PROPHET MUHAMMAD IN THE WORLD’S SCRIPTURES
PROPHET MUHAMMAD IN THE WORLD’S SCRIPTURES
While it is not the main theme of this book to detail all the prophecies in other religious scriptures foretelling the coming of Prophet Muhammad, I should mention that Muslim scholars have noted such in the Parsi, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and Christian scriptures.
Indeed, Muhammad in other scriptures is a very interesting topic which has been thoroughly discussed in many books and articles, as well as on the internet. (To get more information about this topic, you may go to Dr. Zakir Naik’s website, www.irf.net, or just search the Internet typing these words: “Prophet Muhammad”, “Muhammad in the Hindu scriptures”, “Muhammad in the Bible”, etc.).
Among the books, for example, A. H. Vidyarthi and U. Ali have written a book entitled Muhammad in Parsi, Hindu, and Buddhist Scriptures.
In his wonderful book, Muhammad in the Bible, Professor Abdul-Ahad Dawud (formerly the Reverend David Benjamin) comments on the Bible foretelling the advent of the prophet who is ‘like unto thee Moses’, explaining:
“We read the following words in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 18, verse 18: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth.” If these words do not apply to Muhammad, they still remain unfulfilled. Jesus himself never claimed to be the Prophet alluded to... Jesus, as is believed by his Church, will appear as a Judge and not as a law-giver; but the promised one has to come with a ‘fiery law’ in ‘his right hand’.” Deut. 33:2
Muslim scholars assert that this prophecy applies to none other than Muhammad. Moses and Muhammad are alike in many ways. They both have the same first letter of their names. They are alike in their natural births, marriages, missions, and natural deaths. Both were prophets, rulers, leaders, and statesmen. Both brought a "fiery law." On the other hand, Jesus is unlike Moses in several matters. His birth, mission, and end are unlike those of Moses. Jesus did not get married; nor did he; rule his people or fight in wars like Moses.
It is worth mentioning that “a prophet from among their brethren”refers to a prophet from the brothers of the Israelites (i.e., the Ishmaelites).
In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus also prophesied the coming of another Comforter. Jesus declared, “and he shall give you another Comforter” (John 14:16).
In addition, Jesus said:
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is for your good 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. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment… I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. How be it when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me..." (John 16:7-14)
So, who is this “other Comforter” to come after Jesus?
Indeed, Muslim scholars state that it is only Muhammad who completely fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy for many reasons. To mention some:
• Jesus’ reference to “another Comforter”cannot apply to the Holy Spirit since the Holy Spirit (part of the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, according to the Christians who believe in it) was there before and during the mission of Jesus, according to the Bible, while the Comforterwas to come after.
• Moreover, Muhammad came to warn people of sin and command them to do righteousness. He was a ruler and a judge with a ‘law’in ‘his right hand’.
• Muhammad guided people to the ultimate truth concerning the one true God, the truth about the purpose of this life, the truth about the Hereafter and eternal life, and many other things.
• He showed us things to come through many prophecies and miracles given to him by the one who sent him, Allah.
• Muhammad was a prophet who did not "speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak."He was the instrument through whom God revealed His Word, the Glorious Qur’an. And Muhammad recited God’s Word in the Name of Allah. The Bible prophesied that “he shall speak in My name…”(Deut. 18:19). In fact, the chapters of the Glorious Qur’an are preceded by the phrase, “In the Name of Allah.”
• Muhammad and the Glorious Qur’an indeed glorified Jesus highly (peace be upon them). In honor of him, Muslims like to name their children Esa (Arabic for Jesus).
Furthermore, when the Jews asked John the Baptist who he was, he denied being the Christ or Elijah or that Prophet. “…Who are you? And he (John) confessed, I am not the Christ. And then they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you that Prophet? And he answered, No”. (John 1:19-21)
Again, Muslim scholars argue that Muhammad is the one referred to in this Biblical text:
“Are you that Prophet? And he answered, No”.So, who is that Prophet? Clearly “that Prophet” does not apply to John the Baptist nor to Jesus the Christ, as John testified himself.
Therefore, a wise, honest, and sincere seeker of the truth should objectively ask:
• Who is that Prophet?
• Who is the true Prophet that came after John and Jesus conveying their original message about the one true God alone?
He is Muhammad!
