When we talk about unmeetable challenges, we often think about some marvelous achievement in technology or science that nobody can quite meet. However, in theological waters, an unmeetable challenge is one that utterly destroys the opponents worldview by posing a question that inherently, if unanswered,leaves his position unbelievable.

One of the unmeetable challenges that can be leveled against Islam are the ones in regards to their views of history. Islam, in its theology, holds many counter-historical views, perhaps the most famous one being Jesus not dying on the cross. However, in this article, I will not focus on the crucifixion of Jesus, rather, another challenge, one that every Muslim apologist I ever asked has failed to even begin to meet.

Firstly, let us quote 2 Quranic verses to get some context.

“O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah, as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, “Who are my supporters for Allah ?” The disciples said, “We are supporters of Allah .” And a faction of the Children of Israel believed and a faction disbelieved. So We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became dominant”. (61:14)

and

“[Mention] when Allah said, “O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ”. (3:55)

The Quran claims that the followers of Jesus, who, according to Islam were, obviously, Muslims,were superior over the disbelievers and were followers of Jesus, the dominant ones.

Since this is a claim about history, one has to ask a question, and a rather simple one at that:

“Can you demonstrate, historically, existence of one Muslim, after Jesus and before Mohammad”

Of course, we can be very strict in what qualifies or disqualifies one from being a Muslim, but let’s be generous and put only 2 requirements, without which no Muslim can even begin to consider another one a Muslim, and let’s see how our Muslim friends meet the challenge.

1.That Muslim has to believe in Tawhid (Tawhid does not change through time so then it is rather simple, any deviation from Tawhid, such as say calling God ones Father, disqualifies one from being a Muslim)

2.That Muslim, has to believe that Jesus was not in any shape divine, that Jesus did not die on the cross, had a human, physical body and that he was merely a prophet and the Messiah.

Simple enough? Well, not from a historical standpoint. A Muslim finds himself baffled when trying to find even a trace of anyone that could be considered a Muslim, in the times between the life of Jesus and the life of Mohammad.

It is utterly inconceivable that no trace in history would be left after these followers, who gained the upper hand over the disbelievers.

When a Christian would be asked the same question,we could provide loads of written material dating back to the Early Church,even to the disciples of the Apostles,who clearly contradict Islam (yet funnily the Quran claims they were the Muslim followers of Jesus) and affirm the Death, Deity and Resurrection of Jesus.

Here is a short list of a few known Muslim apologists who have failed to meet the challenge when posed:

Yahya Snow (who had more than a year to find evidence and always found an excuse)
Darren (Hamza) Myatt (of EfDawah)
Aquil Onque
Saddaf (of islamreligion.com)

The list goes on and on. In fact, I am so confident that the challenge cannot be met that I am ready to take the Shahadah if one is able to find evidence of ANY Pre-Muhammadan Muslims.

If not, then a Muslim has to admit that he has serious issues, as the Quran clearly claims their existence, yet not only is their existence undemonstrable historically but also puts forth a direct contradiction to the established historical facts of who the followers of Jesus were. So then, what an honest person would do, is realize that what Mohammad claimed is utterly non-substantial, that is contradicted by clear history, reject Islam and research further.

Praised be the Almighty Trinity.