Page 20 - World Religions I - Islam

o During some moments of inspiration, Muhammad would fall into a trance-like state where his lips would
move quickly as if he were speaking, but no sound would come out.33 34
o During some periods of inspiration, Muhammad's head would become bowed with the weightiness of what
he'd heard. If he were riding a camel during an episode, the camel itself would fall down, presumably from
the weight.35 G. Muhammad's body would become extremely heavy and weighted during revelations.
 Zaid ibn Thabit reported, "So Allah sent down revelation to His Apostle while his thigh was on mine
and it became so heavy for me that I feared that my thigh would be broken."36
 One of Muhammad's companions reported, "Once his leg fell upon mine, and, by Allah, there is
no such heavy leg as was that of the Apostle of Allah...As often as the Prophet received
inspiration, it seemed as if his soul was being taken from him, for he had always a kind of
swoon and look like one intoxicated."
o Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that during revelations, Muhammad would shiver, foam at the mouth, and
roar like a camel.
• On several occasions, Muhammad's revelation became consolatory in nature, confirming that he was neither insane
nor demon possessed. We must ask ourselves why the need for such confirmation unless Muhammad—or
others—had ongoing doubts?
o "Thou are not, by the grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed." - Al- Qalam (The Pen) 68:2 (Trans. Yusuf Ali)
o "Verily this is the word of a most honorable Messenger, endued with power, with rank before the Lord of
the Throne, with authority there, (and) faithful to his trust. And (O people!) your companion is not one
possessed; nor is it the word of an evil spirit accursed." - Al-Takwir (The Overthrowing) 81:19-22, 25 (Trans.
Yusuf Ali)
o "We know best why it is [the unbelievers] listen [to the Qur'an being read], when they listen to thee; and
when they meet in private conference, behold, the wicked say, 'Ye follow non other than a man bewitched!'" -
Al-Isra' (The Night Journey) 17:47 (Trans. Yusuf Ali) Despite the evidence in the Qur'an and in Muslim traditions,
identifying Muhammad as one demon possessed does little to advance the gospel witness. All of Islamic
religion, tradition, culture, and heritage find their core in the person of Muhammad, which is why Muslims
see an attack on his character as equivalent to a personal attack on themselves.

Periods of Revelation
According to Muslim tradition, the revelation of surahs (Qur'anic chapters) were received through Gabriel during four
periods over a span of twenty- three years.

• The Qur'an offers a polemic to those who question why it was revealed sporadically.
o "Those who reject Faith say: 'Why is not the Qur'an revealed to him all at once?' Thus (is it revealed), that We
may strengthen thy heart thereby, and We have rehearsed it to thee in slow, well-arranged stages, gradually."
- Al-Furqan (The Standard) 25:32 (Trans. Yusuf Ali)
• According to the traditions, new passages were coming with increasing frequency before the fateful day of
Muhammad's death. In today's Qur'an, some Meccan chapters contain verses revealed at Medina and vice
versa.101

19