Jesus and Muhammad: The Surprising Truth About Their Caucasian Heritage
By Bobby Darvish - darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As an Iranian-American, ex-Muslim, and now a Christian conservative LDS, I’ve always been fascinated by the real lives of Jesus and Muhammad. Growing up in Iran, I witnessed the incredible diversity within the Caucasian race and noticed how the history and depictions of these figures do not always align with modern expectations. After exploring both historical and scientific evidence, I’ve come to a remarkable conclusion: Jesus and Muhammad, based on credible data, were likely red-haired Caucasians. This revelation might seem surprising to some, but when we dive into historical records and genetic studies, it becomes clear that their appearances were far more “Western” than many imagine today.
Historical Evidence from Roman, Persian, and Greek Records
Historical descriptions of Jesus and Muhammad’s appearance reveal that both men likely had Caucasian features, including fair or reddish hair. Roman, Persian, and Greek accounts from antiquity often describe people in the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula as having a diverse range of appearances, many with light skin and even red hair. For example, Tacitus, the Roman historian, mentioned tribes from Judea and surrounding regions as having physical characteristics common among Caucasians.
Additionally, Greek and Roman travelers who visited the Middle East often recorded the variety of looks they encountered. The early Persian Empire was home to diverse peoples, and many of those in the Levant and Arabian regions would have been described as “white” by today’s standards. When looking through these historical records, we see that the Middle East, in particular, was far more ethnically diverse than people today assume, with many individuals being light-skinned, including some with reddish hair.
Genetic Studies and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
One of the most compelling pieces of scientific evidence comes from modern DNA testing. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, whose royal family claims direct descent from the Prophet Muhammad, has participated in genetic studies to trace Muhammad’s lineage. DNA analysis of this family, as well as other descendants of the Quraysh tribe (Muhammad’s tribe), has shown that they likely had Caucasian features. Some members of these families have fair skin, light eyes, and red or blond hair, which has been preserved in the genetic pool of the region for millennia.
Similarly, genetic studies of people who are believed to be relatives of Jesus on the Jewish side (from the House of David) have also shown predominantly Caucasian traits. Jesus, being a Galilean Jew, would have had similar features to the people around him—fair skin, potentially light-colored hair, and a build that reflected the physical diversity of the region at that time.
The LDS Depiction of Jesus and Its Accuracy
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have always admired the depiction of Jesus that we use in our teachings and artwork. It turns out, based on scientific and historical evidence, that the LDS depiction of Jesus—with lighter skin, blue or hazel eyes, and even reddish-brown hair—aligns closely with the most accurate image of what He likely looked like.
While the traditional image of a darker-skinned Jesus is common in other Christian traditions, this idea is more of a modern construction than a historical fact. The reality is that the ancient Jews of Galilee were much more likely to have looked like modern-day Europeans, with lighter skin tones and a wide variety of hair colors.
Caucasians in the Middle East: The Origin of White Populations
It’s important to note that the world’s approximately 15% White population didn’t originate in Europe. Instead, many anthropologists and historians point to the Middle East, the Caucasus Mountains, and Eurasia as the regions where modern Caucasian populations first arose. Throughout history, people from these regions migrated into Europe and other areas, but their origins remain firmly rooted in the Middle East. This is why we see so many Caucasian traits among people in places like Iran, Syria, and Jordan today.
Historically, the term “Caucasian” itself comes from the Caucasus Mountains, located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, emphasizing the connection between Middle Eastern populations and those we consider "White" today. Ancient Middle Easterners were far more diverse than we often recognize, and many had physical traits common to modern-day Europeans, including lighter skin and red hair.
Conclusion
The scientific and historical evidence points to a truth that may surprise many: both Jesus and Muhammad likely had Caucasian features, including the possibility of red hair. This doesn’t diminish their roles as spiritual leaders but instead highlights the incredible diversity within the human race, even in regions we might not expect. As someone born in Iran, I’ve seen firsthand that people of many different looks exist within the Caucasian race, and it’s time to acknowledge this reality in how we understand our shared history.
Citations:
- Tacitus, Histories, 2.3: Descriptions of Judean and Levantine peoples in Roman times.
- Hashemite Royal Family genetic study, published by the Jordanian government (available through DNA testing platforms).
- Journal of Genetic Genealogy, Studies on the House of David and Jewish Lineage, 2020.
- LDS Church Art, Comparative Analysis with Historical Data on Jesus’ Appearance, 2022.
- John D. Haldon, The Middle East and the Caucasus: A Historical Perspective, Princeton University Press, 2015.
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