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Are There Any Satanic Verses in The Quran?

16 December, 2017
Q I have some non-Muslim friends. They asked me once about “the satanic verses present in the Qur’an.” I know this is not true, but my answer was not sufficient for them. Can you tell me the real story behind this allegation and send me the truth of the whole matter so that I can clear the misunderstanding of my friends? Thanks.

Answer

Short Answer: Of course not. The charge you have mentioned is only one of many attempts by certain Christian groups to discredit the message of Prophet Muhammad. The root of this lie comes from a story attributed to Abu Ja`far Muhammad ibn Jarir At-Tabari, but the story was false. It contradicts both the message of the Quran and the mission of the Prophet, namely to lead the world from the worship of many gods to the unconditional worship of THE One and Only God.


Salam Noha, 

Thank you for contacting About Islam with your question. 

At the very outset, let us pray to Allah Almighty to save us all from the Satan. 

The Christian missionaries have been trying to undermine the message of Islam by putting forth various fraudulent claims and allegations against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him-PBUH).

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The charge you have mentioned is only one of many. 

They claim that Satan was able to insert his own verses into the Quran, through the mouth of the Prophet.

The Root of the Problem

Their proof is a story culled from Abu Ja`far Muhammad ibn Jarir At-Tabari.

While it is true that there is such a story narrated by At-Tabari, the critics of Islam do not consider the fact that he was simply repeating a story he got from other sources.

Because At-Tabari himself wrote: 

[…] if I mention in this book a report about some men of the past, which the reader or listener finds objectionable or worthy of censure because he can see no aspect of truth nor any factual substance therein, let him know that this is not to be attributed to us but to those who transmitted it to us and we have merely passed this on as it has been passed on to us. (Tarikh Al-TabariTarikh Al-Umam wal-Muluk

This story is as follows: 

When the Muslims in Makkah were facing staunch opposition and persecution from the people of the Quraysh, the Prophet (peace be upon him) wished for a revelation that would help a reconciliation with his people.

One day, while the Prophet was sitting with the Quraysh, he recited to them Surat An-Najm. After reading the verses: “Would you consider Al-Lat and Al-`Uzza? As well as Manat, the third goddess?” (An-Najm 53:19-20), he is reported to have continued the recitation with the statement: “They are the goddesses on high. Their intercession is worthy of being sought.”

He then proceeded with his reading of the surah as we know it. When he finished, it is alleged he prostrated himself, and all the Quraysh followed him. But later, the Prophet is reported to have changed his mind and “blasphemed” the same goddesses; and so, the Quraysh reverted to persecution. 

The Problems With This Story

The story contradicts both the message of the Quran and the mission of the Prophet, namely to lead the world from the worship of many gods to the unconditional worship of THE One and Only God.

The Prophet, who was not tempted by the offer of the most coveted positions in Makkah besides all kinds of attractive offers from the people of the Quraysh, cannot be expected to yield to the kind of temptation mentioned in the story.

Remember how he risked his own life and wealth and all for Allah? So, how can we believe that he fell into such a silly trap? 

It is quite natural that he desired for a way to reconcile with the Quraysh; but we cannot imagine that he would stoop to this level as to recognize the pagan deities to the detriment of his life mission.

What purpose does it serve? 

For this reason alone, we can dismiss this story out of hand. But consider certain other factors too.

  • Allah has commanded us that the recitation of the verses of the Quran must begin compulsorily with: “I seek refuge with Allah, from Satan the rejected.” 
  • Satan has no power whatsoever to interrupt Allah, The All Powerful’s revelation. 
  • In primordial time, when Satan was sent out of Paradise, Allah gave him respite and told him: {For over My servants no authority shalt thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow you.} (Al-Hijr 15:42) it is clear from this verse that Satan will have no power over Allah’s good servants, whoever they are.

How then can we imagine Allah Almighty’s final Messenger was so weak as to fail the standard expected of many of his own followers?

Bible: Jesus Was Tempted By Satan

The Christian critics may note that according to their own Bible, the “son” of God was tempted by Satan: 

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matthew 4:8-9) 

Here, we see how Satan takes the “son” of God to “an exceeding high mountain” by his cunning, to tempt him with the offer of the kingdoms of the world, if only he, who Christians presume to be God himself, falls down and worships Satan! 

The Christians read the above as gospel truth; and so they may wonder why we go to this extent to prove the falsity of the charge against Muhammad (peace be upon him), a mere mortal. 

Indeed, the expression, “Satanic verses” was popularized by Salman Rushdie, who got the idea from Christian sources. 

Conclusion

The verse attributed to Satan is not there in the Quran: There is no Satanic verse in the Quran. Absolutely not. 

No one can dispute the fact that the mission of Muhammad (peace be upon him) was basically to dispel idolatry and polytheism.

And so, the allegation that he tried to appease idolaters is at best a miserable and ludicrous bid by the enemies of Islam to denigrate God and His last Prophet.

The very life of the Prophet offers the strongest denial of the charge.

Thank you. Please keep in touch and Salam

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

How to Introduce the Quran to Non-Muslims

Is Mahdi In Islam The Antichrist In Christianity?

https://aboutislam.net/shariah/quran/quranic-miracles/inimitability-of-the-quran/