenge the testimony of someone who disclaims responsibility for producing a great work, whether literary, scientific or other. Yet this is precisely what orientalists and others, who are suspicious about the origins of the Qur'an, do when they claim that Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the author of the Glorious Qur'an.
Prophet Muhammad (saw) never ever claimed responsibility for originating it. He honestly said that it was ALlah (swt) who revealed this scripture to him. To think otherwise is illogical because it would mean that he was telling a lie.
From history we learn that between his youth and the prophetic mission that commenced at the age of 40, he had never been known to lie. He was so well known for his truthfulness, honesty and chastity that he was given the title "Al-Ameen" i.e. "The trust worthy" by friends and foes alike. Then why should he lie at the age of 40 while claiming to be a messenger of God?
It is interesting to note however, that although many of the Meccan Pagans rejected Islam and regarded the Prophet as a liar, they nevertheless trusted him and deposited their valuables with him for safe-keeping. This is apparent from the fact that when the Prophet decided to leave Makkah to foil an assassination attempt on him, he left the valuables with Hazrat Ali (r.a) to distribute it to the rightful owners.
One when Abu Sufiyan, one of the pagan chiefs of Makkah, went to Emperor Heraclius to ask for his support against the Prophet, on being questioned whether the Prophet had been accused of lying, prior his claim to be a Prophet or whether he had betrayed his trust, Abu Sufiyan the arch enemy of the Prophet had to answer "No". Thus even his opponents acknowledged his sincerity, truthfulness and honesty.
What logical reason can a person think of, for Prophet Muhammad (saw) to lie while stating he was a Prophet and not the author of the Qur'an? In the previous article, we analyzed and discussed the probability of Prophet Muhammad (saw) being the author of the Qur'an based on whether he claimed to be its author. Let us now analyze some more probabilities given by skeptics of why Prophet Muhammad (saw) could have written such a book without claiming its authorship.
2) Material gain as the motive
Same may argue that Muhammad (saw) falsely attributed the Qur'an to God and called himself a Prophet for material gain. I do agree that there are several people who falsely claim to be prophets, saints and preachers for material benefits and thus become rich and lead luxurious lives.
Muhammad (saw) financial position was better off than after the announcement of his Prophethood. At the age of 25, he married Khadija (r.a), who was a very rich and wealthy businesswoman, 15 years before he claimed Prophethood. His financial position and life standard after claiming Prophethood was unenviable.
One of the wives of the Prophet (saw), Ayesha (r.a) narrates that a month or two would go by without fire being lit in their house because there was nothing to cook. They survived on dates and water.Sometimes this diet was supplemented with goat's milk from the people of Madinah. (According to Riyad-As-Saliheen by An-Nawawi, Hadith no 492)
This was not just a temporary sacrifice but a way if life. This was at a time when Muhammad (saw) could have lived like a king, if he so wanted. There was a sort of discontent and protest by those close to him as to why should they live in poor condition when they could avail of all luxuries. The Prophet was disturbed with their discontent and a revelation came commending him to tell his wives:
'O' Prophet! Say to your Consorts: "If it be that you desire the life of this world and its glitter then come, I will provide for your enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner. But if you seek ALlah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter verily ALlah has prepared for the well-doers amongst you a great reward." [Surah Al-'Ahzab: 28-29]
This evidence is also recorded in Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim.
Abu Zarr (r.a) and Abu Hurairah (r.a), the companions of the Prophet (saw) never kept back any gifts and provisions secured for future use, but spent what he had on the poor and needy. (According to Riyad-As-Saleheen, Hadith no. 465 and 466).
In spite of victories and achievements of Prophet Muhammad 9saw), at the time of his death, he was in debt, and his shield was in the hands of a Jewish citizen of Madinah as a collateral for his debt. (According to Riyad-As-Saleheen, Hadithg no. 504)
If Prophet Muhammad (saw) would have actually been the author of the Qur'an and would have lied for material gains, that it is a book of God, he would have never mentioned in the same Qur'an:
"Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say: 'This is from ALlah' to traffic with it for a miserable price! Woe to them for what their hands do write and for the gain they make thereby."
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 79]
This verse rebukes those persons who changed the previous Revealed scriptures, or authored books with their own minds and said, "this is from God" for their personal material benefit. If Prophet Muhammad (saw) had himself written the Qur'an, there were chances that at some point of time he would have been exposed, be considered the biggest hypocrite (God forbid), and would be cursing himself in his own book, which is illogical.
3) Desire for status, power, glory and leadership
Is it possible that Muhammad (saw) might have claimed Prophethood in order to attain Status, Power, Glory and Leadership?
Muhammad (saw) has universally been acknowledged as one of the most successful leaders in human history. A Christian scholar Michael H.Hart has given a list of what he considers the hundred most influential men in the history, from Adam to the present time, along with a list of reasons for his ranking. In his book 'The 100 - a ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History'. This unbiased Christian scholar placed Prophet Muhammad (saw) on top of the list. He concluded the biography with the words,
"It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad (saw) to be considered the most influential single figure in human history".
A man with qualities could claim leadership and assume power even within claiming Prophethood. Moreover, his character suggests that he was neither a power monger, nor a glory seeker. The desire to enjoy status and power monger, nor a glory seeker. The desire to enjoy status and power is usually associated with good food, fancy clothing, magnificent places, monumental palaces colourful guards and indisputable authority.
Despite his social standing as a Prophet and heavy responsibility as a statesman, Muhammad (saw) used to milk his goat, mend his clothes, repair his shoes and help with the household work. His life was an amazing example of simplicity and humility. He sat on the floor. He went to the market to shop with no guards or provisions and accepted invitations to dine with the poor and ate graciously whatever was served.
He talked and listened patiently to anyone who approached him. So much so that the Qur'an says that his detractors complained saying:
"O! He listens to everyone." [Surah At-Tawbah: 61]
Once a representative of pagans named Utbah came to the Prophet (saw) and said that if he gave up preaching he message of the Qur"an, they will make him the wealthiest man in the community and their leader with absolute power or even crown him as a king, if he wanted. The only concession they wanted from Muhammad (saw) was a seeker after power, glory and wealth, he would not have missed this golden opportunity. However he rejected the proposal using the verses that were revealed to him from ALlah in Al-Qur'an 41 Fussilat : 1-38
Later another approach was made to the Prophet (saw) from delegation of the pagan nobles. The Prophet (saw) refused to compromise on the divinely inspired message which he had been sent with to deliver saying:
"I did not bring this message on my own, nor in pursuit of your money or respect or leadership. God has sent me as messenger to you and has given me a book, the Qur'an..."
On another occasion, they tried to persuade him through his beloved uncle Abu Talib to accept worldly power and prestige in return for giving up his Prophetic Mission. He said,
"Oh! My uncle, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand, in order that I should give up this mission of mine, I will never do it until I die in defence of this truth, or God decides whatever He Pleases."
The death of Muhammad (saw) most beloved son Ibrahim (r.a) coincided with the eclipse of the sun and people regarded it as a miracle form God that heaven and earth were mourning at the death of Ibrahim. Muhammad (saw) was very angry with them and said:
"The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life of someone but they are two signs amongst the signs of ALlah." [Sahih Bukhari vol. 2, Hadith No 152]
Are these the characteristics of a power-hungry or a self-centered man? What could justify such a life of suffering and sacrifice, even after he was fully triumphant over over his adversaries? What could explain the humbleness and nobility, which he demonstrated in his most glorious moments when he insisted that success is only due to God's help and not due to his own genius?
