The Troubling Origins of Islam: Muhammad’s Early Experiences and Mental Struggles

Throughout history, religious figures have experienced profound and life-altering events that shaped their missions. Among them, Muhammad’s initial experiences with what he believed to be divine revelation present a uniquely unsettling picture. Unlike biblical figures such as Moses or Paul, who responded to divine encounters with awe and submission, Muhammad's early experiences were marked by deep distress, terror, and suicidal tendencies. These reactions raise important questions about the origins of his spiritual journey and whether his experiences align with encounters with the divine or something else entirely.

Muhammad’s First Encounter with the Spirit

Islamic tradition states that Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira around the year 610 AD. The hadith literature, particularly Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 9, Hadith 111), describes how an entity, identified as the angel Gabriel, forcefully squeezed Muhammad three times and commanded him to "Read!" Despite his inability to read, he was given what would become the first verses of the Quran (Surah 96:1-5). However, instead of being comforted by the experience, Muhammad fled the cave in terror, believing he had encountered a demon or had gone mad. He ran to his wife, Khadija, trembling and pleading to be wrapped in blankets, fearing for his life.

This reaction starkly contrasts with biblical figures who encountered God or His angels. When the Virgin Mary was visited by Gabriel, she was initially afraid but soon found reassurance in the angel’s words (Luke 1:30). When Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he expressed reverence and obedience rather than terror (Exodus 3:6). The fact that Muhammad reacted with fear, panic, and self-doubt raises concerns about the nature of his experience.

Repeated Suicide Attempts

One of the most disturbing aspects of Muhammad’s early prophetic career is his repeated attempts to commit suicide. According to Islamic sources such as Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasulallah and Al-Tabari’s History, after his first revelation, Muhammad was deeply disturbed and considered throwing himself off a mountain. Only the intervention of the entity, later identified as Gabriel, stopped him, reassuring him that he was truly a prophet. This pattern continued for an extended period, particularly during the fatrah, a period when revelations ceased for months or even years. During these gaps, Muhammad’s distress deepened, and he again attempted suicide, only to be stopped at the last moment.

This behavior is highly unusual for someone receiving divine revelation. Nowhere in the Bible do we see prophets attempting to take their own lives after receiving messages from God. Even in moments of extreme difficulty, biblical prophets relied on God for strength. Elijah, for instance, was deeply depressed and wished to die, but rather than acting on those thoughts, he was comforted and nourished by God (1 Kings 19:4-8). In contrast, Muhammad’s persistent despair and repeated suicide attempts suggest something more akin to psychological distress rather than divine calling.

Comparing Muhammad’s Experience with Demonic Encounters

Interestingly, Muhammad himself feared that he had been possessed by a jinn (a supernatural entity in Arabian folklore, often associated with demons). His descriptions of his experiences—being forcefully pressed, hearing voices, and seeing visions—closely resemble accounts of demonic oppression rather than angelic visitations. The New Testament warns that Satan can appear as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14), a description eerily fitting for Muhammad’s encounters.

Additionally, the symptoms Muhammad exhibited—such as confusion, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and even epileptic-like episodes—mirror modern psychiatric conditions such as temporal lobe epilepsy or dissociative disorder. Some researchers have speculated that he may have suffered from a neurological or psychological disorder, which could explain the distress and hallucinations he experienced.

The Impact on Islam’s Development

These early experiences shaped Muhammad’s later teachings and actions. Initially, he sought reassurance from Khadija and her cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal, a Christian monk who declared that Muhammad’s experiences were similar to those of biblical prophets. Encouraged by this validation, Muhammad gradually embraced his role as a messenger, but his early years were marked by uncertainty and self-doubt.

As time passed, Muhammad’s revelations became more authoritative, particularly after he gained political and military power in Medina. The transformation from a frightened, uncertain man into a militant leader who commanded executions, enslaved women and children, and waged war suggests a radical psychological shift. One must ask whether this transformation was divinely guided or the result of a human struggle for validation and control.

Concluding Thoughts: A Prophet Unlike Any Other

When assessing religious figures, it is crucial to examine their experiences, character, and impact. Muhammad’s initial reaction to his visions—marked by terror, suicidal tendencies, and confusion—does not align with the experiences of biblical prophets who encountered God. Instead, his early experiences bear closer resemblance to demonic oppression or psychological distress.

Moreover, his later actions—such as sanctioning slavery, ordering assassinations, and engaging in violent conquest—stand in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who preached love, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice. If Muhammad’s revelations were indeed from a divine source, why did they produce such fear, instability, and eventual bloodshed?

These questions are not meant to offend but to encourage honest reflection. If Muhammad’s experiences were from God, they should exhibit the fruits of righteousness, peace, and divine assurance. Instead, the historical record suggests otherwise. Those seeking truth must carefully consider these aspects when evaluating Muhammad’s claims to prophethood.

As we delve further into historical Islamic sources and early manuscripts, it becomes increasingly clear that the origins of Islam are more complex than many Muslims believe. The narrative of an unchanged Quran, a perfect prophet, and a divine revelation free from human influence continues to unravel with each academic discovery. It is imperative that we approach these topics with an open mind and a commitment to uncovering the truth, no matter where it leads.