Other scholars are coming to similar conclusions on account of the holes in the historical records.
Their concerns are more than an argument from silence; if the traditional understanding of Islam is true, it is indeed very problematic that we do not find more about Muhammad in the earliest historical records.
If Muhammad was the prophet of the Arabs, and if they were energized and motivated by his teachings, why is it that the Arab conquests of the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia never mention his name?
These conquests occurred in the middle of the seventh century, immediately after Muhammad’s death, yet none of the contemporary records mention Muhammad.
In fact, none mention a holy book or even the word Muslim. It is not that there are no records; considering the communications of the conquerors and the writings of the conquered, there are abundant records, yet Muhammad is never named, a holy book is never discussed, and the conquerors are never called Muslims.
Other evidence also has historians scratching their heads: Although Mecca is reputed to be a trade center, it never appears in any trade routes until the turn of the eighth century; none of the earliest mosques faced toward Mecca (all faced toward either Jerusalem or Petra until about the turn of the eighth century); Mecca is mentioned only once in the Quran; the descriptions of the land in the Quran sound very little like Mecca, much more like northern Arabia; and the list goes on.
For these reasons, not just one Muslim scholar but many scholars doubt the traditional origins of Islam and even the existence of Muhammad, at least as the early Islamic records describe him. According to them, the truth about the origins of Islam is unfortunately veiled. There is almost nothing we can know with certainty about the historical Muhammad.
Yet, mention this in any public arena and you will certainly face outrage!
I tend to believe, for no good reason other than my gut, that Muhammad did indeed exist. However, he was not the perfect, caring, giving prophet of Allah that he was portrayed to be.
Despite all of the evidence I've presented in these blogs so far, one piece of evidence is enough to turn my gut...
Muhammad was reported as a pedophile and there's no way around it. He was reported to have married that girl at six years old and consummated that marriage when she was nine.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5134 [also 3894, 5158, etc.]: “The Prophet married me when I was six years old, and he consummated the marriage with me when I was nine years old.”
Sahih Muslim 1422a [and parallels]: “Allah’s Messenger married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house when I was nine years old.”
These are graded sahih (authentic) by the traditional Islamic standards of hadith criticism. The same report appears in other early collections as well.
In the 7th century, across most of the Near East (including Arabia, the Roman/Byzantine world, and Jewish communities), girls were typically married at or shortly after puberty.
The legal minimum in Roman law was 12 for girls. In practice, the usual age for consummation was the early-to-mid teens—often around 13–16—once a girl had started menstruating. Betrothals (the formal agreement) could happen a few years earlier.
Seventh century practices may not sit well with western civilization today, but I can understand and even condone the above stated to an extent.
It's not as if Muhammad was around her same age - he wasn't just a horny teenager when he consummated this marriage. He was 53-54 years old! I maybe could begin to question his actions if she was at least of age... but six years old? I have daughters, and I remember their sweet faces at six years old. I would've ripped Muhammad limb from limb, slowly, with diligence and purpose, for such an atrocity against either of my young princesses. Forgive me Yeshua but it's true... only You would be able to stop me and I'm not so sure you would!
Muslims can explain Muhammad's six year old bride anyway that they choose... but the fact is, in my eyes: Muhammad was a disgusting pedophile... did Allah condone this? Well? Did he?! Did Allah approve of this pedophilia from his messenger? That goes against any, and all, natural moral fiber within me... that type of god can go ahead and send me to hell. I've no desire to spend an afterlife with that type of god.
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