9. Does The Bible Contain References About Muhammad (PBUH)?

ALLAH-icon Does the Quran inform us that there are references in the Bible confirming the arrival of the final prophet (PBUH)?

11 gospelNot only did Jesus (PBUH) confirm the scriptures revealed before him, but he also foretold of another prophet to come after him. God highlights this in the Quran:

“And when Jesus, son of Mary, said: ‘O Children of Israel!  Indeed I am the messenger of God unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who will come after me, whose name is the Praised One.’” (Quran 61:6)

Similarly, God also revealed to the prophet Moses (PBUH):

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong, and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So those who have believed in him, honoured him, supported him and followed the guidance which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful.” (Quran 7:157)

 

9. Muhammad SAW in bibleALLAH-icon Where are the examples from the Bible which show that a final prophet will come after Jesus (PBUT)?

Before reading further, one must understand that the Bible has undergone extensive changes in the last 2,000 years.

There are now over 50 different versions of the Bible available today, and many original or ancient scripts have either been destroyed or are hidden in secret vaults such as the Vatican Secret Archives which contains approximately 52 miles of shelving.

Yet, despite the changes in the Bible, careful study shows that one can still find references to the final prophet (PBUH). We’ve listed four examples below:

Please note that all Biblical references have been taken from the King James’ version:

 

ALLAH-icon Example 1:

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is mentioned by name in the Song of Solomon 5:16:

  • Hebrew: “Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem.”
  • English: “His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”

In the Hebrew language ‘im’ is added for respect, and hence is added after the name ‘Muhammad (PBUH) to make it ‘Muhammadim’.

In the English translation, the name of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been replaced by the phrase: “altogether lovely”, but within the Old Testament in Hebrew, the name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is still present.

 

ALLAH-icon Example 2:9 His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my beloved and this is my friend O daughters of Jerusalem

God speaks to Moses (PBUH) in the Book of Deuteronomy 18:18 and states:

  • “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee (Moses), and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)

There are three categories here to help distinguish the ‘correct’ prophet. The forthcoming prophet will:

  • Be a “brethren” of Moses (PBUT)
  • Be “like unto thee” (similar to Moses PBUT).
  • Receive the words of God; “…put my words in his mouth…”

Christians argue that this prophecy refers to Jesus (PBUH). The key similarities put forward are:

  • Moses and Jesus (PBUT) were both Jews.
  • Moses and Jesus (PBUT) were both prophets.
  • Moses and Jesus (PBUT) were from the same lineage.
  • Moses and Jesus received revelation from God.

If these are the only criteria for this prophecy to be fulfilled, then all the Prophets of the Bible who came after Moses such as David, Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist etc (PBUT) fulfill the first three parts of  prophecy as they were all Jews as well as prophets.

Moreover, David along with Moses and Jesus also received revelation in the form of the Psalms (PBUT).

Furthermore, many Christians give Jesus a higher status of divinity by believing that he is the ‘Son of God’ and part of the ‘Trinity.’  If that is the case, then how can Jesus be similar to Moses (PBUT)?

It is instead, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who is more similar and we shall explain how using the three criteria; “brethren”, “like unto thee” and “put my words in his mouth.”

 

How is the prophet Muhammad a “brethren” to Moses (PBUT)?

Abraham had two sons; Ishmail and Isaac – the Arabs are the descendants of Ishmail and the Jews are the descendants of Isaac. Hence, Muhammad (an Arab) is related to both Moses and Jesus (Jews), and is from among the brethren (lineage) of Moses because the Arabs are the brethren of the Jews (PBUT).

 

How is the prophet Muhammad “like unto thee” or ‘similar’ to Moses (PBUT)?

  1. Both had a father and a mother, while Jesus (PBUT) was born miraculously without any male intervention (Mathew 1:18 and Luke 1:35 and also Quran 3:42-47).
  2. Both were married and had children, while Jesus (PBUT) according to the Bible did not marry or have any children.
  3. Both died natural deaths, while Jesus (PBUT) has been raised up alive: (Quran 4:157-158).
  4. Both besides being Prophets were also rulers who could inflict capital punishment, whereas Jesus (PBUT) said; “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36).
  5. Both were accepted as Prophets by their people in their lifetime but Jesus (PBUT) was rejected by his people. John 1:11 states, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
  6. Both brought new laws and new regulations for their people, whereas Jesus (PBUT) according to the Bible did not bring any new laws. (Mathew 5:17-18).

 

What about the phrase ‘my words in his mouth’?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was unlettered and whatever revelations he received from God, he repeated.

This includes the Quran which was repeated by the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is still recited and repeated by Muslims today.

Hence, unlike the Bible, the Quran remains unchanged and Muslims believe with certainty that it contains the exact words of God (please click here for more details).

“Your companion (Muhammad (PBUH) has not strayed; he is not deluded;
he does not speak from his own desire. It is not but a revelation revealed (unto him).”
(Quran 53: 2-4)

 

9 That prophetALLAH-icon Example 3:

  • “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet?” (John 1:20)

What did they mean by “that Prophet?”

In Islam and Christianity, Jesus is Christ (PBUH) which is a shortened form of the Koine Greek word “christos,” intended to mean the Hebrew word “Messiah.”

The Jews of two thousand years ago were looking for their messiah and prophet, who was foretold in their Hebrew books, and would come and lead them. Examples of such references include the one mentioned in Example 1.

Yet John the Baptist (PBUH) denied being the Messiah.

The priests and Levites then asked John the Baptist if he might be the prophet Elijah, returning back after hundreds of years being away (PBUT).

There was the belief amongst them that Elijah would come back, but again, John the Baptist denied that he was Elijah (PBUT).

Then the priests and Levites asked if he was “that prophet” – there are clear references within the Hebrew texts as mentioned in Example 1 in regards to the name of Muhammad and there is only one prophet who appeared after the prophets Jesus and John – that was Muhammad (PBUT).

Furthermore, according to the Christian teachings, the above quote cannot refer to Jesus because he is described by the Christians as being the son of God and not a prophet.

 

ALLAH-icon Example 4:

  • Gospel of John 14:16: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
  • Gospel of John 15:26: “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
  • Gospel of John 16:7: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

9 ahmed saw“Ahmed” or “Muhammad (PBUH)” means “the one who praises” or “the praised one”, and this meaning is almost the same as the translation of the Greek word Periclytos.

However in the Gospel of John 14:16, 15:26, and 16:7, the word ‘Comforter’ is used in the English translation for the Greek word Paracletos despite the fact that advocate or kind friend is a closer meaning.

Nonetheless, regardless of the meaning, the fact remains is that Jesus (PBUH) makes it clear that somebody will come after he has gone.

Some Christians argue that the Comforter mentioned in these prophecies refers to the Holy Sprit. Yet, they fail to realise that the prophecy clearly says that only once Jesus (PBUH) departs, will the Comforter come.

The Bible states in numerous places that the Holy Spirit was already present on earth before and during the time of Jesus (PBUH), in the womb of Elizabeth, and again when Jesus (PBUH) was being baptised.

Hence this prophecy cannot refer to the Spirit and can only refer to someone coming after Jesus. Jesus himself explains a little more about the Comforter in the verses from the Bible below:

  • Gospel of John 16:12-14: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Jesus reiterates what was revealed to Moses in Example 2 (PBUT).

Muhammad (PBUH) was known, even among his enemies, as the ‘Truthful One’, and the Quran was revealed to him word by word.

“Your companion (Muhammad (PBUH) has not strayed; he is not deluded;
he does not speak from his own desire. It is not but a revelation revealed (unto him).”
(Quran 53: 2-4)

 

ALLAH-icon Summary of examples:

9 muhammad in the bibleThere are other examples within the Bible. Yet, when one looks at just the evidence above, it points in the direction of Muhammad (PBUH) because:

  • His (PBUH) name was specifically mentioned in the Hebrew text of the Torah.
  • He was the only other prophet to appear after Jesus (PBUT).
  • He was more similar to Moses than Jesus was (PBUT).
  • He (PBUH) received the words of God and this is evident with us today. The Bible has been changed and amended – the Quran has not.
  • He was a descendent of Ishmael and was related to both Moses and Jesus (PBUT).
  • He confirmed the messages of the previous prophets; hence Muslims believe and accept all the prophets along with the holy books they received. Muslims also believe in the fact that Moses, Aaron, Mary, John the Baptist and the disciples (PBUT) were all Muslims because they worshipped God alone, along with the those from the Children of Israel who followed this message.

One must try to put ones feelings to the side and look at the facts, understand them and ask ourselves; why would God mention such references within the Bible about the coming of another individual after both Moses and Jesus (PBUT).

 

ALLAH-icon Why does God make references to the coming of another prophet (PBUH) in the Bible?

Islam answers this question in two main ways:

  1. To reinforce the original teachings and the Biblical texts which were changed – this includes the important and original concept of worshipping God alone without any partners or children, and recognising and accepting that all the prophets were sent by the same God.

“And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths (and) they imitate the sayings of those who disbelieved before them.” (Quran 9:30)

  1. Did you know that all the prophets pbut all worshipped the same God and followed the same religion Islam To accept all the prophets as they are all chosen by the same God and all worshipped Him alone. The Jews accepted Moses, but rejected Jesus, and both the Jews and Christians rejected Muhammad. Muslims, however, accept all three (PBUT).

Say, “We have believed in Allah (God) and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims (who) submit to Him (God alone).” (Quran 3:84)

 

ALLAH-icon To choose or not to choose:

9 We will show them Our Signs in the universe and in their ownselves until it becomes clear to them that this is the truthSome Christians may continue to deny or reject the above for various reasons – that is a matter of personal choice.

Ultimately, we will all return to our Creator, and whatever decision you choose to make is between you and Him:

“We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their ownselves, until it becomes clear to them that this (the Quran) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?” (Quran 41:53)

 

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