Journal Of Islamic Denominations

Journal Of Islamic Denominations

A Critique of the Notion of the Prophet Muhammad's Imbalanced Conduct in the Qur'an and Hadith from the Perspective of Scholars of Islamic Denominations

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Associate Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Faculty of Humanities, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jid.2025.62312.1257
Abstract
 
The apparent meaning of certain Qur'anic verses and narrations suggests that during some periods of the life of the Messenger of God (SAWA), he exhibited imbalanced conduct (including extremist and violent actions, or passive and conservative ones) that is clearly incompatible with the station of prophetic infallibility (ʿiṣmah). The seemingly conservative instances include: 1. Permitting the abandonment of jihad; 2. Taking prisoners of war; 3. Expressing fear; 4. Perceived negligence in fulfilling his mission. On the other hand, the seemingly harsh and violent instances include: 1. Severe and harsh treatment, as mentioned in the initial verses of Surah ʿAbasa (Q 80:1-2); 2. The stern language in the letters of the Prophet (SAWA) to kings; 3. The decision to seek excessive revenge for the killer of Ḥamzah (RA) during the Battle of Uḥud. This research collects the responses and interpretations offered by Islamic scholars regarding the Prophet's seemingly imbalanced (violent or conservative) conduct in these seven mentioned contexts. Using a content analysis method of a descriptive-analytical type, it analyzes, examines, and critiques these responses, ultimately presenting the preferred viewpoint on all the mentioned contexts.





Keywords
Subjects

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