Allah's FAILURE to even UNDERSTAND the 3 Questions by the Jews - Part 2: Some more Muslim Objections

Islamic Apologist: The Meccan Polytheist didn't ask any 3 Questions, and no DELAY of 15 day occurred in any incident

An Islamic apologist argued:

The narration you referenced (from Al-Suyuti regarding the three questions by the Meccans) is classified as weak, as noted by the Islam Q&A website.

Additionally, only one question—regarding Ruh—was asked of the Prophet, and it was not by the Quraysh in Mecca but later by the Jews in Medina.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4721: Narrated `Abdullah: While I was in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) on a farm and he was reclining on a palm leave stalk, some Jews passed by. Some of them said to the others. "Ask him (the Prophet (ﷺ) about the spirit." Some of them said, "What urges you to ask him about it" Others said, "(Don't) lest he should give you a reply which you dislike." But they said, "Ask him." So they asked him about the Spirit. The Prophet (ﷺ) kept quiet and did not give them any answer. I knew that he was being divinely inspired so I stayed at my place. When the divine inspiration had been revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) said. "They ask you (O, Muhammad) concerning the Spirit, Say: "The spirit," its knowledge is with my Lord; and of knowledge you (mankind) have been given only a Little. (Verse 17.85)"

Furthermore, there was no 15-day delay in revelation in any incident. The Prophet immediately responded with the answer regarding the Ruh.

Here is our response:

1. Muslims narrators used to FABRICATE Ahadith:

It's important to recognize that Hadiths were exclusively compiled by Muslims, who had complete freedom to fabricate them in order to defend their religion from criticism.

There was no external verification process to independently authenticate any Hadith.

However, in some cases, fabricated Hadiths were exposed due to severe internal contradictions or contradictions with the Quran. On our website, we have documented examples of such cases:

• Contradictory Ahadith on the Sacrificed Son:
  Our article highlights how 131 Hadiths claimed that Isaac was the son who was to be sacrificed, but later 133 Hadiths were fabricated to assert that Ishmael was the one. This resulted in a total of 133 contradictory Hadiths, revealing their fabrication through internal inconsistency.

• The Myth of the Moon Splitting:
  Another article on our site presents overwhelming evidence that Hadiths cannot be trusted. Numerous so-called "Sahih" Hadiths—including those in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim—claim that Muhammad performed the miracle of splitting the moon for the Meccan pagans. However, these claims are debunked by their direct contradiction with the Quran.

These examples demonstrate that Hadiths, even those labeled as "authentic," are prone to fabrication and inconsistencies.

2. Surah 17 revealed in Mecca and not in Medina

Here is the verse:

Quran 17:85:

وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little."

However, according to Muslim Scholars, Surah 17 (Bani Israel) was revealed in Mecca and not in Medina (link).

3. Another Sahih Hadith claims verse 17:85 was revealed in Mecca

The following Sahih Hadith from Jami' Tirmidhi claims that it were not the Jews in Medina, but the Quraish in Mecca who asked Muhammad about Ruh. 

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3140:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: "The Quraish said to the Jews: 'Give us something that we can ask this man about.' So he said: 'Ask him about the Ruh.' So they (i.e. Quraish of Mecca) asked him about the Ruh. So Allah Most High, revealed: They ask you concerning the Ruh. Say: The Ruh is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you have been given only a little (17:85).

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

4. There are 3 Traditions about this Incident:

It is not a singular tradition, but Imam Syuti recorded 3 traditions about this incident. 

The 1s Tradition is from Ibn Abbas. Imam Syuti recorded in his Tafsir Dure al-Manthur, vol. 5, page 357: 

وَأخرج ابْن إِسْحَق وَابْن جرير وَابْن الْمُنْذر وَأَبُو نعيم وَالْبَيْهَقِيّ كِلَاهُمَا فِي الدَّلَائِل عَن ابْن عَبَّاس قَالَ: بعثت قُرَيْش النَّضر بن الْحَارِث وَعقبَة بن أبي معيط إِلَى أَحْبَار يهود بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالُوا: سلوهم عَن مُحَمَّد وصفوا لَهُم صفته وأخبروهم بقوله فَإِنَّهُم أهل الْكتاب الأول وَعِنْدهم علم مَا لَيْسَ عندنَا من علم الْأَنْبِيَاء فَخَرَجَا حَتَّى أَتَيَا الْمَدِينَة فسألا أَحْبَار يهود عَن رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم ووصفا لَهُم أمره وَبَعض قَوْله وَقَالا: إِنَّكُم أهل التَّوْرَاة وَقد جئناكم لتخبرونا عَن صاحبنا هَذَا
فَقَالُوا لَهما: سلوه عَن ثَلَاث فَإِن أخْبركُم بِهن فَهُوَ نَبِي مُرْسل وَإِن لم يفعل فالرجل متقول
فروا فِيهِ رَأْيكُمْ
سلوه عَن فتية ذَهَبُوا فِي الدَّهْر الأول مَا كَانَ من أَمرهم فَإِنَّهُ قد كَانَ لَهُم حَدِيث عَجِيب
وَسَلُوهُ عَن رجل طواف بلغ مَشَارِق الأَرْض وَمَغَارِبهَا مَا كَانَ نبؤه وَسَلُوهُ عَن الرّوح مَا هُوَ فَإِن أخْبركُم بذلك فَإِنَّهُ نَبِي فَاتَّبعُوهُ وَإِلَّا فَهُوَ متقول
فَأقبل النَّضر وَعقبَة حَتَّى قدما قُرَيْش فَقَالَا: يَا معشر قُرَيْش قد جئناكم بفصل مَا بَيْنكُم وَبَين مُحَمَّد قد أمرنَا أَحْبَار يهود أَن نَسْأَلهُ عَن أُمُور - فأخبراهم بهَا - فجاؤوا رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم فَقَالُوا: يَا مُحَمَّد أخبرنَا - فَسَأَلُوهُ عَمَّا أمروهم بِهِ - فَقَالَ لَهُم رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: أخْبركُم غَدا بِمَا سَأَلْتُم عَنهُ - وَلم يسْتَثْن - فانصرفوا عَنهُ وَمكث رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم خمس عشرَة لَيْلَة لَا يحدث الله إِلَيْهِ فِي ذَلِك وَحيا وَلَا يَأْتِيهِ جِبْرِيل حَتَّى أرجف أهل مَكَّة وأحزن رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم مكث الْوَحْي عَنهُ وشق عَلَيْهِ مَا يتَكَلَّم بِهِ أهل مَكَّة ثمَّ جَاءَ جِبْرِيل من الله عز وَجل بِسُورَة أَصْحَاب الْكَهْف فِيهَا مُعَاتَبَته إِيَّاه على حزنه عَلَيْهِم وَخبر مَا سَأَلُوهُ عَنهُ من أَمر الْفتية وَالرجل الطّواف وَقَول الله: (ويسألونك عَن الرّوح) (الْإِسْرَاء الْآيَة ٨٥) الْآيَة

Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Jarir, Ibn al-Mundhir, Abu Nu‘aym, and al-Bayhaqi (both in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah) narrated from Ibn Abbas who said:

The Quraysh sent al-Nadr ibn al-Harith and ‘Uqbah ibn Abi Mu‘ayt to the Jewish rabbis in Medina and said to them:
"Ask them about Muhammad, describe him to them, and inform them about his words. Since they are the people of the first scripture (the Torah), they have knowledge that we do not possess about the prophets."

So the two men set out and reached Medina, where they asked the Jewish rabbis about the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). They described his affairs and some of his sayings and said:
"You are the people of the Torah, and we have come to ask you about this man."

The rabbis responded:
"Ask him about three things. If he answers them, he is indeed a true prophet, and if he does not, then he is an imposter—judge him as you see fit."

1. Ask him about a group of young men who lived in ancient times—what happened to them? Their story is remarkable.
2. Ask him about a great traveler who journeyed to the east and west—what is his story?
3. Ask him about the nature of the spirit (ruh)—what is it?

If he gives you the answers, then he is a prophet, so follow him. But if he does not, then he is merely making things up.

So al-Nadr and ‘Uqbah returned to the Quraysh and said:
"O people of Quraysh! We have brought you decisive proof concerning Muhammad. The Jewish rabbis instructed us to ask him about certain matters."

They then went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked him the questions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
"I will tell you the answers tomorrow."
However, he did not say ‘if Allah wills’ (In sha' Allah).

They left him, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained for fifteen nights without receiving any revelation from Allah regarding these matters. Jibreel (Gabriel) did not come to him, and the people of Mecca began to spread rumors and doubt, causing the Prophet great distress.

Then, Jibreel finally came down with the revelation of Surah Al-Kahf, which contained:

• Allah's reproach to the Prophet for his sadness over them.
• The story of the young men (the People of the Cave).
• The story of the great traveler (Dhul-Qarnayn).
• The verse regarding the question about the spirit (ruh): "And they ask you about the spirit..." (Surah Al-Isra, 17:85).

The 2nd tradition is again from Ibn Abbas. Imam Syuti records in his Tafsir Dure al-Manthur, vol 5, page 358:

وَأخرج أَبُو نعيم فِي الدَّلَائِل من طَرِيق السّديّ الصَّغِير عَن الْكَلْبِيّ عَن أبي صَالح عَن ابْن عَبَّاس: أَن قُريْشًا بعثوا خَمْسَة رَهْط - مِنْهُم عقبَة بن أبي معيط وَالنضْر بن الْحَارِث - يسْأَلُون الْيَهُود عَن رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم ووصفوا لَهُم صفته فَقَالُوا لَهُم: نجد نَعته وَصفته ومبعثه فِي التَّوْرَاة فَإِن كَانَ كَمَا وصفتم لنا فَهُوَ نَبِي مُرْسل وَأمره حق فَاتبعهُ وَلَكِن سلوه عَن ثَلَاث خِصَال فَإِنَّهُ يُخْبِركُمْ بخصلتين وَلَا يُخْبِركُمْ بالثالثة
ان كَانَ نَبيا فَإنَّا قد سَأَلنَا مُسَيْلمَة الْكذَّاب عَن هَؤُلَاءِ الثَّلَاث فَلم يدر مَا هِيَ
فَرَجَعت الرُّسُل إِلَى قُرَيْش بِهَذَا الْخَبَر من الْيَهُود فَأتوا رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم فَقَالُوا: يَا مُحَمَّد أخبرنَا عَن ذِي القرنين الَّذِي بلغ الْمشرق وَالْمغْرب وَأخْبرنَا عَن الرّوح وَأخْبرنَا عَن أَصْحَاب الْكَهْف
فَقَالَ: أخْبركُم بذلك غَدا
وَلم يقل إِن شَاءَ الله
فَأَبْطَأَ عَلَيْهِ جِبْرِيل خَمْسَة عشر يَوْمًا فَلم يَأْته لترك الِاسْتِثْنَاء فشق ذَلِك على رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم ثمَّ أَتَاهُ جِبْرِيل عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام بِمَا سَأَلُوهُ فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيل أَبْطَأت عَليّ
فَقَالَ: بتركك الِاسْتِثْنَاء أَلا تَقول: إِن شَاءَ الله قَالَ: (وَلَا تقولن لشَيْء إِنِّي فَاعل ذَلِك غَدا إِلَّا أَن يَشَاء الله) (الْكَهْف آيَة ٢٣) ثمَّ أخبرهُ عَن حَدِيث ذِي القرنين وَخبر الرّوح وَأَصْحَاب الْكَهْف ثمَّ أرسل إِلَى قُرَيْش فَأتوهُ فَأخْبرهُم عَن حَدِيث ذِي القرنين وَقَالَ لَهُم: الرّوح من أَمر رَبِّي يَقُول: من علم رَبِّي لَا علم لي بِهِ فَلَمَّا وَافق قَول الْيَهُود أَنه لَا يُخْبِركُمْ بالثالث (قَالُوا: سحران تظاهرا) (الْقَصَص آيَة ٤٨) تعاونا - يَعْنِي التَّوْرَاة وَالْفرْقَان - (وَقَالُوا: إِنَّا بِكُل كافرون) (الْقَصَص آيَة ٤٨) وَحَدَّثَهُمْ بِحَدِيث أَصْحَاب الْكَهْف

Abu Nu‘aym narrated in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah through al-Suddi al-Saghir, from al-Kalbi, from Abu Salih, from Ibn Abbas:

The Quraysh sent five men, including ‘Uqbah ibn Abi Mu‘ayt and al-Nadr ibn al-Harith, to ask the Jews about the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and to describe him to them.

The Jewish rabbis said:
"We find his description, attributes, and prophethood mentioned in the Torah. If he is as you have described, then he is a true prophet, and his message is genuine—so follow him. However, ask him about three matters: he will inform you about two of them but will not answer the third."

"If he is truly a prophet, he will be able to answer, because we asked Musaylima the Liar the same three questions, and he had no knowledge of them."

The messengers returned to Quraysh with this information from the Jews. Then, they went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked:

1. Tell us about Dhul-Qarnayn, the man who traveled to the east and the west.
2. Tell us about the spirit (ruh).
3. Tell us about the People of the Cave.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"I will tell you tomorrow."

However, he did not say, ‘If Allah wills’ (In sha' Allah).

As a result, Jibreel (Gabriel) did not come to him for fifteen days, delaying revelation because the Prophet did not say "if Allah wills." This caused the Prophet great distress.

Then, Jibreel finally came with the revelation containing the answers to their questions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"O Jibreel, why did you delay in coming to me?"

Jibreel replied:
"Because you did not say, ‘If Allah wills.’ Did you not hear Allah’s words?"

"And do not say about anything, ‘I will do that tomorrow,’ except by adding, ‘If Allah wills.’" (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:23)

Then, Jibreel informed him about:

• The story of Dhul-Qarnayn.
• The nature of the spirit (ruh), saying: "The spirit is from the command of my Lord, and I have no knowledge of it except what my Lord has revealed."
• The story of the People of the Cave.

The Prophet then sent for the Quraysh, and they came to him. He informed them about Dhul-Qarnayn and answered their questions.

However, when he told them that the spirit is from the knowledge of Allah and that he could not provide further details, the Quraysh repeated the claim of the Jews that he would not be able to answer the third question.

Then they said:

"These are two works of magic supporting each other." (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:48)

(They meant the Torah and the Qur'an were aiding each other.)

They also said:

"Indeed, we disbelieve in both." (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:48)

Then, the Prophet narrated to them the story of the People of the Cave.

And the 3rd tradition is from Mujahid. Imam Syuti recorded in his Tafsir Dure al-Manthur, vol. 5, page 377:

أخرج ابن المنذرعن مجاهد، أن قريشاً اجتمعت فقالوا: " يا محمد، قد رغبت عن ديننا ودين آبائنا، فما هذا الدين الذي جئت به؟ قال: هذا دين جئت به من الرحمن. فقالوا: إنا لا نعرف الرحمن، إلا رحمن اليمامة - يعنون مسيلمة الكذاب - ثم كاتبوا اليهود فقالوا: قد نبغ فينا رجل يزعم أنه نبي، وقد رغب عن ديننا ودين آبائنا، ويزعم أن الذي جاء به من الرحمن. قلنا: لا نعرف الرحمن إلا رحمن اليمامة، وهو أمين لا يخون.. وفيّ لا يغدر.. صدوق لا يكذب، وهو في حسب وثروة من قومه، فاكتبوا إلينا بأشياء نسأله عنها. فاجتمعت يهود فقالوا: إن هذا لوصفه وزمانه الذي يخرج فيه. فكتبوا إلى قريش: أن سلوه عن أمر أصحاب الكهف، وعن ذي القرنين، وعن الروح. فإن يكن الذي أتاكم به من الرحمن، فإن الرحمن هو الله عز وجل، وإن يكن من رحمن اليمامة فينقطع. فلما أتى ذلك قريشاً أتى الظفر في أنفسها فقالوا: يا محمد، قد رغبت عن ديننا ودين آبائك... فحدثنا عن أمر أصحاب الكهف وذي القرنين والروح. قال: ائتوني غداً. ولم يستثن، فمكث جبريل عنه ما شاء الله لا يأتيه، ثم أتاه فقال: سألوني عن أشياء لم يكن عندي بها علم فأجيب حتى شق ذلك عليّ. قال: ألم ترنا لا ندخل بيتاً فيه كلب ولا صورة؟ - وكان في البيت جرو كلب - ونزلت { ولا تقولن لشيء إني فاعل ذلك غداً إلا أن يشاء الله واذكر ربك إذا نسيت وقل عسى أن يهدين ربي لأقرب من هذا رشداً } من علم الذي سألتموني عنه أن يأتي قبل غد؟ ونزل ما ذكر من أصحاب الكهف ونزل{ ويسألونك عن الروح... } [الإسراء: 85] الآية ".

Ibn al-Mundhir narrated from Mujahid that Quraysh gathered together and said:
"O Muhammad, you have turned away from our religion and the religion of our forefathers. What is this religion you have brought?"
He replied:
"This is the religion I have brought from the Most Merciful."
They said:
"We do not know the Most Merciful except for the Most Merciful of Yamamah," referring to Musaylimah the Liar.

Then, they wrote to the Jews saying:
"A man has emerged among us who claims to be a prophet, and he has turned away from our religion and the religion of our forefathers. He claims that what he has brought is from the Most Merciful. We say: we know of no Most Merciful except for the Most Merciful of Yamamah. He is honest and does not betray; he is loyal and never deceives; truthful and never lies, and he is from a respectable and wealthy tribe. Write to us asking him about some matters."

The Jews gathered and said:
"This description fits the time and circumstances in which he is emerging."

So, they wrote to Quraysh:
"Ask him about the People of the Cave, about Dhul-Qarnayn, and about the spirit. If what he brings is from the Most Merciful, then the Most Merciful is Allah, the Exalted. But if it is from the Most Merciful of Yamamah, it will end."

When this message came to Quraysh, they felt a sense of victory within themselves and said:
"O Muhammad, you have turned away from our religion and the religion of our forefathers... Now tell us about the People of the Cave, Dhul-Qarnayn, and the spirit."

He said:
"Come to me tomorrow."

But he did not say, "If Allah wills."
Then, Jibreel delayed coming to him for as long as Allah wished. The Prophet felt troubled.

Then Jibreel came and said:
"They asked me about matters I had no knowledge of, and I was waiting for the revelation to respond to them, but it caused me great distress."

He continued:
"Did you not see that we do not enter a house that contains a dog or an image?" (The house had a puppy in it).

Then, the verse was revealed:

"And do not say about anything, ‘I will do that tomorrow,’ except by adding, ‘If Allah wills.’ And remember your Lord when you forget, and say, ‘Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this in guidance.’" (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:23)

He was informed about the People of the Cave and the story of Dhul-Qarnayn, and also the verse:

"And they ask you about the spirit..." (Surah Al-Isra, 17:85)

5. The Verses 18:23-24 "If Allah Wills" is itself a proof of DELAY

Islamic apologists have claimed that no delay occurred during any incident. However, the verses 18:23-24 provide clear evidence that a delay did indeed happen.

These verses are positioned between the verses about the People of the Cave, as seen below:

• Verse 18:22: They will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog - guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muhammad], "My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire (arabic:  تَسۡتَفۡتِ) about them from anyone among them."
• Verse 18:23: And never say about anything that, “I will do this tomorrow.” (Arabic: وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَا۟ىْءٍ إِنِّى فَاعِلٌ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا)
• Verse 18:24: Except [when adding], "If Allah wills." [Arabic: إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ] ...
• Verse 18:25: And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine.

These verses demonstrate that a delay did occur in this incident. Specifically, Muhammad forgot to say "If Allah wills" when claiming he would provide the answer the next day, which is the very reason the verses were revealed. Thus, this is a direct acknowledgment of delay.

6. Rational Thinking Indicates that the Pagan Meccans Could Not Have Inquired About Ruh, Dhulqarnain, or the People of the Cave on Their Own

It is commonly accepted by Islamic scholars that Surah 17 (Bani Israel) and Surah 18 (Al-Kahf) were revealed in Mecca. When considering the nature of the Meccan society and their beliefs, it becomes clear that the pagan Meccans would not have independently come up with the three specific questions mentioned in these surahs. The only logical explanation for these inquiries is that the Meccans received these questions from the Jews of Medina. This further suggests that the historical accounts surrounding this incident are indeed accurate.

1. Ruh (Spirit):

The polytheists of Mecca had no interest in the concept of Ruh (the spirit) because it was not part of their belief system. Their focus was primarily on their idols and their polytheistic practices. They had little to no engagement with abstract spiritual matters or theological discussions like those found in other traditions. On the other hand, the Jews of Medina, who had a deep knowledge of religious texts and spiritual concepts, were quite familiar with the idea of the Ruh, as it was an essential part of Jewish theology.

The Meccans' sudden interest in asking about Ruh can only be explained by external influence. They did not naturally inquire about it on their own; instead, it is highly likely that they were prompted by the Jews of Medina, who had an established interest in such matters. This suggests that the two groups—Meccans and Jews—were in some form of communication, and the Meccans were guided by the Jews’ knowledge in raising these specific questions.

2. Dhulqarnain (The Two-Horned One):

The question about Dhulqarnain also doesn't fit with the worldview of the Meccan polytheists. Dhulqarnain is depicted as a righteous and God-fearing individual (a Momin), known for his acts of justice and his defense of faith. If the Meccans had truly believed in such a person, who undertook significant missions for the sake of God, they would have also believed in God Himself. 

In contrast, the Jews had a vested interest in asking about the Vision of the Two-Horned Ram, as was present in their Jewish Bible. Thus, the Jewish community was more likely to have posed this question as a test of Muhammad’s knowledge or as a way to challenge his claims.

3. The People of Cave/ The 3 believing Young Jewish men:

The Meccan polytheists, who were steeped in idol worship, would not have had any reason to ask about a group of believing young men who had supposedly hidden away in a cave. The idea of pious individuals, especially Christians, being involved in such a miraculous event would have been foreign to their beliefs. How could they have asked about the People of the Cave on their own, given their lack of interest in such matters?

Moreover, please ponder upon it:

• The original story in the Book of Daniel involved 3 young men.
• The Legend of the Sleepers of Ephesus involved 7 people (with some versions mentioning 8), who were sleeping in the cave.
• Thus, Muhammad mixed both of these stories and came to the figures of 3 to 8 in the Quran. 
• Please also ask this question, what potential harm would have arisen if Allah had revealed the precise numbers of the people in the cave? 

Once again, it is evident that the Meccans' inquiry originated from the Jews of Medina, who were actually referring to the story of three devout Jewish men who were miraculously saved from the fire.