Al-An‘ām 6:114

The issue

During the heat of the arguments with the polytheists of Mecca, after Muhammad

had refused or could not present miracles as proof of his prophethood, his esteemed

position was greatly shaken in Mecca. As a result, Muhammad told the tribe of the

Quraysh that Allah had declared him a prophet and that Allah’s testimony was enough

to verify this claim.

Explaining, “and ‘Of other than God shall I crave a decree,’ ” al-Rāzī wrote, “‘Say

[Muhammad]: Allah almighty has declared the truth of my prophecy by giving me

such a detailed complete book that reached the level of inimitability”.

As pointed out earlier in the comment on Q 6.19, Muhammad’s declaration that Allah

is his witness is insufficient proof of his prophethood, given that any self-proclaimed

prophet could say that Allah has testified in his favor. The new point in this verse is that

it introduces another witness, “to whom we gave the Book.” Is Muhammad referring to

the Jews or to the Jews and Christians collectively?

The exact definition is not as important as the fact that “to whom we gave the Book”—

whether they be Jews or Christians—they do not, have never, nor will they ever testify in his favor.

In fact, those “to whom we gave the Book” are witnesses against Muhammad’s prophetic claims. By remaining steadfast in their religion and holding to the truths contained in their holy books, Jews and Christians have affirmed that they do not view Muhammad as a prophet.