The Satanic Verses: Evidence of Muhammad's Deception

In the annals of Islamic history, few episodes are as controversial—and revealing—as the Satanic Verses incident. This event, recorded in early biographies of Muhammad, suggests that the prophet of Islam was momentarily deceived by Satan, reciting false verses as divine revelation. Coupled with his earlier fears of demonic possession and suicidal despair, this incident casts a shadow over his claim to prophethood, raising a critical question: Was Muhammad truly guided by God, or was he ensnared by a darker force?

The Incident: Satan’s Words on Muhammad’s Tongue

According to some of the earliest Islamic sources, including Sirat Rasul Allah by Ibn Ishaq and Tarikh by Al-Tabari, Muhammad faced intense pressure from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca, who opposed his monotheistic message. While reciting Surah 53 (An-Najm), he uttered verses that appeared to endorse three pagan goddesses—Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat:

“These are the exalted cranes, and their intercession is to be hoped for.”

The Quraysh, delighted, prostrated alongside Muhammad, believing he had reconciled with their idols. But soon after, Muhammad retracted these verses, declaring that Satan had “cast” them onto his tongue. The false verses were replaced with Surah 53:21-23, which condemns the goddesses as mere names without divine power.

This account is not a fabrication of critics. It appears in respected early works:

• Ibn Ishaq (Sirat Rasul Allah, p. 165): “Satan cast on his tongue… words of praise for their idols.”

• Al-Tabari (Tarikh, Vol. VI, pp. 107–110): “The devil interjected two phrases on Muhammad’s tongue… and he recited them as part of the Qur’an.”

• Other sources, like Ibn Sa’d’s Tabaqat, echo the story, and Surah 22:52—“Never did We send a messenger… but Satan threw in some suggestion”—is widely linked to this event.

While some Muslim scholars reject the incident due to its absence from Sahih al-Bukhari or Sahih Muslim, its presence in multiple early biographies makes it historically plausible. The evidence points to one conclusion: Muhammad was deceived, reciting Satanic verses as if they were from Allah.

A Prophet Deceived: The Theological Catastrophe

The implications of this incident are profound. At the moment Muhammad spoke those verses, he believed they were divine revelation delivered by Gabriel. Yet they were the words of Satan. This raises a devastating truth: Muhammad could not distinguish between God and the devil.

The Qur’an itself sets a high standard for Muhammad’s reliability:

“If he had made up about Us some false sayings, We would have seized him by the right hand and cut off his aorta.” (Surah 69:44-46)

Yet, when Muhammad recited Satan’s words, no punishment came. No divine retribution. Instead, he claimed correction after the fact, blaming Satan. This absence of consequences undermines the Qur’an’s own warning and suggests a prophet vulnerable to deception.

A Pattern of Spiritual Vulnerability

The Satanic Verses incident is not an isolated event. It confirms a pattern of spiritual doubt already evident in Muhammad’s life:

• Fear of Possession: Early in his mission, after his first encounter in the Cave of Hira, Muhammad feared he was possessed or going mad, saying, “I fear that something may happen to me” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1.1.3). His terror was so great that he sought reassurance from his wife, Khadijah.

• Suicidal Despair: During a pause in revelations (fatrat al-wahi), Muhammad’s distress led him to intend suicide “several times,” planning to throw himself from high mountains, only stopped by Gabriel’s intervention (Sahih al-Bukhari 9.87.111).

These episodes reveal a man haunted by the possibility of demonic influence. The Satanic Verses incident validates those his fear was justified. He was right to suspect deception, as Satan later infiltrated his revelations, proving his vulnerability to spiritual manipulation.

A Biblical Warning Fulfilled

For Christians, this incident resonates with scriptural warnings about false prophets. The Bible cautions:

“For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Muhammad’s experience fits this pattern: an “angel” (Gabriel) delivers revelations, but he fears it’s a demon. Later, he speaks Satan’s words as God’s. This is not the mark of a divinely guided prophet but of one ensnared by deception.

Muslim Responses: Denial or Deflection

Muslim scholars have grappled with this incident, but their responses fall short:

• Denial: Some claim the story is fabricated, citing its absence from Sahih hadiths. Yet, its presence in early sources like Ibn Ishaq and Al-Tabari carries historical weight.

• Reinterpretation: Others argue Muhammad spoke hypothetically or the Quraysh misheard. These explanations contradict the sources, which clearly state Satan influenced Muhammad’s recitation.

• Theological Defense: Some cite Surah 22:52, claiming divine correction proves Muhammad’s prophethood. But this admits he was deceived, undermining his reliability.

None address the core issue: a prophet who recites Satan’s words as revelation cannot be trusted.

Conclusion: A Prophet Under Deception

The Satanic Verses incident is a theological bombshell. Muhammad, believing he was guided by Allah, delivered verses from Satan. This deception, coupled with his earlier fears of possession and suicidal despair, paints a troubling picture: a man plagued by doubt, vulnerable to spiritual manipulation, and unable to discern God from the devil.

Islam claims Muhammad is the “seal of the prophets” and the “best of mankind.” Yet, a prophet who speaks Satan’s words, fears demonic possession, and contemplates suicide is not divine but tragically human—caught in a web of deception. The Satanic Verses confirm what Muhammad himself feared: he was not always guided by God.

For those seeking truth, this incident demands scrutiny. If Islam’s prophet was deceived, what does that say about the faith built on his revelations? The answer lies in the evidence, and the evidence points to a man misled, not a messenger ordained.