REPLY
It may be noted that in none of the reports concerning the incident of Shaqq al-sadr, is it mentioned that the boy Muhammad (pbuh) was seen unconscious or in a fit of epilepsy.
Again, none of the reports relates the incident with the physical stresses and strains that sometimes attended the coming of revelation to the Prophet much later in his life. Yet Muir mixed up the above two states and concluded that it is the result of epilepsy.
Muir is aware that the reports on Shaq al Sadr is inadequate to assume epilepsy, so he proceeds to twist the meaning of the state of the Prophet (pbuh) at certain times of revelation. Thus he sowed confusion, and later other orientalists picked up from where he left off, to write about epilepsy.
For Muslims all over the world, the so-called “excited state and ecstatic swoons” – terms used by the orientalists, are not evidence of revelation.
In the New Encyclopedia Britannica epilepsy has been defined as: ‘sudden and recurrent disturbances in mental function, state of consciousness, sensory activity, or movements of the body caused by paroxysmal malfunction of cerebral nerve cells.’ Under ‘type of seizures’ it mentions four categories: Grand Mal, Petit Mal, Psychomotor and Infantile Spasms.’
Historical, rational or medical grounds cannot substantiate the theory of Epilepsy or any such ailment, because the Prophet (pbuh) was of exceptional mental and physical health till his death. The Prophet (pbuh) did not show any sign of degeneration of body or mind, which is medically accepted as the unavoidable effects of epilepsy or hysteria. Muir himself notes that the Prophet (pbuh) was of excellent health.
When the good health of the Prophet (pbuh) and the general effects of a person suffering from epilepsy could not be reconciled, the followers of Muir go on to suggest that the Prophet (pbuh) artificially induced the symptoms in order to produce the revelations.
There could yet be other forms of epilepsy not known to medical science. Even then it would still be a case of a disease and would thus have affected his mental faculties, making him incapable of thought control. But every time Muhammad (pbuh) received a revelation he would be in complete control of himself and was completely able to recall everything later and have it recorded accordingly. He was given this assurance by Allah when the following verses were recorded in the Qur’an:
“Move not your tongue concerning [the Qur’an O Muhammad (pbuh)] to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect it and to give you (O Muhammad) the ability to recite. And when We have recited it to you (O Muhammad through Jibrael), then follow you its (the Qur’an) recital. Then it is for Us (Allah) to make it clear to you.” Ch.75: V16-19.
The Qur’an which was recited by Muhammad (pbuh) is available today. When examined, it does not look like the weird screams and other mumblings of an epileptic. In fact the Qur’an is so easy to remember that if one gathers any small number of sincere Muslims it is possible to repeat the Qur’an from their collective memories. This, irrespective of whether these people understand Arabic or not. The Qur’an confirms this fact as follows:
“And we have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?” Ch.54: V17.
Footnotes:
Peace and Blessings be Upond Him. Everytime the name of the Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, the Muslims utter this prayer. This is in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction and the advise of the Prophet Muhammad himself.
All Translations are from the Noble Qur’an.