Is the Koran the Word of God because Muhammad says so?

Muhammad claimed, "I follow naught but what is revealed unto me: if I were to disobey my Lord, I should myself fear the penalty of a Great Day (to come)." (Surah 10:15)

Even in his day the people of Mecca demanded proof that what he said was from Allah. Some accused him of being possessed by an evil god. Others said, "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" But thou art truly a warner, and to every people a guide. (Surah 13:7) The only signs he offered them were from Allah's Creation and Biblical events. Further, he told them that even if he made a miracle those who disbelieve would have said that it was just a trick or magic. (Surah 30:58) As it is, there is not a single sign or miracle in the Koran to indicate that what Muhammad said came from God.

Christ, on the other hand, claimed to be the Son of God and backed up his words by many signs, works or miracles and said: "Even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." (Jn 10:38)

Muhammad indicates that his revelation is true by pointing backward as he says: Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)." (Surah 2:136, I3:84) Indeed Muhammad does make extensive use of the Old Testaments stories and events in his effort to convert the Arabs to the worship of the One God and in so far as he does this, the Koran relates the word of God. But even in the passage above we see distortions of the Biblical account. Note that he includes Ismael as a transmitter of the Covenant. This is not confirmed by Biblical revelation. God identified himself to Moses thus, "I am the God of your father, ... the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." (Ex 3:6)

To Muhammad, Jesus is just another prophet which he confirms as follows,"Christ the son of Mary was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him." (Sura 5.75) "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah?" (Sura 5. 116) Here he is under the impression that Christians worship Mary which is untrue. We honor her as the Mother of God with power to intercede for us, but do not worship her as a god. Further, his remarks about Christ here and there shows no understanding of the mystery of the Triune God who is One. Are we to accept his distortions and the Word of God? We cannot, therefore, take the Koran literally as the Word of God.

His final claim is as follows: "It is He Who hath sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it)." (Surah 9:33) We can contrast this with Christ's words, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn 14:6)

Is it Muhammad or Christ who reveals to us the final Word of God? Muhammad misconceptions and errors do not, however, take away from the great work which he did to deliver the Arabs from polytheism to the worship of the One God. Muhammad fits into God's providential care of mankind but not as the ultimate revelation of God for mankind.

The ultimate revelation of God is Jesus Christ, both God and Man.

Conceptions of the One God