Max Shimba Ministries: Did Muhammad Break the Ninth Commandment?

Friday, June 13, 2025

Did Muhammad Break the Ninth Commandment?

An Academic and Theological Critique

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction

The Ninth Commandment is a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics, demanding truthfulness and forbidding false testimony:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16, ESV)

This commandment upholds the value of truth and the sanctity of reputation. In this scholarly debate, we critically examine whether the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, upheld or violated this commandment in his teachings, actions, and legacy.

Framing the Debate

Christian Theological Position:
Truth is not merely a social virtue but a divine attribute. Jesus Christ identified Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Lying, false witness, and deception are repeatedly condemned throughout Scripture (Proverbs 12:22; Revelation 21:8).

Islamic Position:
The Qur’an encourages honesty (Qur’an 2:42: “And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it]”). However, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and certain hadiths introduce nuanced discussions about truth-telling and permissibility of deceit in specific circumstances.

Scholarly Critique: Did Muhammad Bear False Witness?

1. Use of Deception in Hadith and Sira

Several authentic hadiths and early Islamic sources record instances where Muhammad allegedly sanctioned or utilized deception:

Taqiyya and Kitman: Although more common in Shia jurisprudence, the concepts of concealing faith or intent for self-preservation or strategic advantage are referenced in Islamic tradition. Sunni sources also recognize exceptions to absolute truth-telling.
Hadith Example: War and Deception

“The Prophet said, ‘War is deceit.’”
(Sahih Bukhari 52:269; Sahih Muslim 1739)
Assassination of Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf:
According to Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 369) and Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah, Muhammad approved a plot in which one of his followers deceived Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf, leading to his assassination.

Muhammad said: “Who will rid me of the son of Ashraf?” Muhammad bin Maslama said, “I will deal with him for you, O Messenger of Allah.” … He was given permission to lie for the sake of the mission.

2. Theological Perspective: Is Deception Ever Justified?

The Bible’s Standard: The Bible offers almost no exceptions for bearing false witness, even in difficult circumstances. Truth is integral to God’s nature (Numbers 23:19).
Muhammad’s Example: The permission to lie in certain contexts (war, reconciliation between people, to one’s spouse) is found in Sahih Muslim (Book 32, Hadith 6303):

“It is not a lie to be used in war, to bring reconciliation between people, or to a wife to please her.”

3. Accusations Against Others

Jews and Christians:
Muhammad repeatedly accused Jews and Christians of corrupting their scriptures and hiding the truth about his prophethood (Qur’an 2:75-79; 3:71), though these accusations lack corroborating historical evidence outside the Islamic narrative.
Charges of Polytheism and Deception:
Islamic sources allege that Jews and Christians are “people of the book” who “conceal” or “distort” the Word of God (Qur’an 4:46; 5:13-15). From a critical perspective, this could be seen as bearing false witness against whole religious communities without substantiated proof.

Islamic Response

Defenders of Muhammad argue that:

Context is critical: “Deception” cited in war is akin to military strategy, not the sort of malicious lying prohibited by the Ninth Commandment.
The Prophet’s general teachings emphasize truthfulness and justice (Qur’an 33:70; 4:135).
The permission to lie in exceptional circumstances (war, reconciliation, family harmony) is not the same as “bearing false witness” in the legal or malicious sense.

Scholarly Rebuttal

Scriptural Consistency: The Biblical commandment makes no exception for “strategic” or “expedient” lying.
Ethical Absolutism: Jesus intensifies the call to truthfulness (Matthew 5:37), and the Apostles warn against any form of lying (Colossians 3:9; 1 John 2:21).
Historical Impact: Muhammad’s legacy of sanctioning deception in certain contexts has been cited by critics as a precedent for double standards within Islamic jurisprudence.

Conclusion

Did Muhammad break the Ninth Commandment?
From a strict Judeo-Christian perspective, the answer appears to be yes: the prophetic record in hadith and sira literature shows instances where deception and false accusation were permitted or practiced.

However, Islamic theology interprets these acts contextually, maintaining Muhammad’s integrity within its own ethical framework.

Final Question for Debate:

Can a prophet of God ever be justified in bearing false witness, or does true prophethood require absolute adherence to the divine standard of truth—without exception?

References

The Holy Bible, Exodus 20:16; John 14:6; Proverbs 12:22; Matthew 5:37.
The Qur’an: 2:42, 2:75-79, 3:71, 4:46, 4:135, 5:13-15, 33:70.
Sahih Bukhari 52:269; 59:369.
Sahih Muslim 1739; 6303.
Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah.

Prepared by Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute. For further study and debate, contact info@shimbatheological.org