Muhammad’s “Satanic Portion” and the Four Surgeries: A Critical Analysis

Muhammad’s “Satanic Portion” and the Four Surgeries: A Critical Analysis

Introduction

The biography (Sīra) and hadith literature regarding the life of Muhammad, the founder of Islam, contain a remarkable narrative that is rarely discussed in mainstream Islamic apologetics. The narrative asserts that Muhammad underwent multiple “surgeries” by the angel Jibril (Gabriel), during which a portion described as the “share of Satan” was removed from his heart. This account, referenced in authoritative Islamic sources, raises significant theological and philosophical questions about the nature of prophethood and the concept of sinlessness (ismah) in Islam.

The Four Surgeries in the Life of Muhammad

According to the traditional sources, the Prophet Muhammad was subjected to the removal of the “share of Satan” on four separate occasions:

1. At the age of three

2. At the age of ten

3. At the age of forty

4. At the age of forty-three, prior to the event of Isra’ and Mi’raj (the Night Journey and Ascension)

Primary Source: The Hadith of Anas bin Malik

A narration from Anas bin Malik reports:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was playing with other boys when the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) came to him, took him, laid him down, split open his chest, and removed his heart. He then extracted a portion of clotted blood and said, ‘This is the share of Satan in you.’ He washed (the heart) in a golden vessel filled with Zamzam water, then returned it to its place and sealed it up.”

(Reference: Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, p. 147, Hadith No. 713)

Theological Questions Arising from the Narrative

This account raises several critical questions:

1. How did Satan’s portion enter Muhammad’s heart?

The narrative presupposes that a portion belonging to Satan resided in Muhammad’s heart, thus necessitating a surgical intervention by Gabriel. This contradicts the Islamic doctrine of the innate purity (fitrah) of prophets.

2. Since when can Satan be expelled or cleansed by washing with water?

The notion that the influence of Satan can be physically removed by washing with Zamzam water anthropomorphizes Satan and suggests a material impurity, which is inconsistent with both Islamic and Christian demonology.

Comparative Analysis: Jesus and Muhammad

In a hadith reported by Abu Huraira, Muhammad said:

“Every human being is touched by Satan at birth. Satan touches the side of every child of Adam as he is born, except for Mary and her son (Jesus). Satan attempted to touch them but found a veil [preventing him].”

(Referenced in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

This contrast is significant. According to the hadith, Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam) is uniquely exempt from Satan’s touch, while even Muhammad himself was not spared. This raises a fundamental question for Muslim readers:
If Jesus was never touched by Satan, and Muhammad needed four supernatural surgeries to remove Satan’s share, should not Jesus be recognized as superior in purity and spiritual status?

Conclusion

The hadith regarding Muhammad’s “satanic portion” and its removal by Gabriel introduces serious theological difficulties regarding the Islamic view of prophetic purity and the nature of evil. The peculiar idea of “washing” Satan with Zamzam water diminishes the spiritual gravity of the struggle against evil, reducing it to a physical or ritual act.
For those seeking a prophet untouched by Satan, as even the Islamic tradition concedes, it is Jesus Christ alone who fits that description.

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With respect,
Max Shimba, servant of Jesus Christ
For Dr. Maxwell Shimba Ministries Org
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May 6, 2016