Title: The Theological Crisis of Shared Divine Attributes in Islam: Unveiling the Islamic Dilemma
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Abstract
This paper explores the theological inconsistencies within Islamic doctrine by focusing on the shared use of divine attributes—specifically "An-Nur" (The Light)—between Allah and Muhammad. In Islam, the 99 Names of Allah are said to be uniquely divine and exclusive. Yet, Islamic tradition ascribes the title "An-Nur" not only to Allah but also to Muhammad, raising critical theological questions. This scholarly article contends that such overlap reflects a profound internal contradiction within Islamic monotheism and argues that the cessation of divine revelation after Muhammad's death indicates that Muhammad functioned as the voice and persona of Allah, thereby collapsing the distinction between the messenger and the deity he proclaimed.
Introduction
Islam presents itself as a strictly monotheistic faith, asserting the oneness and incomparability of Allah (Tawheed). Central to this claim are the 99 Names of Allah—attributes believed to uniquely define His essence. Yet, an examination of Islamic sources reveals that some of these divine names are simultaneously attributed to Muhammad. Among the most striking examples is "An-Nur" (The Light), a title found both in Allah’s names and among the epithets of Muhammad. This shared attribute invites serious theological scrutiny and casts doubt on Islam’s claim of a clear demarcation between the Creator and the created.
The Shared Attribute: An-Nur (The Light)
The Qur’an (24:35) describes Allah as “the Light of the heavens and the earth,” a powerful and exclusive claim. “An-Nur” is thus recognized as one of the most revered of Allah’s names. However, Islamic literature—including Hadith and prophetic biographies—frequently refers to Muhammad as “An-Nur,” “Siraj al-Muneer” (Illuminating Lamp), and “Misbah” (Lamp), terms that functionally overlap with the divine title.
Why would a religion so insistent on monotheism and divine transcendence allow such a sacred attribute to be duplicated in a created being?
If “An-Nur” is unique to Allah, then ascribing it to Muhammad is shirk (associating others with God)—a sin that the Qur’an deems unforgivable (Surah 4:48). Yet, if Muhammad can rightly bear this attribute, it blurs the boundary between deity and man, pointing to a deeper theological confusion.
Is Muhammad Allah? The Question of Revelation
Another glaring issue is the total silence of Allah post-Muhammad. For a God described as “Ever-Speaking” (al-Kalim), the end of revelation at Muhammad’s death suggests an anthropocentric dependency. Christianity, by contrast, teaches that God speaks across covenants and through various prophets and ultimately through His Son. But in Islam, Allah's voice ceases the moment Muhammad dies.
This naturally raises the question: Was Allah simply Muhammad’s projection? The halt in divine speech implies that Allah had no voice apart from Muhammad’s, making it plausible that Muhammad was himself the embodiment, or fabrication, of Allah. The divine ceased to exist in communicative form after the prophet’s death, reinforcing the idea that Islam was a man-centered invention rather than a God-centered revelation.
Theological Implications and Contradictions
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Violation of Divine Uniqueness
Islam teaches that Allah has no equals or partners (Surah 112). Yet calling Muhammad “An-Nur,” a name reserved for Allah, directly challenges this teaching. Either Muhammad shares in divinity, or the uniqueness of Allah is compromised. -
The Prophet as the Deity
The Qur’an never explicitly states that Muhammad is only a man. Combined with the elevated honorifics and cessation of revelation posthumously, this opens the door to interpreting Muhammad not as a prophet of Allah, but a manifestation as Allah. -
Post-Muhammad Silence of Allah
No further messengers, no more books, no more prophecies—just silence. If Allah is eternal and unchanging, why would His revelations stop with one man? This suggests the message was tied not to God, but to the life and influence of a singular individual—Muhammad.
Conclusion
The theological issues presented by the shared title of “An-Nur” and the silence of Allah after Muhammad’s death challenge the very foundations of Islam. These contradictions expose the possibility that Islam is not a divine religion, but a man-made system carefully constructed to place Muhammad at the center—not only as a messenger but as the personification of Allah.
In conclusion, the collapse of divine distinction, shared divine attributes, and posthumous divine silence serve as compelling evidence that Muhammad was, in the structure of Islam, effectively Allah in disguise. Thus, Islam fails the test of theological coherence and cannot be sustained as an authentic monotheistic revelation.
About the Author
Dr. Maxwell Shimba is a leading Restorative Justice practitioner, Bible scholar, and founder of the USA Theological University in Florida. A prolific author of religious and theological works, Dr. Shimba is committed to defending biblical truth and exposing theological errors through scholarship and public engagement.
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