Muhammad and messianic prophecy

The Qur'an ascribes to Muhammad rather than to Jesus the position of the long awaited messiah, since it puts Jesus in the position of no more than an apostle sent by God to the children of Israel, and puts Muhammad in the position of the mercy sent by God to all the creation.

According to the Qur'an, it is Muhammad, not Jesus, about whom all the prophets & apostles bore witness and brought Good News ^{[Quran 03:81]}. The Qur'an further claims that Jesus himself preached the Advent of Muhammad for the Jews:

^{Qur'an 61:6} And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is more praised."…

On the other hand, various Christian writers responded to these claims by trying to interpret Muhammad in Bible prophecy as being either the False Prophet or the Antichrist.

Tanakh

Genesis 21

In Genesis 21:17, God hears the infant Ishmael crying, and the angel of God calls to Hagar from heaven and says to her,

"What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

The Muslim nation (the Ummah) is believed to be this great nation promised to Ishmael.

In Genesis 21:19, it says that God opened the eyes of Hagar and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. This well of water is believed to be the well of Zamzam in Mecca.

Genesis 22

In Genesis 22:15-18 15, The angel of the Lord calls to Abraham from heaven and says,

"I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

This declaration is believed to be a promise to Ishmael, who was according to Genesis the only son of Abraham (fourteen years before the birth of Isaac), & his descendants that the Messiah is going to rise from among them. Thus, it has been considered as one of the prophecies about Muhammad. The other verses in Genesis 22 which claim that the sacrificed son was Isaac, not Ishmael, are believed by Muslims to be corrupted.

Genesis 49

In Genesis 49:10, Jacob tells his sons that the scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff (or a lawgiver) from between his feet (or from his descendants), until Shiloh (or he that is to be sent) comes and to him shall be the obedience of the people.

Several Muslim writers tried to interpret this mysterious figure "Shiloh" as a reference to Muhammad. A variant of these interpretations is that the word Shiloh is actually a distorted form of the word Shaluh which means "apostle, messenger or he that is to be sent". The Latin Vulgate also translates the word to "He ... that is to be sent". Thus, the prophecy about the Shiloh becomes in harmony with Qur'an 3:81.

Deuteronomy 18

The Qur'an begins with Basmala: "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"

In this prophecy, Moses inform his people that God is going to raise up a prophet like him from among their brethren. This has been interpreted as a prophecy of Muhammad who was raised up in the likeness of Moses from among the brethren of the Israelites. The prophecy also says that God is going to put his words in the mouth of that Prophet. This is believed to be a reference to the Qur'an which is composed of the speech of God. Unlike the Gospels which are books of history about the life of Jesus, the Qur'an is not a book of history. It is "God's speaking". God is commanding Muhammad "to say", "to read", or "to do" in the Qur'an & Muhammad is reciting everything he hears. This picture of a prophet who speaks everything God commands him to speak is also mentioned in this prophecy. Another point is that this Prophet speaks the Word of God in the Name of God. Such a point is plainly evident in the Qur'an which begins with "In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful". Furthermore, the first verse revealed to Muhammad was Qur'an (96:1):

"Read in the Name of you Lord who created".

Muhammad was the likeness of Moses in many aspects. The most evident of them is that he saw God twice just as Moses spoke with God twice.

Deuteronomy 32

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul alludes to Greece as "the nation that has no understanding" mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:

²¹ They made me jealous by what is no god, and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding.

However, Rahmatullah Kairanawi (among others) criticized this view. Their argument is that Greece doesn't fit such a description.

In the light of Qur'an 62:2 ^{[Quran 62:02]}, they interpret the nation that has no understanding as a reference to the Arabian tribes of the 6th century.

Deuteronomy 33

In Deuteronomy 33:2, Moses mentions the names of three mountains. He says that God came from Mount Sinai, dawned on them from Mount Seir, and shone forth from Mount Paran. All these three mountains are well-known. Mount Sinai is the mount on which God gave Moses the Torah. Thus, it has been interpreted as a reference to Moses. Mount Seir is mentioned in the Bible as the homeland of Esau. Today, the tomb of Esau exists in Mount Sair in Palestine (very close to Bethlehem). Seir has been interpreted as a reference to Jesus. Mount Paran is mentioned in the Bible as the homeland of Ishmael. Thus, it has been interpreted as a reference to Muhammad.

Psalms 45

File:Muhammad Swords.JPG

Two swords of Muhammad in Topkapı palace in Turkey.

This messianic prophecy has been interpreted as a prophecy about Muhammad. The prophecy is a song of praise for the king (the warrior messiah). It begins by pointing out that this messianic figure is the most excellent of men, and that his lips have been anointed with grace. Then it goes on to mention the sword of the messiah & his glorious victories:

³ Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. ⁴ In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.

Then it goes on & tells that this messianic figure, the scepter of the kingdom of God, will be a scepter of justice, and that just as the Throne of God is going to last for ever and ever, so is going to be his kingdom. Then the song continues & says that because this messianic figure loves righteousness and hates wickedness; God, his God, has set him above his companions by anointing him with the oil of joy. Then the prophecy goes on & tells that kings' daughters will be among the honorable women of the messianic figure. Two of Muhammad's wives were kings' daughters: Ayesha daughter of the 1st Rashidun Caliph & Hafsa daughter of the 2nd Rashidun Caliph. The prophecy finally ends with what is believed to be a reference to the name of Muhammad (Muhammad means "very praised"):

¹⁷ I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

Psalms 84

Main article: Bakkah

Muslim pilgrims covering the Mount of Arafat in Mecca.

This psalm is a song of praise for the house of God and his anointed one. It praises the latter house of God (which is mentioned also in Haggai 2) & describes the journey of pilgrimage toward it. In verse 6, the name of a holy valley is mentioned. This names is Baka:

⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. ⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. ⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. ⁷ They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Jews & Christians are not familiar with this name "Baka". However, Muslims are very familiar with it. It occurs one time in the Qur'an, particularly in the Surat of the Pilgrimage, as the name of the valley of that surrounds the Ka'aba in Mecca ^{[Quran 03:96]}. Mount Zion is believed to be a reference to Mount Arafat.

Psalms 110

Muslim writers argue that this psalm could be a reference to the ascension of Muhammad to the Throne of God in the journey of al-Miraj.

Of David. A psalm. ¹ The Lord says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies, a footstool for your feet."

Psalms 149

This prophecy is believed to be the one referred to in Qur'an 48:29. It is believed to be a prophetic description of the Muslim conquests associated with the rise of Islam in the 7th century.

⁶ May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, ⁷ to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, ⁸ to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them—this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Isaiah 11

The author of the Encyclopaedia Biblica made the claim that the name Jesse (Yishay) is a contraction of of the name Ishmael (Yishma'el). Thus, the "Branch from Jesse" has been interpreted as representing Muhammad.

Isaiah 21

13 The mournful, inspired prediction (a burden to be lifted up) concerning Arabia: In the forests and thickets of Arabia you shall lodge, O you caravans of Dedanites. 14 To the thirsty bring water, O inhabitants of the land of Tema [in Arabia]; meet the fugitive with bread [suitable] for him. 15 For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war [the press of battle]. 16 For the Lord has said this to me, within a year, according to the years of a hireling, all the glory of Kedar [an Arabian tribe] will fail. 17 And the remainder of the number of archers and their bows, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, will be diminished and few; for the Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken it.

This prophecy is seen as referring to the Hijra (immigration) of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, and to the Battle of Badr which took place 1 year after the Hijra of Muhammad.

Isaiah 42

A map of the Battle of the Trench shows "Mount Sela" (Arabic: جبل سلع, Hebrew: הר סלע) in the middle of Medina

This messianic prophecy is probably one of the most commonly cited prophecies by Muslims, since it tells much about the Chosen servant of God, the great messiah, who is the possessor of all the noble virtues. It says that he is the Light of God for the Gentiles & that he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In verse 11, the name of a mountain is given. This name is Sela. Most Jews & Christians are probably unfamiliar with Mount Sela. However, Muslims are very familiar with it, since it is located in the middle of Medina "the city of Muhammad". Furthermore, a reference to the Muslim conquests is also seen in verse 13:

¹³ The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

Isaiah 54

^{Isaiah 54:2-3}"Enlarge the place of your tent.. For you will spread out to the right and to the left": a prophecy of the Muslim conquests.

¹"Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD. ² "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

The barren woman is seen as a reference to Mecca as it, unlike Jerusalem, never received a prophet. The children of the desolate woman are the children of Hagar, while the children of the married woman are the children of Sarah.

Isaiah 60

¹⁰ "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion.

In 70 CE, Jerusalem was struck in anger & its temple was destroyed. The Temple was never resurrected again until the Advent of Muhammad & his Companions. In 637, the Companions of Muhammad led an Islamic army against the Eastern Roman Empire & restored Jerusalem. The Holy Temple was rebuilt again by Muslims & was called al-Masjid al-Aqsa.

Daniel 2

Main article: Daniel 2

But the stone that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

— Daniel

The visions of Daniel, which are narrated in the book of Daniel, have been discussed by various Muslim writers who raised the argument that they contain messianic prophesies preaching the advent of Muhammad. In this vision, Nebuchadnezzar saw a great statue. The head of this statue was made of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of brass, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. While he was watching, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck on its feet of iron & clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the stone that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

The vision has been interpreted as a messianic prophecy about the advent of Muhammad. The head of fine gold represents Babylon, the chest and arms of silver represents Media-Persia, the belly & thighs of brass represents Greece, the legs of iron represents Rome, the feet partly of iron & partly of clay represents the division of the Roman Empire into an ironic eastern part (known in modern times as the Byzantine Empire) & a weakened western part (some interpret this part of the vision in a different way suggesting that the feet of iron & clay refers to the Roman & Sassanid Empires respectively) The stone refers to Muhammad & his advent which marked the beginning of the Muslim conquests that subsequently led to the end of both the Roman & the Sassanid Empires. Since the advent of Muhammad, the Muslim world is steadily expanding in a way similar to the way of the growing stone in the vision.

Chapter	Analysing the relationship between Daniel 2 & Daniel 7
	Four beasts				Advent of Muhammad	Earth inherited by the faithful
Daniel 2	Golden head (Babylon)	Chest and arms of silver (Persia-Media)	Belly and thighs of brass (Greece)	Legs of iron (Rome)	Feet partly of clay & partly of iron (Division of the Roman Empire) + Advent of the Cornerstone	Kingdom of God is established
Daniel 7	Winged lion	Bear with three ribs in its mouth	Leopard with four heads	Terrifying beast	One like humans comes & ascends to the Throne of God	Kingdom of God is established

Daniel 7

Main article: Daniel 7

The "winged lion" represents Babylon.

The four heads of the Leopard are the four stable power blocks:Ptolemaic Kingdom,Seleucid Empire, Attalid Anatolia, and Antigonid Macedon.

In this vision, Daniel saw four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the great sea. The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. The second looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’. The third looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. Daniel looked, and there before him a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. Daniel looked at these horns and behold another small horn came up among them, and three of former horns were plucked out before it, and behold eyes like human eyes were on this horn, and a mouth speaking arrogantly.

In his vision, Daniel looked, and there before him was one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days [i.e. God] and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language served him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

The vision has been interpreted as a messianic prophecy about Muhammad & his ascension to the Throne of God in the night of al-Isra & al-Miraj. The first beast represents Babylon. The second beast represents Persia-Media. The third beast represents Greece. The fourth beast represents Rome. The horns of the fourth beast represent the emperors of the Roman Empire. The ten horns refer to the ten Roman emperors who ran the 10 major persecutions. The 11th horn refers to Constantine I, the founder of the Nicene Christianity. Constantine I plucked out three Roman emperors before him, maintained authority for 3 times & half a time (34 lunar years), & persecuted the Nazarenes who rejected the Nicene Creed. He broke the first commandment of the law "the Lord our God is one lord", and switched the Sabbath to Sunday.

Nero

Domitian

Trajan

Marcus Aurelius

Septimius Severus

Maximinus Thrax

Decius

Valerian

Aurelian

Diocletian

Daniel 9

Main article: Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

Since Muhammad is considered the Sealer of the prophets in Qur'an 33:40, interpreting Daniel 9 as a messianic prophecy about him has also been discussed. Several writers argued that calculations should be based only on the Qur'anic definition of time; that one year is equal to twelve lunar months ^{[Quran 9:36]}.

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of God and the Sealer of the prophets…

Qur'an 33:40

Two messiahs are seen in the prophecy of Daniel 9. The first shall come 69 "sevens" after the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (i.e. 445 BC), and the second shall come 70 "sevens" after the time the desolation is decreed upon the Jews (i.e. 135 CE).

A. Sixty nine "sevens" from 445 BC till 24 CE: after the end of this period (following its end), an anointed one [Jesus] shall be cut off and shall have nothing. [Note: 483 lunar years = 468.61 solar years = (sixty nine “sevens”)]

B. Gap between the first period and the one seven: in this gap, Jerusalem and its Temple will be destroyed by the invading army of a powerful ruler [Roman Emperor]. This occurred in 70 CE.

C. One "seven" from 130 CE till 138 CE: in 130, the Roman Emperor visited the ruins of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem & promised the Jews to rebuild it. Many of them awaited with hope. However, in the middle of this seven (132-135) he committed the abomination that causes desolation by erecting pagan temples, legalizing pagan acts, and most importantly by killing 100s thousands of them.

D. Seventy "sevens" from 135 CE till 610 CE: anointing the Most Holy on the Mount of Light in the city of Mecca [anointed by grace according to Psalm 45].[Note: 490 lunar years = 475.41 solar years = (seventy “sevens”)]

From 135, the Jews were banned from entering Jerusalem. This ban continued through the Christian era, and was never put to an end until the advent of Islam in 637. Thus, the year 135 is the beginning of the seventy "sevens" that were decreed upon the Jews.

Habakkuk 3

Habakkuk 3:3 reads: "³ God will come from the south, and the holy one from mount Paran: His glory covered the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise."

The phrase "from the south" refers to the Hijaz which is to the south of Israel. The phrase "from mount Paran" is another plain evidence that the long awaited Messiah of the creation will raise up from among the Ishmaelites.

Haggai 2

Haggai 2 gives the promise again that the Desired of all nations will come. This one is himself the long awaited Messiah whom God will send as his light for the Genitles. It also tells that the first house of God will be replaced by a second house (more glorious than the first) & that in this latter house God will give peace. The Desired of all nations is identified with Muhammad. The first house of God is identified with Al-Aqsa mosque, & the second house of God is identified with Al-Haram mosque.

Zachariah 4

Main article: Two Witnesses

The two anointed ones mentioned in Zachariah 4 are believed by Baha'is to be Muhammad & Ali. However, Muslim writers suggest that they could be Muhammad & Jesus. These two anointed ones are probably the two messiahs mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls: one of them is a priestly messiah (believed to be Jesus) & the other is a kingly messiah (believed to be Muhammad).

..lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light..

Qur'an24:35

¹¹ Then I answered and said to him, "What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?" ¹² And I further answered and said to him, "What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?" ¹³ Then he answered me and said, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord."¹⁴ So he said, "These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth."

Zachariah 9

¹⁴ Then the LORD will appear over them and his arrow will flash like lightning, and the Lord God will blow the trumpet and will march forth in the windstorms of the south.

This phrase "windstorms of the south" is interpreted as a reference to the advent of the kingdom of Islam from the south of Jerusalem.

Malachi 3

³ Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me. And the Lord [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts.

The word "suddenly" is a keyword in this prophecy; which is believed to have been fulfilled by Muhammad in the journey of al-Isra. The Messenger or Angel of the covenant is himself that lord and the covenant mentioned here is itself the one mentioned in Quran 3:81.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Main article: Dead Sea Scrolls

The DSSs show that the Jews of that time were awaiting two messiahs: one as a priest & one as a warrior. Muslim writers argue that the priestly messiah is Jesus & the warrior messiah is Muhammad.

Gospel

Parable of the tenants

Main article: Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen

³³ "Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in it, and built a strong lodge; then let the place to vine-dressers, and went abroad.³⁴ When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes;³⁵ but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones.³⁶ Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the first; and these they treated in the same manner.³⁷ Later still he sent to them his son, saying, "'They will respect my son.'³⁸ "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.'³⁹ "So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed him.⁴⁰ When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" ⁴¹ "He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render the produce to him at the vintage season." ⁴² "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "'The Stone which the builders rejected has been made the Cornerstone: this Cornerstone came from the Lord, and is wonderful (θαυμαστὴ) in our eyes'? ⁴³ "That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will exhibit the power of it. ⁴⁴ He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but he on whom it falls will be utterly crushed." ⁴⁵ After listening to His parables the High Priests and the Pharisees perceived that He was speaking about them; ⁴⁶ but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they were afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a Prophet.

Matthew 21:33-46 (Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-18).

Muslims read the Parable of the tenants in the light of the following Hadith:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: 'Would that this brick be put in its place!' So I am that brick, and I am the Seal of the Prophets."

The Qur'an addresses the Jews in many verses and blames them for killing the prophets of God:

^{Qur'an 2:91} And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has revealed," they say, "We believe [only] in what was revealed to us." And they disbelieve in what came after it, while it is the truth confirming that which is with them. Say, "Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you are [indeed] believers?"

^{Qur'an 2:87} And We did certainly give Moses the Torah and followed up after him with apostles. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit. But is it [not] that every time an apostle came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of apostles] you denied and another party you killed.

Christians argue that the stone the builders rejected was Jesus himself. However, the fact is that Jesus was rejected by the tenants not by the builders.

Muslim writers like Sami Ameri argued that the Greek word for wonderful (θαυμαστὴ) in Matthew 21:42 and Mark 12:11 has a similar meaning to the Arabic word for Ahmad in Qur'an 61:6. Sami cites "the New Testament Greek Lexicon - King James Version" which translates (θαυμαστὴ) to "worthy of pious admiration"; a meaning which is quite similar to the meaning of the Arabic words for Ahmad and Muhammad.

Parables of the Kingdom of God

These parables such as the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29) & the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32) are believed to be the ones referred to in Qur'an 48:29.

Elijah is coming & will restore all things

The prophecy concerning the coming of second Elijah who will restore what was lost has also been discussed by various Muslim writers. A variation of their arguments is that this Elijah is himself the long awaited messiah. Christians usually identify Elijah with John the Baptist, but John himself denied being that Elijah. In addition, the description of second Elijah doesn't fit with John who came before Jesus & passed away without restoring anything. Shia muslims often consider this a prophecy of Ali , the cousin of Muhammed .

Paraclete

Main article: Paraclete

²⁶"When the Advocate (Paraclete) is come whom I will send to you from the Father's presence--the Spirit of Truth who comes forth from the Father's presence--He will be a witness concerning me.

— John 15:26

One of the names and titles of Muhammad in Islam is As-Shafe'e (in Arabic: الشفيع) which means "the intercessor" or "the advocate". This led several Muslim writers to believe that the Advocate (the Paraclete) promised in the gospel of John is himself Muhammad.

In John 16:12-13, the Advocate is described in a similar way to the description of the Prophet like Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18. The Advocate is called the spirit of Truth, for he will not speak as himself originating what he says, but all that he hears he will speak, and he will show you things to come. Rahmatullah Kairanawi cites Qur'an 53:3-4 in his argument to prove that Muhammad fulfilled this description of the Advocate in John 16:12-13.

The earliest Muslim scholar to identify the Paraclete with Muhammad is probably Ibn Ishaq (died 767). Others who interpreted the Paraclete as a reference to Muhammad include Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi, Rahmatullah Kairanawi (1818–1891), and contemporary Muslim scholars such as Martin Lings. Also the 8th shia imam Ridha in his famous debate with the Christians leaders of his time considered that it meant Muhammed .

A variation on this argument is the suggestion that the word Paraclete (παρακλητος paraklētos) in the text of the Greek New Testament was a corruption or alteration of the original Greek word Periclyte (περικλυτος periklytos), meaning "widely famed". This meaning is very similar to the literal translations of the names Ahmad or Muhammad in Arabic ("one who is highly praised"). George Sale refers to this view in his 1734 translation of the Qur'an, pointing out that Muslim scholars connect this to the Qur'anic passage in the Sura As-Saff in which it is stated that Jesus spoke of an Apostle to come after him, "whose name shall be Ahmad".

Book of Revelation

In Revelation 19, the heaven is seen opened & a messianic figure called "Faithful" & "Truthful" appears on a white horse. This messiah judges in righteousness & wages war. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, follow Him on white horses. Muslim writers have identified this messianic figure with Muhammad.

"The Lamb of God" has also been considered as a reference to Muhammad. This is based on the Islamic belief that Muhammad was the only apostle of God sent as a mercy to all the creation. There are 24 prophets mentioned in the Book of Revelation + the Lamb who was given a sealed book, & in the Qur'an there are also 24 prophets mentioned + the Sealer of the prophets Muhammad. One of the names & titles of Muhammad is "Son of the Sacrificed". This is because he was raised from among the descendants of Ishmael (believed by Muslims & pre-Islamic Arabs to be the sacrificed son of Abraham). Because Ishmael was redeemed with a sacrificed lamb, Muhammad was given the likeness of a sacrificed lamb (in the vision) sent by God to redeem all the creation.

Gospel of Barnabas

Main article: Gospel of Barnabas

File:The Gospel of Barnabas (Samuel Green).jpg

Although its authenticity has been widely criticized by many, some academics suggested that the Gospel of Barnabas may contain some remnants of an earlier apocryphal work. The surviving versions of it are considered by some Muslims as transmitting remnants of a suppressed apostolic original Gospel.

This Gospel ascribes to Muhammad the position of the long awaited messiah:

Jesus answered: `As God liveth, in whose presence my soul standeth, I am not the Messiah whom all the tribes of the earth expect, even as God promised to our father Abraham, saying: "In thy seed will I bless all the tribes of the earth." But when God shall take me away from the world, Satan will raise again this accursed sedition, by making the impious believe that I am God and son of God, whence my words and my doctrine shall be contaminated, insomuch that scarcely shall there remain thirty faithful ones: whereupon God will have mercy upon the world, and will send his messenger for whom he hath made all things; who shall come from the south with power, and shall destroy the idols with the idolaters; who shall take away the dominion from Satan which he hath over men. He shall bring with him the mercy of God for salvation of them that shall believe in him, and blessed is he who shall believe his words.

— Gospel of Barnabas, chapter 96.

Christian response

Christian writers have also claimed that Muhammad was predicted in the Bible, as a forthcoming Antichrist, false prophet, or false Messiah. According to Albert Hourani, initial interactions between Christian and Muslim peoples were characterized by hostility on the part of the Europeans because they interpreted Muhammad in a Biblical context as being the Antichrist. The earliest known exponent of this view was John of Damascus in the 7th century. In c. 850 CE about 50 Christians were killed in Muslim-ruled Córdoba, Andalusia after a Christian priest named Perfectus said that Muhammad was one of the "false Christs" prophesied in Matthew 24:16.42. The monk Eulogius of Córdoba justified the views of Perfectus and the other Martyrs of Córdoba, saying that they witnessed "against the angel of Satan and forerunner of Antichrist...Muhammed, the heresiarch." John Calvin argued that "The name Antichrist does not designate a single individual, but a single kingdom which extends throughout many generations", saying that both Muhammad and the Catholic popes were "antichrists".

The prophecy of the "Four kingdoms of Daniel" in Chapter 7 of the Book of Daniel has also been interpreted by Christians as a prediction of Muhammad. Eulogius argued that Muhammad was the Fourth Beast in the prophesy. Another medieval monk, Alvarus, argued that Muhammad was the "eleventh king" that emerged from the Fourth Beast. According to historian John Tolan,

In Daniel's description of this beast, Alvarus sees the career of the Antichrist Muhammad and his disciples. This eleventh king who arises after the others, "diverse from the first," who subdues three kings, is it not Muhammad, who vanquished the Greeks, the Romans, and the Goths? "And he shall speak great words against the most High": did he not deny the divinity of Christ, thus, according to Saint John, showing himself to be an Antichrist? He "shall wear out the saints of the most High": is this not a prediction of the persecutions inflicted by the Muslims, in particular of the martyrdoms of Córdoba? He will "think to change times and laws": did he not introduce the Muslim calendar and the Koran? "

See also

• Jesus and messianic prophecy

Bibliography

• S. King, Margaret. Unveiling The Messiah in the Dead Sea Scrolls (2012 ed.). USA: Library of Congress. ISBN 978-1-4653-9219-0.
• al-Kalby, Kais. Prophet Muhammad The last Messenger in the Bible (PDF) (8th 2005 ed.). USA: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an. ISBN 0-9638520-2-7.
• Abu Talib, Nasrullah. تباشير الإنجيل والتوراة بالإسلام ورسوله محمد (PDF) (in Arabic) (4th 2009 ed.). Egypt: Dar al-Wafaa. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
• Badawi, Jamal. Muhammad in the Bible (3rd 2005 ed.). Egypt: al-Falah Foundation. ISBN 977-5813-05-0.
• Keldani, David Benjamin. Muhammad in World Scriptures (Volume II): The Bible (Malaysian edition 2006 ed.). Malaysia: Islamic Book Trust. ISBN 983-9154-65-6.
• al-Maghribi, Al-Samawal; Taweile, Abdulwahab. بذل المجهود في إفحام اليهود (PDF) (in Arabic) (1st 1989 ed.). Syria: Dar Al-Qalam. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
• Turmeda, Anselm; Wafeeq, Omar. تحفة الأريب في الرد على أهل الصليب (PDF) (in Arabic) (1st 1988 ed.). Lebanon: Dar Albashaer. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
• As-Saqqar, Munqidh. هل بشر الكتاب المقدس بمحمد؟ (PDF) (in Arabic) (1st 2007 ed.). Dar Al-Islam. ISBN 9960-49-525-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
• As-Saqqar, Munqidh. The Promised Prophet of the Bible.
• Deedat, Ahmed. Muhammad: The Natural Successor To Christ.
• Abu Laylah, Muhammad (2005). The Qur'an and the Gospels: A Comparative Study (PDF) (3rd ed.). Egypt: Al-Falah foundation. OCLC 229013115.
• Abdullah, Misha'al. What Did Jesus Really Say? (PDF) (1995 ed.).
• Ünal, Ali; Gültekin, Harun. The Prophet Promised In World Scriptures (2013 ed.). USA: Tughra Books. ISBN 978-1-59784-271-6.
• Ameri, Sami. محمد رسول الله في الكتب المقدسة (PDF) (in Arabic) (1st 2006 ed.). Tanweer Publishing center. ISBN 977-289-127-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
• Kairanawi, Rahmatullah. إظهار الحق (PDF) (in Arabic) (1989 ed.). Council of Senior Scholars (Saudi Arabia). {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
• Mohammed, ‏Jibril. Above the Law 360 (2013 ed.). USA: AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4817-0042-9.

External links

• Prophet Muhammad in the Old and New Testament
• Jesus is Muslim
• Mission-Islam
• Prophet Muhammad in the Bible
• Prophet Muhammad in the Bible: Torah and Psalms