By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction: The Sixth Commandment in Judeo-Christian Tradition

The Sixth Commandment, as recorded in Exodus 20:13, is explicit: "You shall not murder." This divine mandate stands as a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics, emphasizing the sanctity and inviolability of human life. Jesus Christ, in affirming the Decalogue, reiterated the necessity of adhering to these commandments as a prerequisite for inheriting eternal life (see Matthew 19:16-19, Luke 18:18-20). When asked about attaining eternal life, Christ underscored, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal..." — making these commandments central principles of the Kingdom of God.

Scholarly Investigation: Muhammad and the Violation of "You Shall Not Murder"

This article examines, from a theological and historical perspective, how Muhammad—founder of Islam—stands in direct violation of the Sixth Commandment, not only by sanctioning but also by personally ordering acts of violence, murder, and brutality, including against the elderly and defenseless women.

Case Studies from Islamic Sources

1. The Killing of the Elderly: Umm Qirfa

After the conquest of the Kaaba, Muhammad dispatched his close companion, Zayd ibn Haritha, to suppress a tribe that had resisted conversion to Islam. Zayd’s forces attacked, capturing women and children, and specifically targeting the elderly:

“We attacked them from all sides, fighting fiercely near their wells. We killed some of our enemies and took others captive. I saw a group fleeing, including women and children. I feared they would reach the mountain before me, so I shot an arrow, which landed in front of them, causing them to surrender. I herded them back like livestock.”
(Sahih Muslim 4345)

Among the captives was Umm Qirfa, an elderly woman, who was executed in a gruesome manner. Zayd ibn Haritha ordered her execution by tying each of her legs to a camel and having the camels pulled in opposite directions, tearing her apart.
(Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 980)

Her daughter, Umm Qirfa Fatima, was taken as a captive and later gifted as a slave to Abu Bakr, then eventually claimed by Muhammad himself.
(Sahih Muslim 4345)

2. The Assassination of Abu Afak (Aged 120)

Abu Afak, an elderly man (reportedly 120 years old), was killed for his poetry criticizing Muhammad’s actions in battle:

Muhammad asked, “Who will deal with this rascal for me?” One of his followers volunteered and murdered Abu Afak in his sleep.
(Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 995)

3. The Killing of an Elderly Meccan

After the conquest of Mecca, Muhammad reportedly ordered the execution of any non-Muslim who resisted Islam. The Sahih Bukhari records:

“The Prophet recited Surah Najm while lying down. The others did the same except for an old man who took a handful of earth and placed it on his head, saying, ‘This is enough for me.’ Later, I saw him killed as a disbeliever.”
(Bukhari 19:173)

Analysis: Theological and Ethical Implications

Such actions, documented within respected Islamic sources, present a profound ethical and theological challenge. Unlike the teachings of Jesus—who rebuked violence and called for love even toward one’s enemies (Matthew 5:44)—Muhammad’s actions as chronicled in these incidents directly contradict the spirit and letter of the Sixth Commandment.

The murder of non-combatants, the elderly, women, and critics—often in particularly brutal ways—cannot be harmonized with the commandment, “You shall not murder,” nor with the Christian moral tradition. Instead, these events expose a pattern wherein religious authority was used to justify acts that the biblical God, and Christ Himself, explicitly condemned.

Further Scholarly Context

While some Muslim apologists attempt to contextualize or allegorize these events, the historicity of these incidents is affirmed in the earliest Islamic sources (Ibn Ishaq, Sahih Muslim, Sahih Bukhari). The consensus among historians and scholars of Islamic studies is that these acts were not only permitted but commanded by Muhammad, thus presenting a significant theological divergence from the ethics of the Decalogue.

Conclusion

It is, therefore, evident that Muhammad, by both precept and example, violated the Sixth Commandment—"You shall not murder"—through his actions and directives involving the killing of the defenseless and elderly. This stands in stark contrast to the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and the foundational ethical code of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures.

References:

Exodus 20:13; Matthew 19:16-19; Luke 18:18-20
Sahih Muslim 4345
Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 980, 995
Sahih Bukhari 19:173

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Friday, June 13, 2025

Muhammad and the Violation of the Sixth Commandment: An Academic Theological Critique