The Reality Behind Historical Records and the Mention of Prophets
Written by: Muhammad Saleem
Some individuals object that many prophets — particularly Prophet Musa (Moses) عليه السلام — are not mentioned in historical records. According to some historians, Musa عليه السلام appeared around 3,500 years ago (approximately 1500 BCE). Some modern historians even claim that Musa عليه السلام was merely a mythical figure, not a real historical person.
Before addressing this objection, it is important to understand that only a few prophets are mentioned in historical records, and even those are in limited scope. The majority of prophets are only mentioned in religious scriptures, because the discipline of history is often shaped by specific principles and biases.
History is a branch of human knowledge written by humans themselves. It is not completely objective or neutral.
We often say, “History tells us,” but it is critical to recognize that history is not some automated or divine system.
Rather, it is a collection of human-authored documents, shaped by time, context, and the perspective of the writer.
A common misconception is that history is always unbiased. In reality, this is one of the greatest myths in the world.
Historians often distort facts according to their preferences or political needs.
They present events through a particular lens, and if something contradicts their national or ideological narrative, they ignore or alter it.
A modern example that clearly illustrates historical bias is the 1993 incident in Mogadishu, Somalia.
◈ The U.S. planned an operation to capture Farah Aideed.
◈ They estimated the mission would be completed in 45 minutes.
◈ During the operation, two U.S. helicopters were shot down, and their forces faced heavy resistance.
◈ The U.S. troops sought help from the Pakistan Army, which risked their lives to rescue them.
The U.S. later produced the film Black Hawk Down, where the entire story was heavily altered —
◈ American forces were shown as heroes,
◈ While Pakistan's crucial role was reduced to minor “hospitality.”
The attack of Abraha on the Kaʿbah is mentioned in the Qur’an, but Yemeni historians did not document it.
Why? Because the event depicted the defeat of their king and the manifestation of divine punishment.
◈ Abraha’s death was omitted by Yemeni historians, likely because his sons had become rulers after him.
◈ Highlighting such events could have jeopardized their rule.
The truth of this event is further confirmed by the fact that within just forty years, the people of Yemen accepted Islam without warfare.
Several reasons explain the absence of Prophet Musa عليه السلام from worldly historical records:
① Continuity of Pharaoh’s Rule:
Though the Pharaoh and his army were drowned during Musa’s time, the government of Egypt did not collapse.
It’s possible that a successor or relative of Pharaoh took power and deliberately erased Musa’s memory from the official record.
② Discovery of Pharaoh’s Mummy:
The mummy of the Pharaoh was discovered in the pyramids of Egypt, which affirms that preserving royal corpses was a tradition.
It is likely that Pharaoh’s drowned body was retrieved from the Nile and later mummified.
③ The Israelites Did Not Return to Rule Egypt:
Had Egypt been fully destroyed during Musa’s time, the Children of Israel would have returned after their forty years of wandering and reclaimed power.
But this did not happen — only Pharaoh’s army was destroyed, not the entire nation.
④ Jewish Records on Musa عليه السلام:
Even the Jewish historical records do not detail all the miracles of Musa عليه السلام, perhaps because publicizing such miracles could have weakened their position or credibility.
A similar question arises regarding Prophet ʿIsa (Jesus) عليه السلام —
Why have historians ignored his miracles?
◈ Could they write that he brought the dead back to life or restored sight to the blind?
◈ Writing such truths might have led Jewish historians to face the wrath of their own community, so they chose silence or erasure.
Worldly history is often written under the influence of power, prejudice, and partisanship.
The absence of prophets in historical records is not because they were imaginary, but because history is not bound to always speak the truth.
The silence or distortion of historical records should not be interpreted as denial of the truth of prophethood.
Written by: Muhammad Saleem
❖ The Objection
Some individuals object that many prophets — particularly Prophet Musa (Moses) عليه السلام — are not mentioned in historical records. According to some historians, Musa عليه السلام appeared around 3,500 years ago (approximately 1500 BCE). Some modern historians even claim that Musa عليه السلام was merely a mythical figure, not a real historical person.
❖ Response
Before addressing this objection, it is important to understand that only a few prophets are mentioned in historical records, and even those are in limited scope. The majority of prophets are only mentioned in religious scriptures, because the discipline of history is often shaped by specific principles and biases.
❖ What is History?
History is a branch of human knowledge written by humans themselves. It is not completely objective or neutral.
We often say, “History tells us,” but it is critical to recognize that history is not some automated or divine system.
Rather, it is a collection of human-authored documents, shaped by time, context, and the perspective of the writer.
❖ The Myth of Historical Objectivity
A common misconception is that history is always unbiased. In reality, this is one of the greatest myths in the world.
Historians often distort facts according to their preferences or political needs.
They present events through a particular lens, and if something contradicts their national or ideological narrative, they ignore or alter it.
❖ Recent Example: The Battle of Mogadishu
A modern example that clearly illustrates historical bias is the 1993 incident in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Summary of Events:
◈ The U.S. planned an operation to capture Farah Aideed.
◈ They estimated the mission would be completed in 45 minutes.
◈ During the operation, two U.S. helicopters were shot down, and their forces faced heavy resistance.
◈ The U.S. troops sought help from the Pakistan Army, which risked their lives to rescue them.
Historical Distortion:
The U.S. later produced the film Black Hawk Down, where the entire story was heavily altered —
◈ American forces were shown as heroes,
◈ While Pakistan's crucial role was reduced to minor “hospitality.”
❖ The Silence of History: The Case of Abraha
The attack of Abraha on the Kaʿbah is mentioned in the Qur’an, but Yemeni historians did not document it.
Why? Because the event depicted the defeat of their king and the manifestation of divine punishment.
◈ Abraha’s death was omitted by Yemeni historians, likely because his sons had become rulers after him.
◈ Highlighting such events could have jeopardized their rule.
The truth of this event is further confirmed by the fact that within just forty years, the people of Yemen accepted Islam without warfare.
❖ Why Is Prophet Musa عليه السلام Not Prominently Mentioned in Secular History?
Several reasons explain the absence of Prophet Musa عليه السلام from worldly historical records:
① Continuity of Pharaoh’s Rule:
Though the Pharaoh and his army were drowned during Musa’s time, the government of Egypt did not collapse.
It’s possible that a successor or relative of Pharaoh took power and deliberately erased Musa’s memory from the official record.
② Discovery of Pharaoh’s Mummy:
The mummy of the Pharaoh was discovered in the pyramids of Egypt, which affirms that preserving royal corpses was a tradition.
It is likely that Pharaoh’s drowned body was retrieved from the Nile and later mummified.
③ The Israelites Did Not Return to Rule Egypt:
Had Egypt been fully destroyed during Musa’s time, the Children of Israel would have returned after their forty years of wandering and reclaimed power.
But this did not happen — only Pharaoh’s army was destroyed, not the entire nation.
④ Jewish Records on Musa عليه السلام:
Even the Jewish historical records do not detail all the miracles of Musa عليه السلام, perhaps because publicizing such miracles could have weakened their position or credibility.
❖ The Case of Prophet ʿIsa (Jesus) عليه السلام
A similar question arises regarding Prophet ʿIsa (Jesus) عليه السلام —
Why have historians ignored his miracles?
◈ Could they write that he brought the dead back to life or restored sight to the blind?
◈ Writing such truths might have led Jewish historians to face the wrath of their own community, so they chose silence or erasure.
✔ Conclusion
Worldly history is often written under the influence of power, prejudice, and partisanship.
The absence of prophets in historical records is not because they were imaginary, but because history is not bound to always speak the truth.
The silence or distortion of historical records should not be interpreted as denial of the truth of prophethood.
