The Prophethood of Muhammad: A Critical Theological Evaluation

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute, New York, NY

The claim of Muhammad to be a prophet presents serious theological and historical difficulties when evaluated against the biblical standards of true prophecy. According to Scripture, a prophet of God is one who faithfully communicates divine truth, proclaims holiness, and often reveals future events in accordance with God’s will (Deuteronomy 18:20–22; Jeremiah 23:16–22). Yet when the life and teachings of Muhammad are examined critically, his so-called “prophecies” and religious innovations fail to meet these fundamental criteria.

1. Superstitions Elevated to Divine Law

Islamic sources themselves preserve practices and rulings that resemble superstition or cultural taboos more than divine wisdom. For example:

Camel urine as medicine – “Some people from the tribe of ‘Ukl … drank milk and urine of the camels (as a medicine)” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 82, Hadith 794).
Black dogs declared evil – “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘The black dog is a devil’” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 9, Hadith 3504).
Adult breastfeeding ruling – A hadith records Muhammad’s directive that adult men could establish kinship through breastfeeding: “Go back to Abu Hudhaifa and tell him that Salim should suckle from her (his wife) so that he will become unlawful for her to marry, and thus their problem would be solved” (Sahih Muslim, Book 8, Hadith 3425).

Such prescriptions reflect folkloric or situational solutions elevated to religious law, rather than timeless revelation from a holy God.

2. Moral Contradictions and Exploitation of Women

The ethical record of Muhammad’s life presents contradictions with biblical holiness.

Child marriage – Aisha herself reported: “The Prophet married me when I was six years old, and consummated the marriage with me when I was nine years old” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 64).
Concubinage through war captives – The Qur’an sanctions sexual relations with female captives: “…lawful to you are … those your right hands possess” (Qur’an 4:24; see also 33:50).
Women deemed inferior – Muhammad said: “Is not the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man? … This is the deficiency in her mind” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 48, Hadith 826).

Such practices institutionalize the degradation of women rather than upholding their dignity as bearers of God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

3. Cultic Self-Exaltation

Unlike biblical prophets who pointed people to God alone, Muhammad often required prayers and devotion directed toward himself. The Qur’an commands: “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace” (Qur’an 33:56).

Moreover, he consistently tied obedience to himself with obedience to God: “Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah” (Qur’an 4:80). Such conflation between God’s authority and a man’s authority is characteristic of cult leaders, not prophets of the living God.

4. Violence and Religious Coercion

Muhammad’s prophetic role was also tied to military conquest and coercion.

The Qur’an sanctions violence against unbelievers: “When the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them …” (Qur’an 9:5).
Muhammad himself said: “I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 25).

This militant vision contradicts the biblical model of a prophet who calls people to repentance through truth and holiness, not by compulsion or sword.

5. The Contrast with Jesus Christ

When compared with Jesus Christ, the differences between the two figures are stark and theologically decisive.

Holiness and Purity – Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) and never sought to gratify personal desires at the expense of others. Muhammad’s example, however, includes indulgence in multiple wives, child marriage, and sanctioned sexual relations with captives.
Treatment of Women – Jesus honored women, lifting them to full dignity as disciples and witnesses (John 4:27; Luke 8:1–3; John 20:11–18). Muhammad reduced women’s testimony to half a man’s and legalized polygamy and concubinage.
Self-Exaltation vs. Humility – Jesus directed all glory to the Father (John 8:50), washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:14–15). Muhammad demanded prayers for himself and tied obedience to him with obedience to God.
Message of Peace vs. Sword – Jesus rebuked Peter for using violence (Matthew 26:52) and taught love for enemies (Matthew 5:44). Muhammad, by contrast, declared he was commanded to fight until Islam was universally acknowledged.
Salvation vs. Law – Jesus brought the good news of salvation through grace (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9). Muhammad offered submission to a legal code that enslaves rather than liberates.

In the biblical framework, Jesus is not merely another prophet but the final revelation of God’s truth and the fulfillment of all prophecy (Hebrews 1:1–2). He is the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:14), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

Conclusion

A sober and scholarly examination of Muhammad’s prophetic claims, when tested against the Bible’s standard of prophecy, reveals profound deficiencies. His teachings elevate superstition, endorse morally troubling practices, diminish women, centralize cultic loyalty around himself, and employ violence for religious ends.

In contrast, Jesus Christ embodies the perfect prophet, priest, and king, revealing the fullness of God’s love, truth, and redemption. Rather than being the “seal of the prophets” (Qur’an 33:40), Muhammad represents a distortion of divine revelation, whereas Jesus Christ stands as the true and final Word of God.

For Christians, therefore, the answer to Muhammad’s claim is clear: he was not a prophet of God, but a false prophet whose message diverges from the holiness of God. The true revelation of God is found in the person of Jesus Christ, who alone offers forgiveness, eternal life, and reconciliation with the Father.

📚 References:

Qur’an (Surah 4:24, 4:80, 9:5, 33:40, 33:50, 33:56).
Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Ibn Majah.
The Holy Bible (Genesis 1:27; Deuteronomy 18:20–22; Jeremiah 23:16–22; John 1:14; John 3:16; John 13:14–15; John 20:11–18; Matthew 5:44; Matthew 26:52; Hebrews 1:1–2; Hebrews 4:15; Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Timothy 2:5).

Tuesday, January 6, 2026