Hundreds of thousands of hadiths (traditions) allegedly speak of the teachings and actions of Mohammed and his close followers. Six collections of hadiths are considered "sahih" or authentic and authoritative by Sunni Muslims. They are regarded by them as almost as important as the Qur’an itself. The longest is the nine volume Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7275 Hadiths. The rest of this paper consists of quotes from Bukhari’s collection that both Muslim and non-Muslim readers might find interesting. These quotes are taken from The Translation of the Meanings of Sahih Al-Bukhari Arabic-English by Dr. Muhammad Mushin Khan, Islamic University, Medina Al-Munawwara in Saudi Arabia.
No Worship of Mohammed
"Then Abu Bakr recited the Tashah-hud (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Mohammed is Allah’s Apostle)... Abu Bakr said, ‘Amma ba’du, whoever amongst you worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and will never die. Allah said: ‘Muhammad is no more than an Apostle’" Bukhari vol.2:333 p.188-189.
Yet Muslims had a very high regard for Mohammed. "By Allah, whenever Allah’s Apostle spitted, the spittle would fall in the hand of one of the (i.e. the Prophet’s companions) who would rub it on his face and skin; if he ordered them they would carry out" his orders immediately; if he performed ablution, they would struggle to take the remaining water; and when they spoke to him, they would lower their voices and would not look at his face constantly out of respect." Bukhari vol.3:891 p.564-565.
No Intoxicating Drinks
"Narrated ‘Aisha [a wife of Mohammed] The Prophet said, ‘All drinks that produce intoxication are Haram (forbidden) to drink." Bukhari vol.1:243 p.153.
"Narrated Abu Huraira: ‘The Prophet said, ‘An adulterer, at the time he is committing illegal sexual intercourse is not a believer; and a person, at the time of drinking an alcoholic drink, is not a believer; and a thief, at the time of stealing is not a believer" Bukhari vol.7:484 p.339.
Muslims are also forbidden to sell wine, idols, and pork. Sahih Muslim vol.3:3840 p.828-830. They cannot buy, sell, or carry wine. Ibn-i-Majah vol.4:3380-3381 p.493-494; vol.4:3382 p.494. Selling alcohol is forbidden in Bukhari vol.1:449 p.267.
Did Mohammed Show the Moon Split in Two?
"The demand of the pagans to the Prophet to show them a miracle. The Prophet showed them the splitting of the moon. Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Massud: During the lifetime of the Prophet the moon was split into two parts and on that the Prophet said, ‘Bear witness (to this).’" Bukhari vol.4 ch.26 and vol.4:830 p.533.
"Narrated Anas that the Meccan people requested Allah’s Apostle to show them a miracle, and so he showed them the splitting of the moon." Bukhari vol.4:831 p.533.
"Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The moon was split into two parts during the lifetime of the Prophet." Bukhari vol.4:832 p.534.
Stars Are to Hit Devils?
"The creation of these stars is for three purposes, i.e. as decoration of the sky, as missiles to hit the devils, and as signs to guide travellers. So, if anybody tries to find a different interpretation, he is mistaken and just wastes his efforts..." Bukhari vol.4 ch.3 before no.421 p.282.
Abu Huraira’s Memory
"Narrated Abu Huraira: I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! I hear many narrations from you but I forget them.’ He said, ‘Spread your covering sheet.’ I spread my sheet and he moved both his hands as if scooping something and emptied them in the sheet and said, ‘Wrap it.’ I wrapped it round my body, and since the I have never forgotten a single Hadith." Bukhari vol.4:841 p.538. Also Bukhari vol.9:452 p.332; vol.1:119 p.89.
Where Does Satan Sleep?
"Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, ‘If anyone of you rouses from sleep and performs the ablution [ritual washing], he should wash his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out thrice, because Satan has stayed in the upper part of his nose all night."(1) Footnote (1) says, "We should believe that Satan actually stays in the upper part of one’s nose, though we cannot perceive how, for this is related to the unseen world of which we know nothing except what Allah tells us through His Apostle." Bukhari vol.4 no.516 p.328.
Believing Mohammed When Flies Are Around
"Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, ‘If a house fly falls in the drink of anyone of you, he should dip it (in the drink), for one of its wings has a disease and the other has the cure for the disease." Bukhari vol.4:537 p.338.
"If a fly falls in the drink of anyone of you, he should dip (in the drink), for one of its wings has a disease and the other has the cure (antidote for the disease)(1). Footnote (1) says "See [Bukhari] Hadith no.673 vol.7th (for details)" Bukhari vol.4:531prior p.335. See also Abu Dawud vol.3:3835 p.1080.
"Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, ‘If a fly falls in the vessel of any of you, let him dip all of it (into the vessel) and then throw it away, for in one of its wings there is a disease and in the other there is healing (1) (antidote for it) i.e. the treatment for that disease." Bukhari vol.7:673 p.452-453.
Footnote (1) says, "Medically it is well known now that a fly carries some pathagens on some parts of its body as mentioned by the Prophet (before 1400 years. approx. when the humans knew very little of modern medicine.) Similarly Allah created organisms and other mechanisms which kill these pathagens e.g. penicillin Fungus kills pathogenic organisms like Staphalococci and others etc. Recently experiments have been done under supervision which indicate that a fly carries the disease (pathagens) plus the antidote for those organ-isms. Ordinarily when a fly touches a liquid food it infects the liquid with its pathogens, so it must be dipped in order to release also the antidote for those pathogens to act as a counter balance to the pathogens. Regarding this subject I also wrote through a friend of mine to Dr. Muhammad M. El-SAMAHY chief of Hadith Dept. in Al-Azhar University CAIRO (Egypt) who has written an article upon this Hadith and as regards medical aspects he has mentioned that the microbiologists have proved that there are longitudinal yeast cells living as parasites inside the belly of the fly and these yeast cells in order to repeat their life-cycle protrude through respiratory tubules of the fly and if the fly is dipped in liquid, these cells burst in the fluid and the content of those cells is an antidote for the pathogens which the fly carries."
Mohammed Was Not Sinless
"Narrated Abu Huraira: ... What do you say in the pause between Takbir and recitation? The Prophet said, ... O Allah! Set me apart from my sins (faults) as the East and West are set apart from each other and clean me from sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt (after thorough washing). O Allah! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail." Bukhari vol.1:711 p.398. See also Sura 40:55; 48:1-2, and Bukhari vol.1:7,19,781; vol.6:3; vol.8:319, vol.8:407 prior.
Once Mohammed Was Bewitched
"Narrated ‘Aisha: Magic was worked on the Prophet so that he began to fancy that he was doing a thing which he was not actually doing. One day he invoked (Allah) for a long period and then said, ‘I feel that Allah has inspired me as how to cure myself.’..." Bukhari vol.4:490 p.317. See also vol.4:400 p.267, vol.8:89 p.56-57, vol.8:400 p.266-267. vol.7:658-660 p.441-443. Also see Sahih Muslim vol.2:1888 p.411
Mohammed was bewitched. Narrated ‘Aisha: The Prophet continued for such-and-such a period imagining that he has had sexual relation with his wife, and in fact he had not. One day he said, to me, "O ‘Aisha! Allah has instructed me regarding a matter about which I had asked Him. There came to me two men, one of them sat near my feet and the other near my head. The one near my feet, asked the one near my head (pointing at me), ‘What is wrong with this man?’ The latter replied, ‘He is under the effect of magic. The first one asked, ‘Who has worked magic on him?’ The other replied, ‘Lubaid bin A’sam." The first one asked, What material (did use?).’ The other replied The skin of the pollen of a male date tree with a comb and the hair stuck to it, Kept under a stone in the well of Dharwan.’" Then the Prophet went to that well and said, "This is the same well which was shown to me in the dream. The tops of its datepalm trees look like the heads of the devils, and its water looks like the Henna infusion."…’Aisha added, "(The magician) Lubaid bin A’sam was a man from Bani Zuraiq, an ally of the Jews." Bukhari vol.8:89 p.57 See also Bukhari vol.8:400 p.266
The Daughters of Allah
In Arabia before Mohammed, the Quaraysh, Mohammed’s tribe, believed in a god named Allah (or Al’Ilah) who had three daughters, named Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat.
"Narrated ‘Urwa, ... concerning the Ansar who used to assume Ihram for worshipping an idol called ‘Manat’ which they used to worship at a place called Al-Mushallal..." Bukhari vol.2:706 p.413.
"This verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who used to assume the Ihram for the idol Manat which was put beside a place called Qudaid..."Bukhari vol.3:18 p.11. Al-Lat, Al-Uzza are mentioned in Bukhari. vol.8:314 p.209; vol.5:375 p.259
Cancelled Verses of the Qur’an
"Then Allah revealed to us a verse that was among the cancelled ones later on." Bukhari vol.5:416 p.288.
"Narrated Anas bin Malik: ... There was revealed about those who were killed at Bi’r-Ma’una a Qur’anic Verse we used to recite, but it was cancelled later on. The verse was: ‘Inform our people that we have met our Lord. He is pleased with us and He has made us pleased.’" Bukhari vol.4:69 p.53.
See also the History of al-Tabari vol.7 p.156.
Other references to cancelled verses are
Bukhari vol.4:57 p.45, Bukhari vol.4:299 p.191, Bukhari vol.5:416 p.288, and Bukhari vol.5:421 p.293 all repeat the same thing about the same verse.
At one time Mohammed compromised and said concerning the daughters of Allah in Sura 53:19 that "their intercession was to be hoped for." In other words, Mohammed said we should hope for the help of these three idols.
Mohammed’s followers were amazed that he said this. Later, Mohammed changed his tune and said Satan had deceived him. These verses were abrogated or taken out. Muslim scholars call these the "satanic verses." It is interesting to read Muslim explanations for how a true prophet could say this.
Contrast with Jesus
One thing Christians and most Muslims agree upon is that Jesus was sinless. For comparison, read of Jesus’ life in the Gospels.
Mohammed Sold A Slave
"Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Apostle was on a journey and he had a black slave called Anjasha, and he was driving the camels..." Bukhari vol.8:182 p.117.
"Narrated Anas: ... And Anjashah, the slave of the Prophet [Mohammed], was driving their camels..." Bukhari vol.8:221 p.142.
"Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: A man amongst us declared that his slave would be freed after his death. The Prophet called for that slave and sold him(1) The slave died the same year." The footnote for (1) says "The liberator was needy, so the Prophet sold the slave for him, permitting him to cancel his promise of freeing the slave after his death." Bukhari vol.3:711 p.427.
"Then a man called Rifa’a bin Zaid ... presented a slave named Mid’am to Allah’s Apostle" Bukhari vol.8:698 p.455.
"The Sale of Mudabbar (i.e. a slave who is promised by his master to be manumitted [freed] after the latter’s death). Narrated Jabir: The Prophet sold a Mudabbar (on behalf of his master who was still living and in need of money)." Bukhari vol.3:433 & prior p.238.
"An Ansari man made his slave a Mudabbar and he had no other property than him. When the Prophet heard of that, he said (to his companions), ‘Who wants to buy him (i.e. the slave) for me?’ Nu’aim bin An-Nahham bought him for eight hundred Dirhams." Bukhari vol.8:707 p.464.
"If somebody beats a slave, he should spare his face." Bukhari vol.3 before no.734 p.440.
"Narrated ‘Ammar: I saw Allah’s Apostle and there was none with him but five slaves, two women, and Abu Bakr (i.e. those were the only converts to Islam then)." Bukhari vol.5:12 p.8.
"The virtues of Zaid bin Haritha, the freed slave of the Prophet" Bukhari vol.5 ch.18 before no.77 p.57.
"He [Ibn Az-Subair] sent her [‘Aisha] ten slaves whom she manumitted [freed] as an expiation for (not keeping) her vow. ‘Aisha manumitted more slaves for the same purpose till she manumitted forty slaves. She said, ‘I wish I had specified what I would have done in case of not fulfilling my vow when I made the vow, so that I might have done it easily.’"(1)
Footnote (1) says, "‘Aisha did not specify what she would do if she did not keep her promise, this is why she manumitted so many slaves so that she might feel at ease as to the adequacy of her expiation." Bukhari vol.4:708 p.465.
"And ‘Ata disliked to look at those slave girls who used to be sold in Mecca unless he wanted to buy." Bukhari vol.8:246 p.162.
Sex with Slaves and Captives
"Can one travel with a slave-girl without knowing whether she is pregnant or not? Al-Hasan found no harm in her master’s kissing or fondling with her.
Ibn ‘Umar said, ‘If a slave-girl who is suitable to have sexual relations is given to somebody as a gift, or sold or manumitted [freed], her master should not have sexual intercourse with her before she gets one menstruation so as to be sure of absence of pregnancy, and there is no such necessity for a virgin.’
‘Ata said, ‘There is no harm in fondling with one’s pregnant (1) slave-girl without having sexual intercourse with her. Allah said: ‘Except with their wives and the (women captives) whom their right hands possess (for in this case they are not to be blamed).’" Footnote (1) says, "Pregnant from another man, not her present master." Bukhari vol.3 ch.113 after no.436 p.239-240. (Same ‘Ata as previous.)
"Narrated Abu Sai’id Al-Khudri that while he was sitting with Allah’s Apostle he said, ‘Oh Allah’s Apostle We get female captives as our share of booty, and we are interested in their prices, what is your opinion about coitus interruptus?’ [a sexual practice] The Prophet said, ‘Do you really do that? It is better for you not to do it, No soul that which Allah has destined to exist, but will surely come into existence." Bukhari vol.3:432 p.237.
"Narrated Ibn Muhairiz: I entered the Mosque and saw Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and sat beside him and asked him about Al-’Azl (i.e. coitus interruptus). Abu Sai’id said, ‘We went out with Allah’s Apostle for the Ghazwa [battle] of Banu Al-Mustaliq and we received captives from among the Arab captives and we desired women and celibacy became hard on us and we loved to do coitus interruptus. So when we intended to do coitus interruptus, we said, ‘How can we do coitus interrupts before asking Allah’s Apostle who is present among us?’ We asked (him) about it and he said, ‘It is better for you not to do so, for if any soul till the Day of Resurrection is predestined to exist, it will exist." Bukhari vol.5:459 p.317. This says the same as Bukhari vol.8:600 p.391. In other words, what will be will be, so do not stop unnaturally part way. Mohammad never criticized sexually molesting captives or slaves that a man owns.
‘Aisha and Zainab bint Jahsh
"Narrated Hisham’s father: Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married ‘Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consummated that marriage when she was nine years old." Bukhari vol.5:236 p.153. See vol.5:234 p.152.
Zainab bint Jahsh was married to Mohammed’s adopted son, until Mohammed spoke the Sura that she was to divorce his son and marry Mohammed. Zainab "used to boast before the other wives of the Prophet and used to say, ‘Allah married me (to the Prophet) in the Heavens.’" Bukhari vol.9:517 p.382. Also no.516,518 p.381-383. In other words in the eternally existing uncreated Qur’an in heaven, Zainab’s marriage was mentioned.
Islam and Women
"’How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?’ And Hisham said, ‘As he beats his slave.’" Bukhari vol.8:68 p.42.
"Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Treat women nicely, for a woman is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break; but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely.’" Bukhari vol.4:548 p.346.
"Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Qais Al-Ash’ari: The Prophet said, ‘A tent (in Paradise) is like a hollow pearl which is thirty miles in height and on every corner of the tent the believer will have a family that cannot be seen by the others.’" Bukhari vol.4:466 p.306.
"And ‘Ata disliked to look at those slave girls who used to be sold in Mecca unless he wanted to buy." Bukhari vol.8:246 p.162.
Women In the Eyes of Islamic Law
"Narrated Abu Sai’id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, ‘Isn’t the witness of a woman equal half of that of a man?’ The women said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is because of the deficiency of the woman’s mind." Bukhari vol.3:826 p.502.
"he [Mohammed] said, ‘Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler.’" Bukhari vol.9:220 p.171.
Temporary Marriage
"Narrated ‘Ali bin Abi Talib: On the day of Khaibar, Allah’s Apostle forbade the Mut’a (i.e. temporary marriage) and the eating of donkey meat." Bukhari vol.5:527 p.372. Bukhari vol.7:50,52 p.36,37 also discuss temporary marriage. Most but not all Sunni Muslims do not practice temporary marriages, while many Shi’ite Muslims feel free to do so.
Race Relations
"Narrated Anas : The Prophet said, ‘Listen and obey (your chief) even if an Ethiopian whose head is like a raisin were made your chief." Bukhari vol.1:662 p.375 (also Ibn-i-Majah vol.4:2860 p.196) Bukhari vol.1 no.664 p.376 says the same, except narrated by Anas bin Malik.
As mentioned before, Mohammed was a slave owner, who owned at least one black slave. (Bukhari vol.6:435 p.407, vol.9:368 p.275) Mohammed sold two black slaves to free another slave who had become a Muslim in Ibn-i-Majah vol.4:2869 p.202.
Allah Deceives/Tricks!
"...and then only this nation (i.e., Muslims) will remain, including their hypocrites. Allah will come to them in a shape other than they know and will say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, ‘We seek refuge with Allah from you. This is our place; (we will not follow you) till our Lord comes to us, and when our Lord comes to us, we will recognise Him.’ Then Allah will come to them in a shape they know and will say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, (no doubt) You are our Lord,’ and they will follow Him." Bukhari vol.8:577 p.375. Bukhari vol.9:532 p.395-396 says the same thing. See also Sahih Muslim vol.1:349 p.115.
Now one Muslim observed that the word "deceive" is not present in the quote, Allah did not speak any lying words, and this occurs in Heaven, not on earth. However, it is not required that the word "deceives" be used to deceive people, as when Allah impersonated one who is not Allah. Those who believed Allah’s words when Allah chose to be in this false shape go to Hell. If this is not deception, then what is? We can all agree that this hadith teaches that at a future time Allah will deliberately misrepresent himself to Muslims in a "shape other than they know".
What is Allah’s shape? I have not (yet) heard a Muslim say, but here is what Bukhari vol.9:532 p.396 tells us. "When there remain only those who used to worship Allah (Alone), both the obedient ones and the mischievous ones, [and they will say] ‘and now we are waiting for our Lord.’ Then the Almighty will come to them in a shape other than that which they saw the first time, and He will says, ‘I am your Lord,’ and they will say, ‘You are not our Lord.’ And none will speak to Him then but the Prophets, and then it will be said to them, ‘Do you know any sign by which you can recognize Him?’ They will say, ‘The Shin,’ and so Allah will then uncover His Shin whereupon every believer will prostrate before Him and there will remain those who used to prostrate before Him just for showing off and for gaining good reputation. These people will try to prostrate but their backs will be rigid like one piece of a wood (and they will not be able to prostrate). Then the bridge will be laid across Hell,…"
So, despite what Muslims today might say, Bukhari says that Allah will have a true physical form in Heaven, and Allah himself will also appear to Muslims in a false physical form, as sort of a temptation to them. In contrast, James 1:13 says, "When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone."
"... and whoever sees me [Mohammed] in a dream, he surely sees me, for Satan cannot impersonate me (appear in my figure). And whoever intentionally ascribes something to me falsely, he will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire." Bukhari vol.8:217 p.139-140. (also Sahih Muslim vol.4:5635-5639 p.1225-1226)
So the hadiths says that nobody can impersonate Mohammed, but Allah himself will impersonate someone who is not Allah.
On-line versions of the Bukhari hadiths are at
