Arguments that prophecies of Muhammad in the Bible presaged his birth, teachings, and death have formed part of Muslim tradition from the early history of Muhammad's Ummah (Arabic: ????????, Community) although contested by Christian Doctors of the Church like John of Damascus.
Muslim writers have expanded on these viewpoints and have argued that they can specifically identify references to Muhammad in the text of the Bible, both in the Jewish Tanakh and in the Christian New Testament. Several verses in the Qur'an, as well as several Hadiths, state that Muhammad is described in the Bible. The apocryphal Gospel of Barnabas, which explicitly mentions Muhammad, has also been identified as an ancient prediction about the Prophet, but this book is widely recognized by scholars as a fabrication from the Early Modern Age (14th-15th century).
Some Muslim writers argue that expectations of forthcoming prophets existed within the Jewish community from before the lifetime of Jesus through to that of Muhammad, and that Muhammad was the final fulfillment of these expectations. Muslims venerate Jesus and other biblical figures, such as Moses and David, as having laid the groundwork for Muhammad's later efforts.
In terms of Christian perspectives, some notable figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin have interpreted Muhammad in the context of Bible prophecy as being either the False Prophet or the Antichrist. However, many other Christian figures have taken alternate approaches. The 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia holds that "contradictory opinions have been expressed by scholars in the last three centuries" about Muhammad's "moral character and sincerity" since "Many of these opinions are biased either by an extreme hatred of Islam and its founder or by an extreme admiration, coupled with a hatred of Christianity."
Video Muhammad and the Bible
Biblical verses claimed to be prophecies of Muhammad
Genesis, 49:10
Kais Al-Kalby and David Benjamin Keldani read this prophecy in the light of Qur'an 3:81 as a prophecy of Muhammad. David Benjamin believes that the Hebrew word Shiloh is actually a distortion of the Hebrew word sh?lu? which means "one who is sent, apostle, messenger" or of the Hebrew word Shil??? which "correspond[s] exactly to the 'Apostle of Yah'".
The Latin Vulgate translates the word as "He ... that is to be sent".
Shiloh is also the name of a city in the Bible.
Deuteronomy, 18:18
18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.
Samau'al al-Maghribi, a Jewish mathematician who converted to Islam, pointed to Deuteronomy 18:18 in his book Convincing the Jews as a prophecy fulfilled by Muhammad. Samau'al argued in his book that since the children of Esau are described in Deuteronomy 2:4-6 [and in Numbers 20:14 as well] as the brethren of the children of Israel, the children of Ishmael can also be described the same way.
The comparison between Moses and Muhammad is quite common in the Qur'an and the Islamic tradition. Ka'ab al-Ahbar said: "Verily God Most High divided His vision and His conversation between Muhammad and Moses. He spoke to Moses twice, and Muhammad saw Him twice."
A minority opinion among Muslim scholars is that the Prophet didn't see God. This opinion is found among Salafi Muslims. This is supported by Quran verse 104 in Al'Anaam Surat 6 "Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted."
However the majority of Sunni scholars say Muhammad did see God in two visions once in a dream state in his early prophet hood and another vision on the Night Journey.
It is also reported in the books of hadiths that Muhammad declared before his companions that he and Ali are like Moses and Aaron.
Some Muslim writers, like Muhammad Ali, interpreted Qur'an 46:10 as a reference to Deuteronomy 18:18. The witness from among the Children of Israel is thought to be Moses, and the one like him is believed to be Muhammad.
The Qur'an (73:15) was also interpreted by some Muslim writers, like Fethullah Gülen, as a reference to Deuteronomy 18:18.
John 1:20-21 was also cited by Muslims as a proof from the canonical gospels that Deuteronomy 18:18 is not a prophecy of the Christ Abdullah Jahangir claims that according to John 1:20-21, Jews believed the promised Messiah (Jesus) and the promised prophet (Muhammad) would be two separate persons. And that is why, they asked John who he (John) was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Messiah." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?'" He answered, "No." (John 1:20-21)
Also according to John 7:40-41, it can be said that, during the lifetime of Jesus, Jews were waiting for the promised prophet which was mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:18, and they believed the promised prophet would come and he would be different from the promised Messiah. On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others asked, "How can the Messiah come from Galilee?" (John 7:40-41)
Deuteronomy, 33:2
"He said, "The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousand of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand."
Al-Samawal al-Maghribi referred to this verse also in his book as a prophecy of Muhammad. He said that Mount Sinai refers to Moses, Mount Seir "the Mount of Esau" refers to Jesus, and Mount Paran "the Mount of Ishmael" refers to Muhammad.
Some contemporary Muslim scholars have also pointed to the similarity between Deuteronomy 33:2 and Qur'an 95:1-3 where "the Fig and the Olive" refers to Jesus, "Mount Sinai" refers to Moses, and "Mecca" refers to Muhammad.
The "ten thousand of holy ones" are thought to be the ten thousand companions of Muhammad. See: Conquest of Mecca.
Psalm, 45
The Psalm (45:1-17) is a prophecy and a song of praise for the king. Several Muslim writers raised the argument that it is describing no one other than Muhammad for the following reasons:
- The beauty of the king: "You are the most excellent of men". [Psalm 45:2]
- The sword of the king and his glorious victories over his enemies: "Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet". [Psalm 45:3-5]
- Kings' daughters [Ayesha, Hafsa and Safiyya] are among the honorable women of the king: "Daughters of kings are among your honored women" [Psalm 45:9]:
- King David addressing Safiyya bint Huyayy "his daughter" who married Muhammad: "Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father's house. Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." [Psalm 45:10-11]
- gifts sent by kings [Al-Muqawqis] to him: "The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor." [Psalm 45:12]
- His name is "the highly-praised one": "I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever." [Psalm 45:17]
Psalm, 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my lord: "Sit at My right, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Several Muslim writers, like Afzal-ur-Rahman and David Benjamin Keldani, raised the argument that Psalm 110:1 is also a prophecy of Muhammad and his ascension to the Throne of God during the journey of al-Isra and al-Miraj. In the Gospels, Jesus applies this verse to himself, referring to "my lord" as the Christ, a title which he later claims for himself.
Isaiah, 29:12
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Muslim scholars interprets this verse as a prophecy of Muhammad, as tradition says that when the Archangel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to read something, he replied "I am not learned." The same verse is read in Christian commentaries as referring to the unbelieving people, who do not believe nor understand the words of the prophet Isaiah. His visions become like a sealed book whose meaning is hidden.
Isaiah, 40
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Christians accept that this text as referring to John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, as he lived in the wilderness and prophesied about the coming of Jesus. The gospel of Mark cites this passage and applies it to John the Baptist directly. The interpretation of Isaiah 40:3-5 as a prophecy of Muhammad is common among Muslims. Ali Ünal cites Qur'an 1:6-7 which reads: "[1:6] Guide us to the straight path: [1:7] the path of those You have blessed; not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray."
Isaiah, 42
"Behold! My Servant, whom I uphold; My Elect One, in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench. In truth He shall bring forth justice. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the islands shall wait for His law."
Isaiah 42 is among the earliest and the most common prophecies referred to by Muslims. Since the time of Muhammad, Muslims believed that it was fulfilled by no one other than him. The first verse begins with: "Behold my Servant, whom I uphold; mine Elect...". The Hebrew word which was translated to "whom I uphold" is "????"(Etmokh). This word never appears anywhere in the entire Bible except here. Muslim authors, pointing to the similarity between the writing of "????"(etmokh) and the writing of "????" which is the name Ahmad, suggested that an intended distortion might have been done by the scribes of Scripture in the first verse of this chapter in order to hide the name of the Chosen Servant of God which is "????" (Ahmad). Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the Chosen Servant of God and his Light, while Christians believe that Jesus was God, begotten of God, not the servant of God.Thus, some Muslim writers argue Christians have no right to call Isaiah 42 a prophecy of Jesus. Qur'an 3:159, Qur'an 9:128 and Qur'an 68:4 shed a light on the gentle character of Muhammad, and from the time they knew him, Muslims looked at Muhammad as the mercy sent by God to all the creation. Among the ones who believed that Muhammad fulfilled Isaiah 42 was Ayeshah bint Ab? Bakr "the wife of Muhammad", 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As, Ka'ab al-Ahbar, and Abdullah ibn Salam.
Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands, and the inhabitants thereof! 11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare His praise in the islands. 13 The Lord shall go forth like 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 42:13 is believed to be a prophecy of the Muslim conquests. "the new song" is often interpreted as a reference to the Arabic Qur'an or to the Adhan "the Islamic call to prayer". The Islands could be a reference to Indonesia and Malaysia.
The mention of Mount Sela' "the mountain of Medina" and the mention of Kedar "the forefather of Muhammad", in verse 11, is also considered by Muslims to be a proof.
Isaiah, 54
"Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman," says the Lord.
Muslim writers argue that the "barren one" refers to Mecca, since no prophet came from it before Muhammad. Rahmatullah Kairanawi argues in his book that "have not labored with child" means "haven't received a prophet". They argue that the "desolate woman" refers to Hagar, and the "married woman" refers to Sarah.
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back;
lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left
This passage is believed to be a prophecy of the Muslim conquests.
Daniel, 7
Daniel 7 was discussed by various Muslim authors who identified the fourth beast in the vision as the Roman Empire. The 10 horns which came from the Roman Empire were identified as the 10 Roman emperors who ran what is widely known in history as the 10 Major Persecutions:
- Nero.
- Domitian.
- Trajan.
- Marcus Aurelius.
- Septimius Severus.
- Maximinus.
- Decius.
- Valerian.
- Aurelian.
- Diocletian.
The 11th horn was identified as the Roman emperor Constantine I and the Nicene Creed which was produced by him in order to change the law and time. Consequently, the Nicene Christianity persecuted the followers of Jesus whom they called Arians for three centuries and a half [Daniel 7:25 says that the persecution will continue for a time, times and half a time] before the rise of the Kingdom of Islam. "The One like the Son of man" in this vision is interpreted by Muslims as a prophecy of Muhammad and his ascension to the Throne of God. The three horns which were subdued by the 11th horn are identified as the three Roman emperors Licinius, Maxentius and Maximian who were subdued by Constantine I.
Some circulated opinions led Muslims to think that Mahoma is deformed by Paulus Alvarus from the word Maozim in the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible, the Book of Daniel (XI, 38) "Deum autem Maozim in loco suo venerabitur". Maozim has been related to the worship of a false god, then to the Antichrist. This point has been discussed in Ahlam Sbaihat's investigation about prototypes and stereotypes related to the Prophet's name since the Greek era. In this paper, she discusses the possibility of missing words in the Latin manuscript of Alvarus of Cordoba that may lead to a misconception of the text: "why would the muezzins to safeguard such Maozim"? In addition, in the Old Greek Septuagint, then in Arabic and Hebrew translations the word Maozim is translated as "the God of forces".
Habakkuk, 3:3
God will come from the south, and the holy one from mount Pharan: His glory covered the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise.
This prophecy is also commonly cited by Muslims as a prophecy of Muhammad. Since there is no connection between Jesus and Mount Paran "the Mount of Ishmael", Muslims argue that the "holy one" in this verse is Muhammad. They often interpret the Coming of God from the south of Palestine as a reference to the cradle of Islam in the western coast of Arabia.
Maps Muhammad and the Bible
Canonical gospels
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 (????????) 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) has been interpreted by Muslim authors like Kais as follows: The vineyard refers to the kingdom of God. The tenant farmers portray the people of Israel. The servants represent the prophets of God who were sent by him to them. However, the children of Israel used to reject many prophets and to kill many others, and when God sent to them his beloved servant Jesus, they intended to kill him too. For this reason, Jesus said to them that: "the kingdom of God will be taken away from them and given to a people who will produce its fruit [i.e. the nation of Muhammad]".
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.. But biblical commentators dispute this claim on account that the builders (plural, not singular as in the vineyard) are builders of the Jewish church and community.
Muslim writers like Sami Ameri argued that the Greek word for wonderful (????????) 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 (????????) to "worthy of pious admiration"; a meaning which is quite similar to the meaning of the Arabic words for Ahmad and Muhammad.
Paraclete
John, 14:16-17: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
John, 15:26: "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, 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.
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. He shall glorify me."
Many Muslim writers have argued that "another Paraclete" (John 14:16)--the first being Jesus--refers to Muhammad.(Muslims writers also have pointed out that The word "Paraclete" is applied too to Jesus himself in 1 John 2:1) This claim is based on the Quran verse from Surah 61 verse 6. The earliest scholar is probably Ibn Ishaq (died 767), who Islamic tradition states was the grandson of a Christian. A few Muslim commentators, such as David Benjamin Keldani (1928), have argued the theory that the original Greek word used was periklytos, meaning famed, illustrious, or praiseworthy, rendered in Arabic as Ahmad (another name of Muhammad), and that this was substituted by Christians with parakletos.
According to Muslim missionary Ahmed Deedat, all the biblical references to the Paraclete fit Muhammad more accurately than the Holy Spirit. For example, Deedat mentions that 16:7 of the Gospel of John states that the Paraclete will only arrive once Jesus has departed; however, Deedat notes that the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Bible as having been present numerous times even before the departure of Jesus.
According to Zakir Naik, "Ahmed" or "Muhammad" meaning "the one who praises" or "the praised one" is almost the translation of the Greek word Periclytos. In the Gospel of John 14:16, 15:26, and 16:7, the word "comforter" is used in some English translations for the Greek word ?????????? which means "advocate, helper." Some Muslims claim that Paracletos is the warped reading for Periclytos.
Christians say that the Comforter mentioned in these prophecies refers to the Holy Sprit. Another interpretation is that in John 16:7 the prophecy says that only if Jesus departs will the Comforter come. The Bible states that the Holy Spirit was already present on earth before and during the time of Jesus, in the womb of Elizabeth, and again when Jesus was being baptised, etc. Hence this prophecy could be seen as a reference to Muhammad.
One of the names and titles of Muhammad in Islam is A?-?af?` (in Arabic: ??????) 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 likely 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.
A variation on this argument is the suggestion that the word Paraclete (?????????? parakl?tos) in the text of the Greek New Testament was a corruption or alteration of the original Greek word Periclyte (?????????? 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".
Gospel of Barnabas
Some Muslims including Muhammad Abu Zahra claim that changes were made to the present-day canon of the Christian Bible, by excluding material that represented the authentic message of Jesus, claiming that the authentic tradition is represented in the Gospel of Barnabas, which contains predictions of Muhammad. A later Muslim writer, Ata ur-Rahîm, claimed that "The Gospel Barnabas was accepted as a Canonical Gospel in the churches of Alexandria up until 325". The Gospel of Barnabas is generally seen to be a fabrication made during the Renaissance.
People "with Muhammad" in the Bible
Qur'an 48:29 tells what the example of "Those who are with Muhammad" in the Torah, and what their parable is in the Gospel:
Qur'an 48:29 Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah; and "those with him" are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking grace from Allah and [His] pleasure. The signs of Faith are apparent on their faces because of prostration. That is their example in the Torah. And their Parable in the Gospel is like a seed that puts forth its shoot, then strengthens it, so it becomes stout and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the sowers - so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.
According to this verse, the example of "those who are with Muhammad" in the Torah are those who are seen bowing, kneeling [in prayer], falling upon their faces [seeking grace from God and his pleasure] and the signs of their faith are apparent on their faces because of prostration. This example can be traced in the many verses from the Torah, and other Biblical chapters as well, which were commonly referred to by Muslims to show that all the prophets of God including Abraham, Moses, Aaron, David, and even Jesus himself prayed like Muslims pray; by kneeling, bowing down, falling upon their faces before the World's Maker, and praising him:
Genesis 17:3-4 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Numbers 20:6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them.
Numbers 16:20-22 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
Psalm 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
2 Chronicles 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshiped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Nehemiah 8:6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Matthew 26:39 And he [Jesus] went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he [Jesus] went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
- According to this verse also, the Parable of "those who are with Muhammad" in the Gospel is: "like a seed that puts forth its shoot, then strengthens it, so it becomes stout and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the sowers":
- The Parable of the Growing Seed
Mark 4:26-29
26 He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
- The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Mark, 4:30-32
30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade."
Non-Islamic view
Early Christian writers 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 (c. 800-859 AD) 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? "
Since the seventh century, the Prophet of Islam's name has been the focus of several stereotypes. Greek and Latin sources presented exaggerated and sometimes wrong stereotypes in literature, and the orthographic forms, which varied among them, were shared by two Western cultures: Spain and France. These variants and forms of the Prophet of Islam's name formulated stereotypes that molded the opinion and feelings of the West toward the leader of the new religion. Their references played a principal role in introducing Muhammad and his religion to the West as a false prophet who wrote the Koran, a Saracen prince or deity, the biblical beast, a schismatic from Christianity, a satanic creature, and the Antichrist.
See also
- Christian messianic prophecies
Notes
Explanatory footnotes
Citation footnotes
Bibliography
External links
- Is Muhammad Found in the Bible?
- 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
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