1. The Prophet (PBUH) was unlettered. He did not know how to read or write, and he lived among people who were unlettered as well. No one can claim that the Qur’an was authored by Muhammad (PBUH)! God, the Exalted, says:
And you did not recite any Book before it, nor did you write one with your right hand; in that case the liars would have doubted.? (29:48)
2. The Arabs who were the masters of eloquence and rhetoric were challenged to bring forth something similar to the Qur’an, and yet they were unable to do so. The beauty, structure and profound meanings of the Qur’an amazed the Arabs. The Qur’an remains the everlasting miracle of Muhammad (PBUH). The Messenger of God (PBUH) said:
‘The miracles of the Prophets (before Muhammad Peace be upon him) were confined to their times. The miracle I have been given is the Qur’an, which is everlasting; therefore, I hope to have the most followers.’ (Bukhari 4598)
His people were experts in eloquent speech and well known for their splendid poetry, and yet when God challenged them to produce something similar to the Qur’an, they couldn’t. God then challenged them to produce even a single small chapter similar to it, and they couldn’t.
God says: And if you are in doubt as to what We have sent down to Our slave, then produce a chapter like it, and call upon your helpers beside Allah, if you are truthful.? (2:23)
God challenges all mankind and jinn at large to bring forth similar to the Qur’an. God says:
Say, ‘if mankind and the Jinn gathered together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even though they should help one another.? (17:88)
3. The Prophet (PBUH) continued preaching and calling people to Islam, even though he faced many hardships and was confronted by his people, who were plotting to kill him. Yet the Prophet Peace be upon him continued preaching, and was patient. If he was an imposter - he would have feared for his life and consequently stopped preaching..
W. Montgomery Watt said:
His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems that it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad.... Thus, not merely must we credit Muhammad with essential honesty and integrity of purpose, if we are to understand him at all; if we are to correct the errors we have inherited from the past, we must not forget the conclusive proof is a much stricter requirement than a show of plausibility, and in a matter such as this only to be attained with difficulty.
4. Man by nature loves beauties and luxuries of life, and inclines to these things. God, the Exalted, says:
?Beautified for men is the love of desired things –women and children, and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and pastured horses and cattle and crops. That is the provision of the present life; but it is God with Whom is an excellent abode.? (3:14)
Man by his nature is keen in acquiring the beautiful things of this world, and people may differ in the method they use to acquire these things, some resorting to lawful means while others deviate into criminal activates to acquire wealth and luxuries. Quraish tried to persuade the Prophet (PBUH) to stop calling people to Islam saying to him that they would make him the master of Quraish, marry him to the most beautiful women, and make him the wealthiest man amongst them. He responded to these tempting offers by saying:
‘By God, if they place the sun in my right hand, and the moon in my left hand to leave this matter, I would not leave it, until God makes it apparent, or I am killed calling people to it.’ (Ibn Hisham)
Were the Prophet ? an impostor he would have accepted this offer without hesitation.
Thomas Carlyle, said:
They called him a prophet, you say? Why, he stood there face to face with them, here, not enshrined in any mystery, visibly clouting his own cloak, cobbling his own shoes, fighting, counseling ordering in the midst of them. They must have seen what kind of a man he was, let him be called what ye like. No emperor with his tiaras was obeyed as this man in a cloak of his own clouting. During three and twenty years of rough, actual trial, I find something of a veritable hero necessary for that of itself.1
5. It is well known that subjects and wealth of a kingdom are subjected to the will of the king and to his service. As for Muhammad (PBUH) he knew that this life was a transitory stage leading to the Hereafter Ibraheem b. Alqamah said that Abdullah said: ‘The Prophet (PBUH) reclined on a straw mat which imprinted marks on his side so I said: ‘O Messenger of God! I ransom you with my mother and father! Allow us to put bedding on this mat upon which that you lay so your side would not be affected and marked.’ The Prophet (PBUH) said:
‘My example in this life is like a rider who took rest under the shade of a tree then continued on his journey.’ (Ibn Majah #4109)
An-Nu’man b. Basheer said:
‘I saw your Prophet (PBUH) when he was not able to even find low quality dates to fill his stomach.’ (Muslim #2977)
Abu Hurairah said:
‘The Messenger of God (PBUH) never filled his stomach for three consecutive days until his death.’ (Bukhari #5059)
This shows that by his selflessness, even though the Arabian Peninsula was under his control and he was the source of so much goodness for the people, the Prophet (PBUH) would some times not find food to suffice him. His wife, A’ishah said that the Prophet (PBUH) bought some food from a Jew agreeing to pay him at a later time and gave him his armor as collateral.’ (Bukhari #2088)
This does not mean that he could not obtain what he wanted for great wealth would be placed in front of him in his Masjid, but he would not move from his spot until he distributed it all among the poor and needy. Some of his Companions were wealthy and they would rush to serve him and would give up the most valuable of things for him, yet he would spend them all in the way of Allah to spread Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) renounced the riches of this world because he knew the reality of this life, for he said: ‘The likeness of this world to the Hereafter is like a person who dipped his finger in the ocean: let him see what would return.’ (Muslim #2858)
Reverend Bosworth Smith said:
If ever a man ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of power. The
simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life.1
6. Certain incidents would occur for which the Prophet of God (PBUH)would need clarification, and he would not do anything until he received revelation regarding it. During the intervening period (i.e. between the incident and revelation) he would be sorely affected and perturbed on account of his inaction. One such incident is the incident of Ifk wherein the Prophet’s wife A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, was accused of being unfaithful and unchaste. The Prophet (PBUH) did not receive revelation concerning this incident for a month during which his enemies talked ill of him until the revelation declared the innocence of A’ishah. Were the Prophet (PBUH) an imposter he surely would have resolved this incident the minute it came about by claiming some false revelation. God says:
?Nor does he speak out of desire.? (53:3)
7. The Prophet (PBUH) did not ask people to adulate him. On the contrary, the Prophet (PBUH) would not be pleased if a person adulated him in any way. Anas said:
‘There was no individual more beloved to the Companions than the Messenger of God.’ He said: ‘If they saw him, they would not stand up for him, because they knew he disliked that.’ (Tirmidthi #2754)
And The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Do not adulate me as the Christians adulated Jesus the son of Mary. Verily I am only a slave, so say: ‘Abdullah (the slave of Allah) and His Messenger.’” [Bukhari # 3445]
Washington Irving, said: ‘His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory as they would have done had they been effected by selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manner and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonial of respect was shown to him.’
8. Some verses from the Qur’an were revealed in which the Prophet (PBUH) was blamed and admonished, due to some incident or happening, and yet he proclaimed and propagated these revelations; for instance:
a. The words of God, the Exalted:
O Prophet! Why do you forbid (for yourself) that which God has allowed to you, seeking to please your wives? And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.? (66:1)
The Prophet (PBUH) abstained from eating honey due to the objection of some of his wives, then admonished him because he forbade upon himself what God had made lawful.
b. God, the Exalted, says:
May God forgive you (O Muhammad). Why did you grant them leave (for remaining behind since you should have emphasized your order to them to proceed on Jihad) until those who told the truth were seen by you in a clear light, and you had known the liars?? (9:43)
God admonished the Prophet (PBUH) because he accepted the false excuses of the hypocrites who lagged behind in the Battle of Tabook, without fully verifying them.
c. God, the Exalted, says:
It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world, but God desires for you the Hereafter. And God is All-Mighty, All-Wise.? (8:67)
This verse is explained in detail in the prophetic narration wherein Allah reproaches the Prophet (PBUH) for the excessive mercy and leniency that he showed to the sworn enemies who deserved the harshest of treatments to thwart their evil designs.
d. God, the Exalted, says:
Not for you (O Muhammad, but for God) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy, to (pardon) them or punishes them; verily, they are the wrong-doers.? (3:128)
e. God, the Exalted, says:
The Prophet frowned and turned away. Because there came to him the blind man. And how can you know that he might become pure from sins? Or he might receive admonition, and the admonition might profit him?? (80:1-4)
Abdullah ibn Umm Maktoom, who was blind, came to the Prophet (PBUH) while he was preaching to one or some of the Quraish leaders, whereupon the Prophet (PBUH) frowned and turned away. On account of this God admonished him.
If the Prophet (PBUH) an imposter, these verses would not be found in the Qur’an.
Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall said:
One day when the Prophet was in conversation with one of the great men of Qureysh, seeking to persuade him of the truth of Al-Islam, a blind man came and asked him a question concerning the faith. The Prophet was annoyed at the interruption, frowned and turned away from the blind man. In this Surah he is told that a man’s importance is not to be judged from his appearance or worldly station.1
9. One of the sure signs of his Prophethood is found in the Chapter of al-Masad (chapter 111) in the Qur’an. God the Exalted condemned Abu Lahab (the Prophet’s uncle) to the torment of Hell. This chapter was revealed during the early stages of his Da’wah (call to Islam). Were the Prophet (PBUH) an imposter he would not issue a ruling like this, since his uncle might accept Islam afterwards!
Dr. Gary Miller says:
… the Prophet (PBUH) had an uncle by the name of Abu Lahab. This man hated Islam to such an extent that he used to follow the Prophet around in order to discredit him. If Abu Lahab saw the Prophet (PBUH) speaking to a stranger, he would wait until they parted and then would go back to the stranger and ask him, ‘What did he tell you? Did he say black? Well, it’s white. Did he say ‘Morning?’ Well, it’s night.’ He faithfully said the exact opposite of whatever he heard Muhammad (PBUH) say. However, about ten years before Abu Lahab died a little chapter in the Qur’an was revealed to him. It distinctly stated that he would go to the Fire (i.e. Hell). In other words, it affirmed that he would never become a Muslim and would therefore be condemned forever. For ten years all Abu Lahab had to do was say, ‘I heard that it has been revealed to Muhammad that I will never change – that I will never become a Muslim and will enter the Hellfire. Well I want to become a Muslim now. How do you like that? What do you think of your divine revelation now?’ But he never did that. And yet, that is exactly the kind of behavior one would have expected from him since he always sought to contradict Islam. In essence, Muhammad (PBUH) said: ‘You hate me and you want to finish me? Here, say these words, and I am finished. Come on, say them!’ But Abu Lahab never said them. Ten years! And in all that time he never accepted Islam or even became sympathetic to the Islamic cause. How could Muhammad possibly have known for sure that Abu Lahab would fulfill the Qur’anic revelation if he (i.e. Muhammad) was not truly the Messenger of Allah? How could he possibly have been so confident as to give someone ten years to discredit his claim of Prophethood? The only answer is that he was Allah’s Messenger; for in order to put forth such a risky challenge, one has to be entirely convinced that he has a divine revelation.1
10. The Prophet (PBUH) is called: ‘Ahmed’ in a verse of the Qur’an instead of ‘Muhammad’. God, the Exalted, says:
And remember when Eesa, son of Maryam said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of God unto you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed. But when he came to them with clear proofs, they said: ‘This is plain magic.’? (61:6)
Were he an imposter, the name ‘Ahmed’ would not have been mentioned in the Qur’an, since he was known as ‘Muhammad’ amongst his people. This indicates the prophecies about him in the Gospels as mentioned.
11. The religion of Islam still exists today and is spreading all over the Globe. Thousands of people embrace Islam and prefer it over all other religions even though the callers to Islam are not financially backed sufficiently and in spite of the efforts of the enemies of Islam to halt the spread of Islam. God, the Exalted, says:
1 The Amazing Qur’an Verily, We sent down the Reminder (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it from corruption.? (15:9)
Thomas Carlyle said:
A false man found a religion? Why, a false man cannot build a brick house! If he does not know and follow truly the properties of mortar, burnt clay and what else he works in, it is no house that he makes, but a rubbish-heap. It will not stand for twelve centuries, to lodge a hundred and eighty millions; it will fall straightway. A man must conform himself to Nature’s laws, be verily in communion with Nature and the truth of things, or Nature will answer him, No, not at all! Speciosities are specious--ah me!--a Cagliostro, many Cagliostros, prominent world-leaders, do prosper by their quackery, for a day. It is like a forged bank-note; they get it passed out of their worthless hands: others, not they, have to smart for it. Nature bursts up in fire-flames; French Revolutions and such like, proclaiming with terrible veracity that forged notes are forged. But of a Great Man especially, of him I will venture to assert that it is incredible he should have been other than true. It seems to me the primary foundation of him, and of all that can lie in him, this.
The Prophet ? preserved the Qur’an, after God had preserved it in the written scriptures and in the memories of men generation after generation. Indeed memorizing and reciting it, learning and teaching it are among the things Muslims are keen on doing, for the Prophet ? said:
‘The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.’ (Bukhari #4639)
Many have tried to add and omit verses from the Qur’an, but they have never been successful for these distortions are discovered immediately.
The Sunnah of the Messenger of God (PBUH) is the second source of legislation in Islam, and has been preserved by the painstaking endeavors of trustworthy pious men. They spent their lives gathering these traditions and scrutinizing them to separate the weak from the authentic. and to clarify by proofs which narrations were fabricated. Whoever looks at the books written in the science of Hadeeth will realize that the narrations classified as authentic indeed are in fact authentic by confining proofs of verification.
Michael Hart1 says:
Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world’s great religions2, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive.
12. Veracity and truthfulness of his principles, and that they are good and suitable for every time and place. The
1 ‘The 100’ A ranking of the most influential persons in history.
2 We believe that Islam is a Divine revelation from Allah, and that Muhammad ? only propagated what was revealed to him by Allah and entrusted upon him as a sacred duty.
results of the application of Islam are clear and well known, and this also serves as a testimony that indeed it is a revelation from God. Why is it not possible for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to be a Prophet just as many Prophets and Messengers were sent before him? If the answer to this question is that there is nothing that prevents this - we then ask, ‘why do you reject his Prophethood, and yet confirm the Prophethood of the Prophets before him?’
13. Man cannot bring about laws similar to the laws of Islam which deal with every aspect of life, such as jurisprudence of worship, business and social transactions, marriage and divorce, public and private conduct, politics, etc. How can an unlettered man bring all this upon which a huge civilization is built within twenty years? This is a clear proof and sign of his Prophethood!
14. The Prophet (PBUH) did not start calling people to Islam until he turned forty years old. His youth had passed and commonly in this age one desires to rest and spend more of his time leisurely; yet at this stage he was commissioned as a Prophet and charged with the dissemination of Islam.
Thomas Carlyle, said:
It goes greatly against the impostor theory, the fact that he lived in this entirely unexceptionable, entirely quiet and commonplace way, till the heat of his years was done. He was forty before he talked of any mission from Heaven. All his irregularities, real and supposed, date from after his fiftieth year, when the good Kadijah died. All his "ambition," seemingly, had been, hitherto, to live an honest life; his "fame," the mere good opinion of neighbors that knew him, had been sufficient hitherto. Not till he was already getting old, the prurient heat of his life all burnt out, and peace growing to be the chief thing this world could give him, did he start on the "career of ambition;" and, belying all his past character and existence, set up as a wretched empty charlatan to acquire what he could now no longer enjoy! For my share, I have no faith whatever in that.
