Islamic Apologetics By Ehteshaam Gulam : Refuting Criticisms and Polemics about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Refuting All the Arguments & Criticisms against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

There are several false stories about Prophet Muhammad going around Anti-Islamic circles. Here I will examine these stories and say why they are false.

Here I document several arguements against Prophet Muhammad which all critics use against him and false stories about Prophet Muhammad and why they should be discarded (Note for the first five false stories, I already cover it in a previous essay and the link, links to that essay). As for False story #6—Bassam Zawadi already covers it on his website, which I link to.

Critics can only provide false analogies and emotional arguements made against Prophet Muhammad and Islam, but in the end of the day, it doesn't disprove the evidence for Islam.

*** Special Note from 2012*****

There are many false stories about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) found in Ibn Ishaq, Al-Tabari, the Tafsir of Al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, Zad Al Maad, Ibn Kathir, etc. Time and space won’t let me document all these false stories. So I want Muslims to know that whenever a critic or Islamophobe quotes a story from Ibn Ishaq or Al-Tabari, it’s most likely false (especially if it’s from Ibn Ishaq or if the narrator is Al-Waqidi in the Tabari narration). We Muslims only accept Bukhari, Muslim, and the other four major collectors of hadith to be 100%

accurate when it comes to the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). So if a story of the Prophet is not confirmed in the major hadith collections

then it is to be rejected.

People have been criticizing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the very start of his mission, 1400 years ago. Crititicism against Prophet Muhammad (p) by Orientalists, Western Academics, Apostates from Islam, White People, Christian critics of Islam, Arab Christians, Atheist critics of Islam and even Hindus of India is nothing new. It's been going on for hundreds of years. However most of the arguements and criticisms against Prophet Muhammad (p) by critics are subjective or emotional, not intellecual or rational at all. Or critics don't understand the culture of either Jewish or Arab culture (Semetic culture) or are quoting stories about the Prophet from weak sources that Islamic Scholars don't accept (Ibn Ishaq, Al Waqidi, Al-Tabari or various weak hadith from the Sahih Sittah) or are ripping things out of context.

Of course there are also MANY Anti Islamic websites that say all kinds of Nasty things about Prophet Muhamamd (peace be upon him). I am not going to waste my time dealing with these people. I feel that I don’t have to refute these Anti Islamic websites since I feel Brothers Bassam Zawadi and Sami Zaatari have already refuted almost all the Anti Islamic websites out there:

http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/refuting_anti_islamic_websites

http://muslim-responses.com/answering_the_critics

However I have decided to make a list of all the allegations and criticisms about the Prophet Muhammad (p) and refute all these stories and misconceptions. I even wrote an essay and made videos that discusses the unreliability of Ibn Ishaq/ Al Waqidi and Al Tabari—the three sources the Anti Islamic critics get there stories from to bad mouth the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

REMEMBER MOST OF THE CRITICISMS AGAINST ISLAM ARE SUBJECTIVE AND EMOTIONAL. THAT’S ALL THESE ANTI ISLAMIC CRITICS OF ISLAM HAVE. NOBODY HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO COME UP WITH AN INTECULLETUAL OR RATIONAL ARGUMENT AGAINST ISLAM.

I want my readers to understand that. So I urge Muslims to avoid getting into pointless debates either on the internet or in person with these Anti Islamic critics and Islamophobes.

However 90% of the time they are twisting things/ Making up things about the Prophet or just quoting from sources that Muslims don’t deem to be authentic. They even quote Fatwas from the Middle East or Pakistian/Iran, etc (which is religious rulings in Islam) to bad mouth the Prophet Muhammad (p), etc. The problems with those Fatwahs is most of the time they give no sources to back up their statements about the Prophet Muhammad (p) etc. In other words they just make these stories up. SO OF COURSE THERE ARE MANY FALSE STORIES/MISCONCEPTIONS/AND JUST PLAIN AND UTTER SUBJECTIVE NON SENSE ABOUT THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PEACE AND BLESSINGS BE UPON HIM) OUT THERE EITHER IN THE MEDIA, BOOKS, THE INTERNET, MOVIES, WEBSITES ETC.. TIME AND SPACE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO DOCUMENT AND REFUTE ALL THESE FALSE STORIES AND MISCONCEPTIONS. THESE ARE BASICALLY ALL THE MAIN STORIES I FOUND OVER THE YEARS TO BAD MOUTH THE PROPHET FROM THE ANTI ISLAMIC CRITICS OF ISLAM. ALL THESE STORIES HAVE BEEN REFUTED AND I GIVE PERMISSION TO ALL MUSLIMS TO USE THE MATIERAL ON THIS WEBSITE TO REFUTE THE ANTI ISLAMIC CLAIMS ABOUT THE PROPHET.

Its simply NOT worth my time to refute all these Western Academics/Oreintalists/ Anti Islamic critics of Islam and their websites/media/books, etc. I feel that other Islamic websites such as these have already refuted them. This websites main goal is to show the EVIDENCE for Islam and Refute the so Called Evidence for Christianity and Atheism.

FOR General unreliability and why Muslims shouldn’t trust the Orientalists/American Western Academics/ and White People when they are discussing Islam see here. ALSO these So-Called “Indian-Iranian-Pakistani” Apostates from Islam are just copying the arguments from Orientalists/Western Academics/Christian Polemics of Islam. In other words they are NOT bringing anything NEW against Islam its still the same old Subjective and Orientalists-White People arguments against Islam. Nothing new.

It's commonly said that Ibn Ishaq is the earliest biography of the Prophet Muhammad (p). However this is false. There was a disciple of Prophet Muhammad (p) who wrote a biography of him and there were many other biographies of the Prophet before Ibn Ishaq was even born. To see the list see here.

To see why Ibn Ishaq / AL Waqidi/ Al Tabari/ Tafsir Al Tabari is NOT a Reliable source of information to learn about the Prophet Muhammad see here. There are several chainless or weak chains of transmission stories found in Ibn Ishaq, Al-Waqidi, Al-Tabari, the Works of Ibn Kathir, the books of Zad al Maad, and other sira books or hadith books etc etc. We don't know if these stories are reliable or the people narrating them are reliable or not. Too see other problems with the Sira (Biography of the Prophet), Al-Waqidi and Al-Tabari see here.

Of course people are going to lie about the Prophet Muhammad. People lied during the time of the Prophet about the Prophet, of course people are going to lie about the Prophet after his death. People even lied about the Prophet's disciples after their death. So the isnad (chain of transmission) tells us if a story found in various Islamic sources are early and reliable. Also the isnad started with Abu Bakr and Umar ibn Khattab as seen here.

This dual role of Muhammad as preacher and reformer is largely evident in his life and career.

The only two reliable sources to learn about the Prophet Muhammad (p) accoring to Sunni Muslims (The Majority of Muslims) is Bukhari and Muslim because most of their hadith have fully connected chains of tranmissions going back to the Prophet Muhammad (p). So we know their sources are reliable.

Ibn al-Hashimi’s Nasibi Imam Ibn Tamiyah confidently made the following admission in his book Majmo'a al-Fatawa, Volume 18 page 7:

فَلَيْسَ تَحْتَ أَدِيمِ السَّمَاءِ كِتَابٌ أَصَحُّ مِنْ الْبُخَارِيِّ وَمُسْلِمٍ

“There is’nt any other book under the surface of the sky more authentic than Bukhari and Muslim”

However when Muslims say Bukhari and Muslim are the most reliable books to learn about Islam, they are only talking about the fully connected chains of hadith.

We read in Hujatullah al-Balegha, Volume 1 page 249 by Shah Waliullah Dehalwi:

أما الصحيحان فقد اتفق المحدثون على أن جميع ما فيهما من المتصل المرفوع صحيح بالقطع وأنهما متواتران إلى مصنفيهما وأن كل من يهون أمرهما فهو مبتدع متبع غير سبيل المؤمنين

“The scholar agreed that all the connected traditions contained within both Sahihs are absolutely authentic and the two books are successively attributed to their (respective) authors and verily whoever belittled their status (the two books) is an innovator and is not adhering to the path of the believers.”

However there are some broken hadith in Bukhari and Muslim. There are some footnotes made in Bukhari that state that there are broken chains of transmissions in his hadith.

Shias prefer hadith attributed to the Ahl al-Bayt and close associates, and have their own separate collection of hadiths. They accept Hadith that go back to Ali (a disciple of Prophet Muhammad) and his family and have their own hadith collections. However there are severe problems with their collections see here.

According to the Qur’an, Prophet Muhammad does not say anything that is no of accordance thru Allah:

“Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed,” (Quran 53: 3-4)

Refuting the claim that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was hallunciating/had hallucinations encounters with Angel Gabriel, Angels, etc.

This is false. We have authentic narrations where Prophet Muhammad did do miracles (by the help of Allah), and that other companions (or disciples) saw Angels as well as the Prophet Muhammad (p): Bukhari Book#59, Hadith #327 Muslim Book #019, Hadith #4360). As for the

See here for the miracles of the Prophet Muhammad. To see why Muslims trust their sources see below.

Below is a list of all the criticims and false stories that most commonly appear in Anti Islamic websites, books, Atheist Critics of Islam, Orienatlists works, etc.

books refuting Oreintalists (European/ White People/ Western Academics on Islam) claims about Prophet Muhammad (p), Islam and the Quran:

http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/en_The_Biography_of_the_Prophet_and_the_Orientalists1.pdf

http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/en_The_Biography_of_the_Prophet_and_the_Orientalists2.pdf

To see the West and European's misconceptions about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islam see the following links:

http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/orientalism.html

http://www.whymuhammad.com/en/contents.aspx?aid=5782

To Read a Balanced Biography of Islam which refutes Western and European Criticisms about Prophet Muhammad (p), I suggest reading Muhammad: Biography of the Prophet by Karen Armstrong and No God but God by Reza Aslan.

As for refuting Orientalists and Christian critics claims about the Prophet Muhammad (p)'s wives and marriages see this book pages 48-57:

http://books.google.com/books?id=xJVKilIZxzIC&pg=PA48&dq=ibn+kathir+wives+of+the+prophet&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Cx_7T7WCCqaF6QGX98y4Bg&ved=0CFsQ6AEwBzgK#v=onepage&q=ibn%20kathir%20wives%20of%20the%20prophet&f=false

http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2008/06/why-prophet-muhammad-married-more-times.html

Before I begin, I want to address a criticism against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by Christian critics of Islam. And that is mainly that Prophet Muhammad (p) can't be a prophet because he didn't call God Yahweh. My response is simply this, Jews today don't even say God's name. If you go to any Jewish website, they say G-D, out of respect for him.

Another problem is that Yaweh is not the only name Jews call God. The following a list of different names Jews call God:

The seven names for the God of Israel over which the scribes had to exercise particular care were:

Eloah
Elohim
Adonai
Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh
YHWH
El Shaddai
YHWH Tzevaot

The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins (Robert Hendrickson, 1987)

So "Yahweh" is the not the only name that is called for God. There are other names as well. Also the Christians are being inconsistent because the Greek New Testament the word for God is Kuriyous and the Word Yaweh is not in the Greek New Testament. So even the New Testament fails that test. the Tetragrammaton does not appear in the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, The vast majority of New Testament translations therefore render the Greek kyrios as "Lord" or "lord", and theos as "God".

EVEN IF ISLAM OR PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PEACE BE UPON HIM) SAY SOMETHING THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE BIBLE (BOTH THE O.T. AND N.T.) SO WHAT? WHY SHOULD WE MUSLIMS CARE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS? Has ANY Jew or Christian shown us that the Bible is the complete true word of God and that it is binding upon us? The answer is no.

Why should I care if Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not live up to the moral standards of the Bible? Has ANY Christian or Jew shown us that the Bible is the complete true word of God and that it is binding upon us? The answer is no.

Islam does NOT claim to bring EVERYTHING new to it. There may have been some Pre-Islamic practices done by others which Islam came to confirm that these practices were correct.

Why do Muslims kiss the black stone?

Already answered here: http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2008/08/is-kissing-of-black-stone-by-muslims.html

Refuting Alleged Scientific Errors of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/refuting_claims_of_scientific_errors_being_present_in_islamic_teachings

http://www.examinethetruth.com/errors.html

Refuting the critics on Islam and Polygamy

In regards to Islam allowing Polygamy, it's been proven that Judaism, Christianity and Hinduism all allow polygamy. See here and here and here. Also see here. For evidence that the New Testament allows Polygamy see here. So when Christian or Hindu critics of Islam critize Islam for allowing polygamy they are critizing something their own religion allows. See my article on polygamy in Judaism, Christianity and Islam here. In that article I provide a quote from a priest that there is nothing in the New Testament that forbids polgyamy. In fact there were several early Christians who practiced polygamy see here. It should also be noted that Islam discourages polygamy see here. A careful examination of the Quran 4:3 states that a man should only marry one woman.

EARLY CHRISTIANITY allowed Polygamy: http://waspolygamyasininthenewtestament.blogspot.com/

FOR REASONS WHY ISLAM ALLOWS POLYGAMY: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/reasons_why_islam_permits_polygamy

It should also be noted that polygamy is unpopular in the Middle East and few Muslims do it. See here. Also places like Turkey, Tunsia, etc have all banned polygamy and in Egypt it is very rare to find anyone doing polygamy. Also some Mediterranean Jews living in Yemen practice polygamy.

To see evidnece of polygamy practiced with Jews, throughout the Middle East, Africa,Persia China, India, etc, I encourage people to read the book "Polygamy across cultural analysis" by Miriam Kokteudguard copyright 2008. This books shows that polygamy was prevelant in ancient places throughout the world. It's nothing new to Islam. Polygamy is discouraged in Islam see here and here.

To see Why Muslims trust their sources (Hadith works etc) and refuting the claim that the hadith came 200 years later see here and here and here. Refuting Jesus vs Muhammad And Prophet Muhammad and Joesph Smith comparisons done by Christians and Orientalists.

This is probably the most annoying and frequent allegation Christians do when talking about Islam. Innapporiate comparsions of Prophet Muhammad.
A lot of Christian websites and even Talk shows on TV say say "Jesus or Muhammad" trying to make the Biblical Jesus better than Prophet Muhammad in order to confuse both the Christian and Muslim viewer. However this is a very silly arguement. It's simply not right to compare two teachers. They teachings are different because of the place and circumstances present at that time. Both Prophets Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them) lived in different times, places and did things which were apporipate according to their culture and customs. For example Jesus doing celibacy (not marrying or having children) is not unique many Jews were also celibate during the Roman occupation of Palestine at that time. Prophet Muhammad (p) marrying more than one woman in the last ten years of his life also wasn't unique, many Arab men married more than one woman in Arabia before Islam (See Ibn Abbaas, Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn 'Abbâs, Commentary on Quran Chapter 4 Verse 3). Moreover most of the teachings of Jesus are not unique as other Jewish Teachers and other gentile teachers taught the same or better teachings than Jesus see here. Also see here.

It's as silly as me Comparing Budda and Jesus and saying who is better or some other Old Testament Figure and Jesus and saying Buddha's teachings are better than Jesus thus we should all follow Buddha. Christians would argue back not to compare the two because They teachings are different because of the place and circumstances present at that time. Well same thing with Prophet Muhammad (p).

IT'S SILLY TO COMPARE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P) TO ANY OTHER RELIGIOUS FIGURE OR LEADER BECAUSE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P) LIVED IN A DIFFERENT TIME AND PLACE AND CIRCUMSTANCE. IT'S EVEN MORE SILLY WHEN CHRISTIAN CRITICS OR ORIENTALISTS COMPARE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P) TO JOESPH SMITH SINCE THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD LIVED 1200 YEARS BEFORE JOESPH SMITH AND MORMONISM IS A PRODUCT OF CHRISTIANITY (THE PROTESTANT BRANCH) WHILE ISLAM IS A SEPERATE RELIGION FREE FROM CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.

You can see just how silly these Christian and Oreintalists are getting when trying to attack Islam or the Prophet Muhammad (P). It's best to ignore these comparsions and simply state that Both Jesus and Muhammad (pbut) lived in different times and circumstances. As for Joesph Smith and Mormonism, well Mormonism is a product of Christianity or a cult of Christianity and doesn't really copy off of Islam. To see refutations of Mormonism see here. Also see here.

Prophet Muhammad (p) the best amongst the Arabs:

Narrated Anas: The Prophet was the best among the people (both in shape and character) and was the most generous of them, and was the bravest of them. Once, during the night, the people of Medina got afraid (of a sound). So the people went towards that sound, but the Prophet having gone to that sound before them, met them while he was saying, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." (At that time) he was riding a horse belonging to Abu Talha and it was naked without a saddle, and he was carrying a sword slung at his neck. The Prophet said, "I found it (the horse) like a sea, or, it is the sea indeed." (Bukhari Book #73, Hadith #59i)

Prophet Mohammed (saw) said to us regarding to the guidance

“I have left with you two things it you hold on firmly to them you will never go astray: the book of Allah and my Sunnah.” - Reported by Aboo Hurayrah and collected by al-Haakim and Maalik (Muwatta Imam Malik, p.375, no.1599)

Did the Prophet Muhamamd make Islam up for wealth and money? See here. Also the Prophet Muhamamd (p) wasn't allowed to take any kind of charity money at all (See Muslim Book #005, Hadith #2339)

Another thing to remember is that Muslims believe that only the Quran and Prophet Muhamamd (P) are free from any kind of errors. Some Islamic critics may appeal to certain companions or wives of the Prophet Muhammad to show that they doubted or were suspious of his Prophethood, however that is their own subjective opinions. The Prophet Muhammad (p) never doubted his prophethood (See Bukhari Book #60, Hadith#367) We Muslims believe nobody is perfect, the Prophet's wives, his companions, etc. The only person free from error in Islam is Prophet Muhammad (p). That's it. However the companions and the wives of the Prophet were believers and praised in the Quran and the Prophet Muhamamd. So they are good to learn from.

Are there contradictions in the Hadith literature?
http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/refuting_shamoun_on__contradictions__in_the_saheeh_hadeeths

Others seeing the Angels of Allah: See Muslim Book 19 Hadith 4360, etc Also for prophecies of his companions see http://www.sunnah.org/sources/hadithProphetKnowledge3.htm

http://www.muslimdebate.org/polemics/22-is-jihad-terrorism

WHY JIHAD WAS LAUNCHED, THE MECCANS VS THE ANSAR AND THE EARLY MUSLIMS:

For proof that the Meccans were still after the Muslims and Prophet Muhammad even after he mirgrated from Mecca to Medinah see Ahmad Ibn Hanbal: Musnad, Ahmad: Al-Fathur-Rabbani Volume 21 Volume 21 pages 19-20 and see A Biography of the Prophet of Islam Volume 1 pages 372-375, 376-381. The book can be viewed here. Also see Abu Dawud, Book #19, Hadith #2998 and Tafsir Ibn Kathir Volume 5, Page 431-432 and Tafsir Al-Tabari Volume 17, Page 123 and Nasa'i Volume 4, Hadith #3087, etc. Also see Muslim Book 31, Hadith #5925, 5926 and Quran 5:67. After this verse was revealed the Prophet (peace be upon him) told his bodyguards to stop guarding him for he received a promise from God that he would be protected. (See Sunan Al Tirmidhi [Hadith Number 3046] Sheikh Al-Albani said it is authentic from the way of Aisha in Saheeh Al-Tirmidhi under Hadith Number 3046; Al-Mustadrak fi al Saheehayn [Hadith Number 3221]: Imam Al Dhahabi said it is authentic as well as Al-Hakim; U'mdat Altafseer(an abridged commentary on Ibn Kathir's commentary) [Volume 1, page 710]: Ahmad Shakir said the narration is authentic.)

When the Prophet's son Ibrahim died: http://donotsaytrinity.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/ibrahims-demise-and-its-implication-on-the-prophethood-of-mohammad-p/

False Claim Warraqa Ibn Nawfal didn't support Muhammad's prophethood:

False Claim. Although critics say in Ibn Ishaq page 50-70 Warraqa didn't support his prophethood, again this is a weak source. According to the authentic hadith of Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 60 Warraqa did support the Prophet's Prophethood. As for Warraqa helping the Prophet Muhammad write the Quran or teaching the Prophet stories of Adam, Moses, David, etc this claim has already been refuted:

http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Sources/BBwaraqa.html

False Story #1: Satanic Verses

Click on the "Satanic Verses" there I have a Youtube video which completely refutes the "Satanic Verses" story. The story is false because there is no reliable chain of transmission for it (see Ibn Hazm, Al Fasl Filmalal Volume 2 pages 308-309, 311). Islamic Scholars such as Imam Razi (in his Tafsir Volume 11 page135), Qazi Abu Bakr Ibn al-`Arabi (Al-Shifa Volume 2 page 126), and Alusi (in his Tafsir Volume 13 page 99) etc. have rejected The Satanic Verses story altogether.

Was the Quran and Prophet Muhammad influenced by Satan? See here for evidence it was not.

False Story #2: The Killing of Abu Afak

This story states that the Prophet Muhammad (p) killed Abu Afak an old Jewish Man who made fun of him. This story is found in Ibn Ishaq pages p.675. It is also found in Ibn Sa'd's Volume 2, page 32. However this story is false because there is no chain of transmission (Isnad) for this story. Another problem is that this story is mentioned by Al-Waqidi's work (See Al-Waqidi Volume 1, pages 174-175.) However Al-Waqidi has already been demonstrated to be a Liar and a not trustworthy source about the Prophet Muhammad:

As al-Nasa’i said about Al-Waqidi (d. 303 A.H.):

The liars known for fabricating the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah are four. They are: Arba’ah b. Abi Yahya in Madinah, al-Waqidi in Baghdad, Muqatil b. Sulayman in Khurasan and Muhammad bin Sa’id in Syria. (Ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani, Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol.9 p.366 No.604)

False Story #3 The Killing of Asama bin Marwan

This story is found in Ibn Ishaq's biography of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) pages 675–676.

Some classical and post-classical hadith scholars such as Al-Albani, Majdi, and Al-Jawzi have rejected the story, with some declaring it as fabrication, pointing out in their arguments that thechains of transmission by which the story was transmitted are all weak. So this story is false.

On Details on why the Chain of Transmission is weak/Flawed see:

Al-Albani, Nasir al-Din. "Hadith#6013". Silsilat al-aḥādīth al-ḍaʻīfah wa-al-mawḍūʻah. 33. p. 13. "(موضوع...محمد بن الحجاج...قلت : وهو كذاب خبيث ؛ كما قال ابن معين ، وهو واضع حديث الهريسة ... والراوي عنه محمد بن إبراهيم الشامي ؛ كذاب أيضاً)"

Al-Sayyid, Majdi Fathi. ed. Ṣaḥīḥ Sīrah al-Nabawīyah. 4. Dār al-Ṣaḥābah lil-Turāth. pp. 335–336. "
حديث ضعيف وإسناده معضل
1 – أخرجه ابن سعد، (2/27–28) في طبقاته من رواية الواقدي المتروك، وعنه أخرجه ابن السكن، والعسكري في الأمثال كما في الإصابة (5/34) .
في سنده الواقدي من المتروكين.
2 – أخرجه الخطيب (13/199) في تاريخه، و ابن الجوزي في العلل (1/175)، و ابن عساكر في تاريخه كما في الكنز (35491) من طريق محمد بن الحجاج اللخمي عن مجالد عن الشعبي عن إبن عباس.
و سنده موضوع. فيه اللخمي، قال البخاري عنه: منكر الحديث. و قال ابن معين: كذاب خبيث، وقال مرة: ليس بثقة، وكذبه الدارقطني، وإتهمه ابن عدي بوضع حديث الهريسة،"

Al-Jawzi, Abu'l-Faraj. Al-'ilal. 1. p. 175. "(هذا مما يتهم بوضعه محمد بن الحجاج)"

Ibn ʻAdī. Al-Kāmil fī al-ḍuʻafāʼ wa-ʻilal al-ḥadīth. 7. p. 326. "(ولم يرو عن مجالد غير محمد بن الحجاج وجميعاً مما يُتهم محمد بن الحجاج بوضعها)"

False Story #4 The Killing of the Meccan Ten

As for the Killing of the Meccan Ten I again quote the passage:

According to al-Waqidi: The Messenger of God commanded that six men and four women should be killed. Of the men, [al-Waqidi] mentioned those whom Ibn Ishaq named. The women he mentioned were Hind bt. ‘Utbah b. Rabi‘ah, who became a Muslim and swore allegiance; Sarah, the mawla of ‘Amr b. Hashim b. ‘Abd al-Muttalib b. ‘Abd Manaf, who was killed on that day; Quraybah, who was killed on that day; and Fartana, who lived until the caliphate of ‘Uthman. (The History of Al-Tabari, Volume VIII, pp. 179-181)

This narration is also found in the works of Ibn Sa’d. This narration is false because it contains Al-Waqidi as a narrator. Al-Waqidi was a known liar according to many Islamic scholars quoted below:

al-Nasa’i said about Al-Waqidi (d. 303 A.H.):

The liars known for fabricating the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah are four. They are: Arba’ah b. Abi Yahya in Madinah, al-Waqidi in Baghdad, Muqatil b. Sulayman in Khurasan and Muhammad bin Sa’id in Syria. (Ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani, Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol.9 p.366 No.604)

Yahya ibn Ma’in (d. 233 A.H.):

He is weak. He is nothing. Not reliable (See Ibn Abi Hatim, vol.4 pt.1. p.2)

Ibn Abi Hatim al-Razi (d. 277 A.H.):

He fabricates Hadith. We have abandoned his Hadith.
(Ibn Abi Hatim, p.21)

Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 A.H.):

He is a liar, makes alternations in the traditions.
(al-Dhahbi, Mizan, vol.3 p.110)

Abd Allah Ibn Ali al Madini and his father said: "Al-Waqidi has 20,000 Hadith I never heard of." And then he said: "His narration shouldn't be used" and considered it weak.

Yahya Ibn Muaen said: "Al-Waqidi said 20,000 false hadith about the prophet."

Al-Shafi'i said, "Al-Waqidi is a liar."

Ibn Hanbal said, "Al-Waqidi is a liar."

Al-Bukhari said he didn't write a single letter by Al-Waqidi. (Siar Aalam al nublaa - althagbi - biography of Al-Waqidi)

Here is what Haddad says about al-Waqidi:

[(*) Muhammad ibn `Umar al-Waqidi (d. 207), Ahmad ibn Hanbal said of him: "He is A LIAR." Al-Bukhari and Abu Hatim al-Razi said: "DISCARDED." Ibn `Adi said: "His narrations ARE NOT RETAINED, AND THEIR BANE COMES FROM HIM." Ibn al-Madini said: "HE FORGES HADITHS." Al-Dhahabi said: "CONSENSUS HAS SETTLED OVER HIS DEBILITY." Mizan al-I`tidal (3:662-666 #7993).] (Source: http://bismikaallahuma.org/Polemics/haddad.htm; capital emphasis ours)

So as we can see, this narration about the killing of the Meccan ten is unreliable because it contains Al-Waqidi as a narrator. It is false.

THE KILLING OF KAB ibn Ashaf

The reason why Kab Ibn Ashaf was killed was because he was a war monger against Islam. He would go to Makka and with his poems he would instigate violence and war against the Muslims and Prophet Muhammad (p) in Makka. So he was taken care of by being killed. Just like America or Europe would go after warmongers in Iraq or Afghanistan same with the Prophet Muhammad. For proof see Dalial by Bayhaqi Volume 3 pages 187-200 also see Ibn Hisham Volume 3 pages 79-84.

False Story #5 The Torture of Kinnana with Fire from the Prophet for Money.

This story is found in Ibn Ishaq page 515. Many anti Islamics have used this incident of the torture of Kinana to attack the integrity of the Prophet. Actually the source of this story is invalid. Not because the source is weak, but because there is no source!

Having left Medina and settled at Khaibar, the Banu Nadir started hatching a wide-spread conspiracy against Islam. Their leaders, Sallam Ibn Abi-al Huqauaiq, Huyayy Ibn Akhtab, Kinana al-Rabi and others came to Mecca, met the Quraish and told them that Islam could be destroyed." (Allama Shibli Nu'Mani, Sirat-Un-Nabi, volume II, p 106)

This goes to show that Kinana was a war criminal. Let's read on...

" While describing the battle of Khaibar, the history writers have committed a serious blunder in reporting a totally baseless report, which has become a common place. It is said that the Prophet ( Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had granted amnesty to the Jews on condition that they would not hide anything. When Kinana Ibn Rabi' refused to give any clue to the hidden treasures, the Prophet ( peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered Zubair to adopt stern measures to force a disclosure. Zubair branded his chest with a hot flint again and again, till he was on the point of death. At last he ordered Kinana to be put to death and all the Jews were made slaves.

The whole truth in the story is that Kinana was put to death. But it was not for his refusal to give a clue to the hidden treasure. He was put to death because he had killed Mahmud Ibn Maslama (also Muslima). Tabari had reported it in unambiguous words: " Then the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave Kinana to Muhammad Ibn Maslama (Muslima), " and he put him to death in retaliation of the murder of his own brother, Mahmud Ibn Maslama (Muslima)."

In the rest of the report, both Tabari and Ibn Hisham have quoted it from Ibn Ishaq, but Ibn Ishaq does not name any narrator. Traditionalists, in books on Rijal, have explicitly stated that Ibn Ishaq used to borrow from the Jews stories concerning the battle of the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). As Ibn Ishaq does not mention the name of any narrator whatsoever in this case, there is every likelihood of the story of having been passed on by the Jews.

That a man should be tortured with burns on his chest by the sparks of a flint is too heinous a deed for a Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who had earned for himself the title of Rahma'lil Alamin (Mercy for all the worlds). After all, did he not let the woman who had sought to poison him go scot free? Who would expect such a soul to order human body to be so burnt for the sake of a few coins.

As a matter of fact, Kinana Ibn Rabi Ibn al-Huquaiq had been granted his life on the condition that he would never break faith or make false statements. He had also given his word, according to one of the reports, that if he did anything to the contrary, he could be put to death. Kinana played false, and the immunity granted to him was withdrawn. He killed Mahmud Ibn Maslama (Muslima) and had, therefore to suffer for it, as we have already stated on the authority of Tabari." (Allama Shibli Nu'Mani, Sirat-Un-Nabi, volume II, p 173-174)

As we can see there is no evidence what so ever for this story of Kinana because there is no narration or source given. It was contrary to the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet's character. Therefore, Critics of Islam have to stop using this argument against the glorious Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

False Story #6 The Zaniab bint Jash Story

The story of Zaninab Bint Jash changing her clothes and Prophet Muhammad peeking into her room, seeing her undress and falling in love with her beauty is false. This false story is found in Al-Tabari (which is filled with fake narrations as I document here). The story of Prophet Muhammad finds Zaniab Bint Jash changing her clothes and fanscinated with her beauty gets a revelation from Allah telling him its okay to marry her because Zaid is ordered to divorce her. The story goes like this:

The Messenger of God came to the house of Zayd b. Harithah. (Zayd was always called Zayd b. Muhammad.) Perhaps the Messenger of God missed him at that moment, so as to ask, "Where is Zayd?" He came to his residence to look for him but did not find him. Zaynab bt. Jash, Zayd's wife, rose to meet him. Because she was dressed only in a shift, the Messenger of God turned away from her. She said: "He is not here, Messenger of God. Come in, you who are as dear to me as my father and mother!" The Messenger of God refused to enter. Zaynab had dressed in haste when she was told "the Messenger of God is at the door." She jumped up in haste and excited the admiration of the Messenger of God, so that he turned away murmuring something that could scarcely be understood. However, he did say overtly: "Glory be to God the Almighty! Glory be to God, who causes the hearts to turn!"

When Zayd came home, his wife told him that the Messenger of God had come to his house. Zayd said, "Why didn't you ask him to come in?" He replied, "I asked him, but he refused." "Did you hear him say anything?" he asked. She replied, "As he turned away, I heard him say: ?Glory be to God the Almighty! Glory be to God, who causes hearts to turn!'"

So Zayd left, and having come to the Messenger of God, he said: "Messenger of God, I have heard that you came to my house. Why didn't you go in, you who are as dear to me as my father and mother? Messenger of God, perhaps Zaynab has excited your admiration, and so I will separate myself from her." Zayd could find no possible way to [approach] her after that day. He would come to the Messenger of God and tell him so, but the Messenger of God would say to him, "Keep your wife." Zayd separated from her and left her, and she became free.

While the Messenger of God was talking with 'A'isha, a fainting overcame him. When he was released from it, he smiled and said, "Who will go to Zaynab to tell her the good news, saying that God has married her to me?" Then the Messenger of God recited: "And when you said unto him on whom God has conferred favor and you have conferred favor, “Keep your wife to yourself .'"- and the entire passage.

According to 'A'isha, who said: "I became very uneasy because of what we heard about her beauty and another thing, the greatest and loftiest of matters - what God had done for her by giving her in marriage. I said she would boast of it over us. [1]

When reporting this story Tabari (the hadith narrator) failed to provide a chain of narrators, is not a single chain of narrators at all, regarding this hadith (or story). It just begins with, "It was said that...." This is not a trustworthy narration and in fact is discarded by several Islamic scholars:

"So far as the fanciful stories and calumnies of the Orientalists are concerned, we can only say that these are so absurd that any one having even a grain of sense in him would unhesitatingly reject them as mere fabrications. William Muir and so may others like him state that the Prophet, having seen Zaynab by change through a half-open door, was fascinated by her beauty, and that Zayd having come to know of the leanings of his master, divorced her and then she was marred by Muhammad. There is absolutely no truth in these stories which have been fabricated in this connection." [2]

Why didn’t he marry her when she was single? Moreover the story of Prophet Muhammad seeing Zanib undress and seeing her beauty, and making Zaid (his apopted son) divorce her so he could marry her is apocryphal (fake) and not at all historical. The real story behind why Prophet Muhammad married Zaniab was because her marriage with Zaid was not working out because she was constantly complaining and nagging to Zaid. Prophet Muhammad refused to have Zaid divocrce her and told Zaid to Fear God. After the marriage proved to be fruitless and Zaniab continued over to over to nag and complain, Zaid had enough and divorced her. Prophet Muhammad then decided to marry her, not of lust, but out of mercy due to her financial status.

When Zanib divorced Zaid she had no home, and Prophet Muhammad offered her a home by marrying her. As to Prophet Muhammad manipulating the divorce to satisty his own whims, I think Paul Grieve (2006) writes it best when he writes:

There are also responses to be made to the accusation that Muhammad manipulated the divorce to satisfy his own sexual whim. ….. whom he (Muhammad) knew well (Zaniab), and he could have married her at a much earlier time had he been so inclined. Secondly, at the time of the marriage, after the Farewell Pilgrimage, Muhammad was in poor health and close to death.” [3]

Moreover Prophet Muhammad did not want to marry Zaniab as this hadith tells us:

Narrated Anas: Zaid bin Haritha came to the Prophet complaining about his wife. The Prophet kept on saying (to him), "Be afraid of Allah and keep your wife." Aisha said, "If Allah's Apostle were to conceal anything (of the Quran) he would have concealed this Verse." Zainab used to boast before the wives of the Prophet and used to say, "You were given in marriage by your families, while I was married (to the Prophet) by Allah from over seven Heavens." And Thabit recited, "The Verse:-- ?But (O Muhammad) you did hide in your heart that which Allah was about to make manifest, you did fear the people,' (33.37) was revealed in connection with Zainab and Zaid bin Haritha." (Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 516)

So the marriage between Prophet Muhammad and Zaniab was divinely ordained in the Quran and is in no way did Prophet Muhammad steal someone’s wife. Zaniab being a divorcee was to be married to Prophet Muhammad whether he liked it or not because of commandment of Allah by the Quran. Zaniab divorced Zaid because the marriage was not working out, and Prophet Muhammad offered to marry her. This was backed by a divine commandment by Allah (God) in the Quran. So all what happened is that Prophet Muhammad married a divorcee. That’s it.

References

[1] The History of Al-Tabari: The Victory of Islam, translated by Michael Fishbein [State University of New York Press, Albany, 1997], Volume VIII, pp. 2-3

[2] (Source: The Life of Muhammad, by Abdul Hameed Siddique, Islamic Publications LTD, p. 214, bold and underlined emphasis ours)

[3] Grieve, Paul: Islam: History, Faith and Politics: The Complete Introduction. Carroll and Gulf Publishers, New York, 2006 pgs.77-78

False Story #6.5 The alleged suicide attempts of the Prophet Muhammad

The story in which Prophet Muhammad allegedly tried to commit suicide is found in Ibn Ishaq page 106, Ibn Sad Volume 1, page 225, Al-Tabari Volume VI (6), page 76 and in (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 87, Number 111).

However this story is false. First of all Ibn Ishaq is not reliable becasue there is no isnad (Chain of transmission) for that story in his Biography.

The second narration from Ibn Sad contains the infamous Al Waqidi in the chain of narrators, who has been condemned.

Al-Waqidi was a known liar according to many Islamic scholars quoted below:

al-Nasa’i said about Al-Waqidi (d. 303 A.H.):

The liars known for fabricating the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah are four. They are: Arba’ah b. Abi Yahya in Madinah, al-Waqidi in Baghdad, Muqatil b. Sulayman in Khurasan and Muhammad bin Sa’id in Syria. (Ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani, Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol.9 p.366 No.604)

Yahya ibn Ma’in (d. 233 A.H.):

He is weak. He is nothing. Not reliable (See Ibn Abi Hatim, vol.4 pt.1. p.2)

Ibn Abi Hatim al-Razi (d. 277 A.H.):

He fabricates Hadith. We have abandoned his Hadith.
(Ibn Abi Hatim, p.21)

Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 A.H.):

He is a liar, makes alternations in the traditions.
(al-Dhahbi, Mizan, vol.3 p.110)

So this story is false because it contains Al-Waqidi.

The second narration is from Al Tabari's book, Al Tarikh Volume 6 page 76. The first chain of transmission is Ibn Humayd - Salamah - Muhammad ibn Ishaq - Wahb ibn Keesan - Abdullah ibn Zubayr - Ubayd ibn 'Umary ibn Qatadah Al Laythi. The second chain of transmission is Ahmad b. 'Uthman, known as Abu al-Jawza - Wahb b. Jarir - his father - al-Nu'man b. Rashid - al-Zuhri - 'Urwah - 'A'ishah.

The first chain contains two weak narrators.

First one is Ibn Fadl Al Abrash and Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani said regarding him "Trustworthy, but makes many mistakes".

Second one is Ibn Humayd Al Raazi and the majority of scholars have declared him a liar.

The second chain contains al-Nu'man b. Rashid. This narrator is weak according to Al Nasai, Ibn Ma'een and Ibn 'Udai(see Tahdheeb Al Tahdheeb, Volume 10, page 425). In Tahdheeb al-Kamal, al-Mizzi states:

Imam Ahmad says: His Hadeeth are Mudtarib and he narrates Munkar hadeeths.

Yahya bin Sa'eed: he is very weak.

Bukhari: he has alot of wahm in his hadeeth.

Abu dawud: he is weak.

al-Nasai: he is weak and makes alot of mistakes.

The third narration is found in Saheeh Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 87, Hadith Number 111. This narration is doubtful for a number of reasons.

First, there are several other sound narrations that speak about the revelation being sent to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and none of them speak about his suicide attempts.

Secondly, notice what the narration says...

Saheeh Bukhari

Volume 009, Book 087, Hadith Number 111.

Waraqa said, "This is the same Namus (i.e., Gabriel, the Angel who keeps the secrets) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they turn me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said: "Never did a man come with something similar to what you have brought but was treated with hostility. If I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while and the Prophet (peace be upon him) became so sad as we have heard that he intended several times to throw himself from the tops of high mountains and every time he went up the top of a mountain in order to throw himself down, Gabriel would appear before him and say, "O Muhammad! You are indeed Allah's Apostle in truth" whereupon his heart would become quiet and he would calm down and would return home. And whenever the period of the coming of the inspiration used to become long, he would do as before, but when he used to reach the top of a mountain, Gabriel would appear before him and say to him what he had said before. (Ibn 'Abbas said regarding the meaning of: 'He it is that Cleaves the daybreak (from the darkness)' (6.96) that Al-Asbah. means the light of the sun during the day and the light of the moon at night).

The full Hadith of which above quoted is only a small part is indeed authentic. The Hadith has its unbroken chain of trustworthy narrators. But the words about suicide are not narrated through the chain rather they are added by Zuhri who is one of the narrators.

We clearly see the words;

فِيمَا بَلَغَنَا

‘As we have heard’

And this testifies that the words to follow are not reported through the chain mentioned in the beginning and thus for us they are nothing more than mere ‘hearsay’.

Hafiz Ibn Hajr writes;

إِنَّ الْقَائِل فِيمَا بَلَغَنَا هُوَ الزُّهْرِيّ ، وَمَعْنَى الْكَلَام أَنَّ فِي جُمْلَة مَا وَصَلَ إِلَيْنَا مِنْ خَبَر رَسُول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي هَذِهِ الْقِصَّة وَهُوَ مِنْ بَلَاغَات الزُّهْرِيّ وَلَيْسَ مَوْصُولًا

“The one who says ‘as we have heard’ (fi ma balaghana) is Al-Zahri. And this means the sentence that has reached us [as if] from the reports about the Prophet, on whom be the peace and blessings of Allah, in this narration is from amongst the un-attributive reports of Zuhri and is not fully linked.” (Fath Al-Bari Volume 19 page 449, Kitabul Ta’beer)

The words are doubtful:

The narration which is not fully linked and especially the un-attributive chains of Al-Zuhri have been considered untrustworthy by the Master of Hadith Sciences (Muhaddithin).

Knowing fully that being ignorant of the subtleties of the Islamic science of narration the non-Muslim readers will find it difficult to agree with the opinions of the Muslim scholars doubting such narration, I quote an orientalist.

Alfred Guilluame, the well known English Arabist writes;

“A word that very frequently precedes a statement is za’ama or za’amu, ‘he (they) alleged’. It carries with it more than a hint that the statement may not be true, though on the other hand it may be sound… Another indication of reserve if not skepticism underlies the expression fi ma dhukira li, as in the story of the jinn who listened to Muhammad as he prayed…An expression of similar import is fi ma balaghani.” (The Life of Muhammad: A translation of Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah with introduction and notes by A. Guilluame Oxford University Press, Karachi, Seventeenth impression, 2004, p. xix)

Thus we find that even a Christian is agreeing that words transmitted using the expression ‘fi ma balaghana’ are doubtful.

This is even supported by the fact that the same report is found in elsewhere in Sahih Bukhari itself (Hadith 3) Sahih Muslim (Hadith 231), Mustadrik Al-Hakim (Hadith 4830), Baihaqi’s Dala’il Al-Nubuwwah (Hadith 445), Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 24681) and also as Ibn Hajr says in the works of Abu Nai’m, Isma’ili and Ibn Mardwiya and not one of them contains the words about alleged suicide attempts.

The reality that the words have reached us in an un-attributive way from a person who never met the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the fact that so many other narrations, most of them through the same person -Al-Zuhri, do not make any mention of this leave us to safely conclude that there is no authentic report about the alleged suicide attempts. Therefore we find the attempts of the missionaries frustrated once again and all praise be to Allah!

Summary:

1- The narration from Sahih Bukhari from which the issue comes is actually authentic like other Ahadith from this mostly widely acclaimed collection but the words about the alleged suicide attempts are not of the same level but are rather doubtful.

2- Not only does a great classical Muslim scholar but even a Western orientalist testifies that the words reported using the expression ‘fi ma balaghani’ are indeed doubtful. So Christians cannot actually speculate and question Muslim way of employing their methodology.

3- The same incident is reported in many other works and not one of them mentions these doubtful words, thus leaving us to conclude that the words are indeed not reliable.

Conclusion:

The idea of Prophet’s (PBUH) alleged suicide attempts is not based on any reliable report.

Thirdly, in an authentic hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked when he felt depressed the most...

Saheeh Bukhari

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 454:

Narrated 'Aisha:

That she asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), 'Have you encountered a day harder than the day of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, "Your tribes have troubled me a lot, and the worse trouble was the trouble on the day of 'Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn 'Abd-Yalail bin 'Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha-alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me unexpectedly. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it. He called me saying, 'Allah has heard your people's saying to you, and what they have replied back to you, Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.' The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said, "O Muhammad! Order what you wish. If you like, I will let Al-Akh-Shabain (i.e. two mountains) fall on them." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "No but I hope that Allah will let them beget children who will worship Allah Alone, and will worship None besides Him."

Here we see that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that the worst trouble or depression that he had ever undergone was during the time he went to the city of Taif and was rejected by the people. Yet, nowhere do we see that he tried to commit suicide after this incident. Therefore, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) to have attempted to commit suicide in the previous incident would have to mean that he was more depressed than he was after his trip to Taif. However, we see that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that he was most depressed at this incident. This causes us to doubt the Bukhari narration even more.

Fourthly, the part of the narration given regarding the Prophet peace be upon him going on top of the mountains is reported by Imam Zuhri (d. 52-124 A.H.) who relates it from unknown sources on the authority of Aisha. There is a gap in the chain of transmission between Aisha and Imam Zuhri, thus we don't know if the missing link in the chain is a reliable narrator or not.

Shaykh GF Haddad said:

This conclusion [that Bukhari is 100% authentic] excludes the chainless, broken-chained reports, or unattributed reports sometimes adduced by al-Bukhari in his chapter-titles or appended to certain narrations.An example of the latter is the so-called "suicide hadith" - one of al-Zuhri's unattributive narrations (balaghat) which is actually broken-chained and therefore weak. It does not meet the criteria of hadith authenticity used by the lesser and greater hadith Masters, much less that of al-Bukhari who mentioned it only to show its discrepancy with two other chains whose versions omit the attempted suicide story, and Allah knows best.
The above conclusion is proof that the position that everything that is found in the two Sahihs is rigorously sound refers only to full-chained reports positively attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.

So this suicide story found in Ibn Ishaq, Al-Tabari, Ibn Sad and Al-Bukhari is false.

False Story #7 The Talking Donkey Yafoor

According to many Islamic scholars over the years, the story of Prophet Muhammad having a donkey and speaking to it is a false story. The story first appeared in The book "The Beginning and the End" written by Ibn Kathir, Chapter Six, Entry title: "The Conversation of the Donkey". The story goes like this:

"When Allah opened Khaybar to his prophet Muhammad – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – he (Muhammad) received as his share of the spoils four sheep, four goats, ten pots of gold and silver and a black, haggard donkey.

The prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – ADDRESSED the donkey asking, ‘What is your name?’ THE DONKEY ANSWERED, ‘Yazid Ibn Shihab. Allah had brought forth from my ancestry 60 donkeys, none of whom were ridden on except by prophets. None of the descendants of my grandfather remain but me, and none of the prophets remain but you and I expected you to ride me. Before you, I belonged to a Jewish man, whom I caused to stumble and fall frequently so he used to kick my stomach and beat my back.’

The prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – said to him, ‘I will call you Ya’foor, Oh Ya’foor.’ Then Ya’foor REPLIED, ‘I obey.’ The prophet then asked, ‘Do you desire females?’ The donkey replied, ‘NO!’

So the prophet used to ride the donkey to complete his business and if the prophet dismounted from him he would send the donkey to the house of the person he wanted to visit and Ya’foor would knock at the door with his head. When the owner of the house would answer the door, the donkey would signal to that person to go see the prophet.

When the prophet died, the donkey went to a well belonging to Abu Al-Haytham Ibn Al-Tahyan and threw himself in the well out of sadness for the prophet’s death, making it his grave."

In regards to the story of the speaking donkey, please refer to the following sources that speak of its fabrication:

- Ibn Hibban states that there is no foundation for this narration in Al Majrooheen, Volume 2, page 328

- Al Dhahabi states that this narration is fabricated in Mizan al-Itidal¸ Volume 4, page 34

- Sheikh Albany states that this narration is fabricated in Silsilatil Ahaadeeth Al Da'eefa, Hadith no. 5405

- Ibn Al Jawzi asked Allah to curse the individual who fabricated this narration. See Mizan al-Itidal and Lisaan Al Mizan

False Story #8: The Deer Story

False Story #9: The Prophet Said the Torah was from God.

This isn't much of story, rather its a hadith. Bascially the hadith in Abu Dawud Book 38, Number 4434 shows that Muhammad respected the Torah and thus acknowledged its sanctity. This shows that Muhammad believed that the Torah at his time was not textually corrupted.

Narrated Abdullah Ibn Umar: A group of Jews came and invited the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) to Quff. So he visited them in their school.

They said: AbulQasim, one of our men has committed fornication with a woman; so pronounce judgment upon them. They said: AbulQasim, one of our men has committed fornication with a woman; so pronounce judgment upon them. They placed a cushion for the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) who sat on it and said: Bring the Torah. It was then brought. He then withdrew the cushion from beneath him and placed the Torah on it saying: I believed in thee and in Him Who revealed thee.He then said: Bring me one who is learned among you. Then a young man was brought. The transmitter then mentioned the rest of the tradition of stoning similar to the one transmitted by Malik from Nafi'(No. 4431). (Dawud Book 38, Number 4434)

This report is considered weak because one of its reporters is Hisham ibn Sa'd whose narratives are disturbed and corrupted according to many hadith critics like Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Ma'een, Abu Hatem, al-Nisa'ee, Ibn Sa'd, Ibn 'Adii, al-Madini, al-Hakim, al-'Aqili, Ibn Habban and others.

This is the reason why Ibn Hazm notes:

As for the report in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) took the Torah and said: "I believe in thee", it is a fabricated false report that did not reach us with proper chain of transmission (Ibn Hazm, Al-Fisal fe al-Milal wa al-Ahwaa wa al-Nihal, Volume 1, p. 237)

It is also worthy to note that this particular hadith has been reported through multiple chains of transmission; however, no one has ever mentioned the incident of the Prophet (saws) praising the Torah except in the report of Hisham ibn Sa'd from Zaid ibn Aslam.

False Story #10 Prophet Muhammad killed 900 Jews from the Tribe of Qurayza

False Story # 11 Prophet Muhammad ordering the killing of any Jew and the death of Ibn Sunaya

False Story #12 Other false killing stories/Assassination stories in Ibn Ishaq's sira (biography)

False Story #13 Prophet Muhammad made a scientifical error when he said that Adam was 90 feet tall

Prophet Muhammad and his physical experiences of the Prophet (PBUH) at the time of revelation

This has already been discussed here: http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2010/10/tough-physical-consditions-revelation.html

Prophet Muhammad made up Islam for Wealth and Money.

False Story #14 Prophet Muhammad said that when a boy grows up he'll see judgement day

False Story #15 Prophet Muhammad said a man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife

The Hadith in question is this:

Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab: The Prophet (pbuh) said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife.(Sunan Abu Dawud Hadith 2147)

Firstly, Isnad(chain of the narrators) has been criticized by various scholars because Abdul Rahman al Muslee is weak in the chain & no one said he is trustworthy.

Let's have a glimpse of views of scholars regarding this hadith:

i) Ibne Hajar Asqalani weakened him in Tahdheeb at Tahdheeb 6/304 ii) Imam Ibn al Qattan said this is not authentic in "Byan al Waham al abhaam (5/524) iii) Imam adh Dahabee said :In it Abdul Rahman muslee is not known" Meezan al Aitedaal (2/602) iv) Shaykh Ahmad shakir said in tehqeeq of Musnad Ahmad 1/77 Chian is weak v) Shaykh Shoaib al Aranoot weakened this hadith in his tahqeeq of Musnad Ahmad vi) Shaykh Al Bani Weakened in "Irwa al Ghulail 7/98 vii) Albani, viii) Ahmad Shakir, ix) Shuaib Arnaut in their respective Musnad and x)Ibn Kathir in Musnad al-Faruqi 1/182

this hadith is weak due to a weak narrator by the name of Daawood ibn Abdullah al Awdi. See Sheikh Albani's detailed discussion in Erwaa Al Ghaleel, Hadeeth no. 2034.

Besides Albani, Ahmad Shakir and Shu’aib ‘Arna’ut also graded it Da’if in their respective classification of Musnad Ahmad. Ibn Kathir also criticized its chain in Musnad Al-Farooq Volume 1 page 182.

False Story #16 Prophet Muhammad said that only the man can allow for divorce/ Prophet forced divorces

The hadith in question is this:

It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said: "A man came to the Prophet and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, my master married me to his slave woman, and now he wants to separate me and her.' The Messenger of Allah ascended the pulpit and said: 'O people, what is the matter with one of you who marries his slave to his slave woman, then wants to separate them? Divorce belongs to the one who takes hold of the calf (i.e., her husband).'" (Da'if)

( From English Translation of Sunan Ibn Majah - Compiled by Imam Muhammad Bin Yazeed Ibn Majah Al-Qazwini, From Hadith No. 1783 to 2718, Ahadith edited and referenced by Hafiz Abu Tahir Zubair 'Ali Za'i, translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab (Canada), final review by Abu Khaliyl (USA), [Darussalam Publications and Distributors, First Edition: June 2007], Volume 3, The Chapters on Divorce, pp. 193-194)

Sheikh Albani in his Erwaa Al Ghaleel, hadith no. 2041 shows that all narrations regarding this hadith contain weaknesses in them.

False Story #17 Prophet Muhammad and snakes

The Hadith in Question is this:

Narrated AbdurRahman Ibn AbuLayla: The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) was asked about the house-snakes. He said: When you see one of them in your dwelling, say: I adjure you by the covenant which Noah made with you, and I adjure you by the covenant which Solomon made with you not to harm us. Then if they come back, kill them. (Abu Dawud Book 41, Number 5240)

This hadeeth is weak (see Shaykh Al Albani's Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith no. 5260)

False Story #18 Prophet Muhammad and the Heavens

The Hadith in Question is this:

Narrated Al-Abbas ibn AbdulMuttalib:

I was sitting in al-Batha with a company among whom the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) was sitting, when a cloud passed above them.

The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) looked at it and said: What do you call this? They said: Sahab.

He said: And muzn? They said: And muzn. He said: And anan? They said: And anan. AbuDawud said: I am not quite confident about the word anan. He asked: Do you know the distance between Heaven and Earth? They replied: We do not know. He then said: The distance between them is seventy-one, seventy-two, or seventy-three years. The heaven which is above it is at a similar distance (going on till he counted seven heavens). Above the seventh heaven there is a sea, the distance between whose surface and bottom is like that between one heaven and the next. Above that there ARE EIGHT MOUNTAIN GOATS the distance between whose hoofs and haunches is like the distance between one heaven and the next. Then Allah, the Blessed and the Exalted, is above that. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 40, Number 4705)

Sheikh Albani declared this hadeeth to be weak in Sunan Abu Dawud, hadith no. 4723. So we can throw this hadith out the window.

False Story #19 An Old Woman being split in two after a battle

False Story #20 Prophet Muhammad chaning the Qibla

False Story #21 Prophet Muhammad killed Safiyyah’s Father, Brother and Husband

Ibn ?Umar [al-Waqidi] - Kathir b. Zayd - al-Walid b. Rabah - Abu Hurayrah: While the Prophet was lying with Safiyyah Abu Ayyub stayed the night at his door. When he saw the Prophet in the morning he said "God is the Greatest." He had a sword with him; he said to the Prophet, "O Messenger of God, this young woman had just been married, and you killed her father, her brother and her husband, so I did not trust her (not to harm) you." The Prophet laughed and said "Good". (The History of al-Tabari, Volume XXXIX (39), p. 185; bold and underline emphasis ours)

This narration contains the infamous Al Waqidi, who has been condemned.

Interestingly, the authors didn't refer to the more popular name of the narrator. They mention the name "Muhammad Ibn ?Umar" but didn't indicate to the reader that this man is more popularly known as al-Waqidi. What is the Muslim verdict about this man?

Abd Allah Ibn Ali al Madini and his father said: "Al-Waqidi has 20,000 Hadith I never heard of." And then he said: "His narration shouldn't be used" and considered it weak.

Yahya Ibn Muaen said: "Al-Waqidi said 20,000 false hadith about the prophet."

Al-Shafi'i said, "Al-Waqidi is a liar."

Ibn Hanbal said, "Al-Waqidi is a liar."

Al-Bukhari said he didn't write a single letter by Al-Waqidi. (Siar Aalam al nublaa - althagbi - biography of Al-Waqidi)

The following Muslim author writes:

As a report of history, this narration suffers from two fatally serious defects. The first is the UNIVERSALLY RECOGNISED UNTRUSTWORTHINESS OF AL-WAQIDI. Details of his unreliability as a narrator would probably fill several pages, but all of it may be suitably condensed into a statement by Imam ash-Shafi'ee, who was his contemporary, and who knew him personally. Ash-Shafi'ee has the following to say: "In Madeenah there were seven people who used to forge chains of narration. One of them was al-Waqidi."3 (Sources: http://www.allaahuakbar.net/shiites/vicious_unscrupulous_propaganda_of_shiia-2.htm and http://www.ansar.org/english/hasan.htm; bold emphasis ours)

Others say:

Al-Waqidi (130/747-207/822-23), who wrote over twenty works of an historical nature, but only the Kitab al-Maghazi has survived as an independent work. His reputation is marred by the fact that he relied upon story tellers; viz., those who embellished the stories of others. Al-Waqidi did such embellish, such as by adding dates and other details onto the account of Ibn Ishaq (at pages 25-29) (http://jeromekahn123.tripod.com/enlightenment/id3.html)

Even the English translator of Ibn Sa'd's work had this to say about al-Waqidi:

... The chain of the narrators is not reliable because the person who narrated to Ibn Sa'd was Waqidi WHO IS NOTORIOUS AS A NARRATOR OF FABRICATED hadithes. The next one Ya'qub is unknown and 'Abd Allah Ibn 'Abd al-Rahman is not a Companion. Consequently this narration is not trustworthy. (Ibn Sa'd's Kitab Al-Tabaqat Al-Kabir, Volume I, English translation by S. Moinul Haq, M.A., PH.D assisted by H.K. Ghazanfar M.A. [Kitab Bhavan Exporters & Importers, 1784 Kalan Mahal, Daryaganj, New Delhi, 110 002 India], p. 152, fn. 2; capital emphasis ours)

And the list goes on of those who called him a liar.

So as we can see, this narration/story is unreliable and false. Islamophobes should stop using it.

False Story #22 Prophet Muhammad killed Mulaykah’s father

According to al-Waqidi: In this year the Messenger of God married Mulaykah bt. Dawud al-Laythiyyah. One of the Prophet's wives came to Mulaykah and said to her, "Are you not ashamed to marry a man who killed your father?" She therefore "took refuge [in God]" from him. She was beautiful and young. The Messenger of God separated from her. He had killed her father the day of the conquest of Mecca. (The History of al-Tabari: The Victory of Islam, Translated by Michael Fishbein, Volume VIII (8), p. 187; underline emphasis ours)

It contains the infamous Al Waqidi, who has been condemned.

al-Nasa’i (d. 303 A.H.):

The liars known for fabricating the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah are four. They are: Arba’ah b. Abi Yahya in Madinah, al-Waqidi in Baghdad, Muqatil b. Sulayman in Khurasan and Muhammad bin Sa’id in Syria. (Ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani, Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol.9 p.366 No.604)

Ishaq ibn Rahwiyah (d. 238 A.H.):

According to my view, he is one of those who fabricate Hadith.
(Ibn Abi Hatim, p.21)

Ibn Abi Hatim al-Razi (d. 277 A.H.):

He fabricates Hadith. We have abandoned his Hadith.
(Ibn Abi Hatim, p.21)

So as we can see, this narration is unreliable.

False Story #23 Prophet Muhammad had more than 9-12ves/ had about 15 or 22 or 30 wives/conubines/women-- the Prophet had concubines, The Prophet called a "Womanizer" etc.

It is agreed according to authentic sources that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) only had nine to 11 wives. All these other wives/conbuines/ women come from The History Al-Tabari Volumes 7, 8, 9, 39 which are all inauthentic sources of information in regards to the Prophet (peace be upon him). Al-Tabari is not a reliable source of information when it comes to learning about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Most of these “extra” 15 wives and concubines which the Prophet (pbuh) allegedly had comes from The History of al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-241. There are even wives the Prophet had then divorced allegedly (Al-Tabari Volume 39 Pages 166 to 188)

None of these wives/concubines are mentioned in the canonical hadith. I have already shown that Al-Tabari warns people that his book is filled with weak and accurate information about the Prophet (See The History of Al-Tabari Volume 1 page 13) . Other Islamic scholars have refuted Al-Tabari’s reliability. Ibn Kathir said:

Ibn Kathir said:

In these volumes, he [Tabari] reported the various narrations as they were transmitted and by whom. His discussion is a mixed bag of valuable and worthless, sound and unsound information. This is in keeping with the custom of many Hadith scholars who merely report the information they have on a subject and make no distinction between what is sound and what is weak. (Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol.5, p.208)

As Bassam Zawadi states about Al-Tabari:

First of all, early historians such as Imam Tabari would admit to his audience that the book that he has written is filled with weak narrations:

Let him who examines this book of mine know that I have relied, as regards everything I mention therein which I stipulate to be described by me, solely upon what has been transmitted to me by way of reports which I cite therein and traditions which I ascribe to their narrators, to the exclusion of what may be apprehended by rational argument or deduced by the human mind, except in very few cases. This is because knowledge of the reports of men of the past and of contemporaneous views of men of the present do not reach the one who has not witnessed them nor lived in their times except through the accounts of reporters and the transmission of transmitters, to the exclusion of rational deduction and mental inference. Hence, if I mention in this book a report about some men of the past, which the reader of listener finds objectionable or worthy of censure because he can see no aspect of truth nor any factual substance therein, let him know that this is not to be attributed to us but to those who transmitted it to us and we have merely passed this on as it has been passed on to us.

(Al Tabari Volume 1page. 13.)

Notice how Imam Tabari is saying that his task is only to collect all the narrations transmitted down to him and record it in his book. He is not attempting to distinguish the true narrations from the false ones. Rather, he is leaving it up to the qualified reader to do research and find out which narrations are true or not. That is why it is not advised for laymen or other critics of Islam to go ahead and read a book such as Tabari's Taarikh, for they have no knowledge of how to distinguish the true narrations from the false ones.

Secondly, it might have been the intention of some of the early Muslims to collect authentic stories, but were not successful in doing so because they didn't utilize the proper methodology of investigating their sources. Thus, they would unintentionally include these forgeries into their books.

According to authentic reports Prophet Muhammad's wives were the eleven (See Bukhari Volume 1, Book 5, Number 268). When the Prophet (peace be upon him) died he had nine wives (al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 6) and left no slave women behind (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 51, Number 2)0

Some might argue that the Prophet Muhammad had slave women or concubines from Zadul Ma'ad Volume 1, pages 29-40, and Volume 2, etc. However the problem with this source is it's a sira (Biography source) and not a hadith source. It's not as authentic as Bukhari or Muslim.

The Prophet DID not have concubines as this is from WEAK sources and not found in the authentic hadith books. Also see Al Azhar scholar Sheikh Abdul Majid Subh's writings. He also shows that there is no evidence from authentic sources that the Prophet Muhammad had concubines/ slave women, etc. ). Moreover the authentic hadith contradict that and say that the Prophet left no slave women behind (See Bukhari Volume 4, Book 51, Number 2)

THERE IS ABSOULTELY NO FULLY CONNECTED CHAINS OF TRANSMISSION FOR THESE STORIES IN ZAD AL MA'AD'S BOOKS OR AL-TABARIS BOOKS.

For Polygamy being allowed in the Bible, Judaism and Christianity and many men in Arabia having more than one wife lease see this. To see Polygamy allowed in the Hindu Scriptures see here.

For all the 9 to 11 wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) see Bukhari vol.1 Book 5 ch.25 no.282 pages.172-173. To see the reasons why Prophet Muhammad married the women he married see here. Also see here.

So we can see the Prophet Muhammad (p) had only 9-11 wives. And this comes from Shaih Bukhari, the most authentic source of information about the Prophet Muhammad (p). All these other 15-22 wives come from Al-Tabari which is not an authentic source of information.

These narrations from Al-Tabari and Zad Al Mad about the “extra/other” wives/or concubines (slave women) of the Prophet Muhammad are all weak--- Muslim scholars do not accept them.

They said it was from a book by Ibn Qayyim and taken from musnad Ahmed. It was'nt in any stronger collection. I have to check. from Zad al-Ma'ad" by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya Part 1, Pages 114-116. This source however is not authentic. It was'nt in any stronger collection. Thus is not a reliable source of hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet). Moreover the Prophet (peace be upon) having slaves and slave women contradicts Authentic hadith from Bukhari which says when the Prophet died he left behind nothing:

Narrated 'Amir bin Al-Harith: Allah's Apostle (Prophet Muhammad) did not leave a Dinar or a Dirham or a male or a female slave. He left only his white mule on which he used to ride, and his weapons, and a piece of land which he gave in charity for the needy travelers. (Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 738)

Narrated Amr bin Al-Harith: (The brother of the wife of Allah's Apostle. Juwaira bint Al-Harith) When Allah's Apostle died, he did not leave any Dirham or Dinar (i.e. money), a slave or a slave woman or anything else except his white mule, his arms and a piece of land which he had given in charity . (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 51, Number 2)

And remember Bukhari is the most authentic source about the Prophet Muhammad (p):

To help illustrate this fact we quote from the Muslim translator of Al-Bukhari's hadith collection:

It has been UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that Imam Bukhari's work is the most authentic of all the other works in Hadith literature PUT TOGETHER. The authenticity of Al-Bukhari's work is such that the religious learned scholars of Islam said concerning him: "The most authentic book after the Book of Allah (i.e., Al-Qur'an) is Sahih Al-Bukhari."

Before he recorded each Hadith he would make ablution and offer two Rak'at prayer and supplicate his Lord (Allah). Many religious scholars of Islam tried to find fault in the great remarkable collection- Sahih Al-Bukhari, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS. It is for this reason, they UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that the most authentic book after the Book of Allah IS Sahih Al-Bukhari.

(Translation of the Meanings of Summarized Sahih Al-Bukhari, Arabic-English, translated by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali, Islamic University, Al-Madina Al-Munawwara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; compilation: Al-Imam Zain-ud-Din Ahmad bin Abdul-Lateef Az-Zubaidi [Maktaba Dar-us-Salam Publishers & Distributors, Riyadh-Saudi Arabia, 1994], pp. 18-19; bold and capital emphasis ours)

These many other wives and concubines of the Prophet Muhammad are mentioned in al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-241, al-Tabari vol.9 p.136 and al-Tabari vol.39 pages 160-185, 188 and 190 p.197. According to Al-Tabari Prophet Muhammad married 15 women and consummated his marriages with 13. (al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-127). The Concubines of the Prophet Muhammad (p) come from Zaa’d Al Maad Volume 1, pages 29-30

However none of these stories are true, because it comes from Al-Tabari and Al-Tabari is a weak source, Muslim scholars don’t accept him to be reliable. Zaad Al Maad is also not considered to be reliable.

OF COURSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LIE AFTER THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P). THEY LIED ABOUT HIM DURING HIS TIME, OF COURSE THEY ARE GOING TO LIE AFTER HIM. Unfortuantely AL-Tabari, Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Kathir, Zaad Al Maad recorded all these false stories about the Prophet Muhammad (p). However Bukhari used a system called the isnad system of filter out a lot of these false stories.

SO HOW MANY WIVES DID THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD HAVE? NINE.

Bukhari vol.1 Book 5 ch.25 no.282 p.172-173 said that [at one time] Prophet Muhammad had nine wives.This is agreed by most Muslim scholars.

The Prophet Muhammad and Lalya, the Prophet Muhammad called a “Womanizer” :

Layla clapped Mohammed’s shoulder from behind and asked him to marry her. Mohammed accepted. Layla’s people said, "’What a bad thing you have done! You are a self-respecting woman, but the Prophet is a womanizer. Seek an annulment from him.’ She went back to the Prophet and asked him to revoke the marriage and he complied with [her request]." al-Tabari vol.9 p.139

However this story is false because it is in Al-Tabari with no chain of transmission. Overall Al-Tabari admitted that his books are filled with weak stories about the Prophet Muhammad. So there is no reason to believe this story.

The Captive story found in Al-Tabari is in al-Tabari vol.8 p.151. However this story is false because of it’s lack of isnad (chain of transmission)

PROPHET MUHAMMAD REFUSED TO GET MARRIED TO SOME WOMEN

IN Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3453 p.748 AND . Ibn-i-Majahvol.3 no.2000-2001 p.304-305

An unnamed woman said she gave herself to Mohammed as a wife. Mohammed did not accept her, but gave her to a poor Muslim. The only thing the poor Muslim could give as a dowry is his memorization of a sura of the Qur’an. Muwatta’ Malik 28.3.8

PROPHET MUHAMMAD REFUSED TO GET MARRIED TO SOME WOMEN

IN Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3453 p.748 AND . Ibn-i-Majahvol.3 no.2000-2001 p.304-305

Mohammed married Zainab bint Khuzaima, but she died before he did. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 #64 p.129

These narrations from Al-Tabari about the “extra/other” wives of the Prophet Muhammad are all weak--- Muslim scholars do not accept them. So it's safe to say

the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him had only wives. The other sources that say otherwise are not authentic according to Muslim scholars.

Ibn Hajar's, the famous Hadeeth scholar (May Allah Almighty always be pleased with him...Ameen!) commentary on hadiths in Bukhari which say the Prophet Muhammad (S) had nine wives.

According to Muslim scholars, it is said that the Prophet Muhammad (p) had maximum 12 wives see this: http://islamic-replies.ucoz.com/Muhammad/Why_the_Prophet_Muhammad_Married_More_Than_One.pdf

When the Prophet died he left behind nine wives according to Bukhari:

Narrated Qatada: Anas went to the Prophet with barley bread having some dissolved fat on it. The Prophet had mortgaged his armor to a Jew in Medina and took from him some barley for his family. Anas heard him saying, "The household of Muhammad did not possess even a single Sa of wheat or food grains for the evening meal, although he has nine wives to look after." (See Hadith No. 685) (Bukhari, Book #34, Hadith #283)

To see why the Prophet married more than once see here:

http://www.muslimdebate.org/polemics/68-samiz

http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2008/06/why-prophet-muhammad-married-more-times.html

It is said in other history books that three of his wives died before him.

False Story #24 Prophet Muhammad ordered the assassinations/killings

of People according to Ibn Ishaq and Al-Tabari

Critics of Islam call Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a murderer referring to various stories in Ibn Ishaq and Al-Tabari.

These “assassination” “murder” stories are found in Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah (The Life of Muhammad), Translated by Alfred Guillaume, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1980), pages 164, 306, 308, p. 366, p. 368-369, 372-373, 461, 464, 674-675 p. 551 Al-Tabari, The History of Al-Tabari: Volume 8, Michael Fishbein, tr. (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1997) page 179-181 (Al-Tabari Volume 8, page 179-181).

All these assassination/ “Murdered by Muhammad” stories are false. None of them have a reliable chain of transmission to them.

It is interesting to note that many of these so called "assassinations" reported in Ibn Ishaq's or Tabari's works all have something in common, and that is that because the person who was assassinated insulted the Holy Prophet (S), were assassinated. However, the scholars have looked at reports like this and have concluded:

All such reports, as ascribe the execution of others merely to their having harrased the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the past, have Ibn Ishaq as the last narrator at the top; and in the terminology of the traditionalists such reports are called Mursal and are not to be relied on."

(Source: Sirat-Un-Nabi, by Allama Shibli Nu'Mani, rendered into English by M. Tayyib Bakhsh Budayuni, Kazi Publications Lahore, Vol. II, p. 199-203, bold and underlined emphasis ours)

Ibn Ishaq has been condemned by our great Islamic Scholars for being careless in compiling his information:

Shaykh ibn Taymiyyah said:

Allah has provided evidence (i.e. Isnad) establishing the authenticity or lack thereof of the narrations that are necessary in matters of the religion. It is well known that most of what was reported in aspects of Tafsir (commentaries on the Qur'an) is similar to narrations reporting Maghazi (or Seerah) and battles, promoting Imam Ahmad to state that three matters do not have Isnad: Tafsir, Mala'him (i.e. great battles), and Maghazi. This is because most of their narrations are of the Maraseel (plural for Mursal) type, such as narrations reported by Urwah Ibn az-Zubair, ash-Sha'bi, az-Zuhri, Musa Ibn Uqbah and Ibn Ishaq." (Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu' Al Fataawa, Volume, 13, page 345)

So none of these assassination or "murder" stories found in Ibn Ishaq and Al-Tabari are reliable. The killing of Kab ibn Al Ashraf has already been responded to over here

False Story #25 Prophet Muhammad ordered the Killing of 600-900 Banu Qurazah men and the enslavement of their women and children.

This is false. This has already been answered here and here.

False Story #26 Prophet Muhammad hit/beat Aisha on the Chest

This has already been answered and refuted here:
http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2011/03/muhammad-beat-aisha.html

False Story #27 Prophet Muhammad said the Devil is a Black Man

According to Ibn Ishaq pages 165 - 167 The Prophet (peace be upon him) allegedly said that a Black Man is the Devil. However I don’t know how many times I have to say this, Ibn Ishaq is not reliable. See here. Thus this story is unreliable and false since there is no reliable chain of transmission for it. Again Ibn Ishaq has been condemned by great Islamic scholars for being careless in collecting his information, see Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu' Al Fataawa, Volume, 13, page 345. There is no isnad (chain of narrators) for this saying, so there is no proof for it.

False Story #28 Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the world’s different ethicinities is descended from Shem, Ham and Japheth.

According to Ibn Bashshar- Ibn `Athmah- Sa'id b. Bashir- Qatadah- al-Hasan- Samurah b. Jundub- the Prophet, in connection with commenting on God's word: `And We made his offspring the survivors': Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (History of al-Tabari Volume 1 [State University of New York Press; Albany, NY 1989], pp. 369)

The chain of narration is weak. See Sheikh Albany's Jaami' Al Tirmidhi commentary on hadith no. 3230 & 3931. Also see Sheikh Al Albany's Salseelatil Ahaadeeth Al Da'eefa, Hadith no. 3683 for his detailed critique of the narration.

False Story #29 The story of Prophet Muhammad, Hafsa and Maria

This story is found in Tafsir Al-Tabari Volume 28 page 90. The story is also found in Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Commentary on Surah 66:1-2. This story alleges that Prophet Muhammad had sexual intercourse with Maria and that Hafsa walked in on them and the rest of the story is too obscene to post here.
The story is also found in the following:

At-Tabarani, al-Mu’jam al-Awsat, Chapter on those named Abraham, no. 2316. Sunan ad-Daraqutni, Chapter on Marriage, Section on Divorce, Separation etc., no. 122.

Al-Qurtubi, al-Jami’ li-Ahkam al-Qur`an, vol. 18, pgs. 178-179. Beirut: Dar Ihya at-Turath al-Arabi, 1405AH/1985AD.

However these are weak sources. Muslim scholars don't accept them. Not everything in the Tafsir Literature about the Prophet Muhammad is correct/True and not everything in these other Hadith collections (Outside of Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmihidhi, Ibn Majah, Sunni Muslims view the six major hadith collections as their most important. They are, in order of authenticity:^[4]

Sahih Bukhari, collected by Imam Bukhari (d. 256 A.H., 870 C.E.), includes 7275 ahadith
Sahih Muslim, collected by Muslim b. al-Hajjaj (d. 261 A.H., 875 C.E.), includes 9200 ahadith
Sunan al-Sughra, collected by al-Nasa'i (d. 303 A.H., 915 C.E.)
Sunan Abu Dawood, collected by Abu Dawood (d. 275 A.H., 888 C.E.)
Jami al-Tirmidhi, collected by al-Tirmidhi (d. 279 A.H, 892 C.E)
Sunan ibn Majah, collected by Ibn Majah (d. 273 A.H., 887 C.E.)

The first two, commonly referred to as the Two Sahihs as an indication of their authenticity, contain approximately seven thousand ahadith altogether if repetitions are not counted, according to Ibn Hajar.^[5]

. It comes from Tafsir Al-Tabari and Al-Jalalayn's tafsir which is not an authentic hadith collection. Islamic scholars have said that Tafsir’s are not reliable when it comes to learning about Prophet Muhammad’s life because there is no insad (Islamic term for chain of transmission, see Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu' Al Fataawa, Volume, 13, page 345).

At-Tabari's Tafsir is one of the major books of Tafsir. Yet, it also contains many false Hadith s and unreliable narrations thathe collected from various resources. So this story is false because there is no reliable chain of transmission for it.

Sheikh Jalal Abdulrub talks about the unreliability of Tafsir Al Tabari here:

“At-Tabari compiled another book on Tafsir, popularly known as, Tafsir at-Tabari,

dedicated to explaining the meaning contained in the Quran. At-Tabari's Tafsir is one of the major books of Tafsir. Yet, it also contains many false Hadith s and unreliable narrations that he collected from various resources. At-Tabari was a scholar, but neither he nor his book are divine. In Islam, the only resources that are free from errors are the Quran and the authentic Sunnah as reported through reliable, established chains of narration” (Jalal Abdul Rub “The Prophet of Mercy” page 11)

Online source:

http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/i/u/6103974/f/The_Prophet_of_Mercy_2.pdf

Misconception/ False Claim #30 Prophet Muhammad was not certain of his salvation

This is false. Prophet Muhammad in two hadith said that he is going to enter heaven:

وأنا سيد الناس يوم القيامة ولا فخر وأنا أول من يدخل الجنة يوم القيامة ولا فخر

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: And I am the master of the people on the Day of Judgment and I say this with no pride and I am the first one who would enter paradise on the Day of Judgment and I say this with no pride. (Musnad Ahmed Hadith #12013)

Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. and would seek its opening. and the keeper would say: Who art thou? I would say: Muhammad. He would then say: It is for thee that I have been ordered, and not to open it for anyone before thee. (Muslim Book 001, Number 0384)

For detailed discussion on this topic watch this debate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFAEQ7FLElM

Misconception/ False Claim #31 Maria the Copt was Prophet Muhamamd’s maid/Concubine

That is false. Although it is true that Ibn Ishaq and Al-Tabari say this, again Ibn Ishaq and Al-Tabari are notreliable sources of information when it comes to learning about ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him).

Ibn Kathir is quoted to have said:

Maria al-Qibtiyya (may Allah be pleased with her) is said to have married the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and certainly everyone gave her the same title of respect as the Prophet's wives, 'Umm al Muminin' 'Mother of the Believers'.

According to Ibn Kathir in his Al-Sira al-Nabawiyya Volume 4, page 415, Maria the Copt was married by the Prophet Muhammad (p). Also see Ibn Kathir, Al-Sira al Nabawiyya, Volume 4, Page 598-599.

The muqawqis, or King of the Copts, gave the Prophet (S) two wives as a gift. The Prophet (S) married one, who became the mother of the Prophet's son Ibrahim, and he gave the other one to Hassan as a wife. (Haythami said in Majma al-zawaid, "Tabarani in al-Aswat and al-Bazzar related it, and the narrators in al-Bazzar's chain are all scholar's of sound hadith as stated by Hisham Kabbani in Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine: Remembrance of Allah and Praising the Prophet, p. 76 Vol. II)

"It is reported from 'Abdullah al-Zubairi who said: that after this the Noble Prophet married (tazawwaju) Mariah daughter of Sham'un. This is the same Mariyah who was sent by Maqauqis, the ruler of Alexandria to the Prophet as a gift" (Sahih al-Mustadarak Hakim Vol. iv, as quoted in Namus, p. 86).

It must be borne in mind that in Maulana Maududi's view the word azwaj (wives) according to the common usage in the Arabic language and in the Qur'anic terminology is only used for women who have been properly married (Tafhim-ul-Qur'an, Vol. iii, under verses 23: 5-7). In the above report a derivative of zwj (tazawwaju - he married) has been used. What other historical proof is needed to establish the point that Mary the Coptic was a wife of the Prophet in a proper sense?

The Qur'an also forbade the "wives" (azwaj) of the Prophet to marry again after this death (33:53) because they were considered to be the mothers of the believers (33:6). Mary the Coptic never married after the death of the Prophet.

The Prophet once remarked: " A person who has a slave-girl and trains her in the best manner and gives her the best education, then sets her free and marries her, he will have a double reward (in the next life) Mishkat-ul-Masabih Kitab-ul-Iman Ch.1; Bukhari 3:31; as quoted in Namus, p. 31). How could the Prophet himself go against his own preachings - supposing for a moment that Mary the Coptic was sent to him as a slave girl?

Moreover from Bukhari (THE MOST AUTHENTIC HADITH COLLECTION) Prophet Muhammad did not have male or female slaves when he died:

Narrated 'Amir bin Al-Harith: Allah's Apostle (Prophet Muhammad) did not leave a Dinar or a Dirham or a male or a female slave. He left only his white mule on which he used to ride, and his weapons, and a piece of land which he gave in charity for the needy travelers. (Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 738)

Narrated Amr bin Al-Harith: (The brother of the wife of Allah's Apostle. Juwaira bint Al-Harith) When Allah's Apostle died, he did not leave any Dirham or Dinar (i.e. money), a slave or a slave woman or anything else except his white mule, his arms and a piece of land which he had given in charity . (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 51, Number 2)

So Maria was the wife of the Prophet (p).

False Story/ Claim #32 Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that he believed in the Torah in the possession of the Jews at his time

False Story #33 Prophet Muhammad said he is married to Mary the Mother of Jesus in Heaven

Prophet Muhamamd said Jews turned into Rats.

This has already been answered here:
http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2011/06/muhammad-hadith-israelites-rats.html

Prophet Muhammad on Isreali Meat decaying and Eve betraying husbands:

This hadith has already been answered here:
http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2011/06/meat-israel-eve-betray-hadith.html

Allegation- Rahyana was the Concubine of the Prophet Muhammad (p)

This claim is found in Ibn Ishaq page 466. However there is no reliable chain of tranmission for this claim or story. According to other and stronger/better Islamic sources, Rahyana was the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) see Ibn Sa'd Volume 8 pages 92-93 and Ibn Hajar, Isabaha, Volume 4, page 309. Also according to Islamic historian Ibn Kathir, Rayhana was the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (See Ibn Kathir, Al-Sira al-Nabawiyya, Volume 4, page 415) So Rayhana was the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). According to Islamic sources Rahyana died before the Prophet Muhammad (see al-Halabi, Nur al-Din. Sirat-i-Halbiyyah. Uttar Pradesh: Idarah Qasmiyyah Deoband. vol 2, part 12, pg. 90.)

False Story/ Misconception #34 Aisha did not hit puberty when marrying Prophet Muhammad (p)

Only ignorant hate mongers of Islam/ Anti-Islamic critics of Islam keep bringing the issue of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)'s marriage to

Aisha. Their argument is that Aisha was 9 years old when she married Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) .

Most these ignorant White People who know nothing of Islam. The fact is that Aisha did in fact hit puberty when she was 9 years old as she said:

When the girl reaches nine years of age, she is a woman. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab: al-Nikah, Bab: Maa Jaa'a fee Ikraah Al Yateemah 'alaa al tazweej, Hadith no. 1027)

Shaikh Abdur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri in his commentary on Sunan al-Tirmidhi said:

أن عائشة قد كانت أدركت وهي بنت تسع سنين

Aisha knew (that she hit puberty) when she became nine years old. (Shaikh Abdur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri, Tuhfat AI-Ahwadhi, Kitab: al-Nikah, Bab: Maa Jaa'a fee Ikraah Al Yateemah 'alaa al tazweej, Hadith no. 1027)

- There were Several men in Arabia who married girls as young as nine, because they had passed thru the age of puberty. In other words, Prophet Muhammad was NOT the only person who married a married a young girl, there were SEVERAL men in Arabia who married girls as SOON AS THEY HIT PUBERTY. Not only in Arabia was this common, but this was common in Greco Roman times, this was common in Jewish Culture (See the Talmud for expamle, etc) There were even child prositutes in Greco Roman times as young as 7-9 years old.

In Arab culture when a girl reaches puberty she starts to mensurate and becomes a woman. We have several examples of this:

- Imam Al-Shafi'e said in Siyar A'lam Al-Nubala', Volume 10, p. 91 "During my stay in Yemen I have come across girls at the age of nine whom menstruated so often"

- Imam Al-Bayhaqi in Sunan Al-Bayhaqi Al-Kubra, Volume 1, p. 319 narrated that Imam Al-Shafi'e said: "I have seen in the city of Sana'a a grandmother while she was twenty one. She menstruated at the age of nine and gave birth at the age of 10"

- Ibn Al-Jawzi narrated similar stories from Ibn U'qail and U'bad Al-Mahlby in his Tahqeeq Fi Ahadith Al-Khilaf, Volume 2, p. 267

SO THE FACT IS THAT AISHA BECAME A WOMAN WHEN SHE MARRIED PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PEACE BE UPON HIM). THESE ARE THE

FACTS. IF THESE IGNORANT WHITE PEOPLE AND OTHER IGNORANT HATE MONGERS WANT TO KEEP BRINGING UP THE ISSUE OF

PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S MARRIAGE TO AISHA TELL THEM TO GET THEIR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE TALKING OUT OF THEIR ASSES.

WHAT ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE VIRGIN MARY WAS 12 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE WAS IMPREGANATED WITH JESUS AND MARRIED TO JOESPH THE CARPENTER?

Also if Christians bring up the issue of Prophet Muhammad's marriage to Aisha just bring up the fact that The Virgin Mary was only 12-14 years old

when she had Jesus and was married to Joesph the Carpenter:

Again, cutting through some of the evangelical revisionism, according to Geza Vermes, Mary would have been twelve years of age (or a little less) at the time of her betrothal/marriage to Joseph and at the time of her giving birth to Jesus (p)

Once the preliminary requirements laid down in the agreement of betrothal were satisfied, nuptials followed: they were presumed to take place within twelve months from the date of agreement. Then the bridegroom led his bride to his own home amid solemn festivities attended by family, friends and neighbours. The Gospels contain various parables about Jewish weddings (see for example Mt 25:1-13). It would follow from these rules, which appear standard and long standing, and not some kind of innovation by the redactors of the Mishnah, that at the time of the incidents described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Mary was no more than twelve years old or conceivably a little less, and by the standards of her society and age, mature enough for marriage (Jesus, Geza Vermes, Penguin Books, 2010, p. 64-65)

Regarding the Marriage of Mary to Joseph, Catholic Encyclopaedia ( http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm), says:

"When forty years of age, Joseph married a woman called Melcha or Escha by some, Salome by others; they lived forty-nine years together and had six children, two daughters and four sons, the youngest of whom was James (the Less, "the Lord's brother"). A year after his wife's death, as the priests announced through Judea that they wished to find in the tribe of Juda a respectable man to espouse Mary, then twelve to fourteen years of age, Joseph, who was at the time ninety years old, went up to Jerusalem among the candidates; a miracle manifested the choice God had made of Joseph, and two years later the Annunciation took place."

Note: That article on Catholic Encyclopaedia obtains its information from early

Christian writing including apocryphal writings.

The Catholic Encyclopaedia goes on to conclude "...retained the belief that St. Joseph was an old man at the time of marriage with the Mother of God." If Christians do not find any difficulty in accepting "Mother of God" (according to Catholic Encyclopaedia), who was 12-14, marrying a 90 year old man then why do they raise objection towards the marriage of Aisha (RA) to the Prophet?

As for Aisha and her playing with dolls when marrying Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) please see this link.

ALSO SEE THESE VIDEOS which REFUTES all the arguments against Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4yyx1qDWhQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEwmfIgSQQU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

False Claim: The Quran, Prophet Muhammad and Islam allow pre-pubusent girls

This is false and has been refuted here:

http://islamic-replies.ucoz.com/Rebut_WikiIslam_Pedophilia_Quran.html

and here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q8qycIuvkQ&list=FLcQo7nxJOT20Vejv0-ni2ZA&index=806&feature=plpp_video

Refuting the Claim that The Quran and Prophet Muhammad (p) were influneced by Satan

Prophet Muhammad used to visit all his wives in one night

Some of the Christians use the following tradition and yell obscenities against the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him, saying that he had passion for women.

Narrated Anas: "The Prophet I used to go round (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one night, and he had nine wives."

But as a matter of fact this is clearly wrong translation and the words within parenthesis do not find any place here.

Actual text of the Hadith and correct translation:

Now the Hadīth goes as;

أَنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَطُوفُ عَلَى نِسَائِهِ فِي اللَّيْلَةِ الْوَاحِدَةِ وَلَهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ تِسْعُ نِسْوَةٍ

The word, يَطُوفُ like طواف i.e. circumambulating the Holy Ka’ba only refers to going around and has no other nuance whatsoever. So the correct translation of the Hadīth is:

Narrated Anas: The Prophet I used to go round all his wives in one night, and he had nine wives.”(Bukhari, Hadīth 275)

There is nothing special in the Hadīth. It infact shows that he cared for all his wives and went to see them.
The query probably rises from the famous translation of this Hadīth which is there in well known software. In that software it reads;

"The Prophet I used to go round (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one night, and he had nine wives."

One can clearly see that the words ‘have sexual relations with’ are in parenthesis, that is to say these are not the direct meanings of the Arabic words but addition by the translator to help understand according to his understanding.

But I disagree with his understanding and thus believe that these words in the parentheses are not helping to understand better but are rather misleading. Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him, did visit them all but its not that he had sexual relations with each of them.

Details of Prophet’s visits to his wives:

Urwa reported on the authority of his father:
‘Aisha said: "O my nephew, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bdid not prefer one of us to other in respect of his division of time of his staying with us. It was very rare that he did not visit any of us any day. He would come near each of his wives without having any intercourse with her until he reached the one who had her day (i.e. her turn) and passed his night with her...."
(Sunan Abū Dawūd Hadīth 2135. Albāni classified it as Hasan Sahih)
Besides Sunan Abu Dawud the narration is found in ,
Musnad Ahmad (No. 23621)
Baihaqi's Sunan Al-Kubra (No. 13434, 14754)
Mustadrak Al-Hakim (No. 2710)

It is found in Sunan Darqutni (No.3781) too with more explicit wording.

Imam Shaukani has taken the hadith on same account. He writes;

وَكَذَلِكَ يَجُوزُ لِلزَّوْجِ دُخُولُ بَيْتِ غَيْرِ صَاحِبَةِ النَّوْبَةِ وَالدُّنُوُّ مِنْهَا وَاللَّمْسُ إلَّا الْجِمَاعَ كَمَا فِي حَدِيثِ عَائِشَةَ الْمَذْكُورِ

"Similarly it is allowed for the husband to enter upon the wife [even if, it being] without her turn [to spend night with] and to come closer to her and touch her except the intercourse as in the Hadith of Aisha mentioned above." (Nayl al-Awtar 10/213)

It makes it clear beyond all doubt here that he visited all of them just to see them and dint have intercourse with each of them but only with the one whose turn was it that day.

Further clarification:
One may refer to the narration from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, in which he related the same issue of Prophet, may Allah bless him, all his wives in a single with him being given the "strength of thirty men." One may say this implies the Prophet, may Allah bless him, used to have intercourse with all his wives. But how can the implied understanding of some other companion be taken in precedence over a direct authentic report from none other than the wife of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him? Who else would have been more knowledgeable of such intimate details of the Prophet's personal life?

Similarly even the word يَطُوفُ implies 'intercourse' when used in relation to a person going to his wife [or wives] it will not work here for an explicit authentic report from the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him, bars us.

INDEED ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST!

Truth about Killing of Umm Qirfa

The Story is found in The History of Al-Tabari: The Victory of Islam, translated by Michael Fishbein [State University of New York Press, Albany 1997], Volume VIII, pp. 95-96

However, this narration is weak because it contains Ibn Humayd. For more on this story see here: http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2010/01/story-of-killing-of-umm-qirfa-facts-and.html

Prophet Muhammad broke the Treaty of Hudaybiyya

This claim has already been refuted here:
http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/rebuttal_to_answering_islam_s_article__muhammad_and_the_treaty_of_hudaybiyya___

IF you read the Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Quran 60:10 You see that what happened was that a woman from the tribe of Mecca came to Madinah. Her relatives came to take her back and they told Prophet Muhammad to stick to the treaty. However, the Prophet replied back saying that the treaty only said that escaping MEN should be returned and the treaty mentions nothing about women who escape. the Quraysh did not clearly specify that the treaty was binding on both men and women. Allah sent down 60:10 to reaffirm to the Prophet that he should not return back any believing women to the Quraysh. But either way, the Prophet did not break the treaty.

More responses to this can be found here: http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/rebuttal_treaty_of_hudaibiah.htm

Prophet Muhammad wanted to have dogs killed
This has already been dealt with here: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/islam_and_the_killing_of_dogs

Prophet Muhammad ordered the Killing of Abdullah ibn Ubayy

Already refuted here: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/rebuttal_to_answering_islam_s_article__muhammad_and__abdullah_bin_ubayy_bin_salul_al__aufi

In Musnad Ahmad, Number 2658, we are told:

The messenger of God said that Gabriel took Abraham to Jamra al-Aqabah (the upper Jamrah, the pillar or place for stoning) and then Satan appeared to him. Then he stoned Satan with seven stones so he fainted him to faint. Then he came to the middle Jamrah, and Satan again appeared to him. He again stoned him with seven stones causing Satan to faint. He then came to the lower Jamrah, and Satan again appeared to him. Again he stoned Satan, causing him to faint once again. Now when Abraham wanted to slaughter his son Isaac, he said his father, "Father, tie me so I don’t get afraid and my blood splash all over you when you slaughter me." So he took him and he tied him up, and then he took the knife. And when he wanted to slay him a voice called from behind him, "O Abraham, the vision has been fulfilled."

We have provided a rough translation of the Arabic text, which we post here for those interested in reading it for themselves:

حدثنا يونس أخبرنا حماد عن عطاء بن السائب عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن جبريل ذهب بإبراهيم إلى جمرة العقبة فعرض له الشيطان فرماه بسبع حصيات فساخ ثم أتى الجمرة الوسطى فعرض له الشيطان فرماه بسبع حصيات فساخ ثم أتى الجمرة القصوى فعرض له الشيطان فرماه بسبع حصيات فساخ فلما أراد إبراهيم أن يذبح ابنه إسحاق قال لأبيه يا أبت أوثقني لا أضطرب فينتضح عليك من دمي إذا ذبحتني فشده فلما أخذ الشفرة فأراد أن يذبحه نودي من خلفه
أن يا إبراهيم قد صدقت الرؤيا

Hadith is da'if due to ikhtilat of 'Ata bin Sa'ib (i.e. the fact that he used to mix things up and confuse them habitually). Shaykh Shu'ayb al-Arnaut has graded it as Da'if. See Hadith 2794 in ar-Resala ed. of the Musnad. Beirut 2001
A lengthy hadith from Ibn Abbas (Musnad Ahmad No. 2707) mentions Isma'il. It is reliable according to the scholar mentioned.
Prophet Muhammad was unfair in his treament of his wives, especially Saudwa/ wanted to divorce Saudwa

This is false and has already been answered and refuted here: http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/treatment_to_sauda.htm

Prophet Muhammad was fair to all his wives see the following references:

Musnad Ahmad (No. 23621)
Baihaqi's Sunan Al-Kubra (No. 13434, 14754)
Mustadrak Al-Hakim (No. 2710)

Prophet Muhammad said absurd things like Satan lives under one's nose, Angels don't enter a house where there is a dog, etc etc.

All these and more are already answered here: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/response_to_david_wood_s_article__bassam_zawadi_on_a_biblical_absurdity_

Moreoever I would like to say, these are matters of the unseen. These are matters that can't be proven or disproven. In a world where God and the supernatural exists, these things are possible. Moreover the Bible is filled with absurdities as well which some conservatives thinks is literal (see here) so Christians if mocking these hadith are being hypocritical.

All Semitic languages, and especially Arabic, are full of metaphors and hyperboles. Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) used to speak in parables; similarly, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to instruct his people sometimes in a metaphorical and symbolic language. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) used metaphorical language in some instances. So all these "absurd" hadith about Satan in one's nose, yawning is from Satan, Angels not entering a house could be metaphorical and not literal.

Prophet Muhammad allowed Mutah Marriage/Temporary Marriage with a woman

Mutah was a Pre-Islamic practice done by the Arabs Before Islam. Mutah was a man gets married to a woman has sex with her pays her dowry and divorces her.

Thus Mutah is not something Islam came up with, it already existed before the coming of Islam.

It is true that in it's early years, Mutah was allowed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). However there later was a verse revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah that prohibited Mutah or temporary marriage:

In the hadith collection of Tirmizi, Ibn Abbas narrates:

"Temporary marriage was at the beginning of Islam. A man comes by a town where he has no acquaintances, so he marries for a fixed time depending on his stay in the town, the woman looks after his provisions and prepares his food, until the verse was revealed: 'Except to your wives or what your right hands possess.'"

A majority of Sunnis believe that Muhammad later abolished this type of marriage at several different large events, the most accepted being at Khaybar in 7 AH (629 CE) Bukhari 059.527 and at the Victory of Mecca in 8 AH (630 CE). The hadith is this:

Narrated 'Ali bin Abi Talib: On the day of Khaibar, Allah's Apostle forbade the Mut'a (i.e. temporary marriage) and the eating of donkey-meat. (Bukhari Book #59, Hadith #527)

For more evidence that Mutah is forbidden in Islam see (Bukhari Book #008, Hadith #3261)

Some people say hadiths are contradictory, but actually they are not. The case is very simple, the prophet Muhammad forbade the act of muta' on more than one occasion. For instance, he forbade those who were present at the battle of Khaibar and on another occasion, in front of thousands of the day of the conquest of Makkah.

One might argue back saying that Shias allow for Mutah and say that Ali (one of the disciples of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) allowed it, but this is false. According to Shia sources, Ali didn't even allow Mutah!

Once Ali argued with a man who believed in Muta'a and told him that the Prophet made muta'a and the meat of donkey haram on the day of Khaiber (Bukhari vol. 7, pg. 287 and vol. 4 pg. 134). This hadith can also be found in shiya hadith books

The shiya themselves have a hadith narrated by Ali which states that the Prophet made muta'a haram on the day of Khaiber (Book of Tahdeeb: vol. 7, pg. 251, rewaya 10).

Imam Abi-Abdullah narrated: Do not do muta'a with a believer woman..because you will humiliate her by doing that.(shiya sources: Tahdeeb: vol. 7, pg. 253, rewaya 14:21; Istibsaar: vol. 3, pg. 143, rewaya 4:93).

These hadiths must be followed since the Quran states:

"O ye who believe! Obey God, and obey the Apostle, and those charged with

authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to God and His

Apostle, if ye do believe in God and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final

determination. (The Noble Quran, 4:59)"

"When there comes to them some matter touching (Public) safety or fear, they divulge it.

If they had only referred it to the Apostle, or to those charged with authority among

them, the proper investigators would have Tested it from them (direct). Were it not for

the Grace and Mercy of God unto you, all but a few of you would have fallen into the

clutches of Satan. (The Noble Quran, 4:83)"

Umar Ibn Khattab also used to forbid people from doing Mutah as the following narrations say:

"al-Bukhari declared that Umar used to forbid people on Mut'a." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, v1, p233)

Ibn Hazm said, "temporary marriage is not permitted; this is a fixed marriage which was permitted at the time of the Messenger (s.a.w.), then Allah superseded it through His Messenger (s.a.w.) until the day of resurrection."

For more on how Mutah is not allowed in Islam please see the following links:

http://www.seekingilm.com/archives/718

http://www.answering-christianity.com/muta_forbidden_with_shias.htm

http://www.guidedones.com/metapage/frq/mutah10.htm
http://www.islamawareness.net/Marriage/Mutah/mutah1.html

So there is no such thing as "Mutah" in Islam. Sorry haters of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad attacked various Tribes, Arab Tribes, the Jewish Tribes, and the Pagan Meccan Tribes for no good reason/ Prophet Muhamamd (p) wars were not in self defense:

The first thing the Prophet Muhammad (p) did when he went to Medinah was sign a treaty or contract with the Jews of Medinah (See Ibn Hisham Volume 1 pages 503-504). However as time went on the three main Jewish tribes broke that treaty.

The Jewish tribes of Banu Qunuqa, Banu Nadir and Banu Qurazah fought against Prophet Muhammad (p), for proof see Muslim Book 019, Number 4364. Also Imam Nawawi states:

Imam Nawawi in his commentary on the hadith stated...

وإنما قال لهم هذا , لأنهم حاربوا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كما ذكره ابن عمر في روايته التي ذكرها مسلم بعد هذه

And he uttered this statement to them because they waged war against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) just as Ibn Umar mentioned in his narration, which Imam Muslim mentions after this. (Imam Nawawi, Sharh Saheeh Muslim, Kitab: Al Jihad wal Sayr, Bab: Ejlaa' al Yahood min al-Hijaaz, Commentary on Hadith no. 3311

For the Banu Qaynuqa breaking the Covenant and fighting against the Muslims see Ibn Hisham Volume 3, pages 65-80. For the Banu Nadir breaking the Covenant and fighting the Muslims see Ibn Hisham Volume 3 pages 680 to 683. For more info on why the Prophet Muhammad (p) fought against the Jews of Medinah see here. To see the reasons why He fought against the Banu Qurazah see here.

As for the Prophet Muhammad attacking the Pagan Meccans/Raiding the Caravans for no reason, This is false, see here: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/did_the_muslims_instigate_the_battle_of_badr__a_rebuttal_to_david_wood

For example the Banu Mustaliq Tribe tried to attack Madinah and the Muslims first (See Ibn Hisham Volume 2, page 289, 290, 294, 295 and Zad ul Mad Volume 2, page 112-113.). Jewish Tribes like Banu Qurazah also started launching war operations against the Muslims in Madinah (See Ibn Hisham Volume 3, pages 307-308 and Al Bayhaqi in his Dalail Volume 3, pages 400-401) Ibn Hisham Volume 3, pages 329-330. So yes, Prophet Muhammad (p) wars were in self defense and not aggressive or offensive wars (See Quran 2:190, 8:61, 5:28, 2:193, 60:8-9). Bani Kilaab tribe who have conspired with the tribes of Bani Muhaarib and Bani Anmaar to attack the Muslims (See Ibn Sad Volume 2, pages 180-200,etc)

Also the famous Verse from the Quran 2:256 states there is no compulsion in religion, so there is no aggression or forcing people to convert in Islam.

To see reasons why the Prophet Muhammad (p) wars were fought I recommend people to read this biography of the Prophet Muhammad.

Prophet Muhammad (p) only fought about 82 battles under his command or sanction and only about 1,018 people (259 Muslims and 759 non Muslims) were actually killed (See Sahih Muslim Volume 3, page 941 translated by Siddiqui). Also according to Ibn Ishaq Prophet Muhammad participated in 27 battles and himself fought in 9 battles (Ibn Ishaq pages 659-660).

If Christians want to critize Prophet Muhammad for fighting wars in self defense and engaging in combat then they are being inconistent because O.T. Figures like Moses and David also fought in wars and Jesus also was violent and aggressive (see Matthew 10:34 and Luke 12:51). To see a list of all the violence, Intolerance, Terrorism and bloodshed in the Bible (Both Old and New Testaments) see here and here.

To see why the Caliphates attacked Non Muslim lands after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (p) and Islamic tolerance of Non Muslims over the years see this and this.

To see the peaceful spread of Islam throughout the world I encourage people to read the book The Spread of Islam in the World: A History of Peaceful Preaching by Thomas Arnold. Professor Arnold covers: Western Asia, Christian Africa, Christian Spain, the spread under the Turks, Persia and Central Asia, the Mongols and Tartars, India, China, Africa, and the Malay Archipelago. He also shows The history of Islam in Spain was the best example of how the three major monotheistic religions could live together in peace, prior to the 19th century.

To see further details on the expansion of Islam outside of Arabia by the Caliphates I also encourage readers to read "The Great Arab Conquests" by Hugh Kennedy. Although he gets a lot of stuff wrong about Jizyah (see here and here) he is still correct on Muslims being tolerant of Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrainism and Hinduism.

To see the real history of the Crusades see here.

The Prophet Muhammad said "Kill any Jew under your power" and the killing of the Jew Ibn Sunayna

This story and alleged saying of the Prophet Muhammad (p) is found in Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 19, Number 2996 and in Ibn Ishaq page 369. However this story is false. Despite the fact that this story is mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawood, it is weak and unreliable. Concerning isnad (i.e. chain of reporters), this Hadith was narrated by servant of Zaid Ibn Thabet on authority of daughter of Muhayyisah. Servant of Zaid is Muhammad Ibn Ibi Muhammad and he is unreliable, and daughter of Muhayyisah is unknown. Concerning matn (i.e. text), it says that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ordered to kill all Jews which is illogical even if Christian missionaries want to believe it! Because the Jews had a treaty with Muslims and there was no evidence that Muslims indulged in killing any Jew other than this Hadith. Moreover, Ibn Hesham himelf who edited the work of Ibn Ishaq suggests that the incident of Huwayyisah and Muhayyisah occurred during slaughter of Bani-Qurayzah, not after murder of Ka’b (See Ibn Hisham, Volume 3, page 18)

Prophet Muhammad (p) made a false prophecy when he said the women will go around an idol in Arabia.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established till the buttocks of the women of the tribe of Daus move while going round Dhi-al-Khalasa." Dhi-al-Khalasa was the idol of the Daus tribe which they used to worship in the Pre Islamic Period of ignorance. (Bukhari)

However Ibn Hajar argues that this prophecy has already been furfilled in his Commentary of Bukhari called "Fathul Bari". So the Prophet didn't give a false prophecy.

Prophet Muhammad (p) said that most women go to Hell:

This hadith has already been dealt with and refuted here:
http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2009/01/why-is-it-said-in-hadith-that-women.html

Moreover this hadith can't be proven or disproven, this is a matter of the unseen afterlife realm however this hadith is in no way sexists or anti women. Also its illogical to say that hell will have an equal amount of men and women in it. Maybe women will outnumber men in the future and will be sinners who knows.

Umar Narrating from the Jewish Books and The Prophet said that Moses would follow him:

Someone might be led to believe that looking into the books of the Jews and Christians and quoting from them in order to demonstrate the falsehood of their doctrines and to refute them is something prohibited on the basis of the following hadith:

`Umar brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him) a book that he had gotten from some of the People of the Scripture. `Umar read to him from it, which angered the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said: "I have brought to you what is clear and pure. Do not ask them about anything, lest they inform you of something true and you deny it or inform you of something false and you believe it. I swear by Him in whose hand is my soul, if Moses were alive today, he would do naught but follow me." [ Musnad Ahmad (3/387)]

This hadith has a weak chain of transmission. Ibn Hajar says: "It contains Mujâlid b. Sa`îd who is a weak narrator." [Fath al-Bârî (13/334)] However, there are other chains of transmission for this hadith that might, taken together, bring it to the level of being acceptable ( hasan li-ghayrihi ).
Prophet Muhammad allowed Rape, Rape of Slave women and Rape is allowed in Islam

This is a false claim about critics of Islam. Rape in Islam is forbidden see this:

http://islamic-replies.ucoz.com/2/Rape_In_Islam.html

http://www.answering-christianity.com/karim/no_marital_rape.htm

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/72338

No Wife Beating in Islam: In Islam a man is not allowed to beat his wife, The Prophet Muhammad forbid this act:

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: "I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them.  (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2139)"

Narrated Mu'awiyah ibn Haydah: "I said: Apostle of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her.  (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2138)"

Prophet Muhammad himself did not beat a woman:

'A'isha reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) never beat anyone with his hand, neither a woman nor a servant, but only, in the case when he had been fighting in the cause of Allah and he never took revenge for anything unless the things made inviolable by Allah were made violable; he then took revenge for Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. (Muslim Book #030, Hadith #5756)

For more information see this:
http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2008/06/does-islam-allow-wife-beating.html

As for the Aisha issue, see above.

As for the rape of Slave Women or having sexual intercourse with slave women see this link:

http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/does_islam_permit_muslim_men_to_rape_their_slave_girls_

I would also like to add that concubinage is not encouraged in Islam as the Prophet Muhammad said to free slave women and marry them: Narrated Abu Musa: Allah's Apostle said, "He who has a slave-girl and educates and treats her nicely and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward." (Book #46, Hadith #720)

Black Magic was used on the Prophet Muhammad (p)

Bascially the Christian critics of Islam say that the Prophet Muhamamd was put under black magic, and this negates him being a Prophet. This is false, because according to the Old Testament there were Prophets who were put under curses such as Solomon, his son, etc etc (For example see Jeremiah 22:30). The story is a Jewish Magican put a Magic Spell on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Prophet started having visions or hallunciations on doing things which he hasn't done ( see Bukhari Book #71, Hadith #658)

http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/rebuttal_to_sam_shamoun_s_article__allah_s_promises_to_protect_muhammad_from_the_power_of_satan__responding_to_the_assertions_of_a_muslim_apologist_

This actually proves Muhammad is a prophet, because how did he know where the comb which was used in the spell was? Angel Gabriel told him (See Bukhari Book #54, Hadith#490). So this magical spell was a test from Allah, and Allah cured the Prophet Muhammad (p). That's about it.

The Prophet Muhammad’s Wives were not allowed to divorce him

This is false both the Quran and Prophet Muhammad allowed the Prophet's wives to divorce him ( Quran 33:28 and (Bukhari Book #43, Hadith #648) and (Muslim Book #009, Hadith #3504)

False Story/Misconception The Prophet Muhammad was Cruel in his treatment of the Armed Robbers of Ukl

http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/counter_rebuttal_to_people_of_ukl.htm
http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/people_of_ukl_3.htm
http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/was_prophet_muhammad_unfair.htm http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/was_prophet_muhammad_unfair.htm http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/was_prophet_muhammad_unfair.htm

False Story/Misconception Prophet Muhammad said that Paradise is under the Shade of Swords

Many Anti Islamic websites, Islamic critics and other haters bring up the following hadith to say that Prophet Muhammad and Islam supports Terrorism/War:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa: Allah's Apostle said, "Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords." (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 73)

HOWEVER THIS IS FALSE.

Let us see the CONTEXT of the hadith something the Anti Islamic critics always FAIL to do...

Narrated By Salim Abu An-Nadr : The freed slave of 'Umar bin 'Ubaidullah who was 'Umar's clerk: 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa wrote him (i.e. 'Umar) a letter that contained the following:

"Once Allah's Apostle (during a holy battle), waited till the sun had declined and then he got up among the people and said, "O people! Do not wish to face the enemy (in a battle) and ask Allah to save you (from calamities) but if you should face the enemy, then be patient and let it be known to you that Paradise is under the shades of swords." He then said,, "O Allah! The Revealer of the (Holy) Book, the Mover of the clouds, and Defeater of Al-Ahzab (i.e. the clans of infidels), defeat them infidels and bestow victory upon us." (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 210)

Yes, the Prophet did say this but if you read carefully, you will notice that he said this during a time of war! This was stated during the battle of Khandaq (trench) which was against the Banu Qurazah.

Prophet Muhammad was literate, knew how to read and write

This is false. The Quran itself says that the Prophet Muhammad (p) was unable to read anything (Quran 29:48). Also see Muslim,Book 019, Number 4403. However some critics try to prove he was able to read and write but their arguements have been refuted see here: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/rebuttal_to_sam_shamoun_s_article__to_read_or_recite__that_is_the_question__was_muhammad_really_illiterate__

Prophet Muhammad said that a woman should lick pus from her Husband if he asks

That Hadith is found in Musnad Ahmad Volume 3 pages 158-159, however the licking part of the hadith is false as proven here (because the people narrating it were known to be liars):

http://www.answering-christianity.com/karim/Karim_-_articles_islamic_answers_-_part_3/Woman%20licking%20pus.pdf

Prophet Muhammad bought and rented out slaves

First of all slavery already existed before Islam and in the Greco-Roman World see here and here. Slavery also existed in Biblical times and in the Biblical Middle Eastern world see here.

As for Prophet Muhammad and slaves, it can be argued he did not own slaves. The following is from an Islamic apologetic website:

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not own slaves. He had many slaves purchased and freed. The author quotes Muslim scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim who said about the Prophet, “His purchases of slaves were more then he sold.” This is correct because he used to purchase slaves in order to free them, not to sell them. However, the author of the pamphlet mistranslates Ibn Al-Qayyim when he says, “The Prophet used to rent out and hiring many slaves, but he hired more slaves then he rented out.” The author has mischievously added the words “many slaves” and “more slaves” in the text. Ibn Al-Qayyim is not talking here about the sale, purchase, renting, and hiring of slaves, but about general business practices of the Prophet before he received the Prophethood. Actually, he is saying that “the Prophet himself was hired before he became the Prophet to take care of some sheep and he was hired by Khadijah to do business for her.” (see Zad Al-Ma’ad, vol. 1, p. 154)

EVIDENCE THAT PROPHET MUHAMMAD FREED SLAVE GIRLS

Maimuna was the freed slave girl of Mohammed. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2531 p.514; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.457 p.118

Barirah was a female slave of A’isha’s, whom she later freed. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2223 and footnote 1548 p.601

Prophet Muhammad said Muslims will continue to take female captives even in paradise, and that the men of hell's wives will be taken and given to Muslims

4337. It was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Messenger of Allah said: “There is no one whom Allah will admit to Paradise but Allah will marry him to seventy-two wives, two from houris and seventy from his inheritance from the people of Hell, all of whom will have desirable front passages and he will have a male member that never becomes flaccid (i.e., soft and limp).” (Da‘if)

Hisham bin Khalid said: “From his inheritance from the people of Hell” means: “Men who enter Hell, and the people of Paradise will inherit their wives, just as the wife of Pharaoh will be inherited.”

This hadith is from (English Translation of Sunan Ibn Majah - Compiled by Imam Muhammad Bin Yazeed Ibn Majah Al-Qazwini, From Hadith No. 3657 to 4341, Ahadith edited and referenced by Hafiz Abu Tahir Zubair 'Ali Za'i, translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab (Canada), final review by Abu Khaliyl (USA) [Darussalam Publications and Distributors, First Edition: June 2007], Volume 5, Chapter 39. Description Of Paradise, pp. 423-424; underline emphasis ours)

However this hadith is weak, according to not only Al-Albani but to Ibn Majah who himself said the hadith is Da'if (weak). So we can toss this hadith out the window.

What about The Quran 33:51 and Aisha saying to the Prophet "Your Lord hastens to satitsy your desires"

The Hadith is found in Bukhari :: Book 6 :: Volume 60 :: Hadith 311

The Hadith is in reference to the verse and I checked Tafsir Maar'iful Qur'an, page 195, which says that the Prophet [saws] was given the option, if he so chose not to treat his wives equally, however his character was such that he always treated them equally, despite not having to do so. However this hadith in particular has to do with Rasulullah [saws] being able to marry these women, because of his desire to please them with a blessed marriage to give them happiness and distinction as Umm al Mu'mineen.

As for Aisha saying "Your Lord hastens to satitsy your desires" Well it is possible he wished to die in her company, therefore according to the ayah 33:51, he had asked each wife PERMISSION to be in the company of Aisha [ra] as opposed to spending his designated time with them. Therefore Aisha [ra], was PLEASED with these women because of this honour she received from their sincerity and kindness to permit him to die in her company. Thus Allaah ta 'alal allowed him to marry such great women who allowed him to fulfill his wish and desire to die in Aisha's [ra] company.

The Quran 33:52 says the Prophet Muhammad can't marry any more women whom he was already married to. And if you read Tafsir Ibn Abbas commentary on Quran 33:52, he says that after the Nine wives of the Prophet, The Prophet marrried Maryiah the Copt and that was it. THIS HADITH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SEX OR SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH WOMEN. THE ANTI ISLAMIC CRITICS NEED TO STOP PUTTING THEIR OWN PERVERTED IMAGAINATIONS INTO THE TEXTS. I would recommend people reading the commentary on that hadith in Fatul Bari (Ibn Hajar's commentary on the Bukhari) for a more detailed explanation.

Why weren't the Prophet's wives not allowed to re-marry after his death? (Quran 33:53)

People may ask why the Prophet's wives were not allowed to remarry. Well just think about how much fitna (corruption) would have occurred when people would want to fight over who was going to marry the Prophet's former wives. Also imagine the fitna that might occur when people might begin to idolize children being born from the Prophet's wives just like how Shias today do with the Prophet's grandchildren. Another explanation is the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (p) are the mothers of the believers, they are the Muslims spiritual mothers and that is why they were not allowed to re-marry other men.

Prophet Muhammad died from eating poison

Already refuted here: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/does_the_prophet_s_death_from_poison_disprove_his_prophethood_or_was_it_an_honorable_death_for_our_beloved_prophet_

I would also like to say that the Prophet Muhammad (p) was actually given a choice between staying alive or dying and he chose to die (see Bukhari Book 8, Hadith # 455 and Muslim Book 31 Hadith 5920). When reading the above link, you can see that the Poison allegedly killed the Prophet 4 years after the Conquest of Khaybar. So why would a posion kill the Prophet 4 years after? This is a miracle from Allah, that Allah allowed him to live that long, allowed him to complete the message of Islam and then gave him a choice to live or die and he chose to die. So again this doesn't disprove his prophethood.

ALSO SEE HERE: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/prophet_muhammad__peace_be_upon_him__and_the_taking_of_poison

Also see here:
http://muslim-responses.com/The_Prophets_Death/The_Prophets_Death_

Prophet Muhammad told people to drink his urine

This hadith is found in Tabarani Kabir 20740, Mustadrak al-Hakim 6912, Dalail al-Nubuwwah li-Isfahani 355. However this hadith is not authentic as proven here: http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2011/05/did-prophet-commend-people-drinking-his.html

Islam permits Muslims to Rape Slave Girls/Slave Women/Have Concubines

Already refuted here: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/does_islam_permit_muslim_men_to_rape_their_slave_girls_

Also the Quran and Prophet Muhammad taught that it is better to free and marry a slave girl/slave woman (see Quran 4:3 and Bukahri Volume 3, Book 46, Number 720).

And in Islam one cannot force anyone to marry them against their will (see Quran 4:19 and Muslim, Hadith #3303). So Islam prohibits involuntary marriage of a woman.

Islam endores the Bible

This is another false claim, Islam clearly teaches the Bible is corrupt: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/does_islam_endorse_the_bible__

Prophet Muhammad and the Killing of two men: Oqba and Nadir Ibn Al Harith

Nadir and Oqba fought in the Battle of Badr against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslims. For more on the Battles of the Prophet and why these battles were fought see my Section on “The Battles of the Prophet Muhammad” or see my Lecture on Prophet Muhammad (It’s on Youtube)

Basically the story goes that Oqba and Nadr ibn Al Harith were captured and killed because they insulted and made fun of Prophet Muhammad in Mecca. Oqba alledegly made plea his daughter and Prophet Muhammad allegedly said hell would take care of his daughter and he was killed. Then Prophet Muhammad allegedly praised Allah for the killing of Oqba.

This story is found in the Sira of Ibn Ishaq page 158 and the Magazhi of Waqidi, Voume 1, page 108. However this story is false because there is no isnad (chain of transmission) to it. This story is false because again it is found in Ibn Ishaq and Al Waqidi. I don’t how many times I have to say this but these sources aren’t reliable.

Plus notice where the story comes from. It comes from Al Waqidi. A we've already seen Al-Waqidi is known to be a liar, and a top fabricator of hadith.

Jauniyya- was a woman who sought refuge from the Prophet

Many Anti Islamic critics bring up Jauniyya. They say she sought refuge from the Prophet Muhammad (peacebe upon him). However the story is ripped out of context.

The narration goes as

“Narrated Abu Usaid: We went out with the Prophet to a garden called Ash-Shaut till we reached two walls between which we sat down. The Prophet said, "Sit here," and went in (the garden). The Jauniyya (a lady from Bani Jaun) had been brought and lodged in a house in a date-palm garden in the home of Umaima bint An-Nu'man bin Sharahil, and her wet nurse was with her.

When the Prophet entered upon her, he said to her, "Give me yourself." She said, "Can a princess give herself in marriage to an ordinary man?" The Prophet raised his hand to pat her so that she might become tranquil. She said, "I seek refuge with Allah from you." He said, "You have sought refuge with One Who gives refuge. Then the Prophet came out to us and said, "O Abu Usaid! Give her two white linen dresses to wear and let her go back to her family." Narrated Sahl and Abu Usaid: The Prophet married Umaima bint Sharahil, and when she was brought to him, he stretched his hand towards her. It seemed that she disliked that, whereupon the Prophet ordered Abu Usaid to prepare her and to provide her with two white linen dresses.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Divorce, Hadith 5255)

There are certain wrong ideas that get into one’s mind as he reads this rather ‘incomplete’ narration and that too when manipulated by professional missionary liars. I call this incomplete for it does not give all the relevant details of the issue at hand. But Alhamdulillah the vast Hadith treasure saves the rest elsewhere. In the following lines I quote the narrations giving the whole story.

The Complete Story:

“Nu’man bin Abi Jaun al-Kindi embraced Islam and came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah be pleased with him, and said; ‘Shall I not marry you to the most beautiful widow in Arabia? She was married to the son of his uncle who has now died. She is widowed, is inclined towards you and wants to marry you. So the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him, married her giving five hundred dirhams of dower. He (Nu’man) said, ‘Please do not reduce her dower.’ The Messenger of Allah replied, ‘I haven’t set up dower of any of my wives or daughters more than this.’ Nu’man said, ‘In your example is a good model. ’ He (further) said, “O Messenger of Allah send to me one who brings to you your wife, I will accompany him and send back your wife with him.’ So the Messenger of Allah sent Abu Usaid al-Sa’di with him … Abu Usaid says, ‘I stayed with them for three days, then I bore her on the camel with covering in a sedan and brought her to Medina and made her to stay with Bani Sa’da. Women of the tribe came to her and welcomed her and as they left they made a mention of her beauty. And the news of her arrival spread in the whole of Medina.’ Abu Usaid said, ‘I turned to the Prophet, may Allah bless him while he was with Banu ‘Amr bin ‘Awf and informed him of her arrival. She was the most beautiful amongst women, so when the women (of Medina) learnt of her beauty they came unto her. One of them said to her, ‘You are a queen, if you wish to be closer to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him, then say to him when he comes to you, ‘I seek refuge from you’, (this way) you will become adorable to him and he will be much inclined to you.’“ (Tabaqat al-Kubra 8/114)

Yet another narration quoted by Ibn Sa’d says it all;

“al-Jauniyya sought refuge from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him, for she was told this word will make her adorable to the Prophet. No one other woman sought refuge from him. This was a deception to her because of her beauty. When those who made her to say this were mentioned to the Messenger of Allah he said, ‘They are like the women of Yusuf and their treachery is great.’” (Tabaqat al-Kubra 8/114)

Hafiz Ibn Hajr has also quoted these narrations in Fath al-Bari to expound this Hadith.

The details above prove;

1- She was married to the Prophet, may Allah bless him

2- Her own father made the arrangement for the marriage.

3- The Prophet, may Allah bless him, was told that she herself was inclined towards him and wanted to marry him.

4- Apparently the Prophet, may Allah bless him, married her for through this relation he hoped to strengthen his relations with an important tribe.

5- She did not hate the Prophet, may Allah bless him. Infact she loved him much and in that she was deceived by a certain woman; reason being the natural jealousy among womankind.

6- The Prophet, may Allah bless him, sent her back to her family before consummation giving her two dresses.

7- This infact refutes the lies that Prophet, may Allah bless him, was taken in by some passion for women as he sent her back even though he could have kept her with him.

8- Although the narration of Bukhari does not give the complete details but the fact that al-Bukhari put this narration in the Book of Divorce testifies that he knew the whole context but brought the narration giving only the part relevant to what he aimed to deduce.

9- As to the Prophet’s, may Allah bless him, words; “Give me yourself” Hafiz Ibn Hajr explains;

“His words, ‘Give me yourself’ were to put her at ease and to sway her heart.”

It was neither a marriage proposal nor a request to get married without dower. Ibn Hajr continues;

"And this is supported by the narration of Ibn Sa'd that he had agreed with her father on the amount of her dower and her father had told him, 'She has liking for you and wants to marry you.'” (Fath al-Bari 9/360)

10- And coming to the words of the woman; "Can a princess give herself in marriage to an ordinary man?"

This is well explained by Hafiz Ibn Hajr. He quotes Ibn al-Munir;

“This is what remained with her of ignorance and al-sauqa [the actual Arabic word translated above as ‘ordinary man’] to them refers to anyone other than a King and it appeared strange to her that a queen should marry someone who is not a King. The Prophet, may Allah bless him, could choose to become a King Prophet but he choose a slave Prophet to show his humility to his Lord. And the Prophet, may Allah bless him, did not take exception to her words and excused her as she just came from ignorance [and had not undergone Islamic culturing].” (Fath al-Bari 9/358)

She was the daughter of the chief of the tribe who had just entered Islam. Knowing that Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him, was the leader of the Muslims she must have thought of him living as Kings. But once she arrived in Medina she learned how the Prophet, may Allah bless him, lived n a simple austere manner which was no way the practice of tribal chiefs let alone kings. This background helps understand her comment. The Prophet, may Allah bless him, overlooked it as she had no knowledge of Islamic ideals.

The above details certainly kill the arguments of slanderers.

Indeed Allah knows the best!

(Source: http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2011/04/jauniyya-woman-refuge-from-prophet.html)

The Black Magic spell on the Prophet Muhammad lasted a year

The Critics of Islam say that Black Magic that was thrown on the Prophet lasted a year.

The source for the Black Magic which was put on the Prophet allegedly lasting for a year is found in Ibn Ishaq page (The Life of Muhammad, A Translation of Ibn Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah, with introduction and notes by Alfred Guillaume [Oxford University Press, Karachi, Tenth Impression 1995), p. 240;.

There is no hard evidence the spell lasted a whole year. We are only aware of Alfred Guillaume stating that Suhayli said that he found a tradition in Jami' of Mu'ammar b. Rashad. However, we are not sure of the authenticity of this statement. Until the critics provides his proof for its authenticity there is no reason for us to believe that this lasted a whole year. Even if it did, it still doesn't matter. So this is a false story and a misconception about the Prophet Muhammad.

Prophet Muhammad allegedly drank wine and did abultion in it:

Prophet Muhammad and Thighing

EXPOSED as a false story/fatwah about the Prophet here:

http://thefactsaboutislam.blogspot.com/search/label/Thighing%3F

Prophet Muhamamd and Tounge Suckling

http://thefactsaboutislam.blogspot.com/search/label/Tongue%20Sucking%3F

Did Prophet Muhammad Cross Dress/Wear Aisha’s clothes

http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2011/01/prophet-muhammad-cross-dress-lie.html

Refuting the Claim that the Quran and Prophet Muhammad made Sceintifical Errors

Refuted here: http://www.examinethetruth.com/errors/

Misconception #41—Prophet Muhammad had an innocent Jew KAB BIN AL-ASHRAF Killed for simply writing poetry against Muslim women.

This is false. Kab went to the prophet Muhammad’s enemy and incited against Muhammad with them? Why did Silas leave this valuable information out?

As we can see already, Kab did not simply insult the prophet Muhammad and Muslim women. He did much more, he went to the prophet’s enemies and incited against Muhammad alongside them. So this just exposes Silas as a liar. However I will shortly quote the whole story, of what Kab actually did with those Qurayshi enemies.

KAB INCITED MUHAMMAD’S ENEMIES AGAINST HIM. In other words, Kab incited theQuyraysh to FIGHT AND KILL MUHAMMAD.

the prophet Muhammad killed Kab because Kab incited people to kill Muhammad. So therefore no crime was done.

Just like Ka’b incited people to fight the prophet Muhammad, telling them to kill him and so on. The prophet returned the favor, just like Ka’b told people to fight Muhammad and kill him, the prophet Muhammad told the Muslims who would go fight and kill Ka’b. Had Ka’b directly went and tried to kill the prophet, the prophet would then directly go and kill Ka’b. However so, Ka’b told others to go kill Muhammad and to fight him, after the prophet Muhammad found out, he told the Muslims who would go fight and kill Ka’b. Ka'b encouraged Muhammad's enemies, and made up some poems about Muslim women.

So as we see, Ka’b the hypocrite was the one who started all the problems, for himself, and for the Muslims. The prophet Muhammad did not have Ka’b killed because he insulted the prophet or the Muslims, the prophet had Ka’b killed because Ka’b was instigating others to kill Muhammad. He was rightly punished for that crime; Ka’b was not an innocent man by any means. Once you go instigate violence, hatred, and murder against God’s prophet, you are bound to get punished. Ka’b the hypocrite brought this upon himself.

Praise Allah, and may Allah continue to send his blessings and peace on the prophet Muhammad. Ameen.

TO READ THE WHOLE STORY ABOUT WHY KAB WAS KILLED READ IBN KATHIR’S BIGORAPHY OF THE PROPHET, VOLUME 3, PAGES 6-10. Also see this link:

http://www.answering-christianity.com/sami_zaatri/rebuttal_to_silas_2.htm

Misconception #42—Prophet Muhammad had innocent people killed for no reason.

Prophet Muhammad attacked Tribes/People who didn't convert to Islam

4:195 Anas said, "The Prophet set out for Khaibar [a Jewish village attacked and subjugated in 628] and reached it at night. He used not to attack if he reached the people at night, till the day broke. So, when the day dawned, the Jews came out with their bags and spades. [see Deuteronomy 23:12,13] When they saw the Prophet they said, ?Muhammad and his army!' The Prophet said, ?Allahu-Akbar! (Allah is Greater) and Khaibar is ruined, for whenever we approach a nation (i.e. enemy to fight) then it will be a miserable morning for those who have been warned.'"

My Response:

Like all Islamophobes, Bailey tries to make the Jews look like harmless victims who were subjugated by the Muslim perpetrators.

If he actually bothered to read the whole story, he would know that Khaybar was the strongest Jewish Fort and their center for creating mischief. It was those Jews who encouraged neighbouring Arab tribes to attack Muslims, which is why both Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayza broke the treaty.

It was because of their treachery that the Muslims were ordered to fight them until they were defeated or had converted to Islam. They were subjugated, only because they initiated hostility and created mischief and murder.

According to what we are told in the media about 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammad ordered the pilots to crash the planes on the twin towers. Physically he committed no crime, but he initiated it, so he was subjugated, tortured and harassed.

The same applies to the Jews of Khaybar, so Bailey shouldn't try to make them look like innocent victims. I can do the same with Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, though Muslims were not barbarians like the CIA agents who constantly tortured and subjugated Khalid Sheikh Mohammad.

Read commentaries on Surah al-Fath 48:15-24 from Tafsir ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Tanwir al-Miqbas Tafsir ibn Abbas and Tafhim al Qur'an, which prove all my points about the Battle of Khaybar.

http://muslim-responses.com/Jihad_Verses/Jihad_Verses_

Logically, if that were true the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) would have fought against Maqawqis, the patriarch of Egypt, because he did not embrace Islam.

Maqawqis kindly replied back to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) and sent him back gifts. The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) never fought against Maqawqis in his entire life and there is no evidence that any of the caliphs after him did either.

If Islam really called for the invasion of the world, wouldn't the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) invade Egypt? Yes.

Furthermore, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) maintained peace the non-Muslims of Khuza'ah and Banu Mudlij, who signed a peace treaty with him during the period of peace between the Muslims and polytheist Meccans. He never invaded them because they never broke their treaties. For proof see the commentary of Surah al-Mumtahinah 60:8, in Tanwir al-Miqbas Tafsir ibn Abbas.

Prophets came after Muhammad (p), Prophecy came to others after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

According to the New Testament, Prophets did exist and came after the mission and ministry of Jesus. The following New Testament references illustrate this (Acts 11:27-28, Acts 13:1, 15:32, Acts 21:8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 14:29-32). So its contrary to Christian scriptures to deny the existence of prophets after Jesus. So Christians who adhere to the teachings of the New Testament must acknowledge the existence of prophets after Jesus.

However both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (p) said he is the Last Prophet and Messenger of God:

(See the Quran 33:40) Allama Ibn Kathir (died A.H. 774) writes in his well- known commentary, "Hence this verse is a clear proof of the fact that no prophet will come after Muhammad (PBUH) and when it is said that no prophet will come after him it is a foregone conclusion that no messenger will succeed him either, for the office of a messenger holds prominence over the office of a prophet. Every messenger is a prophet, but all prophets are not messengers. Any one who lays a claim to prophethood after Muhammad (PBUH) is a liar, a disruptionist, an imposter, depraved and a seducer despite his wonderous jugglery and magical feats. Any one who would make this claim in future till the end of the world belongs to this class. (Vol. 3, pp. 493-494)

Allama Alusi (died 1270 A.H.) in his commentary, Ruh-ul-Ma'ani, writes: "The word 'Prophet' is common, but the word 'Messenger' has a particular significance. Hence when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is called the 'Seal of Prophets,' it necessarily follows that he is also the 'Seal of Messengers.' The implication of the Holy Prophet's position as 'the Last of all Prophets and Messengers of God' is that by his(PBUH) elevation to the dignity of Prophethood in this world, the same dignity has henceforth been abolished and no man can attain that dignity now." (Vol. 22, p. 32)

The Prophet of Allah (Peace be upon him) affirmed: "The chain of Messengers and Prophets has come to an end. There shall be no Messenger nor Prophet after me." (Sunan Al Tirmidhi, Kitab: ur-Rouya Bab: Zahab-un- Nubuwwa, Hadith No.2198, Source)

Sheikh Albani in his book Erwaa' Al Ghaleel, no.2473, 8th narration says regarding the above hadith...

أخرجه أحمد ( 3 / 267 ) والترمذي ( 2 / 44 ) وقال : " حديث حسن صحيح " والحاكم ( 4 / 391 ) وقال : صحيح على شرط مسلم ووافقه الذهبي وهو كما قالا .

Collected by Ahmad (267/3) and Al Tirmidhi (44/2) and said: "This hadeeth is hasan (good) saheeh (authentic)" and Al Hakim (391/4) said, "It is authentic on the conditions of Muslim" and Al Dhahabi agreed with him and it is like he said.

So as we can see, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made it clear that the line of Prophets and Messengers has come to an end and this hadith has been authenticated and collected by the top hadith scholars.

Anyone who claims prophecy or being a Prophet after Prophet Muhammad (p) as far as Islam is concerned is a false Prophet. So this means people like Mizra Gulam Ahmad, David Koresh, Joesph Smith, Rashid Khalfiah, etc are all false prophets. In fact Prophet Muhammad (p) prophesized that false prophets would come after his death in (Bukhari Book 88, Hadith Number 237 and Abu Dawud Book 37 Hadith #4320). So these false prophets coming are actually a furfillment of prophesy by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)!

As for refuting Other religious claims (Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Janism, Mormonism, Wiccan Paganism) see these links (here) and (here) and (here).

Women, Perfume and Prayers: Some thoughts

March 10, 2011 by Waqar Akbar Cheema

Ever since I started studying the Ahadith, I came around some of the narrations that I could not fully comprehend but somehow intuitively felt that they have something great and deeper in them.

One such narration goes as;

حبب إلي من دنياكم : النساء و الطيب و جعلت قرة عيني في الصلاة

“Three things from your world have been made beloved to me; women, perfume and the coolness of my eyes is in the prayers.” (Jami’ al-Saghir, Hadith 5435. Classified as Sahih by Albani)

Just recently I feel like its true meanings and significance has opened up unto me. I am neither a Muhaddith, nor a jurist so my thoughts ought to be taken only as a student’s attempt to unveil, what he feels like, the symbolic significance of these great words.

1. “Your world”: The phrase infact provides a key to understand the true significance of the saying. By saying, ‘your world’ the prophet, may Allah bless him, reminds of the fact that he is not the one to have drowned in this world and speaks from the ‘other world’s’ perspective. That is to say, the words are most definitely speaking to us of the spiritual realm. As Iqbal, may Allah have mercy on him, beautifully put it as;

گفت با امت ز دنیای شما
دوست دارم طاعت و طیب و نسا

گر ترا ذوق معانی رھنماست
نکتہ ئی پوشیدہ در حرف ’’شما‘‘ست
یعنی آن شمع شبستان وجود
بود در دنیا و از دنیا نبود

And so he spoke to his community,

“Of all this world of yours, I love alone

Obedient hearts, sweet perfumes, women chaste.”

If the perception of realities

Guideth thy steps, the subtlety confined

In that word ‘yours’ will not be hid from thee.

Indeed, that lantern of all beings’ night

Dwelt in the world, but was not of the world;

(Ramuz Be Khudi, Mysteries of the Selflessness, 13)

2. “Women”: Coming to things made beloved, he first speaks of “women.” I think even the order in which he put the things is important. The fact that “women” come first relates to the fact that for every human, the subject of all the Islamic teachings and ideas, the way to this world is a woman. As a mother she is everything for us in this new strange world that we enter into. The Qur’an says;

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا

“We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth.” (Qur’an 46: 15)

It is the mother who, brings us up, shapes our mind and gives a direction even to our predilections. She shapes the destiny of men and therefore of the nations. Her role is a shadow of that of the Creator and of the prophets. Iqbal, at another place, aptly makes the following observations;

آنکہ نازد بر وجودش کائنات
ذکر او فرمود با طیب و صلوة
مسلمی کو را پرستاری شمرد
بہرہ ئی از حکمت قرآن نبرد
نیک اگر بینی امومت رحمت است
زانکہ او را با نبوت نسبت است
شفقت او شفقت پیغمبر است
سیرت اقوام را صورتگر است
از امومت پختہ تر تعمیر ما
در خط سیمای او تقدیر ما

And he in whom all beings make their boast

Declared he loved three things – sweet

perfume, prayer,

And womankind. What Muslim reckons her

A servant, nothing more, no part has won

Of the Book’s wisdom. If thou lookest well,

Motherhood is a mercy, being linked

By close affinity to prophethood,

And her compassion is the prophet’s own.

For mothers shape the way that men shall go

Maturer, by the grace of Motherhood,

The character of nations is, the lines

That score that brow determine our estate.

And he continues;

ملت ار گیرد ز آغوشش بدست
یک مسلمان غیور و حق پرست
ہستی ما محکم از آلام اوست
صبح ما عالم فروز از شام اوست

If from her bosom the community

Receive one Muslim zealous for the Faith,

God’s faithful servant, all the pains she bore

Have fortified our being, and our dawn

Glows radiant in the lustre of her dusk.

(Ramuz Be Khudi, Mysteries of the Selflessness, 24)

Especially from man’s perspective even in other roles of her, woman is ones greatest companion seeking the best of the ‘other, more real, world.’

The relationship of marriage, as Islamic takes it, is the beautiful relation making one fortified against the evils prevalent around and helps him concentrate on what truly is required without even putting himself under extra burden of killing his instincts. A consideration of Islamic marriage will make this further clear. Relate it to the fact that in the Khutbah of Nikah, sermon at the time of marital contract, the verses recited are neither about the man and woman being companions, not those directly related to marriage but all of them read, “Fear Allah.”

It also asks from men, the respect and purest love the tender gender deserves. Please note, Imam Nasai who narrated it in his Sunan put it in the book,“Kindness to women” and the chapter, “Love for women.”

As a daughter, she is a not just a responsibility but a ‘ticket to paradise.’

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him, said:“Whoever had three daughters and showed patience in their keeping, their pleasure and displeasure, Allah admits him to Paradise for his mercy over them. A man asked, `And what about two daughters, O Messenger of Allah? He said, `And two daughters as well.” Another asked, `O Messenger of Allah, what about one daughter?” He said, `And one daughter as well”.(Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith 7346 Hakim graded it Sahih, al-Dhahbi agreed with him)

As a matter of fact, similar term cannot be used for a son for there is no direct Hadith about it though every child can be a cause of deliverance for his parents.

“Perfume”: It seems to me the most difficult thing to explain in this context. But did you ever consider the importance it finds in Qur’an and Sunnah? It is mentioned among the blessings of Jannah. It was a continuous Sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah bless him, to apply it even though his sweat was a scent for itself. One Hadith says, ‘The Prophet used not to reject the gifts of perfume.’(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2394)

Perhaps the Prophet, may Allah bless him, never returned any gift but still we find a special mention of perfumes. This evidently relates to one’s sense of purification and may be, even the taste among perfumes. The more sober and nice a person is, the better is his choice among perfumes. If we reflect in this context we get to know why the perfume is mention here. Another interesting fact one might observe; every exclusively Islamic bookstore will have some great perfumes. Perfumes and taste for them shows ones desire to look purer and cleaner, hence their importance in Islam.

“Prayers”: The prayers is said to be the coolness of Prophet’s eyes, may Allah bless him. Therefore it ought to be the cause of extreme bliss for every true follower of him too. Instead of dwelling on the importance of prayers here which is established in Islam, I would like it to take it as an anchor and a footing to look at other things mentioned along with it. It attaches to them the extreme sense of purity more than just a way to seek pleasure or just fun. Just as the words ‘your world’ in beginning attaches the necessary spiritual connotation to the whole saying, in the end the mention of prayers emphasizes the innocence and beauty of the words.

Even an orientalist, John Bagot Glubb noted this pure link. He writes; “The connection of his love of women with prayer seems to prove that it never occurred to him that his fondness for female company could be anything but innocent.” (The Life and Times of Muhammad, Stein And Day, New York, 1971 p.238)

With all this I beg for Allah’s mercy if I made some mistake herein and will like to emphasize once more that it was not an attempt at making a commentary to hadith but just some thoughts of what seemed to me the significance of the profound words of the Greatest of all Mankind, may Allah bless him.

Indeed Allah knows the best!

Misconception #40 Prophet Muhammad (p) said war is deceit.

Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle called: "War is deceit". (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 268)

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
The Prophet said, "War is deceit." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 269)

Explanation: As for deceit being allowed in war. This is clearly about WAR and not everyday normal interactions. A bit of research shows that this statement "All war is deception" did not even orginate with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) it originated with the Chinese Military General Sun Tzu in the 6th Century BC "The Art of War". All mitiltarities study this book in war and battles.

Well again the context of the situation has to be taken into consideration. Are you going to tell your the enemy the truth and let him find you and kill you? Come on be realistic.

In war there is always strategy, to trick the enemy and gain advantage in the battle. That does deceive them, because they undergo and unexpected attack.

For instance, Hitler did not know Stalin's plan of moving back and burning all the food and supplies, so the Germans could take over a land of nothing, before the Russians finally striked back, took all their land back, got the Germans out of East Europe and started bombing the German parliament house.

Hitler was deceived, but that is how war is.

The Quran and Prophet Muhammad said that the sun sets in a spring of warm water:

As for the Quran 18:86 this verse has already been dealt with here and here.

The hadith in question is this:

Abu Dharr said: I was sitting behind the Apostle of Allah who was riding a donkey while the sun was setting. He asked: Do you know where this sets? I replied: Allah and his Apostle know best. He said: It sets in a spring of warm water. (This Hadith is found in Abu Dawud)

There are Two ways to respond to this hadith. One is as some Muslim scholars have said, this hadith is not actually from the Prophet Muhammad (p) rather a Jewish Rabbi named Kab Al-Ahbar which was wrongly attritubed to the Prophet.

However the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) didn't actually say this. i searched in some websites and they say that this hadeeth is attributed to Ka`b Al-Ahbar, a Jewish rabbi who converted to Islam and who reported this from the Torah, not from Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).”

And i found this too:

Zamakshari in his Tafsir (Commentary) of the Quran mentions a narration which says this was in the Torah (http://altafsir.com/

Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafs

This hadith about the Prophet Muhammad (p) said that the sun sets in a spring of warm water has been proven to be false over here:
http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2012/09/weak-hadith-sun-spring-warm-water.html

irNo=2&tSoraNo=18&tAyahNo=

86&tDisplay=yes&Page=2&Si
e=1&LanguageId=1),

and Baydawi
(http://altafsir.com/

In the New Testament, Jesus is reported to have said about the Queen of Sheba that she came from the ends of the earth (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). So does this mean that Jesus’ words were foolish and false ? Christian apologists would simply reply back and say that Jesus words are metaphorical. Same with the Quran 18:86 and Prophet Muhammad's hadith in Abu Dawud. In the Arabic language words and statements can be used in a Metaphorical way. So Prophet Muhammad was speaking in some sort of metaphorical way.

Many scholars pointed this out that the meaning is used in a metaphor context. Some of these scholars are: Ibn katheer, al-Tabari, al-Qurtubi, al-Qaffal, al-Shawkani, al-Qutaybi and others. So even if the Prophet Muhamamd (p) said this, this is said in a Metaphoical way and not in a literal way. For a more detailed discussion on this hadith see this: http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vbe/showthread.php?t=9025

Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafs

irNo=6&tSoraNo=18&tAyahNo=

86&tDisplay=yes&UserProfil

e=0&LanguageId=1)

and Muḥammad Shams al-Haqq in Awn al-Ma'bud (http://www.islamweb.net/

newlibrary/

display_book.php?bk_no=55&I

D=1520&idfrom=6879&idto=69

56&bookid=55&startno=33)

Allegation-- Prophet Muhammad had elipesy/ had eplicetic fits.

Refuting the claim that Prophet Muhammad (p) suffered from Epilepsy:

Muslims have already given schoarly refutations to this claim.

http://www.bismikaallahuma.org/archives/2005/the-prophet-muhammadp-and-the-slander-of-epilepsy/

http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2012/03/origins-of-epilepsy-lie-about-prophet.html

Of course there are several other false stories and hadith about Prophet Muhammad (p) which you can find here: http://www.saaid.net/book/open.php?cat=92&book=3240

False stories about the Companions (Disciples) of Prophet Muhammad (p)

Even if the companions of the Prophet did some stuff that seems controversial or out of Prophetic character than that is a criticism on their character not on Islam. So even if there is some objectionable stuff the Companions did this is on them, not the Prophet Muhamamd. This, obviously, would amount to a criticism on `Umar Ibn Khattab or Ali, etc. Not a Criticism on the Prophet Muhammad or Islam.

To find out more about the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) see the following links:

http://muslimscholars.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companions_of_Muhammad

Abu Bakr not sure if he had salvation:

Although he had such a faith, which was too great to suffice all the inhabitants of the earth,he was afraid that his heart might go astray. So, he used to utter, while weeping: ‘Would that I have been a bitten tree!’ Whenever he was reminded of his position in Allah’s sight, he would say: ‘By Allah! I would not rest assured and feel safe from the deception of Allah (la amanu limakr Allah), even if I had one foot in paradise.’” (Khalid Muhammad Khalid, Successors of the Messenger, translated by Muhammad Mahdi al-Sharif [Dar al-Kotob al-Ilmiyah, Beirut Lebanon, 2005], Book One: Abu Bakr Has Come, p. 99; bold and italic emphasis ours)

for the narration of Abu Bakr, this narration has not been proven to be authentic and even if it was Abu Bakr's statement it is to be interpreted as him speaking out of humility.

Prophet Muhammad said that he, Abu Bakr and many other of his disciples were going to heaven:

Narrated Sa'id ibn Zayd:

AbdurRahman ibn al-Akhnas said that when he was in the mosque, a man mentioned Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). So Sa'id ibn Zayd got up and said: I bear witness to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) that I heard him say: Ten persons will go to Paradise: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) will go to Paradise, AbuBakr will go to Paradise, Umar will go to Paradise, Uthman will go to Paradise, Ali will go to Paradise, Talhah will go to Paradise: az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam will go to paradise, Sa'd ibn Malik will go to Paradise, and AbdurRahman ibn Awf will go to Paradise. If I wish, I can mention the tenth. The People asked: Who is he: So he kept silence. The again asked: Who is he: He replied: He is Sa'id ibn Zayd. (Abu Dawud Book 40, Number 4632)

Abdul Rahman bin `Awf said: The prophet (s) said: Abu Bakr in Paradise, Omar in Paradise, 'Uthman in Paradise, Ali in Paradise, Talha in Paradise, al- Zubair (bin al-'Awwam) in Paradise, AbdulRahman bin `Awf in Paradise, Saad (bin Abi Waqqass) in Paradise, Saeed (bin Zaid), and abu 'Ubaida bin al- Jarrah in Paradise." (Tirmidhi Hadith 3747)

Refuting arguements against Umar Ibn Khattab's marriage to Umm Khaltoom

See here: http://www.schiiten.com/backup/AhlelBayt.com/www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/sahabah/rebuttal.html

Ali having sexual intercourse with a slave girl

Chapter 19. The Virtues Of ‘Ali Bin Abi Talib. It Is Said That He Has TwoKunyah: Abu Turab, And Abul-Hasan.

3712. ‘Imran bin Husain narrated that the Messenger of Allah dispatched an army and he put ‘Ali bin Abi Talib in charge of it. He left on the expedition and he entered upon a female slave. So four of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah scolded him, and they made a pact saying: “[If] we meet the Messenger of Allah we will inform him of what ‘Ali did.” When the Muslims returned from the journey, they would begin with the Messenger of Allah and give him Salam, then they would go to their homes. So when the expedition arrived, they gave Salam to the Prophet, and one of the four stood saying: “O Messenger of Allah! Do you see that ‘Ali bin Abi Talib did such and such.” The Messenger of Allah turned away from him. Then the second one stood and said as he said, and he turned away from him. Then the third stood before him, and said as he said, and he turned away from him. Then the fourth stood and said as they had said. The Messenger of Allah faced him, and the anger was visible on his face, he said: “What do you want from ‘Ali?! What do you want from ‘Ali?! What do you want from ‘Ali?! Indeed ‘Ali is from me, and I am from him, and he is the ally of every believer after me.” (Hasan)

[Abu ‘Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Gharib, and we do not know of it except as a narration of Ja‘far bin Sulaiman. (Jami‘ At-Tirmidhi, Volume 6, From Hadith No. 3291 to 3956, pp. 386-387)

if it's hassan gharib it points to weakness
please read the following
http://jawziya.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/methodology-of-imam-tirmizi-in-his-classification-of-narrations-in-sunan-al-trimidhi/
in any case if a hadith is hassan there are some issues in the classification which has downgraded it from sahih to hassan
could be chain of narration could be the narrator that has some weakness
but if a hassan hadith goes against any established issue in Islam of course it is not taken
but in the case of Al Thirmidhi he used this term for hadith that are weak
and such hadith cannot be taken seriously.

ALI AND MU'AWIYAH

The story of Mu'awiyah and Ali fighting against one another is found in Tabari, volume 17. However this source is weak and not authentic according to the standards that Muslim scholars have laid out.

Of course there are several weak and false stories about the companions of the Prophet Muhammad found in Al-Tabari's "The History of al-Tabari", (Ta'rikh al-rusul wa'l-muluk). Time and space won't allow me to document all of them, but if you want to see the false stories in Al-Tabari see Saheeh Tareekh Al Tabari wa Da'eefuhu (The Authentic Narrations From Tareekh Al Tabari and Its Weak Ones) by Muhammad bin Tahir Al Barzanji

ABU BAKR AND UMAR IBN KHATTAB WANTING TO BURN THE HOUSE OF FATIMA AND ALI FOUND IN AL-TABARI The History of al-Tabari, Volume IX, The Last Years of the Prophet, p186-187, SUNY Press. is false http://www.schiiten.com/backup/AhlelBayt.com/www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/islam/tabari.html

Islamic References:

"Sirat Rasulallah", by Ibn Ishaq, translated as "The Life of Muhammad", by A. Guillaume, published by Oxford University Press, London.

Ibn Hisham Volumes 1-4 and Ibn Kathir's Biography of the Prophet.

Al-Maghazi, Al-Waqidi Dar al-A’lami, Beirut, 1989 vol.1 p and 2

"Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir", (Book of the Major Classes or The Great Book of Generations) Volumes. 1&2 by Ibn Sa'd, translated by S. Moinul Haq, published by Pakistan Historical Society.

"The History of al-Tabari", translated by W.M. Watt, published by SUNY (Volumes 6-9)

"Sahih al-Bukhari", translated by M. Khan, published by Kitab Bhavan, New Delhi.

Ibn Hajar and Imam Nawawi 's commentary on Bukhari and Muslim, etc.

Islamic Apologetics By Ehteshaam Gulam

Monday, March 26, 2012

Refuting Criticisms and Polemics about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Truth about Killing of Umm Qirfa

Women, Perfume and Prayers: Some thoughts

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