Why Did Muhammad Turn Away from the Blind? A Theological Challenge to His Prophetic Claim

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction

The Qur’an recounts a striking incident in Surah 80:1–2: “He (Muhammad) frowned and turned away, because the blind man came to him.” This passage has raised significant theological and historical questions regarding Muhammad’s prophetic authority and character. Unlike the prophets and apostles of the Bible, who demonstrated divine power through acts of healing—including restoring sight to the blind—Muhammad neither healed the afflicted nor treated them with compassion in this particular episode. This paper critically evaluates the implications of this account and challenges the Islamic claim of Muhammad’s prophethood.

The Biblical Tradition of Healing the Blind

In the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, healing the blind stands as a powerful sign of divine authority. The prophet Elisha, though not directly performing sight restoration, participated in miracles demonstrating God’s power over life and death (2 Kings 4–6). More profoundly, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 35:5: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened.” The Gospels consistently testify to Jesus’ miraculous healing of the blind (e.g., Mark 10:46–52; John 9:1–12). Moreover, the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continued this ministry of healing (Acts 9:17–18; Acts 14:8–10). Thus, the biblical prophetic tradition not only proclaimed God’s truth but also tangibly demonstrated His power through signs of mercy and restoration.

Muhammad’s Response in Contrast

Against this background, the Qur’anic account in Surah 80 presents Muhammad’s conduct as antithetical to prophetic compassion. Faced with a blind man—traditionally identified as ʿAbdullāh ibn Umm Maktūm—Muhammad “frowned and turned away.” Rather than offering healing, comfort, or dignity, Muhammad distanced himself, preferring instead to engage with wealthy pagan leaders. This choice of social preference contradicts the biblical model of prophetic concern for the marginalized, epitomized in Jesus’ ministry to the poor, the sick, and the outcast.

Theologically, this raises a fundamental question: If Muhammad were truly a prophet of God, why did he not embody divine compassion by healing the blind, as seen in the ministries of Christ and the apostles? Why did he prioritize the influential elite over the vulnerable? The absence of healing miracles in Muhammad’s ministry undermines his claim to continuity with the prophetic tradition recognized in the Bible.

Implications for Prophetic Authenticity

The Qur’anic narrative of Muhammad turning away exposes a critical weakness in Islamic claims about his prophethood. True prophets of God not only declare divine revelation but also manifest the power of God through acts of compassion and miraculous signs that authenticate their message. Muhammad’s inability to heal the blind—and his decision to avoid him—suggests a human weakness inconsistent with the prophetic office. Instead of demonstrating God’s power over infirmity, Muhammad displayed social favoritism and human limitation.

This stands in stark contrast to Jesus Christ, who declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor… recovery of sight for the blind” (Luke 4:18). Where Christ brought light, healing, and hope, Muhammad’s response was withdrawal, silence, and rejection.

Conclusion

The episode in Qur’an 80:1–2 provides compelling evidence for questioning Muhammad’s prophetic legitimacy. A prophet who cannot heal the blind—either physically or spiritually—cannot stand in continuity with the biblical line of prophets culminating in Christ. Instead of demonstrating divine authority, Muhammad’s actions reveal human weakness, social bias, and an absence of miraculous authentication. Thus, Muhammad’s failure to heal or even dignify the blind man challenges the Islamic claim of his prophethood and underscores the superiority of Jesus Christ as the true Prophet, Messiah, and Savior.

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