What Is Islam? A Critical Theological and Historical Analysis of Islam’s Origins and Claims

What Is Islam? A Critical Theological and Historical Analysis of Islam’s Origins and Claims

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba | Shimba Theological Institute

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Abstract

This paper critically examines the theological claims of Islam as formulated by Muhammad, interrogating the Qur'anic, Hadithic, and historical evidences that Muslims often cite to authenticate their religion. It argues that the foundational constructs of Islam, including the identity of Allah, the authenticity of the Qur'an, the role of Jibril (Gabriel), and the prophetic status of Muhammad, are inventions rooted in Arabian paganism and distorted Judeo-Christian narratives. The study employs a comparative theological approach by juxtaposing Qur'anic claims with biblical scriptures, especially in examining Qur'an 48:29’s assertion of foreheads marked by prostration in the Law (Taurat) and Gospel (Injeel). The paper concludes by affirming the messianic work of Jesus Christ as prophesied in Isaiah 53, offering salvation in contrast to the theological constructs of Islam.

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Introduction

Islam, professed by over a billion adherents globally, claims divine origin through revelations allegedly given by Allah to Muhammad via the angel Jibril (Gabriel). Central to Islamic theology is the belief that Muhammad is the final prophet, the Qur'an is the literal word of God, and the Kaaba in Mecca is the holiest site ordained by divine decree. However, a closer examination of Islamic primary sources—specifically the Qur'an, Hadith collections, and early Islamic historiography—reveals significant theological, historical, and logical inconsistencies. This paper contends that Islam is a syncretic religion shaped by pre-Islamic Arabian paganism and borrowed Judeo-Christian elements, packaged under the authority of Muhammad.

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1. The Claim of Islam’s Divine Origin: An Internal Contradiction

The Qur'an claims that "the religion before Allah is Islam" (Qur'an 3:19), asserting Islam as the primordial faith of humanity. However, historical scrutiny reveals that the term Islam in the sense of a structured religion emerged only through Muhammad’s prophetic claims in 7th-century Arabia. The invocation of earlier scriptural communities (People of the Book) as having rejected Islam out of envy presupposes the prior existence of Islam, which no historical or biblical evidence substantiates.

Qur'an 3:19
"The religion before Allah is Islam. Nor did the People of the Book refuse it except through envy, after knowledge had come to them."

This suggests an anachronism, as neither Judaic nor Christian texts reference "Islam" as a divinely instituted faith preceding Muhammad.

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2. The Invention of Allah and the Idol of Hubal

Pre-Islamic Mecca housed a pantheon of idols at the Kaaba, including the chief deity Hubal. Historical and archaeological evidence identifies Allah as a high god among Arabian deities, associated with the Moon. The Qur'an inadvertently preserves this legacy in Qur'an 38:5–7, where critics of Muhammad accuse him of consolidating various gods into one:

Qur'an 38:5–7
"Has he made the gods [only] one Allah? Indeed, this is a curious thing."

The passage confirms the existence of polytheistic worship before Islam, contradicting the Qur'an's later monotheistic claims.

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3. The Fabrication of Jibril (Gabriel)

The Qur'an frequently mentions Jibril as the angelic intermediary delivering Allah’s revelations to Muhammad (e.g., Qur'an 2:97). However, the biblical Gabriel serves as a messenger to Daniel and Mary, never associated with delivering scripture. Muhammad’s Jibril is a reappropriation of Judeo-Christian angelology.

Qur'an 2:97
"Whoever is an enemy to Jibril—it is [none but] he who has brought it [the Qur'an] down upon your heart by permission of Allah..."

This divergence points to a manufactured narrative, borrowing the name Gabriel to authenticate Muhammad’s revelations.

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4. The Qur'an’s Borrowing from Biblical Texts

Early Islamic historiography acknowledges that Muhammad was influenced by Waraqa ibn Nawfal, a Christian monk who allegedly taught him biblical stories. Qur'an 16:102–103 admits accusations that a human source instructed Muhammad:

Qur'an 16:103
"We know that they say, 'It is only a human being who teaches him.' The tongue of the one they refer to is foreign, yet this [Qur'an] is in clear Arabic language."

Despite claiming divine origin, the Qur'an’s content reflects distorted and recontextualized biblical narratives.

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5. Muhammad’s Self-Investiture as Prophet

In Qur'an 48:29, Muhammad declares himself the Apostle of Allah, describing his followers as marked by their prostrations—a claim said to find precedent in the Torah and Gospel.

Qur'an 48:29
"Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah, and those with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah... Their mark is on their faces from the traces of prostration. That is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel..."

This claim demands biblical evidence:

• Question 1: Where is the evidence in the Old Testament (Torah) that people have a mark on their foreheads from prostration?
  Answer: No Old Testament passage supports this. Marks in the Old Testament (e.g., Ezekiel 9:4) signify divine protection from judgment, not physical traces from prayer.

• Question 2: Where is the evidence in the New Testament (Gospel) of such a mark?
  Answer: No New Testament passage attributes physical marks on foreheads from prayer. The Book of Revelation (7:3, 14:1) speaks of a symbolic seal of God on the foreheads of the righteous but unrelated to physical prostration marks.

• Question 3: If Muslims argue the Taurat and Injil are separate from the Bible, where are these texts?
  Answer: No independent, authenticated pre-Islamic texts titled "Taurat" and "Injil" exist outside the Bible. Islam itself acknowledges the Torah as revealed to Moses and the Gospel to Jesus, corresponding to the Old and New Testaments.

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6. Theological Synthesis: Muhammad as Allah, Jibril, and the Qur'anic Author

Islamic narratives blur the distinction between Muhammad, Jibril, and Allah. Given Muhammad's exclusive claim to receive revelation through Jibril—whom no one else witnessed—the possibility arises of a constructed religious system where Muhammad functioned as prophet, angel, and deity figurehead.

Further, Sahih al-Bukhari 5:58:206 describes pre-Islamic Mecca’s idol worship centered around the Kaaba’s 360 idols, including the Black Stone—a practice Islam continues by venerating the Kaaba, which originally housed idols.

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7. Christ’s Redemptive Work: The Biblical Alternative

In stark contrast, the Bible proclaims Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God, whose atoning death and resurrection fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53:1–12. Unlike Muhammad’s militaristic and legalistic theology, Christ offers grace and salvation:

Isaiah 53:5
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed."

This Messianic prophecy underscores Christianity's emphasis on redemption through divine self-sacrifice rather than human works.

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Conclusion

This study demonstrates that Islam's theological foundation is rooted in pre-Islamic paganism, biblical distortions, and Muhammad's self-serving claims. It exposes the inconsistencies between Qur'anic assertions and both historical fact and biblical revelation. The paper calls readers to reconsider Islam’s claims in light of scriptural evidence and embrace the redemptive work of Jesus Christ as the only path to salvation.

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References

• Qur'an 3:19; 38:5–7; 2:97; 16:102–103; 48:29

• Sahih al-Bukhari 5:58:206

• Holy Bible: Isaiah 53:1–12; Ezekiel 9:4; Revelation 7:3; 14:1

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