Religion Is the Bane of Mankind

Part 5 The Prophet Muhammad's violent nature

(excerpts from Koranlore, Chapter 7. wwww.biblelore.com)

The nature of God varies throughout the Koran, now peaceful, now violent. The early suras (chapters) of the Qur'an were revealed in Mecca and are peaceful in tone. The later suras that were revealed in Medina-- after Muhammad was rejected by non-believers, and he had settled in Medina -- are more violent in tone.

One can't help but ask if the turbulent events in Muhammad's life could account for the change in Muhammad's view of God, from a peaceful God to a violent God.

(If the Koran suras were published in chronological order, i.e. the early Meccan before the later Medinan suras, the apparent alternation might reveal an orderly transition from the peaceful to the violent God. Editors of the Koran rearranged the 114 suras by length generally, longer to shorter.)

Observe the facts related in the Traditions, Part III, The Hijra: The Names of the Jewish Adversaries (Cf. p.239, A. Guillaume, The Life of Muhammad):

As the story goes...The Jewish rabbis showed hostility to the apostle in envy, hatred and malice, because God had chosen His apostle from the Arabs. They were joined by men from al-Aus and al-Khazraj who had adhered steadfastly to their heathen religion and their fathers' polytheism. Yet when Islam appeared and their people embraced it, the Jewish rabbis were compelled to fake acceptance to it in order to save their lives.

This story continues... The Jewish rabbis used to annoy the apostle with questions and introduce confusion, so as to confound the truth with falsity. The story relates that the Koran used to come down in reference to their questions although some questions about permitted and forbidden behavior came from Muslims themselves. (Cf. ibid., p. 239, A. Guillaume)

The Jewish rabbis had more troubling questions for Muhammad. Ishaq, (Muhammad’s biographer), relates that he was told that Sa'id b. Jubayr said that (don't you just love these direct quotes?) a number of Jews came to the apostle and said they knew that Allah created creation, but wanted to know who created Allah? According to Ishaq, the apostle was so angry he turned red and rushed at them being indignant for his Lord.

Then Gabriel came to calm Muhammad, and, says Ishaq, an answer to what the rabbis asked came to Muhammad from God, namely that God is One, the Eternal, who neither begets nor is begotten and has no equal. (Cf. ibid. , p. 270.) Sura 17:112 affirms that answer (except for the attribute "the Eternal"):

 

According to Ishaq, the rabbis pressed Muhammad further and asked him to describe Allah's shape to them: what were his forearm and upper arm like? Muhammad became angrier than before and rushed at them again.

Gabriel calmed Muhammad again and the answer came from God that they are not thinking of God as He ought to be thought of, that He will have the whole earth in His grasp on resurrection day and the heavens folded up in His right hand, and that He is glorified and exalted above what they associate with Him. (Cf. ibid. , p. 270.)

Sura 39:67 records that answer thus:

"But they have not judged God as He is due; that on resurrection day the whole Earth shall fit in his hand, and the Heavens shall be folded together in his right hand, and that He is praised and elevated above those they associate with Him!"

So apparently Allah “sent down” to Muhammad answers to the Jewish rabbis' questions.

Or did Muhammad, after some effort, come up with an answer he reasoned as appropriate to each question, and said that it came (wink, wink) from Allah?

MUHAMMAD ORDERS 'UQBA TO BE KILLED

As the story goes... Muhammad returned to Medina with the unbelieving prisoners, among them were 'Uqba b. Abu Mu'ayt and al-Nadr b. al-Harith.

The apostle carried with him the booty taken from the polytheists.

When the apostle ordered 'Uqba to be killed, 'Uqba said, "But who will look after my children, O Muhammad?" Muhammad replied,"Hell!" and Asim ...killed him... So the story goes. (Cf. p.308, A. Guillaume, The Life of Muhammad)

Graphic view of this incident available at www.biblelore.com in KoranloreLite table of cartoons.

　

MUHAMMAD BEHEADS 600-900 CAPTIVES, HUYAYY B. AKHTAB AND KA’B B. ASAD THEIR CHIEF


As the story goes.. At the raid on Qurayza the apostle besieged them for 25 nights until they were sore pressed and God cast terror into their hearts. They sent to Muhammad to send them Abu Lubaba to mediate. Abu said the Jews should submit to Muhammad’s judgment re surrender.


In the morning the captives submitted to Muhammad’s judgment. Asked by Sa’d, “Do you covenant by Allah to accept the judgment I pronounce on them?” (Their answer was yes.) He asked if it was incumbent on the one who was there (meaning the apostle) and the apostle answered yes. Sa’d said that his judgment was that the men be killed, their property divided, and the women and children taken as captives. Muhammad told Sa’d he had given the judgment of Allah.


Then they surrendered and were confined. The apostle went out to the market of Medina and dug trenches. Then he sent for the men in groups and beheaded them in those trenches. Among them were Huyayy b. Akhtab and Ka’b b. Asad, their chief. 600 or 700, perhaps 800 or 900 men were killed. So the story goes...(Cf. 461ff, A. Guillaume, A Life of Muhammad)

Graphic view of this incident available at www.biblelore.com in KoranloreLite table of cartoons.

The expedition to Khaybar.

Muhammad marched against Khaybar. He seized property piece by piece and the forts one by one. Kinana al-Rabi', the custodian of the treasure of B. al-Nadir, was brought to Muhammad who asked about the treasure. Kinana denied he knew where it was.

Muhammad threatened to kill him if he found that he had it. Some treasure was found. Kinana refused to produce the rest of it. Muhammad gave orders to al-Zubayr b. al-'Awwam to torture Kinana until he extracted what he had. So he kindled a fire with flint and steel on his chest until he was nearly dead.

Then Muhammad delivered Kinana to Muhammad b. Maslama who struck off his head, in revenge for his brother Mahmud. So the story goes. (Cf pp. 510-5, A Guillaume, The Life of Muhammad)

Graphic view of this incident available at www.biblelore.com in KoranloreLite table of cartoons. ( @ = icon representing Muhammad in cartoon)

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