In the modern world there are many religions founded by individuals who claim to have received revelations from God. These figures present themselves as prophets and often succeed in gathering large numbers of followers. This phenomenon has flourished particularly in the United States, where freedom of speech allows a wide range of religious expressions. When we examine these movements more closely, especially those led by gurus originating from parts of Asia, we often find not divine revelation but deception. In many cases, the supposed prophet exploits his position and benefits materially from his followers.
Such practices are most visible in Western countries, where freedom of speech is one of the foundations of society. In Islamic countries, and increasingly in other parts of Asia, this phenomenon is far more difficult due to political and religious restrictions. Observing how these modern religious movements operate, and recognizing the deception behind many of them, raises an important question: could ancient religions, founded on claims of revelation by a single individual, have followed a similar pattern?
One religion based on the claim of revelation to a single man is Islam. Muhammad claimed that he received divine revelation while alone in a cave. According to Islamic tradition, these revelations were private experiences, later communicated to the people by Muhammad himself. In this respect, the origin of Islam resembles the structure of many modern prophetic movements, where belief depends entirely on accepting the prophet’s personal testimony as truthful. This is why the Qur’an states that obedience to the prophet is equivalent to obedience to God, and the entirety of the Qur’an was revealed in this same private manner.
In contrast, the biblical account of Moses presents a very different picture. Moses does not act alone but leads a large community of people. The miracles associated with him occur publicly, witnessed by the entire nation. God repeatedly intervenes in visible ways to demonstrate that He alone holds authority, while Moses is merely His chosen servant guiding the journey. Because these events are public and collective, the revelation given to Moses is presented as trustworthy, supported by shared experience rather than private testimony.
This difference is crucial. Whereas Moses’ revelations are accompanied by public signs witnessed by many, Muhammad’s revelations are received in private and cannot be directly observed by others. As a result, belief in Islam rests on accepting the prophet’s personal claim without independent verification. For this reason, a shadow of doubt arises, similar to that surrounding modern religious movements founded on private revelations.