A Prophet Above Criticism? Muhammad, Assassinations, and the Collapse of the ‘Perfect Example’ Narrative

Qur’anic Claim: A Perfect Moral Example

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for Allah and the Last Day...”
— Qur’an 33:21

Muslim theology holds that Muhammad’s words and actions—Sunnah—are morally impeccable. But can that claim survive when we look at historically documented acts of political murder ordered by Muhammad himself?

Let’s examine two key examples:

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Case 1: Asma bint Marwan — A Poetess Killed for Her Words

🗡️ The Account:

Asma was a Medinan poet who composed verses criticizing Muhammad and encouraging resistance to him after he had begun asserting political and military control in Medina.

According to early biographer Ibn Ishaq (as preserved in Ibn Hisham’s recension of Sirat Rasul Allah):

A man named Umayr bin Adi al-Khatmi went to her house at night and murdered her while she was sleeping, reportedly with her child at her side.
The next morning, he told Muhammad what he had done. Muhammad responded:

"You have helped God and His Messenger, O Umayr!"

When asked whether there would be consequences, the Prophet reportedly said:

“Two goats won’t butt their heads about her.”
— (Ibn Ishaq, §995–996)

❗ Why it’s problematic:

• She committed no violence—only used poetry to criticize.

• The killing was extrajudicial, ordered and praised by Muhammad.

• No evidence suggests Muhammad tried to stop or condemn the act—he rewarded it.

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Case 2: Ka'b bin al-Ashraf — The Poet Executed for Mocking

🗡️ The Account:

Ka'b was a Jewish poet in Medina who satirized Muhammad and mourned the Quraysh losses after the Battle of Badr. He was seen as stirring sentiment against Muhammad.

According to Sahih Bukhari 4037 and Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad said:

“Who will rid me of Ka’b bin al-Ashraf?”

A volunteer named Muhammad bin Maslama led a group that assassinated Ka'b by deception, luring him into a trap and killing him at night.

When the assassins returned, Muhammad praised them and did not punish the act.

❗ Why it’s problematic:

• Ka'b was not a combatant; he was targeted for speech.

• The assassination was premeditated and deceitful.

• Again, Muhammad rewarded political murder.

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The Moral Collapse of the “Perfect Example”

If the standard of perfection includes:

• Assassinating poets for criticizing you,

• Encouraging vigilante killings for dissent,

• And glorifying extrajudicial murder,

Then that standard cannot be universal, moral, or timeless.

Contrast this with:

• Jesus, who forgave his persecutors.

• Socrates, who accepted death rather than retaliate.

• Modern democracies, which protect free speech—even of critics.

A truly perfect moral example does not kill to silence opposition.

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Muslim Apologetic Responses (And Why They Fail)

❌ “They were traitors or inciting violence.”

But no evidence supports that Asma or Ka'b engaged in treason or violence. Their “crime” was mockery and satire—not warfare.

❌ “These were war measures.”

Even in war, civilians and poets are not fair game. If Islam is to be judged as moral and just, it must meet universal standards—not retroactively justify political murders.

❌ “These reports are weak.”

Both cases are reported in early, authoritative sources:

• Ibn Ishaq (the earliest Sira),

• Sahih Bukhari, Ibn Sa’d, and others. Dismissing them undermines Islam’s entire historical foundation, since these same sources are used to define the Prophet’s life and Sunnah.

You can’t selectively reject sources only when they’re embarrassing.

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Conclusion: Perfection or Political Expediency?

The historical Muhammad ordered or praised assassinations of poets who dared criticize him. These were not battlefield enemies—they were civilians, writers, and satirists.

If Muhammad is truly the uswa hasanah—the ultimate moral model—then that model includes the murder of dissenters, silencing of critics, and suppression of speech by force.

But if morality means protecting freedom, valuing life, and defending dissent—even of enemies—then Muhammad fails the moral test.

The claim that Muhammad is the “perfect example” collapses under the weight of his own actions.