Muhammad and the Violation of the Seventh Commandment: A Theological and Scholarly Critique

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

---

Muhammad and the Violation of the Seventh Commandment: A Theological and Scholarly Critique

“You shall not commit adultery.” — Exodus 20:14

Introduction: The Seventh Commandment in Judeo-Christian Ethics

The Seventh Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery,” is a cornerstone of biblical morality, signifying the sanctity of marriage and sexual purity as divinely instituted values. Within both the Old and New Testaments, the prohibition against adultery is explicit and repeatedly affirmed (cf. Leviticus 18:20; Matthew 5:27-28). Its violation was considered a grave sin, incurring severe consequences under Mosaic Law.

Quranic Law on Adultery

The Qur’an equally condemns adultery. In Surah An-Nur (24:2), it is stated:

“The woman and the man guilty of fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment.”

This passage demonstrates a strict legalistic approach to punishing adulterers, prescribing public flogging and calling for no mercy.

The Prophet Muhammad’s Contradictions: Historical and Hadith Accounts

Despite the Quran’s severe position on adultery, an analysis of Islamic sources and classical commentaries reveals multiple narratives in which the Prophet Muhammad himself appears to have transgressed this very commandment.

1. The Incident with Mariyah al-Qibtiyya

According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 6, p. 367) and various hadith collections, there is an account involving Muhammad, his wife Hafsa bint Umar, and his Coptic concubine, Mariyah al-Qibtiyya. One day, while Hafsa was away, Muhammad engaged in an intimate encounter with Mariyah in Hafsa’s room. Upon returning and discovering the event, Hafsa confronted Muhammad, who responded by swearing never to touch Mariyah again—a vow later annulled (Qur’an 66:1-2).

Despite this being an explicit case of sexual relations outside the context of marriage, neither Muhammad nor Mariyah were subjected to the Quranic punishment of flogging. This raises a significant theological question: Was Muhammad above the very law he claimed to deliver?

2. Sexual Exploitation of Female Slaves

Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 38, No. 4458 reports an instance where Muhammad’s female slave was shared sexually with another man, upon which Muhammad instructed Ali ibn Abi Talib to punish her only after her menstrual bleeding stopped, as she was found to be bleeding at the time.

The use of concubines and female captives as sexual objects is explicitly allowed in the Qur’an (Qur’an 4:24), stating:

“...And [forbidden to you are] married women except those your right hands possess...”

This clause is used to legitimize sexual relations with captive women, outside the covenant of marriage, an idea that is entirely foreign to biblical ethics and the prophetic tradition of the Old and New Testaments (cf. Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4).

3. Homoeroticism and Gender Norms in Hadith

Certain hadiths, including Musnad Ahmad 16245 and Sahih Bukhari 1:4:152, allege that Muhammad engaged in intimate acts with young boys, such as sucking their tongues or kissing their mouths, and even displaying his nakedness to them. Such reports, if authentic, point to gross violations of sexual ethics, as recognized in both biblical and natural law.

4. Questionable Marital Ethics

Further, Muhammad is reported to have stated that a wife must submit to her husband's sexual demands at any time, regardless of circumstances (see Mkweli Mwaminifu, J. 1-2, Hadith No. 462, p. 204), thereby reducing women to mere sexual objects and undermining the mutual respect foundational to biblical marriage.

The Qur’an and the Legitimization of Sexual Deviance

The Qur’an, in some passages, describes paradise as a place of sensual reward involving young boys and beautiful women (Qur’an 52:24; 56:17; 76:19), a depiction that stands in stark contrast to the biblical vision of heaven as a place of holiness and communion with God (cf. Matthew 22:30; Revelation 21:27).

Theological and Ethical Critique

From a biblical and theological perspective, Muhammad’s actions—as reported in authoritative Islamic sources—constitute a clear violation of the Seventh Commandment. The New Testament goes even further, equating lustful intent with adultery (Matthew 5:28), and upholding sexual purity as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

The moral inconsistency is therefore profound:

• The same figure who instituted harsh penalties for adultery is himself portrayed as transgressing those boundaries without repercussion.

• The Quran and hadith allow for sexual relations with concubines, captives, and even hint at acceptance of same-sex acts, all of which are condemned in the Bible (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; Hebrews 13:4).

• The Prophet of Islam seems to operate above the law, violating the ethical standards he imposed on others.

Biblical Response to False Prophets

Jesus warned his followers:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

A true prophet must exemplify the law and character of God. The behaviors attributed to Muhammad in the hadith literature disqualify him by biblical standards. As Christians, we affirm that only Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the model of perfect holiness (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22).

Conclusion

A thorough, scholarly examination of Muhammad’s life—measured by the standard of the Seventh Commandment—reveals clear transgressions according to both the letter and the spirit of God’s law. Far from being above the law, a true prophet is called to embody it. The evidence from Islamic sources themselves is a powerful indictment, inviting Muslims and non-Muslims alike to reconsider the moral claims of Muhammad’s prophethood in light of biblical revelation.

Shalom,
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Titus 2:13

---

References:

• The Holy Bible, NIV, Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-28; Hebrews 13:4

• The Qur’an, 4:24; 24:2; 52:24; 56:17; 66:1-2; 76:19

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 6

• Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 38

• Musnad Ahmad 16245

• Sahih Bukhari 1:4:152

• Mkweli Mwaminifu, J. 1-2

• “Life of the Prophet” by Sheikh A.S. Farsy

• Matthew 7:15

---