Acts of Muhammad

 

Muhammad, Islam’s founder, is known by Muslims as the “seal of the prophets” (see Surah 33:40 of the Qur’an). By this they mean that he is the best of the prophets, greater than any before him. So let us examine some of the facts of Muhammad’s life to see what kind of example he set.

Muhammad lived in the town of Medina after he fled from Mecca.  There he gained power and status. Three nearby tribes of Jews displeased him. He expelled two of the tribes and later took an army and beheaded about 600 to 900 men of the third tribe. The wives and children of the slain men were taken as captives, and Muhammad took one of the women, Rayhana, as a concubine.

Muhammad had about fifteen wives, as many as eleven at a time. When he died he left nine widows.

He was attracted to Aisha the six year old daughter of his loyal follower Abu Bakr. He married the six year old girl and took her home with him to be his wife when she was nine years old. He was about 53 years old when he took the nine year old to his home.

Muhammad had an adopted son Zaid, who married a woman named Zaynab. Muhammad became romantically interested in Zaynab and this led his son Zaid to divorce her. Muhammad then married Zaynab. To justify marrying her, Muhammad announced a new revelation that a man could marry the divorced wife of his adopted son (Surah 33:37).

Muhammad was a man of war. He took part in many attacks on those who did not accept his teachings. He also raided caravans and robbed them of their merchandise. He ordered people who criticised him to be put to death.

But what does the Bible say to Christians about how to conduct themselves?

In Matthew 5: 27-28 Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery’. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

In Romans 7:3 and 1 Timothy 3:2 and 12 we find that the biblical standard for marriage is between one man and one woman. A second marriage is seen as an adulterous relationship if the first spouse is still living. We also find that in Revelation 21:8 sex outside marriage is called sexual immorality and is condemned.

In 1 Corinthians 6:10, Christians are taught that thieves will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and in 1 John 3:15 followers of Christ are warned that no murderer has eternal life dwelling in him.

In the light of these teachings from the Bible, a Christian cannot follow Muhammad’s example.

Jesus Christ is mentioned  25 times in the Qur’an and lived more than 500 years before Muhammad was born. Muhammad therefore knew about him. But he did not accept Jesus’ teachings in key areas of his life. For example, he denied that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he died on the cross to pay for our sins.

About 2800 years ago the prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of the false god Baal. He challenged the people in this way: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

Now the “Lord” referred to by Elijah was Jesus before his human birth.  Today we need to apply Elijah’s challenge to the question of whether we should follow Jesus or Muhammad. The teachings about how to live and what to believe are very different between Christianity and Islam.

In fact, eternal life is only possible through turning from our sins and putting our trust in the living God, Jesus, who is both Lord and Savior.

At the final judgement Jesus Christ will judge all people, and at his name every knee will bow. Jesus will judge everyone according to who they choose to worship and follow now.

It is therefore vitally important for each person to carefully examine what Jesus and Muhammad said about themselves, and what lifestyle they led.

Then make a choice about who to follow!