1. Muhammad is the "expected prophet" and Messiah of the Jews, and
the most loved by Allah.
Surah 2:83 - And when we made a covenant with the Children of
Israel, We [Muslims] said, "Serve none but Allah…establish the Prayer and
pay the Zakat [tribute]. But with the exception of a few, you turned away
and paid no heed.
Surah 2:146 - These to whom we gave the scriptures know it (the
Prophet, or the Qur'an) as well as they know their own sons. But some of
them knowingly conceal the truth.
Surah 5:19 - O People of the Scripture! Now has Our messenger
come to you to make things plain after an interval (between) messengers…
[A note following 2:83 states that there were a considerable number of Jews living around Madina. When their "expected prophet" appeared among the Arabs instead of the Jews, the Jews grew wildly jealous. "Because of their treason", Muhammad was at odds with them. A note following 2:146 explains that the Jews and Christians knew that the scriptures declared a Prophet would come possessed of specific qualities. When he finally appeared as an Arab orphan, they rejected him due to snobbery and racism. Though many were certain that Muhammad was the Prophet foretold in their books, even they were swayed by pride and stubbornness. In addition, the Rabbis concealed the signs that Muhammad was the prophet mentioned in their scriptures. Another note states that Moses is "Kalimullah" (the speaker with Allah), Jesus is "Ruhullah" (the spirit of Allah), and Muhammad is "Habibullah" (the Beloved of Allah) because he was loved more than the other prophets.]
The note on 2:83 relates to the massacre of around 900 Jews at
Madina and the enslavement of their women and children when they rejected
Muhammad's revelations. (See point #8 in the chapter Jihad.) Note the use
of the term "treason". This is a political term, not a religious one.
[A note preceding 2:142 indicates that after the prophet was forced
from Mecca to Medina, he had his followers face Jerusalem instead of Mecca.
The Jews then declared that Muhammad didn't know which way to face and
had accepted the guidance of the God of Israel. The prophet prayed for
a new direction and was given the commandment to again face Mecca and the
Holy Kaba.]
[A note after 4:65 states that it is not enough to say, "I believe
in God and His prophet: one has to accept the divine commandments, and
the teachings and example of the Prophet, with full sincerity."]
[A note following 6:19 states that the people of Mecca "accused the prophet that there is no witness to his prophethood". Prior to 6:33, an early Arab quote states, "We are not saying that you are lying. We truly believe that you are honest and trustworthy; it is only that we do not believe in the revelations". Surah 9:61 implies that much of Muhammad's "wisdom" was based on what he heard others say.]
In contrast to Muhammad's questioned prophethood, Jesus had specific
prophetic signs throughout the Old Testament and the prophetic witness
of John the Baptist that clearly substantiated his prophethood and divinity.
On those who questioned the Quranic revelations, notes after 2:232 and
3:286 (not listed) state that some of Muhammad's revelations came about
as decisions or judgements over certain incidents while "the laws they
enact are binding on all believers", and that some are revealed "without
the intermediary role of the Angel Gabriel (the Holy Spirit)". This
indicates that they were mere opinions. Since the Qur'an acknowledges the
role of the Holy Spirit which, by design, brings us prophetic revelations
and utterances, such cannot be apart from the Holy Spirit's role. So this
puts all of Muhammad's revelations in doubt as anything other than mortal
wisdom or mimicry of biblical revelations. Divine revelations cannot be
partly divine, especially when total submission to them is required as
stated in point #3 (4:65).
[A note prior to 80:1 states that Muhammad did not like the blind man's interruption, but that the incident is a proof of his prophethood "as no one would reproach oneself in this way."]
This suggests that when Muhammad does something that no one else would
think of doing, even if it's wrong, it confirms his privileged position
as a prophet. In fact, the following surahs offer Muhammad some latitude
for his failure though confirming that he indeed erred:
Surah 80:3,4 - How can you (Muhammad) know? perhaps he might
purify himself… Or be mindful, and the Reminder might profit him.
Surah 80:8,9 - But as for him who eagerly hastens to you, and
is in fear of Allah,
Surah 80:10,11 - You are heedless of him. By no means (should
it be so)!
[A note following 6:35 points out that Muhammad cannot cause miracles
but if he asks, the Lord may grant one. "The ability to overturn natural
laws belongs to the Lawmaker alone."]
[A note after 54:1 says "the idolaters of Makka had asked the Last
Messenger for a miracle. When he pointed to the moon, it came into two
parts."]
[A note following 7:53 states there will be no salvation for those without
faith, that they will be judged on their own personal accountability and
not on the goodness and greatness of others. "For the believers, however,
who, despite their faith, committed enough sins to bring them to Hell,
there will indeed be an intercession by the Blessed Prophet, who will save
them from the trials of the Day of Judgement, and deliver them from hell
by God's permission." This is also said to be distinct from the "Second
Intercession" when Muhammad will bring sinners out of Hell after a
time.]
[A note following 7:157 states that this emphasizes Muhammad's "virginal"
status as recipient of the Divine Word. A note after 11:17 emphasizes that
the clear witness to Muhammad is the Qur'an itself which is professed as
a "miracle". A note following 29:48 claims that Muhammad was unlearned
and unable to write or transcribe, otherwise the charge that "he spoke
not from inspiration but from other people's books" would have been
plausible.]
Though Muhammad is claimed to have been unlearned, he was actually exposed
to Judeo-Christian doctrine since the age of twelve when he met a Syrian
Christian monk who encouraged him. Also, the revelations (or translations) were typically
dictated to others who wrote them down so even illiteracy, if applicable,
would not be an issue.
[A note after 75:16 says that Muhammad is reminded not to be in haste "so he can memorize the whole thing first and then to repeat it."]
If Muhammad has not written or dictated the revelations at the moment
they are revealed, one has to question if he indeed had perfect and inerrant
recall or was subject to the same potential errors he claimed for the Jewish
scribes.
[A note following 14:5 states that the reference to Moses is a reminder
of the favor conferred on Muslims by the coming of a greater prophet, Muhammad.]
Surah 9:61 in the previous point #4 suggests that Muhammad may well
have inclined just a little.
[A note following 17:79 attributes this verse particularly to Muhammad
who usually prayed more than others, and that the "Praiseworthy Station"
is the blessed rank of Muhammad who will stand at the Judgement on an eminence
which bears his name.] A partner with Allah?
[A note following 33:40 states that a "seal" means it is complete,
and there can be no further addition. Muhammad was the last apostle and
"there
has been and will be no Prophet after Muhammad."]
An extensive continuation of 33:50 allows Muhammad wives from among
the daughters of all his aunts and uncles, and that all this is a privilege
for him only and not the rest of the believers. (An interesting revelation
bestowed upon the writer himself.) These would also serve as jusification
for Muhammad having taken Jewish slaves and 6-year old Aisha in marriage
even though her father resisted. From an Islamic document: The Prophet
asked Abu Bakr for Aisha's hand in marriage. Abu Bakr said "But I am your
brother." The Prophet said, "You are my brother in Allah's religion and
His Book, but she (Aisha) is lawful for me to marry."
[A note after 65:1 states that divorce is lawful but disliked by Allah and though He is addressing Muhammad, "the believers are also responsible just like the prophet."]
Considering that Muhammad is professed as an ordinary man, it seems
unusual that God would give him special marriage rights in point #15 while
divorce would demand the same rules as for other men.
[Notes after these surahs explain that they were revealed after the conquest of Makka (Mecca) and Taif, the major cities and people that opposed prophet Muhammad. They also point out "his name is mentioned along with the name of Allah" in prayers, and that Muslims were to believe in and swear allegiance to Allah's representative Muhammad whereby "allegiance was in fact being sworn to Allah through His Messenger."]
These verses illustrate that Muhammad has become the conquering "christ" that he previously condemned: a redeemed and representative partner of God on earth, a name that is mentioned besides Allah in prayers, and one who demands devotion from the people through whom it will be transferred to God. Add that in with points #1, #3, #6, and #11 above and you have a revised Jesus. And yet Muhammad was professed an ordinary human. Is it so inconceivable to Muslims that God might actually have chosen a divine son to serve this crucial purpose? And it makes me wonder if Muhammad, being an orphan who was obviously troubled by such a condition, actually resented the idea of a "greater prophet and son" who had a Father, a term which the Qur'an in all its biblical mimicry conspicuously never uses. One would suspect that Muhammad would relish the idea of a "Heavenly Father" having been neglected an earthly one. It is also of lesser note that Joseph, Jesus' "stepfather", is never mentioned in the Qur'an.
These surahs also reveal a stark contrast to Jesus. As I alluded to
in the introduction, Jesus did not conquer a physical kingdom with force
and violence, but instead established a spiritual kingdom with love and
teaching. Jesus did not gain redemption through eventual conquest, but
was sinless and peaceful when he came. And since Jesus is a part of the
Godhead trinity, it is no blasphemy or contradiction that he served as
his Father's representative on this earth. That is why Christians mention
his name in their prayers and believe in him, whereby "their allegiance
is in fact being sworn to God".