Friday, August 26, 2016
Introduction
Muslims are often quick to tell others that God allowed the Bible to be corrupted. Their underlying claim is that the Qur’an, as it exists today, is a reliable word of God, unlike the Bible. While the Bible indeed has many variant manuscripts with minor differences, the evidence for doctrinal corruption is weak. In contrast, the Qur’an itself demonstrates significant evidence of alteration, according to sources such as Ubayy, abrogated verses, ‘Uthman’s recension, and other problems. However, perhaps the greatest doctrinal difference brought forth by Muslims themselves concerns the so-called “Daughters of Allah.”
Summary
The Christian website Answering Islam states:
“One of the most embarrassing events in Muhammad’s life occurred when Satan inserted his words into Muhammad’s mouth, and Muhammad spoke Satan’s words as if they were from God. This incident has been recorded in Islamic literature by several early Muslim authors and is mentioned in both the Hadith and the Qur’an. Later Muslims, ashamed that their self-declared prophet spoke the words of Satan, have tried to deny that this event happened. Many excuses and denials have been made by these later Muslims to cover up the grave sin of Muhammad.”
It is important to note that the event of the “Satanic Verses” is not a fabrication by non-Muslims. It is recorded in the oldest available Islamic sources, contemporary with Muhammad’s lifetime. No one should think this is a tale invented by critics of Islam; it is found directly in early Islamic records.
This is one of the most controversial subjects within Islam. Satan caused Muhammad to utter his (Satan’s) words as if they were from God.
What Did the Qur’an Say Originally?
Surah An-Najm (The Star), Surah 53:19-20 states:
“Have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza, and another, the third (goddess), Manat?”
Allah was already famous in Arabia before Islam, known as a deity with three daughters: al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat (note that “al-” means “the” in Arabic). Four early biographers of Muhammad wrote that these verses were originally followed by:
“These are the exalted cranes (intercessors) whose intercession is to be hoped for.”
Interpretation: The Daughters of Allah were believed to be celestial beings who could intercede on behalf of others. The “exalted cranes” was a metaphor for them. Alternate translations for “to be hoped for” (“turtaja”) include “whose intercession is approved” (“turtada”). (From Alfred Guillaume’s translation of The Life of Muhammad by Ibn Ishaq, p.166.)
Later, this passage was removed and replaced with:
“Is the male for you and the female for Him? That, then, is an unjust division.” (Surah 53:21-22 today)
Interpretation: Those who believed Allah had three daughters were unjust to Allah, preferring sons for themselves while attributing only daughters to Allah.
These are the so-called “Satanic Verses.” In modern times, Salman Rushdie used this phrase in the title of his fictional novel, but this writing does not discuss the contemporary controversy. For the original Satanic Verses, how can any fair-minded person, Muslim or not, determine which verses were present originally? The remainder of this article provides direct and indirect evidence that the Satanic Verses were indeed present, as well as nine Islamic objections.
The Four Early Biographers of Muhammad: Direct Evidence
While not everything early Muslims said about Muhammad is necessarily true, Islamic scholars generally accept things attributed to Muhammad that are confirmed by at least three sources. We know the Satanic Verses did not originate from non-Muslim sources but from four distinct early Muslim biographers. Notably, three of these authors wrote before the major Sunni hadith collections.
1. Al-Wahidi/Waqidi (d. 207/823 CE) – Asbab al-Nuzul
“One day, the chiefs of Mecca gathered beside the Ka‘bah and discussed their city’s affairs; Muhammad appeared and sat near them in a friendly manner, beginning to recite Surah 53. When he reached the verses: ‘Have you considered al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat, the third, the other?’ the devil suggested words of reconciliation he had long desired, placing in his mouth words eagerly awaited from God: ‘These are the exalted cranes, whose intercession is to be hoped for.’ The Quraysh rejoiced at this acceptance of their deities, and as Muhammad concluded the Surah, the entire gathering prostrated together. That evening Gabriel visited him and, after Muhammad recited the Surah, said, ‘What have you done? You recited to the people what I did not bring to you!’ Muhammad was grieved…”
2. Ibn Sa‘d (d. 230/845 CE) – Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir
Ibn Sa‘d, familiar with al-Wahidi’s work, was himself a biographer and author of a 15-volume history.
3. Ibn Ishaq (d. 145/767 or 151/773 CE) – Sirat Rasul Allah
“[The emigrants] remained in [Ethiopia] until they heard that the people of Mecca had accepted Islam. This was because Surah An-Najm had been revealed and recited by Muhammad. A believer and a polytheist listened in silence as he said: ‘Have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza?’ All listened intently; when believers heard the ‘satanic suggestion,’ some reverted to idolatry, saying: ‘By Allah, we will serve them so they may bring us closer to Allah.’ Satan taught these two verses to all idolaters, who grasped them easily. This distressed the Prophet until Gabriel visited and complained…” (Transmission chain: Yazid bin Ziyad → Muhammad bin Ishaq → Salama → Ibn Hamid → Ibn Ishaq)
4. Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (d. 923 CE) – History of the Prophets and Kings, vol. 6, pp. 108-110
“When the Messenger of God saw his people turning away, he wished in his heart for a revelation that would reconcile them. Upon reaching: ‘Have you considered al-Lat and al-Uzza, and Manat, the third, the other?’ Satan interjected, because of his inner deliberations, the words: ‘These are the exalted cranes whose intercession is to be hoped for.’ The Quraysh rejoiced, believing their gods were affirmed, and the Muslims, trusting their Prophet, did not doubt him. Later Gabriel came and said: ‘Muhammad, what have you done? You recited to the people what I did not bring to you…’”
Other Early Islamic Scholars Who Mentioned This Event
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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 CE)
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Ibn Mardawayh
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Musa ibn ‘Uqba
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Zamakhshari’s commentary on Surah 22:52 (1070–1143 CE)
(Sources: The Book of the Major Classes, translated by S. Moinul ‘Haq)
Indirect Evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith
Sahih al-Bukhari (d. 870 CE) records that when Muhammad recited Surah An-Najm, both pagans and Muslims prostrated (vol. 3, book 19, nos. 173 & 176; vol. 6, book 60, nos. 385–386; Abu Dawud vol. 1, book 2, chapter 481, no. 1401). Pagans are not known to have prostrated for any other Qur’anic recitation. Why this one, unless the recitation included affirmation of their deities?
Surah 22:52 says:
“We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he desired, Satan threw [some suggestion] into his desire; but Allah abolishes that which Satan throws in, then Allah makes precise His verses.”
Surah 17:73–75 states:
“They almost lured you away from what We have revealed to you, so that you would invent something else against Us; then they would have taken you as a friend. And if We had not strengthened you, you would almost have inclined to them a little. Then We would have made you taste double punishment in life and double after death. Then you would not find for yourself against Us a helper.”
Note: Although some claim that Surah 17:73–75 was revealed during the “Isra and Mi’raj,” both Tabari and Ibn Sa’d state it was revealed around the time of the Satanic Verses. Muslims even have a specific word for satanic whispering, “waswas,” echoing this concept.
Nine Common Muslim Objections and Scholarly Responses
Objection 1: Only eleven early authorities mention the Satanic Verses; others, such as Imam Muslim, Abu Dawud, al-Nasai, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ibn Hisham, do not.
Response: Many hadiths are not found in every collection. For example, Bukhari contains long hadiths absent from Muslim. Ibn Hisham, who used Ibn Ishaq’s work, omitted the Satanic Verses section because he considered it problematic. If he was too embarrassed to include it, this omission is not proof of its non-occurrence.
Objection 2: The alleged Satanic Verses do not fit with the rest of Surah 53.
Response: The current text replaced the original, and parts of a surah were sometimes revealed at different times. We do not know if the entirety of Surah 53, post verse 22, was written at once. Verses 51–53 seem out of place, as they address Muhammad personally.
Objection 3: Surah 53:19–21 may have been revealed before the verses about Satanic whisperings.
Response: Tabari and Ibn Sa’d say they were revealed simultaneously with Surah 17:73–75. Exact timings are uncertain, but even if revealed earlier, this does not negate the content. If Muslims trust the Qur’an, including Surah 17:73–75 and 22:52, they must accept that Satan can insert words into revelation.
Objection 4: The Satanic Verses contradict monotheism, which Muhammad consistently taught.
Response: Muhammad is not shown to have been perfectly consistent. Bukhari (vol. 4, book 54, no. 490; vol. 8, book 53, no. 400) records he was bewitched for a time. These biographers were still Muslims, indicating that people followed Muhammad even if he erred.
Objection 5: Many verses state that Muhammad could not speak falsely, so this story is incompatible.
Response: The claim is that Satan, not Muhammad, produced the false verses. The Qur’an’s preservation does not preclude temporary satanic interference that is later corrected by God. Also, abrogation (nasikh) is a Qur’anic principle, with some verses lost after being abrogated (cf. Sahih Muslim vol. 1, book 244, no. 1433). Thus, the Qur’an’s textual preservation is debated.
Objection 6: Tabari may have been an unreliable collector of reports.
Response: Even if so, three other biographers wrote about the event, two before Tabari. Dismissing all as unreliable is not tenable. Tabari was not uncritical; for example, he expressed doubts about some reports from people of the Torah (Woman in the Qur’an, Tradition, and Their Interpretation, Barbara Freye Stowasser, p. 28).
Objection 7: The strongest hadiths do not mention this story explicitly.
Response: Bukhari (vol. 3, book 19, nos. 173, 176; vol. 6, book 60, nos. 385–386) and Abu Dawud (vol. 1, book 2, no. 1401) document the unusual prostration at the recitation of Surah 53. This strongly suggests something unique occurred.
Objection 8: Shaykh al-Albani criticized the isnad (chain of transmission) for these reports.
Response: According to Answering Islam, al-Albani has been shown to contradict himself on isnad criticism. See Al-Albani Unveiled by Sayf ad-Din Ahmed Ibn Muhammad Amirul Islam for many examples.
Objection 9: Non-Muslims bring up this story to attack Muhammad and Islam.
Response: The event was not invented by non-Muslims but recorded by early Muslims. Ignoring criticism merely because it opposes one’s views is not the path of truth. Christians are called to expose false prophets out of love, desiring Muslims to turn from error and find salvation in the true Jesus Christ.
Where Do We Go from Here?
Muslims themselves are not unanimous on whether Satan’s words entered the Qur’an.
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Option 1: If Muhammad did speak as a prophet concerning the intercession of Allah’s daughters, he was a false prophet for that time.
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Option 2: If Muhammad never uttered the Satanic Verses, all four early biographers must have conspired in error. Some people may choose to follow something even if they believe their leader spoke Satan’s words.
Either way, Islam teaches that Allah allowed his word to be substantially altered and allowed even sincere followers to be led astray. The Qur’an (Surah 43:44–45) claims all previous prophets shared the same message, and Surah 41:43 claims nothing was sent to Muhammad that was not previously sent to other prophets. Thus, either:
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a) Allah allowed his prior revelations to be corrupted, or
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b) The Qur’an is itself a corrupted message.
In both cases, Islam concedes that Allah cannot be trusted to preserve his word against substantial doctrinal change.
Trust in God
The Almighty God is able to preserve His message. People should trust in God more.
Trust that God has preserved His word. Surah 5:46–48 states that Jesus confirmed the Torah in his time, and that God gave the Scriptures to Jews and Christians, which could be used to discern truth even during Muhammad’s life. Surah 3:48 and 5:110–111 show Jesus had both the Torah and the Gospel. Jesus’ disciples were inspired. The Bible says, “The word of God endures forever” (Isaiah 59:21; 40:8; Psalm 119:89). God’s word was never corrupted in the past and has been preserved without major error to this day (Isaiah 55:11; 1 Peter 1:23–25; Psalm 119:89, 91, 144, 160).
Trust that God desires you to know the truth and come to Him. God does not wish for anyone to perish (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 2 Peter 3:9). All are called to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
Do not put your trust in mortal men. “Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7). Instead, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). Do you believe God can direct your ways if you acknowledge Him?
Trust in Jesus: He came from God, and God’s message is preserved. Jesus is not a thief or a robber (John 10:8–10). Believe that Jesus gave His life as a ransom (Matthew 20:28), as a sin offering (Romans 8:3), by the blood He shed on the cross (Hebrews 10:19).
Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). “…‘Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 10:11). So trust God and believe He leads faithfully. He did not allow His word to be corrupted, so the Bible can be trusted. Give your life to Jesus, and He will give you peace and joy.
www.MuslimHope.com
www.maxshimbaministries.org
August 26, 2016
