A Proposed Methodology

            In an honest pursuit of an answer to the above question, it is logical to start off by finding out what was Muhammad's claim. Having done this, it would be fair to evaluate and discuss such a claim without accepting it or rejecting if offhand. Such an acceptance of or rejection of Muhammad's truthfulness should only follow the analysis and over-all evaluation of the salient arguments, facts, and questions pertaining to the issue.

The Claim

            Reference to the Qur'an, to the sayings of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and to historical material, consistently indicate that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) claimed to be God's Prophet and Messenger to mankind, that the Qur'an was not of his own making, and that what he preached (Islam) was divinely and not humanly inspired[2].

The Critique

            In evaluating the above claim, there seem to be two possibilities; first, that this claim was a truthful one; second, that this claim was not a truthful one, i.e., a fabrication. If the first possibility is accepted, whether by faith or by reason or by combination there-of, then the question of Muhammad's true prophethood is settled. If, however, the second possibility is still open, how could it be objectively verified or refuted?

            Only Two Possibilities:  It is important to emphasize at this point that Muhammad's claim of prophethood is subject to only two possibilities; truthfulness or fabrication. It may be contended that many critics of Islam do not use the term fabrication to refer to Muhammad's claim of prophethood. It may be added also that they talk and write about Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with considerable respect and admiration (like many other great men and heroes!) Is the mere fact that they say or imply that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was a great social reformers and a remarkable composer of an influential book, the Qur'an - is this sufficient to infer that they do in fact accuse Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) of not being a truthful man, i.e., that they impute dishonesty on him?

            Without "beating around the bush", it should be said, in all candidness that is doesn't matter how "nicely", "diplomatically", or "courteously" are the ideas stated. What really matter are the logical implications of these statements. If an apparently fair and objective writer does not dispute the fact that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did claim that what he taught was neither of his own making nor was it derived from any human source, and if the same writers says or implies later on that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the Composer or Compiler of the Qur'an, then what he is really saying is that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was not truthful (or sane) when he claimed the divine origin of Islam. This questioning of Muhammad's personal integrity and truthfulness can still be done in the most "nice", "courteous", yet misleading manner. It is this courteous inconsistency, and in some cases hypocrisy that is likely to mislead the reader, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. "Diplomacy" or "Public Relations" type of statements are no substitute for candid, objective, and rigorous research in an important subject as the present one.

            But Why Fabricate?:  If the researcher was to avoid the above "courteous inconsistency", he would then assume either of the two possibilities (truthfulness or dishonesty) and seek all evidence that may verify or refute his assumption. Since these two possibilities are contrary to each other, it makes a little difference which one may be assumed to initiate the analysis. For the convenience of presentation it may be useful to see if the assumption of possible fabrication can be substantiated.

            If it were true that Muhammad's claim of prophethood was a mere fabrication, then two sub-possibilities may present themselves; a) that he might have fabricated this claim deliberately and knowingly, or b) that he might have done so unconsciously.

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[2] The Qur'an is God's divine message:“ So I do call to witness what you see. And what you see not, That this is verily the word of an honoured apostle. It is not the word of a poet: little it is you believe. Nor is it a word of a soothsayer: little admonition it is you receive. (This is) a Message sent down from the Lord of the Worlds” (Qur'an 69:38-43).

The Qur'an is not produced by anyone save God:“ This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than God; on the contrary it is the confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - where in there is no doubt - from the Lord of the worlds. Or do they say: (he forged it)? Say: (Bring then a Sura like unto it, and Call (to your aid) anyone you can, besides God, if it be you speak the truth” (Qur'an 10:37-38).

It is not upt to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to get it together:“ If you bring them not a revelation, they say: (why has you not got it together?) Say: I but follow what is revealed to one from my Lord: This is (nothing but) Lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and Mercy, for any who have faith” (Qur'an 7:203).

Nor is it up to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to change any of the contents of the Qur'an:“ But when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed unto themm, those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us, say: (bring us a Reading Other than this, or change this,) Say: (it is not for me, of my own accord, to change it: I follow only what is revealed ynto me: if I were to disobey my Lord, I should my self fear the penalty of a Great Day (to come)” (Qur'an 10:15, see also 10:16).

For nothing is more wicked that inventing a lie against God or making false claim of receiving revelations from Him:“ Who can be more wicked than one who invents a lie against God, or says, (I have received inspiration,) when he received none, or (again) who says: (I can reveal the like of what God has revealed? If you could but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death!-the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying), (Yield up your souls: this day shall you receive your reward,--a penalty of shame, for that you used to tell lies against God, and scornfully to reject of His Signs!” (Qur'an 6:93).

It would be highly illogical to say that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) composed the Qur'an whose very verses severely condemn such composition as a shameful act which is not surpassed in its wickedness!