Wednesday, December 14, 2016Surat Al Ah’qaaf 9:
Say: “I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am only a clear warner.”
Today, we have evidence from Muhammad himself that he is nothing, and that Islam is not of any value.
Sorry to the followers of this so-called unique prophet, as he himself admitted and confessed that he does not know what will happen to him after death. Perhaps this is why he said in the hadith below that all sects will enter Hellfire. So, Muhammad will enter Hellfire. So, Muslims will enter Hellfire.
Hadith:
“The Jews split into seventy-one sects, and the Christians split into seventy-two sects, and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will enter Hellfire…”
[Ahmad, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, and ad-Daarimi]
As the evidence says above that all sects will enter Hellfire, now, which is the sect that will not enter Hellfire?
Shalom,
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Servant of Jesus Christ
Shimba Theological Institute
Theological and Scholarly Expansion
1. Context of Surat Al Ah’qaaf 9
Surat Al Ah’qaaf 46:9 states:
Say, “I am not a new thing among the Messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me; I am but a clear warner.”
Islamic Interpretation
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Classical Islamic Scholars generally interpret this verse as a statement of Muhammad’s humility and his role as a prophet who is strictly bound to the revelations from Allah.
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir: The verse is interpreted to mean that Muhammad is not different from previous messengers, nor does he claim independent knowledge about the ultimate fate of any individual, including himself, except what has been revealed by Allah.
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Al-Tabari similarly explains that the Prophet is emphasizing that he does not possess divine knowledge of the unseen (
al-ghayb), which is a trait reserved for Allah alone.
Christian and Critical Academic Perspective
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Critical scholars see this verse as indicative of the uncertainty and human limitation of Muhammad’s role, contrasting sharply with the claims of some Muslims about his intercessory power or unique status.
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Christian apologists often point to this verse to argue that Muhammad himself expressed uncertainty regarding his salvation, which contradicts the certainty of salvation offered through Jesus Christ in the New Testament (e.g., John 14:6, 1 John 5:13).
2. The Hadith on Sectarianism
“The Jews split into seventy-one sects, the Christians into seventy-two, and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except one…”
[Sources: Ahmad 8492, Abu Dawood 4597, at-Tirmidhi 2641, ad-Daarimi 2517]
Islamic Context
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The majority of Islamic scholars interpret this hadith as a warning against division and an encouragement to adhere to the Prophet’s example (
Sunnah) and the consensus of the community (Jama'ah). -
The “one group” that will be saved is interpreted differently across sects: Sunni scholars claim it is the Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, while various other sects (e.g., Shia, Sufis) have their own interpretations.
Christian and Academic Reflection
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Christian theologians see this as evidence of doctrinal uncertainty within Islam, in contrast to the New Testament's teaching on the assurance of salvation for believers in Christ.
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Sociologists of religion note that such hadith reflect early Islamic struggles with internal division, mirroring the splits in Judaism and Christianity, but also serve to legitimize certain interpretations over others.
3. Theological Reflection
From a Christian Perspective
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Salvation and Assurance: Christianity, especially in the Pauline and Johannine tradition, affirms that believers can be assured of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). This stands in contrast with the ambiguity presented in Muhammad’s admission in the Qur’an and the hadith regarding the fate of his followers.
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Finality of Revelation: The Christian doctrine maintains that the fullness of God’s revelation and salvation is in Christ, who not only declares but guarantees eternal life (John 14:6, 1 John 5:11-13).
From an Islamic Perspective
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Divine Sovereignty: Islam teaches that ultimate judgment belongs to Allah alone. Even prophets are not exempt from divine scrutiny, and ultimate knowledge of each soul’s destiny rests with God (Qur’an 31:34).
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Humility of Prophets: Muhammad’s statement is seen as a sign of prophetic humility and submission to Allah’s will.
Academic Spectrum
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Comparative Religion: Scholars recognize that both Islam and Christianity have traditions about division and “saved” communities, but they handle assurance of salvation differently. Where Christianity (especially Protestant traditions) leans toward assurance, Islam underscores the necessity of hope and fear, leaving final judgment to God.
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Sectarianism: Both religions experienced early and enduring divisions, yet both preserved canonical traditions emphasizing unity and orthodoxy.
Conclusion
The statement in Qur’an 46:9 and the hadith about sectarian division invite deep theological reflection on authority, certainty, and salvation. While Islamic tradition sees these verses as emphasizing God’s ultimate authority and the necessity of following revelation, critical and Christian perspectives see in them a lack of assurance that only the Gospel of Christ fulfills.
The crucial question remains: Which path truly leads to salvation and certainty in the life to come?
For Christians, the answer is found in Christ alone, the only one who guarantees salvation and eternal life. For Muslims, hope is placed in God’s mercy, but the door remains open and uncertain.
Shalom,
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Servant of Jesus Christ
Shimba Theological Institute
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