Muhammad the Mad

Was Muhammad mad? According to the Koran, Muhammad was mad, in the opinion of his tribe and tribe’s leader:

And they say, “O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad.”

Koran 15:6

The “they” here are the people of the Quraysh tribe, the Nabateans, and Muhammad’s tribe.

[Pharaoh] said, “Indeed, your ‘messenger’ who has been sent to you is mad.”

Koran 26:27

“[Pharaoh]” here is the leader of the Quraysh tribe.

And were saying, “Are we to leave our gods for a mad poet?”

Koran 37:36

The “we” here are the people of the Quraysh tribe, the Nabateans, and Muhammad’s tribe.

Then they turned away from him and said, “[He was] taught [and is] a madman.”

Koran 44:14

The “they” here are the people of the Quraysh tribe, the Nabateans, and Muhammad’s tribe.

But he turned away with his supporters and said, “A magician or a madman.”

Koran 51:39

The “he” is the leader of the Quraysh tribe, and “his supporters” are the people of the Quraysh tribe, the Nabateans, and Muhammad’s tribe.

Similarly, there came not to those before them any messenger except that they said, “A magician or a madman.”

Koran 51:52

Muhammad excuses his madness to himself, presuming his madness onto other “messengers”.

So remind, [O Muḥammad], for you are not, by the favor of your Lord, a soothsayer or a madman.

Koran 52:29

Muhammad denies being a madman to himself.

The people of Noah denied before them, and they denied Our servant and said, “A madman,” and he was repelled.

Koran 54:9

Muhammad was repelled by the Quraysh after he pretended to be Noah.

68:1 Nūn. By the pen and what they inscribe, 2 You are not, [O Muḥammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.

3 And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.

4 And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

5 So you will see and they will see. 6 Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].

Koran 68:1-6

Muhammad talks to himself, denying that he’s a madman, but admitting he is “afflicted [by a devil]”.

And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes [i.e., looks] when they hear the message, and they say, “Indeed, he is mad.”

Koran 68:51

The “those who disbelieve” are the people of the Quraysh tribe, the Nabateans, and Muhammad’s tribe.

And your companion [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad] is not [at all] mad.

Koran 81:22

One of Muhammad’s scribes denies Muhammad was mad.

Conclusion

Muhammad was mad.