Shabir Ally – Is Muhammad Prophesied in the Bible?
Muslims believe Muhammad is prophesied in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. Their belief goes back to the Quran:
Quran 7:157
Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e.Muhammad SAW) whom they find written with them in the Taurat (Torah) (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16), – he commands them for Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Taiyibat [(i.e. all good and lawful) as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.], and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khaba’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allah’s Covenant), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad SAW), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Quran) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful. (Muhsin Khan)
Here are a few comments from the popular Muslim apologist Shabir Ally about Muslim belief that Muhammad is prophesied in the Bible.
Is Muhammad praised in Song of Solomon?
Shabir Ally says that the Hebrew word in Song of Solomon 5:16 sounds like Muhammad.
Does a Hebrew word that sounds like Muhammad but means “desirable” qualify as a prophecy about Muhammad? Perhaps if you’re a Muslim. But neither biblical prophets nor Jesus ever interpreted Old Testament prophecies this way.
Did Moses prophecy about Muhammad in Deuteronomy 18?
What about Deuteronomy 18:15-18?
This text refers to the intimacy of God’s revelation to Moses: “face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). Gabriel’s alleged speaking to Muhammad does not qualify. On the other hand Jesus taught, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say” (John 12:49-50; see also John 7:16; 8:28,38; 14:10,24).
Deuteronomy 18:15-18 also teaches that the Prophet like Moses would do many miracles. Muhammad was a plain warner (Quran 29:50) whereas Jesus did miracles like Moses and surpassing Moses (Jesus gave sight to the blind, He raised the dead, He walked on water, etc.).
The Bible explicitly teaches that Jesus was the prophet like Moses. Jesus said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me” (John 5:46). Elsewhere it is recorded, “Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”” (John 1:45). The Quran does not say Muhammad was the prophet like Moses.
Is there a book that Qur’an 7:157 refers to as the Injeel?
According to the Qur’an, the Injeel (al-injīl) is a holy book sent from heaven to Jesus, which He gave to His disciples (cf. Qur’an 5:46-47; 57:27). However, no such book was ever given to Jesus or His disciples.1To learn more see:
What Every Muslim Should Know About the Bible and Injil.
What Every Christian Should Know About the Qur’an.
John 14:16 and the Paraklētos
John 14:16
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper [Greek: paraklētos], that He may be with you forever;
Many Muslims believe John 14:16 refers to Muhammad and that the text was corrupted by Christians. The Qur’an says,
Qur’an 7:157 (Muhsin Khan)
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad SAW) whom they find written with them in the Taurat (Torah) (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16)…”
This translation of the Qur’an reflects the beliefs of many Muslims who believe the text was corrupted by Christians. Many Muslims believe that the text was changed from periclytos to paraklētos. Periclytos means ‘far praised one’, which is Ahmad in Arabic. Muslims believe this is what Qur’an 61:6 is referring to,
Qur’an 61:6
And (remember) when ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Taurat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad. But when he (Ahmad i.e. Muhammad SAW) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.”
There is no evidence that the text of John 14:26 was changed from periclytos to paraklētos. This is something Muslims assume but cannot demonstrate. Furthermore, John’s gospel has much to say about the Holy Spirit.
John 1:32–34
32John [the baptist] testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.
33“I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’
34“I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
In this passage,
- The Holy Spirit is sent from heaven. Muhammad was not sent from heaven; he is a mere man.
- The Holy Spirit remained on Jesus.
- John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would baptize in the Holy Spirit.
None of these three things applies to Muhammad.
Take a more careful look at John 14:16,
John 14:16
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper [Greek: paraklētos], that He may be with you forever;
John 14:16 cannot be referring to Muhammad because the Spirit of truth is with God’s people “forever.” Muhammad is not present everywhere and in all places. Muhammad was a mere man and is dead and buried.
After Jesus rose again from the dead John wrote,
John 20:21–22
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
This is obviously not a reference to Muhammad but the fulfillment of John the baptist’s prophecy.
The sending of the paraklētos refers to the Holy Spirit being sent after Jesus rose again from the dead. This is why Jesus is called the “Christ.”
See also:
What every Muslim should know about the Bible and Injil
Moses did not teach Unitarian monotheism (Tawhid)
One of the most important days in the Quran is not found in Moses or the prophets. Quran was not like Moses or the prophets.
Is Muhammed Prophesied in the Bible? James White vs Zakir Hussain
References
sorry but you a bit behind. miracles were for ancient simple minded people. many of them needed to see miracles, actual supernatural occasions to believe in Messengers. With the last prophet this changes. Other factors come in to place. And Quran is already a miracle in terms of science, literature, language anyways. (you dont have to be a muslim to see and know this. it is a highly praised book all around the world) This are the tools, miracles that people of our time are supposed to be amazed according to G-d.