Prophet Muhammad (s) Silences Dualists in Debate

Introduction

Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (as) narrates from his noble forefathers (as) that once, twenty-five scholars — five each from Christianity, Judaism, Atheism, Dualism, and Polytheism — came to the city of Medina to debate with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S).

Each group presented its beliefs before the Prophet (S), seeking answers to their questions and challenges to their philosophies. Among them were the Dualists (Sanaviyas), who held the belief in two eternal powers — light and darkness.

The Belief of the Dualists

The Dualists said: “Our belief is that light (goodness) and darkness (evil) control the matters of this Universe. We have come to you to hear what you say about this. If you accept our belief, then our religion is surely better than yours. But if you disagree, we shall debate and discuss with you.”

The Prophet’s Question

The Prophet Muhammad (S) said: “Tell me, what has led you to claim that light and darkness control this Universe?”

They replied:“ We have observed two opposite characteristics in this world — goodness and evil. Since these two are contrary in nature, we cannot accept that the same being performs both. Just as it is impossible for ice to be hot or for fire to be cold, we concluded that each must have its own creator — one for light and one for darkness.”

The Prophet’s First Argument

The Prophet (S) responded:“ Have you not observed that there are many opposites in the world — blackness and whiteness, redness and yellowness, greenness and blueness — and each one is distinct from the others? Can all these colors exist together in one and the same form?”

They said: “No, they cannot.”

The Prophet (S) then said: “So, by your reasoning, should there be a separate creator for each color as well?”

Hearing this, the Dualists fell silent.

The Prophet’s Second Argument

The Prophet (S) continued:“ You claim that light and darkness together manage the affairs of the Universe. But how can they be combined when their very natures oppose one another — light ascends while darkness descends? When one man walks toward the east and another toward the west, can they ever meet?”

The Dualists replied:“ No, it is impossible.”

The Prophet (S) said: “Then it is clear that light and darkness cannot be joined. If they cannot unite, they cannot together be creators of the Universe. These two are, in fact, creations of one God — the Almighty — who wisely controls and governs them both.”

Conclusion

The Dualists were left speechless before the Prophet’s reasoning. They finally replied humbly:“ Let us think about our views.”

Through his divine wisdom and clear logic, the Prophet Muhammad (S) demonstrated that all opposites in the world — including light and darkness — are under the power of one Creator, not two.

Reference: The Divine Wisdom of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) By The Islamic Research Foundation, Astan Quds Razavi (The Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (as))