Exposing Islam

Muhammad’s Privileges: A Prophet Above the Law

The Claim: The Prophet as the Perfect Example

Muslims are taught that Muhammad is al-Insān al-Kāmil—“the perfect man”—whose life is the ultimate moral and legal model for humanity. The Qur’an itself says:

“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow...” (Qur’an 33:21)

But when we critically examine the text of the Qur’an and Hadith, a radically different picture emerges: Muhammad was not under the law—he was above it.

What the Qur’an denies to ordinary Muslims, it repeatedly grants to Muhammad alone, often through conveniently timed revelations. The result is a prophet who enjoys exemptions, special privileges, and moral latitude unavailable to others.

This is not divine justice. It’s prophetic self-authorization.

1️⃣ Unlimited Wives: A Sexual Exemption by Revelation

Qur’an 33:50:
“O Prophet, We have made lawful to you your wives... and a believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet, if the Prophet wishes to marry her—this is only for you, excluding the [rest of] the believers.”

Here, Muhammad is uniquely allowed:

To marry without limit (contrast with the 4-wife cap in 4:3)
To accept women who offer themselves to him, without dowry
To bypass normal marriage procedures

→ The verse explicitly states: this privilege is for you alone, not for other men.

This isn't spiritual leadership—it’s a legally sanctioned double standard.

2️⃣ The Zaynab Scandal: Revelation to Justify Desire

Background: Muhammad saw Zaynab, the wife of his adopted son Zayd, and desired her. Soon after, Zayd divorced her—and Muhammad married her.

To quell the scandal, a revelation descended:

Qur’an 33:37:
“When Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there be no discomfort for the believers in [marrying] the wives of their adopted sons…”

This retroactive revelation:

Legitimized the marriage
Conveniently abrogated the taboo on marrying a son's wife
Claimed the marriage was to teach a lesson, not satisfy personal desire

→ But Zayd was Muhammad’s adopted son, not biological. Islam could’ve made the legal point without personally involving Muhammad. The personal gain is impossible to ignore.

3️⃣ Special Right to Delay or Favor Wives

Qur’an 33:51:
“You may put off whom you please among your wives, and take to you whom you please... And there is no blame on you.”

This verse allows Muhammad to:

Rotate his wives’ turns at his discretion
Delay some indefinitely
Choose favorites without guilt

No other Muslim has this right. It institutionalizes arbitrary preference within the domestic sphere. Compare this to the egalitarian requirement in Surah 4:3, where justice among wives is mandated.

4️⃣ Booty and Spoils: Reserved for the Prophet

Qur’an 8:1:
“They ask you about the spoils of war. Say, ‘The spoils are for Allah and the Messenger…’”

And in 8:41:

“…One-fifth is for Allah and the Messenger...”

In practice, this meant 20% of all war booty went to Muhammad directly, under divine sanction.

→ No oversight. No shared accountability. He was both spiritual leader and beneficiary of war gains, institutionalized in scripture.

5️⃣ No Equal Accountability

When confronted about favoritism or criticism, Muhammad could invoke divine authority to shut down dissent.

Qur’an 33:53:
“...When you ask [the Prophet’s wives] for anything, ask them from behind a screen... That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.”

This verse:

Was revealed after people overstayed their welcome in Muhammad’s home
Turned personal discomfort into divine command
Reinforced his family’s special sanctity

In effect, personal boundaries were backed by divine injunction. Critics weren’t just offending Muhammad—they were opposing Allah.

6️⃣ Questioning the Prophet = Questioning God

Throughout the Qur’an, objections to Muhammad are treated not as human disagreement, but as rebellion against God.

Qur’an 33:36:
“It is not for a believing man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice...”

In this verse:

Muhammad’s will is equated with God’s will
Dissent becomes blasphemy
Obedience is mandatory, regardless of content

→ This places Muhammad beyond reproach, even if his decisions involve personal benefit, social manipulation, or moral inconsistency.

7️⃣ A Final Privilege: Guaranteed Forgiveness

Qur’an 48:2:
“That Allah may forgive you your past and future sins...”

This verse guarantees Muhammad blanket absolution—past and future.

No such unconditional forgiveness is offered to any other person in Islam. For ordinary Muslims, forgiveness is contingent on:

Repentance
Good deeds
Divine mercy

But for Muhammad? It’s a divine pre-approval of all actions.

This isn’t accountability. It’s pre-licensed immunity.

📉 Final Verdict: Privilege, Not Prophethood

The Qur’an reveals a prophet who:

Privilege	Source	Denied to Others?
Unlimited marriages	Qur’an 33:50	✅ Yes
Selective marital rotation	Qur’an 33:51	✅ Yes
War booty allotment	Qur’an 8:1, 8:41	✅ Yes
Marrying adopted son’s wife	Qur’an 33:37	✅ Yes
Blanket forgiveness	Qur’an 48:2	✅ Yes
Questioning = blasphemy	Qur’an 33:36	✅ Yes

These are not the traits of a selfless prophet—they are systemic privileges written into the very book claimed to be from God.

If Muhammad was truly the “best example,” he would be subject to the law, not exempt from it.

Conclusion: The Qur’an institutionalizes Muhammad’s moral and legal exceptionalism, granting him a status that violates Islam’s own teachings on equality, justice, and accountability.

This isn’t revelation—it’s religious autocracy cloaked in divine authority.