Yūnus 10:94

The issue

This verse addresses Muḥammad. It instructs Muḥammad to ask those who have read the Book before him whenever he is in doubt concerning the veracity of the revelation. Al-Zamakhsharī comments, “As if it was said: if you were to doubt, or Satan made you imagine and imagination from him [Satan]". The verse then adds a command: “…be not then of those who are in doubt".

This command means “be not among those who doubt the validity and veracity of Allah’s revelation".

Many Islamic commentators are discomfited by the content of this verse, so they state, “Indeed, Muḥammad neither doubts nor asks".

How is it possible that he did not doubt when the verse refers to the doubt? If Muḥammad did not ask “those who read the Book” before him, that is expected because he was not likely to receive the answer that he desired. No one among the readers of the Book would say that Muḥammad is truly a messenger from God.

Some Islamic commentators state that the instructions, even though they are addressed to Muḥammad, are really meant for someone else. Who is that “someone else”? Why would the verse limit the address to Muḥammad?

Muslim exegetes state also that the verse further bases the evidence for the veracity of Muḥammad’s claims on “those who read the Book". However, what is common knowledge is that the People of the Book, Jews and Christians, did not and do not accept the message of Muḥammad or the text of the Qur’ān. So, based on this condition—to ask the people “who read the Book”—is to direct Muḥammad (and Muslims) to evidence that does not exist because the People of the Book will deny the veracity of Muḥammad’s message.

It is also noteworthy that the verse states “those who read the Book before thee,” which indicates that Muḥammad read some of the sacred books that preceded him.