Who is Apostle Paul in Islam?

In Islam, the status of religious figures is clearly defined by divine criteria. When it comes to Apostle Paul, Islamic teachings present a starkly different view than Christianity. Paul is not recognized as a true prophet in Islam-in fact, he is considered a false claimant to divine revelation.

Before diving deeper, it’s important to clarify that Islam makes no distinction between apostles and prophets. Anyone who claims to receive divine revelation from Allah (God) is, by definition, claiming prophethood. Paul’s alleged vision on the road to Damascus, where he claims to have received divine instruction, does not meet the strict criteria of prophethood in Islam.

While it’s possible that Paul saw a light or heard a voice, this was not from Allah. True prophets are held to the highest standards, and Paul fails to meet even the most basic requirements.

The Islamic Criteria for Prophethood

In Islam, prophets are chosen by Allah and granted divine protection (Iṣmah) from sin. They must fulfill key conditions:

Sinless (Even Before Prophethood)
Honest & Trustworthy
Conveyed the Entire Divine Message
Sane & Mentally Sound

Paul fails the very first requirement. He was not sinless.

1. All Prophets Are Protected from Sin (`Iṣmah`)

Prophets are selected by Allah before birth and are protected from sin their entire lives. This divine protection ensures that they remain pure, even before receiving revelation.

Noah (Nuh) was not a drunkard (as falsely claimed in some Biblical accounts).
Lot (Lut) would never sleep with his daughters.
Solomon (Sulaiman) did not commit idolatry or adultery.

Paul, however, was a persecutor of early Christians before his alleged conversion. His violent past alone disqualifies him from prophethood in Islam.

2. Prophets Must Be Honest & Trustworthy

A prophet must have an impeccable reputation for truthfulness even before receiving revelation. If a person was known to lie or lacked credibility, their message would be justifiably questioned.

Muhammad (ﷺ) was called “Al-Amin” (The Trustworthy) long before Islam.
Jesus (Isa) was known for his righteousness from birth.

Paul, however, was a Pharisee who initially tortured Christians. His sudden shift in stance raises serious doubts about his sincerity.

3. Prophets Must Convey the Full Message, Without Alterations

Allah ensures that His prophets fully deliver His message without omissions or distortions.

Jesus (Isa) was not crucified and Allah raised him to Heaven after he completed his mission.
Moses (Musa) received the complete Torah before his death.

Paul, however, introduced doctrines that Jesus never taught—such as abolishing the law (Romans 10:4) and the concept of atonement through crucifixion. If Jesus’ message was complete, why would Paul need to “update” it?

4. Prophets Must Be Sane & Rational

Prophets are mentally sound and wise, ensuring their message is taken seriously.

Paul’s sudden vision and radical transformation—from persecuting Christians to leading them—raises questions about his stability. Would Allah choose a former torturer to spread His message?

A Christian Perspective: Did God Need Paul to Finish His Work?

From an Islamic viewpoint, Jesus (Isa) was a prophet sent by Allah with a clear message. If God Himself came to Earth (as Christians believe), why would He allow Himself to be crucified before finishing His mission?

Did God fail to complete His message?
Why would He then choose Paul—a known enemy of early Christians—to correct His teachings?

This line of reasoning exposes the inconsistency in Paul’s claim to divine authority.

Conclusion: Paul Was Not a Prophet in Islam

Islam upholds that Allah only chooses the best messengers—sinless, truthful, and fully conveying His word. Paul fails every criterion for prophethood:

❌ Not sinless (persecuted believers)
❌ Not trustworthy (sudden, unexplained conversion)
❌ Altered Jesus’ teachings (added new doctrines)
❌ Questionable mental state (dramatic, unverified visions)

Paul’s teachings contradict Islamic belief in the perfection of Allah’s prophets. Therefore, he is considered a false claimant to divine revelation in Islam.

Final Thought

Allah does not choose flawed messengers for His most important message. The integrity of prophethood in Islam is absolute, and Paul’s life and teachings do not meet that standard.