What are the satanic verses?

Response

The Satanic verses refer to two lines in the Quran that, according to certain accounts in Muslim history, were spoken by Muhammad under the influence of Satan rather than Allah. Some early Muslim sources mention that Muhammad acknowledged that Surah (“Chapter”) 53, verses 21–22 of the Quran, in their original form, were the result of a deceptive ploy by Satan that he mistakenly believed to be a genuine revelation from Allah. If this narrative holds true, it would cast doubt on Muhammad’s status as a true prophet due to being misled by Satan.

The context surrounding the Satanic verses is that, in the early stages, Muhammad’s followers were increasing slowly, and he was facing opposition from the Arabs. To alleviate the tension, he received the following revelation:

Surah 53:19–20:

“So have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza?

And Manat, the third [goddess]—the other one?”

Al-Lat, al-‘Uzza, and Manat were three pagan Arab deities.

After Surah 53:20, the devil inserted his own words into Muhammad’s speech, resulting in Surah 53:21–22 (the “satanic” version):

“These are the exalted cranes [intermediaries]

Whose intercession is to be hoped for!”

These verses imply that the three pagan deities are being acknowledged as legitimate, and Muhammad can seek their intercession. By recognizing these Arab deities, Muhammad was able to ease tensions with the Arabs. Subsequently, he clarified what appeared to be a moment of polytheism by attributing it to being deceived by Satan. He also mentioned that the angel Gabriel informed him that even true prophets can occasionally be deceived by Satan. This explanation was given to account for the error introduced into the Quran at that time. Later on, this…

Admission of this was considered damaging to Muhammad’s character, so the verses were completely altered, and the account of his confession was suppressed. This is well-documented in early Muslim sources that are still accessible today. However, Muslim defenders also highlight that there are earlier biographies of Muhammad that do not mention this incident.

The following excerpt is from an early source (AD 915) that does mention it:

“When [the pagan] Quraysh heard this, they rejoiced and were pleased with the way he spoke about their gods. They listened attentively while the Muslims, having full faith in their prophet regarding the messages from God, did not doubt him. When he reached the prostration part after completing the surah, he prostrated himself and the Muslims followed suit, trusting in the message he delivered and emulating his actions. Even the polytheists of the Quraysh and others present in the mosque prostrated themselves upon hearing the reference to their gods, so that every person in the mosque, believer or unbeliever, bowed down. The only exception was al-Walid b. al-Mughirah, an elderly man who could not prostrate, so he took a handful of soil and bowed over it. Afterward, everyone dispersed from the mosque. The Quraysh departed pleased by the mention of their gods, commenting, ‘Muhammad has praised our gods in the best possible manner, affirming in his recitation that they are the high-flying cranes and that their intercession is accepted’” (The History of al-Tabari, Vol. VI: Muhammad at Mecca, translated by W. Montgomery Watt and M. V. McDonald, State University of New York Press, 1988, pp. 108–109).

A comprehensive analysis of the evidence supporting and refuting the satanic verses incident is beyond the scope of this article.

“The Satanic Verses” is also a 1988 novel by British-Indian author Salman Rushdie.

In novelist Salman Rushdie. The title itself was offensive to Muslims, and the novel was said to be loosely based on the life of Muhammad and includes a number of terms and concepts that are also offensive to Muslims. As a result, the Ayatollah Khomeini, then the supreme leader of Iran, issued a fatwa ordering the death of Rushdie, and for a while, he had to go into hiding. Attempts were made on his life, and bookstores that sold the book were also targeted for violence. Subsequently, Rushdie apologized for offending Muslims; however, the apology was rejected. Although the furor has subsided and Rushdie has been able to move about freely and has published more books, the fatwa has never been rescinded.