A Theological Challenge to Islamic Claims of Prophethood
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Introduction
One of the most striking theological contrasts between the biblical prophets and Muhammad—the founder of Islam—lies in the mode of their calling and revelation. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Bible, a consistent pattern emerges: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob calls, appoints, and converses directly with His chosen prophets. From Abraham to Moses, from Isaiah to Jeremiah, divine encounters and direct communication underscore the authenticity of their prophetic office.
By contrast, Muhammad—the central figure of Islam—never claimed a single direct conversation with Allah. Instead, all of his revelations, according to Islamic sources, were mediated by the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). This peculiar pattern raises profound theological questions: Why would Allah, who claims absolute power and self-sufficiency, need an intermediary to communicate with his purported final prophet? Why is there not a single verse in the Qur’an in which Allah directly appoints or converses with Muhammad, as with the prophets of the Bible?
The Quranic Admission: Allah Spoke to Moses Directly
The Qur’an itself admits a special status for Moses:
Surah 4:164 – "Messengers we have told you about, and messengers we never told you about. And God spoke to Moses directly." (Rashad Khalifa translation)
This verse acknowledges a unique privilege accorded to Moses, one not shared with Muhammad. If Muhammad is regarded as the ‘seal of the prophets’ and the greatest messenger, as Muslims assert, why is he denied this direct audience with Allah?
The Biblical Pattern: Direct Divine Appointment
A survey of the Old Testament demonstrates that each prophet is called by God directly. Consider these examples:
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Abraham: "The LORD said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father’s household...'" (Genesis 12:1)
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Moses: "God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!'" (Exodus 3:4)
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Samuel: "The LORD called Samuel..." (1 Samuel 3:4)
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Isaiah: "Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, 'Whom shall I send?'" (Isaiah 6:8)
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Jeremiah: "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you... I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'" (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
In every instance, it is God Himself who initiates, commissions, and converses with the prophet. No intermediary is necessary.
The Islamic Dilemma: An Absent Voice
In stark contrast, Muhammad’s revelations were, without exception, relayed by Jibreel. The Qur’an is silent on any direct speech from Allah to Muhammad. Not only is there no record of Allah speaking directly to Muhammad, but there is also no account in the Qur’an where Allah commands Jibreel explicitly to relay a message; the claims of angelic mediation rest on tradition rather than explicit Quranic instruction.
Theological Problems with Mediation
This raises troubling questions for Islamic theology:
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If Allah is omnipotent and transcendent, why rely on a messenger to speak to Muhammad?
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How can Muhammad be considered the “seal” and greatest of prophets if denied what was given to Moses and others?
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Why would Allah, who claims not to need any partners or helpers (“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only”—Surah 112:1), consistently depend on Jibreel for the most crucial task—delivering His final revelation?
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Where in the Qur’an does Allah ever instruct Jibreel to deliver the message? Such explicit divine commissioning is entirely absent.
The Prophetic Test: Authenticity through Divine Encounter
The office of a prophet is validated by direct encounter with God. The lack of such in Muhammad’s life challenges the very foundation of his prophethood. The prophets of old could declare with authority, “Thus says the LORD.” Muhammad, by contrast, could only claim, “Jibreel said...” This is a radical departure from the established prophetic model.
Conclusion: Is Muhammad’s Prophethood Bogus?
The Islamic narrative leaves us with an inescapable theological dilemma. If direct divine appointment and communication are hallmarks of true prophecy, then Muhammad’s absence of such experience, by the Quran’s own admission, renders his claim to prophethood questionable at best and bogus at worst. Moses and other biblical prophets were authenticated by direct encounters with God. Muhammad stands alone, never hearing the voice of Allah, never receiving a direct commission.
To Muslim readers:
How can you place your eternal trust in a prophet who never spoke to the God who supposedly sent him? How can Muhammad be the greatest of prophets if denied the most basic prophetic privilege?
A call to reconsider:
It is time to re-examine the claims of Muhammad’s prophethood with intellectual honesty and theological rigor. The evidence is clear: in the matter of divine communication, Muhammad does not meet the standard set by the biblical prophets.
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
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