Muhammadﷺ – The Promised Prophet Foretold in the Bible

November 14, 2024Sahil Swe

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is not only revered by Muslims as the final messenger of God but is also cherished as a beacon of mercy, love, and compassion for all of creation. Known by the beautiful title “Rahmatan lil-‘Alameen”—meaning “Mercy to the Worlds”—he was sent by God to bring guidance, justice, and mercy to all of humanity and beyond. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is highly respected by Muslims as the messenger of God. Is also loved for being a symbol of kindness and compassion, towards all living beings. He is honored with the title “Mercy to the Worlds “ signifying his role, in spreading guidance and mercy to people.

He demonstrated generosity and kindness in his life that reached those who were, against him. Teaching the importance of compassion in every facet of life. From interactions with others to treatment of animals and preservation of nature. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set a model example of a man whose positive influence extended to all beings and things, in his vicinity.

His impact wasn’t just limited to his contemporaries; now his teachings serve as a beacon of hope and wisdom, for individuals worldwide today. His actions and words teach us enduring values such, as tolerance and empathy – qualities that enrich the lives of those striving for unity and understanding.

Factual Arguments

Scholars from many religions have been poring into the holy writings of the world’s major religions for centuries in an effort to find themes and correlations. One such link that is important to Islamic theology is the idea that earlier writings, such as the Bible, predicted the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims believe that God sent Muhammad as the last prophet after a lengthy series of messengers, whose arrival was prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments.

This belief is more than just theological – it’s a bridge between the faiths, offering an invitation for Jews, Christians, and Muslims to explore their shared religious heritage. By examining key biblical verses, we can delve into the evidence that some believe points directly to the Prophet Muhammad. Through this lens, we can find not only religious understanding but also perhaps a greater sense of unity among these faiths.

Does the Bible Mention Muhammad?

One of the most intriguing references comes from Deuteronomy 18:18, where God says to Moses: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.”

At first glance, this may not seem immediately connected to Muhammad, but let’s dig a little deeper. The phrase “from among their brothers” is often interpreted to mean that the prophet would come from among the “brothers” of the Israelites. Who are these brothers? According to many Islamic scholars, this refers to the descendants of Ishmael, the brother of Isaac and son of Abraham – making this a possible reference to the Arabs and, by extension, Muhammad.

More apparent is the resemblance between Moses and Muhammad. Both were lawgivers, guiding their people through revelations that formed the groundwork for legal and social frameworks. The line “I will put my words in his mouth” has a strong resonance with Muslims, who believe that the Quran is God’s direct message revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. In a most literal sense, Muhammad said the words put into his mouth by God.

.But Deuteronomy isn’t the only biblical book where Muhammad’s coming might be predicted. Another key verse comes from the Book of Isaiah (42:1-4), which reads:

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.”

Muslims interpret this “servant” as Prophet Muhammad, who was chosen by God to spread His final message to the world. Isaiah speaks of bringing justice to nations, which aligns with Muhammad’s mission – uniting tribes under the banner of monotheism, establishing justice, and guiding humanity toward a higher moral code.

A Name Hidden in the Song of Solomon

Now, let’s turn to one of the most debated and fascinating pieces of evidence – Song of Solomon 5:16. It reads:“His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.”

חִכּוֹ מַמְתַקִּים וְכֻלּוֹ מַחֲמַדִּים זֶה דוֹדִי וְזֶה רֵעִי בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָם

The transliteration of this text is as follows:

Hik.ko ma m.taq.qim we.kul.low ma.ha.mad.dim zeh do.w.di we.zeh re.‘I be.no.wt ye.ru.sha.lim

At first, this verse seems to be a poetic description of a man. But in the original Hebrew, the word מַחֲּמַדִּ֑ים‪ “altogether lovely” is ma.ha.mad.dim – which bears a striking phonetic resemblance to Muhammad. Could it be that this verse is directly referring to the Prophet by name? Muslim scholars argue that names shouldn’t be translated, so when the word ma.ha.mad.dim appears, it could indeed be pointing to Muhammad.

Of course, interpretations vary. Some suggest that this passage is symbolic or allegorical. But when viewed through the lens of linguistic analysis, this verse offers a compelling argument for Muhammad’s mention in the Bible. Nevertheless, the fact that there is the foretelling of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in the earlier books is something that is proven and established, as Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) whom they find written with them in the Taurat (Torah) (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16)”

[al-A ‘raaf 7:157].

Understanding the Plural of Respect in Scripture

One critical linguistic nuance that helps support these interpretations is the concept of the “plural of respect.” In both Hebrew and Arabic, it’s common for plurals to be used as a sign of honor or reverence. For example, the word Elohim is used in the Bible to refer to God, despite being a plural form. It’s not meant to imply that there are multiple gods but to convey majesty and greatness.

Similarly, in the Quran, God often refers to Himself using the plural “We”, though it signifies respect rather than plurality.

“ It is certainly We Who have revealed the Reminder, and it is certainly We Who will preserve it.” {Qur’an 15:9}

This concept of respect is important when interpreting ancient texts. It’s one of the keys to understanding the language used to refer to important figures like prophets – and possibly even to Muhammad.

Who is the Comforter in the New Testament?

Shifting to the New Testament, another often-cited passage comes from the Gospel of John (14:16), where Jesus says:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”

Christians traditionally interpret this “advocate” as the Holy Spirit. However, many Muslim scholars argue that this passage could be referring to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Greek word for advocate is Parakletos, but some suggest that it was originally Periklutos, meaning “the praised one,” which in Arabic is Ahmad, which Muslims take to be Muhammad. There is a direct reference to “Ahmad” in the Quran, surah as-Saff 61:6, and so Muslims find Periklutos appealing because then a prophecy of Muhammad can be deduced from the Bible.

Muhammad and Ahmad are indeed synonymous, both meaning “the praised one” in Arabic. These two names refer to the same person, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who is regarded as the final prophet and the seal of all prophets in Islam. The Quran provides clear evidence of this in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40), which states: “ Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (seal) of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing.”

Quran 33:40

Further support for this interpretation is found in John 16:12-14, where Jesus says:

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you

“Unique Verse of Bible- For Unique Personality Muhammad (PBUH).”

Muslims believe that this “spirit of truth” is Muhammad, who delivered God’s final and complete revelation in the Quran. The 8 masculine pronouns used in this passage suggest that the comforter is a person, not merely a spirit.

Spirit as a Metaphor for Prophets

Another important consideration in interpreting these verses is the metaphorical use of the term “spirit” in biblical texts. For example, in 1 Epistle of John , it is written: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Here, the word “spirit” is used in reference to prophets, suggesting that the term may not always refer to a supernatural being. This opens the possibility that the “spirit of truth” mentioned by Jesus in the Gospel of John could be a reference to a human prophet, such as Muhammad (PBUH)..

Jesus Foretells Muhammad in the Quran

Finally, it’s important to note that the Quran itself contains a reference to Jesus foretelling the coming of Muhammad. In Surah As-Saff (61:6), Jesus is quoted as saying:

“O Children of Israel, I am the messenger of Allah sent to you, confirming the Torah before me, and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.”

Ahmad, a variant of the name Muhammad, means “the praised one.” For Muslims, this verse offers clear evidence that Jesus not only predicted the coming of Muhammad but also named him.

Building Bridges Through Shared Prophecies

Whether or not you believe that Muhammad (PBUH) is the promised prophet of the Bible, these interpretations offer a fascinating insight into the connections between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Exploring these shared prophecies doesn’t just enrich our understanding of religious history – it builds bridges between the faiths, reminding us of our common roots and the values we all hold dear.

By taking the time to examine the linguistic, theological, and historical context of these biblical passages, we open the door to deeper conversations and a greater sense of unity among followers of different faiths. And in a world often divided by differences, that sense of shared understanding is perhaps the most important prophecy of all.