Friday, August 26, 2016
DO YOU KNOW HOW THE SATANIC VERSES ENTERED MUHAMMAD’S MOUTH?
Muslims often tell others that God allowed the Bible to be corrupted. What they imply is that the Qur’an today is the reliable Word of God, while the Bible is not. Although the Bible contains many textual variations with minor differences, there is no serious evidence that its teachings have been altered. The Qur’an, however, shows much stronger evidence of corruption according to the records of Ubai, the abrogated verses of Uthman, and other Qur’anic problems. Yet, the greatest doctrinal corruption in Islam — introduced by Muslims themselves — is the story of the “daughters of Allah.”
Summary
The Christian website Answering-Islam.org writes:
“One of the most embarrassing incidents in Muhammad’s life occurred when Satan inserted his own words into Muhammad’s mouth. Muhammad spoke Satan’s words as though they were God’s revelation. This event is recorded in early Islamic writings and is mentioned in both the Hadith and the Qur’an. Later Muslims, ashamed that their self-proclaimed prophet had spoken Satan’s words, denied the incident ever happened. Numerous excuses and denials were later invented to cover up this grievous sin committed by Muhammad.”
It is important to understand that the incident of the “Satanic Verses” was not fabricated by non-Muslims. It is documented in the earliest Islamic sources that existed during Muhammad’s own lifetime. No one should assume it was invented by Islam’s enemies; it is a story preserved within authentic early Muslim records.
This is one of the most controversial subjects in Islam — the claim that Satan caused Muhammad to utter his own (Satan’s) words as if they were God’s.
What Did the Qur’an Originally Say?
Surah An-Najm (The Star), verses 19–20, state:
“Have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza,
and another, the third, Manat?”
Before Islam, Allah was already known in Arabia as a god who had three daughters: al-Lat, al-‘Uzza, and Manat. (Note: “al-” in Arabic means “the.”)
Four early Muslim biographers wrote that these verses were originally followed by:
“These are the exalted maidens (intercessors) whose prayers are to be hoped for.”
Translation: The daughters of Allah were believed to be heavenly beings who could intercede for others. “Exalted cranes” or “lofty maidens” was a poetic metaphor describing them. Alternate readings for “whose prayers are to be hoped for” (turtaja) include “whose intercession is accepted with approval” (turtada).
(Source: Alfred Guillaume’s translation of The Life of Muhammad by Ibn Ishaq, p.166.)
Later, this passage was removed and replaced with the current reading:
“What! For you the male and for Him, the female?
Behold, such would be an unfair division!” (Qur’an 53:21–22)
Meaning: Those who believed that Allah had three daughters treated Him unjustly, since they preferred sons for themselves but assigned daughters to God.
These added lines are what came to be called “The Satanic Verses.” Centuries later, author Salman Rushdie used the phrase as the title of his novel, though his work was fictional and unrelated to these original verses.
The remainder of the text provides both direct and indirect evidence supporting the historical reality of the Satanic Verses — along with nine Muslim objections to the story and responses to each.
The Four Early Biographers of Muhammad — Direct Evidence
Early Muslim historians frequently accepted reports from multiple sources as reliable if three or more independent narrators confirmed them. The Satanic Verses were not reported by outsiders but by four early Muslim scholars who documented Muhammad’s life — all within Islamic tradition. Three of them wrote before the most famous Hadith collections that Sunni Islam relies upon today.
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Al-Wahidi / Al-Waqidi (d. 823 CE) — Asbab al-Nuzul
He wrote that one day, while the leaders of Mecca were gathered by the Ka‘bah, Muhammad joined them and began reciting Surah 53. When he reached the verses about al-Lat, al-‘Uzza, and Manat, Satan whispered conciliatory words into his mind — words Muhammad longed to hear from God:
“These are the exalted cranes; their intercession is to be hoped for.”
The Quraysh were overjoyed, thinking Muhammad had acknowledged their goddesses, and they all bowed in worship. Later, Gabriel visited Muhammad and said:
“What have you done? You recited before the people words I never gave you.”
Muhammad grieved deeply afterward.
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Ibn Sa’d (d. 845 CE) — Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir
A historian of early Muslims, he repeated the same narrative, confirming that the event was known and accepted among early believers.
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Ibn Ishaq (d. 767 CE) — Sirat Rasul Allah (The Life of the Prophet of God)
He wrote that Muslims who had emigrated to Abyssinia heard that the Meccans had accepted Islam after Muhammad recited Surah 53, and they began to return home. This happened because both Muslims and pagans bowed together when Muhammad recited those verses — until Gabriel later revealed that Satan had inserted them.
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Al-Tabari (d. 923 CE) — History of the Prophets and Kings (Tarikh al-Tabari)
Tabari explained that Muhammad, grieved by his people’s rejection, desired reconciliation. When he recited verses 19–20 of Surah 53, Satan tempted him to add the lines praising the “exalted cranes.” The Quraysh rejoiced, and even the Muslims bowed in worship. But afterward, Gabriel rebuked him, saying, “You have spoken words not from God.”
Later Muslim Scholars Who Mentioned the Event
Other respected Islamic authorities who discussed the incident include:
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Abu Ma‘shar of Khorasan (787–885 CE)
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Ibn Abi Hatim
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Ibn al-Mundhir
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Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani (773–852 AH)
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Ibn Mardawayh
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Musa ibn ‘Uqba
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The famous commentator al-Zamakhshari (1070–1143 CE) in his exegesis of Qur’an 22:52
Indirect Evidence — The Qur’an and Hadith
Hadith evidence:
According to Sahih al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud, when Muhammad recited Surah 53, both Muslims and pagans fell in prostration. (Bukhari Vol.3 Book 19 Nos.173 & 176; Vol.6 Book 60 Nos.385–386; Abu Dawud Vol.1 No.1401).
This mass prostration of pagans makes sense only if Muhammad had just spoken favorably about their deities.
Qur’anic evidence:
Surah 22:52 states:
“Never did We send a messenger or a prophet before you, but when he desired, Satan threw some (false suggestions) into his desire; but Allah abolishes that which Satan throws in and then makes His verses firm.”
Surah 17:73–75 warns Muhammad not to compromise with the pagans or alter revelation, implying he was tempted to do so.
The Nine Muslim Objections and Responses
(The article continues to list and refute nine objections raised by later Muslims, arguing that the historical and textual evidence strongly supports the authenticity of the Satanic Verses incident.)
Conclusion
Muslim scholars themselves have long debated whether the Satanic Verses were ever truly spoken. Either:
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Muhammad did speak them — in which case he was deceived by Satan and thus a false prophet for that moment,
or
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He did not speak them — in which case the four earliest Muslim historians all fabricated the same event.
Whichever option one chooses, the implication remains: Islam admits that Allah allows his message to be distorted, as even Qur’an 22:52 confirms that Satan can insert falsehood into prophetic revelation — later to be “corrected.”
In contrast, the Bible teaches that God faithfully preserves His Word.
Believers are therefore called to trust in God, who has kept His message pure and uncorrupted throughout history.
“Mighty is our God, who is able to preserve His Word.
Believe in the Lord who has kept His Word.”
(Translation ends before Qur’an 5:46–48 reference section.)
The Qur’an Confirms the Integrity of Previous Scriptures
After analyzing the “Satanic Verses” episode — where Satan allegedly inserted words into Muhammad’s revelation — one cannot help but contrast this with how the Qur’an itself testifies about the authenticity and divine origin of the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel. Ironically, while the Qur’an acknowledges that Satan deceived Muhammad at least once, it repeatedly affirms that the earlier Scriptures — the Bible — remain trustworthy, guiding, and authoritative.
Let’s look carefully at several key Qur’anic passages:
1. Qur’an 5:46–48 – The Gospel Confirming the Torah
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, wherein is guidance and light, confirming that which preceded it in the Torah, and a guidance and an admonition for the righteous.
Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein; and whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – such are the rebellious.
And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and guarding it.”
This passage clearly states that:
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Jesus confirmed the Torah (Old Testament law).
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The Gospel was itself revelation from Allah, containing guidance and light.
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The Qur’an came to confirm previous Scriptures, not to replace them.
If these Scriptures had been corrupted before Muhammad’s time, then Allah would not command Christians to “judge by what Allah has revealed therein.” You cannot judge by something that no longer exists. Therefore, the Qur’an affirms that the Torah and Gospel remained intact at the time of Muhammad.
2. Qur’an 10:94 – Muhammad Instructed to Consult the People of the Book
“So if you (Muhammad) are in doubt concerning that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. Verily the truth has come to you from your Lord, so do not be of the doubters.”
This verse is a powerful admission. Allah himself tells Muhammad that if he doubts his revelation, he should consult Jews and Christians — people who read the previous Scriptures.
If those Scriptures were already corrupted, Allah’s command would make no sense. Instead, it indicates that the earlier Books were considered accurate and that their readers were seen as reliable witnesses of divine truth.
3. Qur’an 6:115 – God’s Word Cannot Be Changed
“The Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His words; and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
This statement directly contradicts the Muslim claim that the Bible was altered. If no one can change God’s words, and if the Torah and Gospel were originally God’s words, then they must remain uncorrupted.
4. Qur’an 18:27 – Divine Preservation
“And recite what has been revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. None can alter His words, and you will find no refuge besides Him.”
This verse repeats the principle of divine preservation — not only for the Qur’an but for all previous revelations given by God.
The Logical Contradiction within Islamic Claims
Islamic apologists often argue that the Bible was corrupted, yet the Qur’an was sent to “confirm” it. However, these claims cannot coexist logically.
If:
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The Bible was corrupted before Muhammad’s time,
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The Qur’an came to confirm the Bible,
Then the Qur’an would be confirming a corrupted revelation — which would mean Allah confirmed a lie.
But if Allah cannot confirm falsehood, then the Bible must have still been pure when the Qur’an was revealed.
Furthermore, the Satanic Verses incident shows that the Qur’an itself was once vulnerable to Satanic interference — something that never happened with the Bible. Thus, the Qur’an, by its own admission, demonstrates fallibility where the Bible consistently shows divine preservation.
The Christian Perspective: God’s Word Is Eternal
From the Christian theological standpoint, the Word of God is incorruptible and eternally preserved. The Scriptures themselves testify to this truth:
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Psalm 119:89: “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.”
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Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
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Matthew 24:35: Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”
These passages establish the unchanging nature of divine revelation. No prophet, scribe, or adversary — not even Satan — can alter what God has decreed to be His Word.
The Theological Implication of the Satanic Verses
The “Satanic Verses” incident presents a theological problem for Islam:
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It shows that Muhammad could be deceived by Satan, even in revelation.
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It demonstrates that Allah allowed Satan’s words to be spoken as if divine, later “correcting” them.
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It contradicts the Qur’an’s own statement that Satan has no authority over prophets or the faithful (Qur’an 15:42).
By contrast, Jesus Christ — the Word made flesh — was never deceived, never corrected, and never influenced by Satan.
When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus responded only with the uncorrupted Word of God (Matthew 4:1–11). He rebuked Satan, declaring, “Get thee behind me, Satan!”
Thus, the moral and theological distinction is clear:
Final Reflection
If Satan could place his words into Muhammad’s mouth — and if Allah later had to correct them — then the integrity of the Qur’an depends not on divine preservation, but on post-revelation editing and human correction.
In contrast, the Bible shows a consistent, unbroken testimony from Genesis to Revelation — all pointing to one central truth:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
That Word — Jesus Christ — was not only immune to Satan’s deception but destroyed his works completely (1 John 3:8).
Conclusion:
The “Satanic Verses” episode exposes a fundamental contradiction in Islam’s doctrine of revelation and preservation. While the Qur’an admits Satanic interference, it simultaneously acknowledges the purity of earlier Scriptures — the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel.
Therefore, the consistent conclusion is that the Bible remains the true, preserved Word of God, while the Qur’an’s history reveals internal corruption and theological inconsistency.
“Mighty is our God, who preserves His Word forever.
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ — the Living Word — who can never be deceived.”
