Title: The Absence of Divine Verification in the Foundation of Islam: A Theological Appraisal of Jibril and Muhammad’s Prophetic Claims
Author: Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Abstract:
This paper critically examines the theological foundation of Islam with particular reference to the claims of divine revelation through Jibril (Gabriel) to Muhammad. It challenges the legitimacy of Islam's origin by highlighting the lack of direct divine communication to Muhammad, the absence of prophetic validation, and the circular reasoning involved in affirming Jibril’s authenticity solely through the Quran. By contrasting these claims with the Judeo-Christian tradition of direct divine revelation, especially as fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the paper asserts that Islam lacks the necessary divine authentication to be considered a continuation or completion of biblical revelation.
1. Introduction
The claim of divine origin is central to any religious faith that purports to represent the will and word of God. In both the Old and New Testaments, prophets and apostles are distinguished by one defining feature: direct communication from God. They hear His voice, receive His instruction, and act under His divine mandate. In contrast, Islam’s foundational claims rest entirely on the unverified interactions between Muhammad and a being he identified as Jibril (Gabriel)—with no direct confirmation from God Himself.
2. The Christian Prophetic Standard: Divine Communication as Validation
In biblical theology, the authenticity of a prophet is measured by direct encounters with the living God. Moses spoke with God "face to face" (Exodus 33:11), and the prophets consistently begin their declarations with, “Thus says the Lord.” In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is not only confirmed by the voice of God (Matthew 3:17; 17:5), but He is God incarnate (John 1:1–14). The validity of Scripture, therefore, is anchored in a consistent, divine-human interaction affirmed by signs, miracles, fulfilled prophecy, and historical reliability.
3. The Islamic Disconnect: No Divine Voice, No Divine Contact
Islam’s foundation departs dramatically from this prophetic norm. Nowhere in Islamic literature—be it the Quran, Hadith, or Sira—is there evidence that Muhammad ever heard the voice of God, saw God, or received direct validation from God regarding the identity or authority of Jibril.
This absence of divine contact raises a fundamental theological question: How can a prophet be sent by God without ever hearing from Him? Even Islamic tradition acknowledges that Muhammad often feared he was possessed or being deceived—until Khadija and a Christian cousin (Waraqah ibn Nawfal) convinced him otherwise. These human affirmations fall far short of divine validation.
4. The Problem of Circular Authentication: Jibril’s Self-Attestation
The Quran declares itself to be the word of a “noble messenger” (Quran 81:19), referring to Jibril. However, this poses a serious epistemological problem. The entire Islamic faith hinges on the testimony of one entity—Jibril—who claims to be from God but offers no external verification of this claim. The logic is circular:
Who brought the Quran? Jibril.
Who says he was sent by God? Jibril.
Who confirmed Jibril’s identity? Muhammad.
Who confirmed Muhammad’s prophethood? Jibril.
This closed loop of unverifiable claims undermines the theological reliability of Islam. Without a direct statement from God to Muhammad—or any miracle, prophecy, or divine sign confirming this arrangement—there is no way to ascertain whether Jibril was truly a messenger of God or a deceptive spirit (2 Corinthians 11:14).
5. Comparison with Biblical Revelation and Christocentric Fulfillment
By contrast, the revelation of Jesus Christ is established by multiple lines of divine attestation:
Fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
Direct statements from God the Father.
Miracles, resurrection, and historical eyewitnesses.
The enduring impact of the Gospel and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus did not rely on a solitary unseen angel. His ministry was verified by God in real time, before crowds, and through unmistakable acts of divine power. This confirmation is completely absent from Muhammad’s experience.
6. Conclusion: The Theological Crisis of Islamic Origin
A prophet who has never heard from God, never seen God, and never received divine confirmation cannot be the bearer of divine truth. Muhammad’s dependence on a solitary being named Jibril—without any divine authentication—leaves Islam theologically disconnected from the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus Christ.
Thus, Islam has no connection to God as revealed in Scripture. Its foundation is self-referential, unverified, and devoid of divine interaction. The burden of proof lies with Islam to demonstrate that Jibril was indeed sent by God—yet no such proof exists outside of Jibril's own claim. Christianity, by contrast, stands on the revealed, audible, visible, and historically affirmed Word of God.
References:
The Holy Bible (NKJV, ESV, KJV)
Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Ibn Ishaq – Sirat Rasul Allah
The Qur’an, Translations by Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, and Saheeh International
John of Damascus, Critique of Islam (8th Century)
Norman Geisler & Abdul Saleeb, Answering Islam
William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith
Sam Shamoun, Islamic Dilemma and the Prophet’s Credentials
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