❀ The Objection: Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ Knowledge of Judeo-Christian Teachings
An atheist claims on social media that if the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was unlettered (ummī), he still could have been familiar with Jewish and Christian teachings due to the presence of Jewish tribes and Christian churches in his surroundings. He implies that the Prophet ﷺ heard these stories and incorporated them into the Qur’an.❖ Response to the Claim
◈ ① Contradiction in the Atheist's Argument
The same atheist admits that the Jews used to conceal their scriptures from the Prophet ﷺ so that he would not find affirmation of his prophethood in them.- Example: In the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the term “Messenger of Allah” was erased upon Jewish insistence, yet the name “Son of Abdullah” was left untouched—showing deliberate concealment, not sharing of knowledge.
❖ ② No Evidence of Direct Transmission
- There is no historical evidence to support the claim that the Prophet ﷺ heard Biblical stories from Jews or Christians.
- Jewish tribes in Arabia did not have access to complete, authoritative texts of the Bible. Much of this material only became known through modern archaeological findings.
❖ ③ Queen of Sheba and Prophet Sulaymān (عليه السلام)
The atheist attributes this Qur’anic story to the Jewish text Targum Sheni.- Rebuttal: No concrete proof exists that the Prophet ﷺ was aware of Targum Sheni, nor is there evidence that such texts were present in Arabia in the 7th century.
- Qur’anic Claim: The Qur’an presents such stories not as innovations, but as a correction and continuation of previous divine revelations, removing fabricated elements.
- Conversion of Scholars: Prominent Jewish scholars like ʿAbdullah ibn Salam embraced Islam after recognizing the truth of the Prophet’s ﷺ message. Had the Qur’an merely echoed Jewish legends, such scholars would have objected.
❖ ④ Story of Hārūt and Mārūt
The atheist claims this came from the Talmud.- Clarification: The Talmud is a legal and jurisprudential text, not a collection of tales. Furthermore, its access in pre-Islamic Arabia was nearly nonexistent.
❖ ⑤ Prophet ﷺ Narrating Stories of Banī Isrā’īl
The atheist attributes a hadith: "The Prophet ﷺ would narrate stories of Banī Isrā’īl until morning."- Refutation: This narration is not found in any authentic hadith collection with full chain and context. It is an unverified claim used to build a fabricated argument.
❖ ⑥ Meaning of "Ummī" Misrepresented
The atheist asserts that "ummī" is a Jewish term, which is historically baseless.- In the Qur’an, “ummī” clearly means unlettered or not formally taught by human teachers, not a Jewish classification.
❖ ⑦ Qur’anic vs. Biblical Versions of Stories
- Hābīl and Qābīl (Cain and Abel): While present in the Book of Genesis, the Biblical version contains problematic elements, which the Qur’an corrects with clarity and moral insight.
- Creation of the Universe: The Bible speaks of a 6-day literal creation, while the Qur’an allows for a longer, undefined period, aligning with scientific perspectives.
- The Flood of Nūḥ (عليه السلام): The Bible describes a global flood, refuted by archaeological evidence. The Qur’an does not claim a global flood, but one confined to a specific region.
- Timeframe of Ādam (عليه السلام): The Bible suggests he lived ~5800 years ago, conflicting with anthropological evidence. The Qur’an remains silent on specific dates, keeping its narrative timeless and universal.
❖ ⑧ The "Muwāfaqāt of ʿUmar" and the Atheist's Misconception
The atheist suggests some Qur’anic verses were "invented" by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه).- Reality: The "Muwāfaqāt of ʿUmar" refer to verses revealed confirming his inspired opinions, as a divine endorsement, not authorship.
- The Prophet ﷺ confirmed this unique merit of ʿUmar, and such incidents are well-documented in authentic hadith.
❖ Conclusion: A Flawed Narrative
The atheist’s arguments are based on:- Unverified claims,
- Lack of historical proof,
- Misinterpretation of Qur’anic and Biblical content,
- And a deliberate narrative twist driven by ideological bias.
These accusations are not grounded in fact or reason, but rather represent literary fiction dressed as argumentation.
و الله أعلم
(And Allah knows best)
