Exposing Islam

Muhammad’s Prophethood Under Fire:

Failed Prophecies and Questionable Morality

Introduction: The Claim of Prophethood — A Divine Calling or a Dangerous Deception?

Islam presents Muhammad as the final prophet, the “Seal of the Prophets,” whose words and actions are divinely inspired and whose prophecies are infallible. Muslims are taught that he was the perfect human being, a model of moral excellence, and a direct messenger of Allah. But when we critically examine the historical record — including the Qur’an, authentic Hadith, and early Islamic history — a different picture emerges.

This article will expose two fatal flaws in the claim of Muhammad’s prophethood:

Failed Prophecies: Predictions made by Muhammad that did not come true, raising serious questions about his status as a true prophet.
Questionable Morality: Actions and teachings attributed to Muhammad that directly contradict basic moral principles, revealing a troubling ethical double standard.

1. Failed Prophecies: When Divine Revelation Becomes a Guessing Game

A. The Promise of an Imminent Day of Judgment

Muhammad made numerous statements predicting that the Day of Judgment was near — within the lifetime of his followers:

“The Hour will not be established until you see ten signs… the smoke, the Dajjal (Antichrist), the beast, the rising of the sun from the west…”
— (Sahih Muslim 2901)

“This boy will not grow very old before the Hour comes to you.”
— (Sahih Muslim 2952)

“The Last Hour will come when two large groups fight, and there will be a great number of casualties on both sides… The Hour will come after the conquest of Jerusalem…”
— (Sahih Bukhari 7121)

B. The Failed Prophecy of Rome and Persia’s Conquest

Muhammad predicted that the Muslim Ummah would conquer both the Roman and Persian Empires:

“You will conquer Persia, and Allah will conquer it for you. You will conquer Rome, and Allah will conquer it for you.”
— (Sahih Muslim 2900)

The Persian Empire was indeed conquered, but Rome (Byzantium) was never fully conquered by Muslims. Even the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 was not the fall of Rome — it was the fall of the Eastern Christian capital.

C. The False Promise of Peace and Prosperity for Arabia

Muhammad promised that Arabia would become a land of lush gardens and rivers:

“The Hour will not come until the land of Arabia returns to being meadows and rivers.”
— (Sahih Muslim 157)

Despite this claim, Arabia remains a largely arid desert, dependent on expensive water desalination technology and imports for survival.

D. The Prediction of Global Islamic Dominance

Muhammad declared that Islam would conquer the entire world:

“Allah showed me the earth, and I saw its eastern and western parts. The dominion of my Ummah will reach as far as what I was shown.”
— (Sahih Muslim 2889)

Over 1,400 years later, Islam has not conquered the world, and in many regions, it has significantly declined.

E. The Curse of the Quraysh: A Failed Punishment

Muhammad invoked a curse on the Quraysh tribe for rejecting his message:

“O Allah, destroy the Quraysh…”
— (Sahih Bukhari 2930)

Not only were the Quraysh not destroyed, but they became the ruling class of the Islamic Caliphate, dominating the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties.

2. Questionable Morality: Actions That Contradict Moral Integrity

A. The Massacre of the Banu Qurayza

One of the most troubling incidents in Muhammad’s life is the massacre of the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza:

After a siege, the men of the tribe were judged and executed, with estimates ranging from 600 to 900 men beheaded in a single day.
The women and children were taken as slaves, and the property of the tribe was seized as war booty.

“Then he (Muhammad) commanded that their warriors should be killed, and their women and children should be taken as captives… They were brought out to the marketplace of Medina, and trenches were dug. They were beheaded in those trenches.”
— (Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah)

B. The Marriage to Aisha: A Child Bride

Muhammad married Aisha when she was six years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine.

“The Prophet married me when I was six years old, and consummated the marriage with me when I was nine years old.”
— (Sahih Bukhari 5133)

This practice is defended by Muslims as “normal” for its time, but it directly contradicts modern moral standards and exposes a disturbing lack of ethical restraint.

C. Assassination of Critics

Muhammad ordered the assassination of his critics, including poets who mocked him:

Ka‘b ibn al-Ashraf: A Jewish poet who composed satirical verses about Muhammad. He was assassinated on Muhammad’s orders.
“Who will kill Ka‘b ibn al-Ashraf? He has hurt Allah and His Messenger.” — (Sahih Bukhari 4037)
Asma bint Marwan: A woman poet who criticized Muhammad. She was murdered in her home by a follower of Muhammad.

D. The Taking of War Booty and Slave Women

Muhammad and his followers engaged in raids where they seized property, enslaved women, and distributed them as war booty.

“The Messenger of Allah divided the captives of Khaybar among his companions… He took a fifth of the war booty for himself.”
— (Sahih Muslim 1769)

This included the case of Safiyyah bint Huyayy, a Jewish woman taken as a captive and married by Muhammad after her husband was killed.

E. The Permission of Wife Beating

The Qur’an explicitly permits a husband to strike his wife under certain conditions:

“Men are in charge of women… As for those from whom you fear arrogance, admonish them, then forsake them in bed, and [finally] strike them…”
— (Surah An-Nisa 4:34)

Despite Muslim apologetics attempting to soften this verse, it remains a clear endorsement of domestic violence.

3. The Double Standard of Islamic Morality

Muhammad’s actions are often defended by Muslims as “divinely inspired” or “contextual,” but this is a clear double standard.
The same Muslims who claim Muhammad was a perfect example of morality would condemn these actions if performed by anyone else.
Rather than offering a higher moral standard, Muhammad’s behavior often reflects the brutality, injustice, and tribalism of 7th-century Arabia.

4. Conclusion: The Problematic Prophethood of Muhammad

Muhammad’s claim to prophethood collapses under the weight of failed prophecies and morally indefensible actions. A true prophet of God should be known for two things: accurate prophecy and impeccable moral character. Muhammad fails on both counts.

His prophecies often did not come true, exposing him as either a false prophet or a man who made unverifiable predictions to manipulate his followers.
His moral behavior is deeply troubling, from child marriage to massacres, assassinations, and slave-taking.
Defenders of Muhammad rely on circular logic, claiming his actions were “justified” simply because he did them.

The standard Islamic narrative crumbles under critical scrutiny. Muhammad’s life is not the life of a true prophet — it is the life of a 7th-century warlord who used religion to consolidate power.