Polar Opposites

The last couple of weeks I have been reading a biography of Muhammad, written by a French atheist in the 1960s (Maxime Rodinson). Overall, it is an engaging and fascinating read, though it is interesting to read an atheist attempting to define the legitimacy of Muhammad's revelations from Allah (mediated through the angel Gabriel) - he seems to think that "the Voice" which imparted "divine revelation" to Muhammad issued not from Allah (remember, author's atheist), but from Muhammad's subconscious. He mentions a few interesting incidents throughout the book in which Muhammad's revelations were uncannily convenient for the "Prophet" (revelations which subsequently enlarged Muhammad's land, prestige, or harem). This may or may not be very fair, as the author himself admits. While there are certainly instances in which any "outsider" would be immediately suspicious of the supposed qu'ranic verses which seemed to merely back up Muhammad's own opinions and desires, there are other times in which the "Prophet" received guidance from Allah that went directly against his own inclinations (especially early on). Of course, I personally disagree with the idea that Muhammad's subconscious was the only factor involved. And I certainly don't think God was sending Muhammad "revelations". Much like the "angel Moroni" that came to Joseph Smith (Mormonism), I think there were other forces at work. But this in neither here nor there for this blog posting ...

There was an incident I found quite in stark contrast with the example of Christ. Consider this story of one of Muhammad's disciples, captured by Bedouin, was sold to the people of Mecca (a city that at this time was a sworn enemy of Muhammad). In revenge for a recent battle between the two forces in which Muhammad won, the Meccans "crucified" (in Arab tradition, probably bound to a tree) this Muslim. There a young boy whose father had been recently slain by Muslims in the battle jabbed him with a spear. As he was dying, this man prayed to his god: "Allah" ... then pointing to the crowd of men, women, and children around him, "count them well. Kill them all, one by one, and let not one escape!" We don't know what Muhammad would have though of these exact words, but the "Prophet" did proclaim this man a martyr, and poets later praised him and his courage.

It strikes me, though, the stark contrast between this man and Jesus, who was nailed to a cross, scourged, and mocked, and yet who prayed to his God, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!"

There's a massive difference between the two men. One swore vengeance and called on God to be merciless. The other forgave and called on God to have mercy and save. And God listened to His Son.