How is Prophet Mohammad even considered a role model?
Muslims consider Mohammad as the best role model. But can we really apply his example?
This idea of the "best man" is derived from
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:21)
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.”
A role model is someone we admire and imitate, from whom we learn valuable life lessons and positive qualities.
Let’s see the life of Prophet Mohammad now.
Good Husband: No
-
He beat his wife Aisha on her chest.
Sahih Muslim 2127 (also Sunan an-Nasa’i 3964) -
He made his child bride wash his semen-soaked clothes.
Sahih al-Bukhari 230 (and 232) -
He slept with his slave on the bed of Hafsa’s wife.
Quran 66:1-4 + Tafsir al-Tabari & al-Jalalayn on 66:1 -
He preferred to spend more nights with Aisha instead of his old wife Sauda.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5212
Good Father: No
-
Muhammad desired his adopted son Zayd’s wife, Zayd divorced her, and then a “convenient” revelation from Allah allowed Muhammad to marry her.
Quran 33:37 + Tafsir Ibn Kathir -
He made his daughter Fatima cover him when he was taking a bath.
Sahih Muslim (Book 3, Number 0663)
Good Father-In-Law: No
- He didn't give respect to his daughter-in-law.
Quran 33:37 + Sahih Muslim 1428 & Sahih al-Bukhari 7420
Compassion?: No
-
Conducted mass executions of innocents (e.g. Banu Qurayza)
Sahih al-Bukhari 4121, 3043 (and Ibn Ishaq’s Sirah pp. 685-690) -
His followers killed a poetess who was breastfeeding her baby
Ibn Ishaq’s Sirah Rasul Allah (pp. 675-676)
Love for Money: Yes
-
He was taking loan in the name of Allah
Quran 64:17 (Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir on 2:245) -
He started asking for money for private consultations
Quran 58:12-13 -
He took 20% booty
Quran 8:41
Treatment of War Captives:
-
He allowed sex with war captives and even allowed the girls to get pregnant.
Quran 4:24 + Sahih Muslim 3432-3434 & Sahih al-Bukhari 4137 -
He took war captives for himself and got Safiyya in exchange for two other girls.
Sahih al-Bukhari 4200 & 4201 -
He and his followers brought and sold slaves.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2227, Sahih Muslim 3901
There are lots more examples about the life of Mohammad.
I fail to understand why billions follow him.
Posted Apr 7, 2026, 11:35 AM UTC