Power and Prophethood
The Decline of Tolerance in Muhammad’s Revelatory Arc
If Muhammad’s Revelation Is Truly from God, Why Does His Tolerance Decline as His Power Increases?
One of the most troubling patterns in the life of Muhammad—and the Qur’anic revelations associated with him—is the observable shift from calls for tolerance, dialogue, and peace in the early Meccan verses to commands for violence, subjugation, and exclusion in the later Medinan period.
❓ If Muhammad was the recipient of divine, eternal truth, why did the message conveniently evolve in line with his political and military fortunes?
📍 1. The Meccan Period: Powerless Prophet, Peaceful Preacher
During the early years in Mecca, when Muhammad had no political authority and few followers, the Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes:
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Religious tolerance:
“To you your religion, and to me mine.” (Qur’an 109:6)
“There is no compulsion in religion.” (Qur’an 2:256) -
Calls for patience and endurance:
“Be patient over what they say.” (Qur’an 20:130) -
Non-violence and persuasion:
“Argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” (Qur’an 16:125)
These verses portray Muhammad as a peaceful monotheist seeking dialogue—not domination.
⚔️ 2. The Medinan Period: From Prophet to Political Ruler
Once Muhammad migrates to Medina and gains military strength and political control, the tone of the Qur’an changes dramatically:
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Fighting becomes a divine command:
“Fight those who do not believe in Allah…until they pay the jizya with willing submission and feel subdued.” (Qur’an 9:29) -
Enemies are demonized:
“The Jews say ‘Uzair is the son of Allah’... May Allah destroy them!” (Qur’an 9:30) -
Apostates and critics face execution:
“They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved, so you would be alike. Do not take them as allies…” (Qur’an 4:89) -
Mass expulsions and massacres become normalized:
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Banu Qaynuqa expelled
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Banu Nadir exiled
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Banu Qurayza executed (600-900 men)
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These shifts are not random—they correspond with Muhammad’s rising power and the reduction of opposition.
🔄 3. The Doctrine of Abrogation: Divine Contradiction?
Muslim scholars acknowledge this evolution through the doctrine of naskh (abrogation), rooted in Qur’an 2:106:
“Whatever verse We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better or similar.”
But this raises a critical problem:
🧠 Why would an all-knowing God need to replace His own eternal word with something "better"?
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If earlier verses were perfect, they shouldn’t need replacement.
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If they weren’t perfect, they weren’t divine to begin with.
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And if “better” simply means “more contextually useful,” then this is situational opportunism, not divine revelation.
🧨 4. Political Expediency Masquerading as Revelation?
The pattern suggests something deeply unsettling:
| Phase | Status of Muhammad | Tone of Revelation |
|---|---|---|
| Meccan | Powerless | Tolerant, inclusive, patient |
| Medinan | Powerful | Aggressive, exclusive, violent |
The shift in rhetoric mirrors Muhammad’s strategic rise in power, not some timeless moral progression.
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Is this God changing His eternal message—or a man consolidating control?
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Why does “revelation” so often appear when it benefits Muhammad politically or personally (e.g. Qur’an 33:37)?
🚨 5. The Moral Crisis of Power-Based Revelation
This transformation isn’t just about tone—it redefines the moral center of Islam:
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The early call to coexistence is replaced with commands to conquer.
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The invitation to faith is overshadowed by coercion through jizya, exile, or warfare.
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The message goes from “truth stands clear from error” to “fight them until...”
This leads to a theological contradiction:
How can a divine message change in nature based on political strength?
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Either God’s message is eternally tolerant, and Muhammad corrupted it as he gained power…
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Or it was eternally aggressive, and the early tolerance was simply strategic concealment.
Either way, it undermines the claim that Islam is a consistent, God-given moral framework.
🧭 Final Thought
A divine revelation should lift human nature above tribal instincts for dominance.
But the trajectory of the Qur’an reflects the opposite:
As Muhammad’s power increased, mercy gave way to might, and revelation became indistinguishable from political will.
That isn’t a divine message.
That’s the blueprint of a political project cloaked in theology.
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