Muhammad as a False Prophet in Light of Matthew 24:11
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
The words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:11—“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many”—have provoked significant theological reflection throughout Christian history. The text explicitly forewarns the church that deception will characterize the end times, not through isolated impostors, but through influential figures who possess wide-reaching impact. The plural “false prophets” allows for a diversity of historical fulfillment. However, it is not unreasonable, when examined through the lenses of Scripture, history, and theology, to consider Muhammad—the founder of Islam—as a prime exemplar of the category Jesus delineated.
1. Christ’s Warning About Deception
In Matthew 24:5, Jesus declares: “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” This verse links directly with verse 11, where the mechanism of deception is prophetic claim. It is important to note that deception here is not necessarily accomplished by denying Christ’s existence altogether, but by distorting His person and work. Islam exemplifies this precise distortion. While affirming Jesus as the Messiah (al-Masih), Islam simultaneously denies His Sonship, His crucifixion, and His resurrection—doctrines foundational to the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Thus, Islam’s recognition of Jesus as “Christ” is qualified and emptied of salvific significance, thereby fulfilling the warning of Jesus: agreement in name but denial in essence.
2. Muhammad’s Role as a False Prophet
Deuteronomy 13:1–5 provides a crucial criterion for discerning a false prophet: if one arises and advocates turning away from the true God, such a prophet is to be rejected. Muhammad’s teaching led multitudes away from the biblical revelation of God in Christ, redirecting worship toward an altered monotheism centered on Allah, who categorically denies the Father-Son relationship. While Islam claims continuity with Abrahamic faith, its doctrine of Christ fundamentally contradicts apostolic witness. The denial of the crucifixion (Qur’an 4:157), the rejection of Christ’s divinity (Qur’an 5:72), and the substitution of Muhammad’s prophetic role as final and ultimate (“Seal of the Prophets,” Qur’an 33:40) reveal a departure from biblical revelation consistent with the marks of false prophecy identified in Scripture.
3. Muhammad and the Spirit of Antichrist
The Johannine epistles provide further theological clarity. 1 John 2:22 states: “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” Similarly, 1 John 4:3 describes the spirit of the antichrist as denying Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Islam, under Muhammad’s teaching, affirms Jesus’ existence but denies both His Sonship and redemptive incarnation, placing it within the Johannine framework of antichrist. Muhammad’s role is thus not only that of a false prophet but also of an antichristic figure, insofar as his doctrine directly opposes the central truth of the Gospel: that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).
4. The Scope of Deception
Jesus warned that “many” would be deceived. Historically, Islam’s global expansion has confirmed this prophetic concern. Today, Islam is the second largest religion in the world, encompassing nearly two billion adherents—almost half the number of Christians. The sheer magnitude of those persuaded by Muhammad’s teachings underscores the eschatological relevance of Christ’s words. This is not a marginal deception but a massive religious movement, illustrating the gravity of false prophecy on a global scale.
Conclusion
While Matthew 24:11 leaves the category of “false prophets” open and plural, Muhammad’s life and teaching align with the biblical criteria of such deception. His message denies the crucifixion, resurrection, and divine Sonship of Christ, while presenting himself as the final and ultimate prophet of God. Such claims stand in direct opposition to apostolic doctrine and bear the hallmarks of both false prophecy and the antichrist spirit described in the New Testament. Therefore, from a Christian theological standpoint, it is both reasonable and consistent with Scripture to identify Muhammad as one of the false prophets anticipated by Jesus in Matthew 24:11 and as a manifestation of the antichrist described in 1 John.
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