How Thomas Aquinas refuted Muhammad and Islam

Thomas Aquinas, a towering figure in Christian theology and philosophy, devoted significant efforts to engage with Islamic thought, particularly the teachings of Muhammad. His critique of Islam, embedded within his broader theological and philosophical framework, reflects a rigorous intellectual tradition aimed at defending Christian doctrine against perceived theological errors. This essay explores Aquinas's refutation of Muhammad and Islam, examining his arguments through the lenses of reason, revelation, and theological principles.

The Context of Aquinas's Critique

Aquinas lived during a period of heightened interaction between the Christian and Islamic worlds. The Crusades and the Reconquista provided a backdrop of military and religious conflict, but they also facilitated intellectual exchanges. Aquinas was familiar with the works of Muslim philosophers like Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and Averroes (Ibn Rushd), whose writings influenced his own thinking. However, his critique of Islam was primarily theological, focusing on the prophethood of Muhammad and the Islamic conception of God.

Questioning the Prophethood of Muhammad

Aquinas's most direct refutation of Muhammad's prophethood appears in his work Summa Contra Gentiles. He questions the legitimacy of Muhammad's claim to prophethood on several grounds. Firstly, Aquinas argues that true prophets must perform miracles to confirm their divine mission. He asserts that Muhammad did not perform any miracles to substantiate his claims, contrasting this with the miracles attributed to Jesus Christ, which serve as evidence of his divine nature and mission (Summa Contra Gentiles, Book 1, Chapter 6).

Secondly, Aquinas critiques Muhammad's teachings as inconsistent with reason and revelation. He contends that Muhammad's message appeals more to carnal pleasures and power rather than to spiritual truths and moral discipline. Aquinas posits that the rapid spread of Islam was due not to its intrinsic truth, but to its appeal to human desires and the use of force (Summa Contra Gentiles, Book 1, Chapter 6).

Theological Differences and the Nature of God

Aquinas also addresses the theological differences between Christianity and Islam, particularly the nature of God. He challenges the Islamic conception of God as articulated in the Quran, arguing that it lacks the depth and coherence of the Christian understanding of the Trinity. Aquinas believes that the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, while mysterious, is a higher and more profound understanding of God's nature than the strict monotheism of Islam (Summa Theologica, Part I, Question 32).

Furthermore, Aquinas criticizes the Islamic rejection of the Incarnation and the Redemption. He asserts that the Christian belief in God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death for humanity's sins is central to the true understanding of God's love and justice. The Islamic denial of these doctrines, according to Aquinas, represents a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature and his relationship with humanity (Summa Theologica, Part III, Question 1).

Conclusion

Thomas Aquinas's refutation of Muhammad and Islam is rooted in his commitment to the principles of reason, revelation, and theological orthodoxy. By questioning the legitimacy of Muhammad's prophethood, critiquing the appeal and spread of Islam, and contrasting the Christian and Islamic conceptions of God, Aquinas sought to defend and uphold the truth of the Christian faith. His arguments remain a significant part of the Christian intellectual tradition, reflecting the enduring engagement between Christianity and Islam.

Citations

1. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles, Book 1, Chapter 6. Available at: https://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/gentiles/Book1.html
2. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part I, Question 32. Available at: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1032.htm
3. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part III, Question 1. Available at: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/4001.htm