If Any, What is Your Most Negative View on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

[Alan V]

The most common claim or concern or most common negativity among the comments centers around the marriage of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to Aisha (RA) at a young age, which several commenters refer to, using it to criticize the the Prophet (PBUH) for pedophilia and related sexual misconduct. This aspect is highlighted by users like Fake Messiah, Deesse23, and Rev. Rye, and it appears to be the focal point of negativity for those who are critical of the Prophet's character based on the available translated historical accounts. Because this has been the most common claim or concern, it will be the top focus of my responses. I am ready to approach this with an open mind and come to a rational conclusion based on the real facts, and I hope that you too are open to this. What are your views?

Al-Amiyr
01 April 2025

I apologize for coming late to the discussion.  Although different atheists have highlighted different points, the primary point of all of this seems to me (at least) to be that Muhammad assumed an absolute authority based on his alleged connection to God, or to the angel Gabriel if you prefer.  Many of the other points mentioned seem to flow from this one point of his highly questionable assumed authority, especially given our modern perspectives on the events of Muhammad's life and on his historical influence.  As atheists, we don't believe he had any such authority at all, since he claimed it was based on a God which did not (and does not) exist.  My understanding is that Sufis have been trying to liberalize Muhammad's absolutism ever since.

So it is all very well if you want to try to demonstrate that Muhammad behaved well toward Aisha according to the Hadith, at least by the standards of his time, but you will still have an uphill battle after that.