Muhammad's Son

Though highly repetitious and somewhat tedious to the non-Muslim reader, the Koran is nevertheless a fascinating book. Here are several paragraphs from Sura 33.

Before you read it, a bit of background may prove helpful.

Muhammad had an adopted son named Zaid (or, Zayd). One day Muhammad took notice of his son's wife, but he could not take her because such an act of incest would be strictly proscribed. Never one to suffer a repressed libido gladly, Muhammad sought divine help. Sure enough, Allah tells Muhammad to command Zaid to divorce his wife. But Muhammad, fearing the reaction of people to such a revelation, decides not to share what Allah told him.

After some time, Allah rebukes Muhammad for not telling Zaid the divine decree, and Muhammad finally obeys. Zaid divorces his beloved wife, and Allah's prophet marries her.

33:36 "It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path."

33:37 "Behold! Thou didst say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favour: "Retain thou (in wedlock) thy wife, and fear Allah." But thou didst hide in thy heart that which Allah was about to make manifest: thou didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that thou shouldst fear Allah. Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them. And Allah's command must be fulfilled."

33:38 "There can be no difficulty to the Prophet in what Allah has indicated to him as a duty. It was the practice (approved) of Allah amongst those of old that have passed away. And the command of Allah is a decree determined."

The Koran with Parallel Arabic Text, translated with notes by N. J. Dawood, (New York, 1998), p. 422 For confirmation you can read these three paragraphs at an Islamic source on the Internet.

Pretty nifty deus ex machina!

There are significant differences between Muhammad the Prophet of Allah and the Lord Jesus. Their distinctive spirits were manifested in their earliest followers, particularly in their different positions regarding peace and war, marriage, sex and the family and how one treats those who find themselves in a subordinate position.