1. Hinduism
2. Buddhism
3. Zoroastrianism
4. Old Testament (Jewish + Christian Scriptures)
5. New Testament (2nd division of the Christian Bible)
6. Conclusion to Prophecies
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written [i.e., described] in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel,…” (Quran 7:158)
“And (remember) when ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allaah unto you, confirming the Tawraat [(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) came to them with clear proofs, they said: ‘This is plain magic’” (Quran 61:6)
The Quran mentions that Mohammed (PBUH) is the last and final prophet on earth. Before him there were prophets sent to every civilization. But all those Prophets were for a limited time period and only those civilizations. Those teachings came with an expiry date, unlike Mohammed’s (PBUH) who is the last prophet and whose message is the final message from God to humanity. Earlier I have mentioned the fact that the religious scriptures of other religions have got corrupted over the period of time. However I also mentioned the possibility of these scriptures being words of God when in their pure state. I agreed on the ‘possibility’ that Ram, Krishna, Buddha, etc who are regarded as gods in India, might have been prophets of God at one time. So although the scriptures are corrupt & inconsistent and cannot be accepted now, some parts of the books really give us prophecies that do indicate the coming of a man whom everyone should follow. Obviously, if they were God’s words at one time, then God might have already made it clear about the last prophet using whom he had to send a message for entire humanity later on. I don’t say that these prophecies are true and I don’t regard them of any use when it comes to accepting Islam as the true religion. It is very much possible that these verses too have been corrupted. However these prophecies are really worth looking at.
1. IN HINDUISM
A lot has been said and published on the prophecies of
Mohammed (PBUH) in Hindu Scriptures. It was Dr.A.H.Vidyarthi, a prominent
Sanskrit scholar, who pointed out the prophecies regarding someone from Arabia,
who will come up with a religion. He concludes that these prophecies point
towards no-one other than Mohammed (PBUH). Although his work creates interest
in minds of Indian Muslims, it is very difficult to explain to the non-Muslims
or even to those Muslims who don’t know Islamic history well. The reason is
that although Dr.Vidyarthi gives a good interpretation of those lines from
Vedas and the Puranas, most of the actual Sanskrit work, seems too vague
without the background knowledge of history. Some lines do clearly point to the
coming of some person from Arabia, but rest of the part is only indirect
meanings and interpretations. To a Muslim mind, who knows Islamic history,
these prophecies do seem to be referring to Mohammed (PBUH), but it is
impossible to convince others, because some Hindu Scholars give another
interpretation of the same verses and the debate as to who is correct can go on
endlessly.
I would have liked to quote all those verses here, but that
will take a lot of pages. So I will just summarize a few points that can be
really inferred from them without any doubt.
The descriptions of the person being prophesized in
Bhavishya Purana, Prati Sarg Parv III, Khand 3, Adhyay 3, Shloka 5-27 are:
His name will be Mahamad (Yes, to a Muslim it sounds Mohammed, to Hindus it means ‘Maha + Mad’ i.e. ‘Big Mischief’. But if you take the later meaning it doesn’t fit well on the verses that follow.)
He will come from Land of deserts
He will have special companions (Mohammed (PBUH) had many companions and they all have a lot of respect in Islam. Mohammed (PBUH) clearly instructed everyone to respect them. If you read history, you will notice their importance very easily.)
Aryan Religion is not found in his country.
His followers will be meat-eaters. They will eat everything except swine. (Eating pork is strictly prohibited in Islam).
His followers will be circumcised. (Circumcision is compulsory for Jews and Muslims. Christians excuse themselves for it.)
His followers won’t have a tail (i.e. a pony on their head).
His followers will keep beards.
His followers will create revolution by calling for prayers (Before every prayer in the mosque, an ‘adhaan’ is made to call everyone for prayers).
His followers will be called ‘Musalmaans’. (Yes, that is exactly the word that has been used.)
Something similar is given in Bhavishya Purana Parv III, Khand 1, Adhyay 3, Shloka 21-23.
Now these verses are obviously referring to Mohammed (PBUH). But the problem is that they are from the ‘Puranas’. Puranas are the least authentic of all Hindu scriptures. Most Hindu Scholars when pointed these verse say that they don’t accept them to be words of God. They say that the Puranas that we have today are not in their original state. So there is a possibility that these verses were added later on after the birth and fame of Mohammed (PBUH). The Muslims view them from exactly the opposite angle. They too say that Puranas might have been words of God at some time and hence there is a possibility that these prophecies remained intact while many others like these got edited and modified. In any case, both parties don’t agree the Puranas to be words of God. So let us leave it here.
Further, Dr. A.H Vidyarthi points to many verses from the Vedas which seem like prophecies about Mohammed (PBUH).
Now Vedas are the backbone of Hinduism. So no Hindu Scholar
will ever accept that these verses are not authentic. Let’s see if we find
something in the Vedas.
Atharva Veda, Hymn 127, Verse 1-13
(I am just giving the summary of these lines along with the
explanation)
He is Narashansah or the praised one. He is Kaurama: the prince of peace, or the emigrant who is safe even amongst a host of 60,090 enemies.
He is the camel riding rishi.
‘Narashansah’ means ‘The praised one’. This is the exact
meaning of the word ‘Mohammed’ too.
Another word used for the person in prophecy is ‘Kaurama’.
This word has two meanings. The first meaning is ‘Prince of peace’ and the
second meaning is ‘An emigrant’. Mohammed (PBUH) can easily be termed as the
‘Prince of Peace’. No historian will deny you that Mohammed (PBUH) was one of
the most peace-loving people to have ever lived on earth. Even Mahatma Gandhi was impressed by
Mohammed’s (PBUH) peace-loving personality. Also, Mohammed had migrated from
his hometown Mecca to Medina to escape the torture of Meccans. This event
called as ‘Hijrat’ is the most important event of Islamic history as this
brings about a series of incidents that led to the rise of Islam. For the very
same reason, this migration was later used to mark the beginning of the Islamic
‘Hijri’ calendar. And 60,090 was the population of Mecca at that point of time.
Another striking thing is that yet again, the prophecy is
about a rishi who rides a camel. Now I don’t know how many of you are aware of
the fact that it is PROHIBITED for a Brahmin to ride a camel or a donkey
(according to Sacred Book of the East, Volume 25, Laws of Manu, Pg.472). So
this verse doesn’t speak about any Indian rishi in any case.
Atharva Veda, Book 20, Hymn 21, Verse 9
“You have O Indra, overthrown 20 kings of 60,090 men with an outstripping chariot wheel who came to fight the praised one or far famed orphan.”
At the time of conquest of Mecca by the Muslims, Meccan
population was roughly 60,000. Mecca was governed by chiefs of about 20
different tribes. Yet again, the words used here are ‘the praised one’, which
as I mentioned earlier is the exact meaning of the word ‘Mohammed’. And
Mohammed (PBUH) was an orphan. He lost his father even before he was born. Then
he even lost his mother at a very tender age. If that wasn’t all, he even lost
his grandfather at the age of 8. After that he stayed in his uncle’s
protection.
Atharva Veda, Book 20, Hymn 129
“O people, listen this emphatically! The man of praise will be raised among the people. We take the emigrant in our shelter from 60,090 enemies whose conveyances are 20 camels and she camels, whose loftiness of position touch the heaven and lower it.”
This amazes anyone who knows history. Yet again the words
are ‘man of praise’. Yet again the number is 60,090 i.e. the population of
Mecca. Yet again he has been described as an ‘emigrant’. The conveyances have
been told to be ‘camels’. So obviously he is from the desert. Hence, this verse
again points out to Mohammed (PBUH).
Other verses from Vedas
Similarly, there are many verses in the Vedas which seem to be speaking about Mohammed (PBUH) and the city of Mecca. I will list a few for you.
Atharva Veda, Book 10, Hymn 2, Verse 26-33
Atharva Veda, Book 20, Hymn 137, Verse 7-9
Sama Veda, Book 2, Hymn 6, Verse 8
Sama Veda, Book 3, Hymn 10, Verse 1
Rig Veda, Book 1, Hymn 53, Verse 6,9
Rig Veda, Book 7, Hymn 96, Verse 13-16
These are just a few samples of the many verses in the Vedas
that point to Mohammed (PBUH). I know that no Hindu Scholar will digest these
easily; because he will have his own interpretations to the same verses. But
these verses really amaze any person who is well acquainted with 6th century
history. They do seem like prophecies of Mohammed (PBUH) to a large extent.
“It is in the house of Vishnuyash, the noble soul Brahmana chief of the village called sambhala that Lord Kalki will be incarnated”.
“The Lord of the universe, endowed with eight spiritual powers and excellence was unsurpassed in splendour and glory. Riding on a fleet horse given to him by angels, and with a sword in his hand, the saviour of the world will subdue all the miscreants”.
It is mentioned in Bhagwat Purana Khand 1 Adhyay 3 Shloka 25:
“Then in the twilight of the Kali age, when kings will be as good as robbers, this protector of the world will be born of Vishnuyasa under the name Kalki“.
Below are the description of the Kalki Avatar is given in the verses Kalki Purana chapter 2 verses 4, 5, 7, 11 & 15.
1. Mother’s name Sumati i.e. (in Arabic Aaminah)
The name of his mother will be Sumati (K.P.2: 4 & 11), which means gentle and thoughtful, Prophet Muhammad’s mother’s name was Aaminah, which means peaceful and gentle.
2. Father’s name
Vishnuyash (in Arabic: Abdullah.)
His father’s name will be ‘Vishnuyash’ which means ‘worshipper of Vishnu’ i.e. ‘worshipper of God’. Muhammad’s father’s name was Abdullah which means ‘obedient worshipper of Allah i.e. God’.
3. Born in Sambhala i.e. Makkah
He will be born in a village called ‘Sambhala’ which means
house of peace and security. Makkah is known as Darul Aman, which means house
of peace and security.
4. Born in house of Chief Priest.
He will be born in the house of chief of the village
Sambhala. Muhammad (pbuh) was born in the house of the chief of the Kaaba.
5. Born on the 12th day of Madhav i.e. Rabi-ul-Awwal.
It is prophesied that Kalki Avtar will be born on the 12th day of the bright (first) half of the month of Madhav. It is a historical fact Muhammad (pbuh) was born on the 12th day of the bright half of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
6. He will be the Antim or final Avatar
He has been described as the ‘Antim’ i.e. ‘the last and final’ of all the Avatars. The Qur’an also mentions:
"Muhammad is not the Father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, And the seal (the last and final) of the Prophets, And Allah has full knowledge of all things"(Quran 33:40)
Thus the Qur’an states that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the
Seal, i.e. last and final Prophet of Allah.
7. Will receive knowledge on the mountain from the Lord and then go towards North and come back.
Kalki Avatar will go to the mountains and receive knowledge from Parsuram, then go towards the north and come back. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did go to Jable-Noor i.e. the Mountain of Light, where he received the first Revelation from Archangel Gabriel. Later he went north to Madeenah and later made a victorious return to Makkah.
8. He will have the most graceful personality.
Kalki Avatar will have unparalleled grace. Qur’an mentions in Surah Al-Qalam chapter 68 verse 4: And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.
9. Endowed with eight special qualities
Kalki Avatar will be endowed with eight special qualities.
These qualities are wisdom, respectable lineage, self-control, revealed
knowledge, valour, measured speech, utmost charity and gratitude. Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) had all these eight special qualities.
a) Wisdom – He was very wise. It is no wonder that several people approached him for guidance, even before he claimed to be a prophet.
b) Respectable lineage – He belonged to the noble tribe of Quraysh who were the caretakers of the sacred Kaaba.
c) Self-control – He was the best example of self-control. From history, we learn that his enemies on many occasions tried to instigate him. However, he was always patient and responded wisely.
d) Revealed knowledge – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the last and final revelation of God, which is the Glorious Qur’an through Archangel Gabriel.
e) Valour – Muhammad (pbuh) possessed great physical strength and courage. He took active part in the battles against his enemies and most of such battles were fought in self-defence against aggression by the other party.
f) Measured speech – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) spoke with emphasis and deliberation that people could not forget what he said. In his intercourse with others he would sit silent among his companions for long time but when he spoke his speech was eloquent and full of meaning and advise.
g) Utmost charity – Muhammad (pbuh) was very charitable and never disappointed anyone who asked for help even in situations when he himself was in financial difficulties. Many poor people lived only on his generosity.
h) Gratefulness – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was known for his gratefulness He showed immense gratitude to the Ansaars i.e. the helpers from the city of Madeenah.
10. Teacher of the World
The Kalki Avatar will be the saviour of the world i.e. he will guide and teach the world. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not only guide and save the Arabs but the whole humankind. The Qur’an mentions:
“And We have not sent you except comprehensively1 to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. But most of the people do not know.” (Quran 34:28)
11. Shiva will present a steed to Kalki avatar.
It is prophesied that Shiva will present an extraordinary steed to the Kalki Avatar. Muhammad (pbuh) received a steed from Almighty God, which was known as ‘Buraq’ and whose speed transcended.
12. He will ride a horse and carry a sword.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received a heavenly steed from Almighty God called ‘Buraq’ on which he made his heavenly journey known as ‘Miraaj’ or the ‘Ascension to the heavens’.
Moreover, we also learn from the history of the Prophet that he himself took part in battles, most of which were fought in self-defence, and on many such occasions, he rode a horse and carried a sword in his hand.
13. He will subdue the wicked
It is mentioned that Kalki Avatar will subdue the wicked. It
was prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who purified (transformed) bandits and miscreants
and established them on the path of truth. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came at a
time, which was known as ‘Yaumul-Jahiliyah’, which means the “age or era of
ignorance”. People indulged in various types of vices. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
brought them from darkness to light.
14. He will overpower the Devil with four companions
It is prophesied that Kalki Avatar, with four of his companions, will disarm Kali i.e. the devil. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), with his four most trusted companions, fought against the mischief and the evil of the devil. These four companions were Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them all). These four companions later became the first four Khalifas and spread the religion of Islam. In Islamic parlance these four are referred to as ‘the rightly guided Caliphs’.
15. He will be assisted by angels.
The Kalki Avatar will be assisted by angels in the battlefield. In the battle of Badr, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was assisted by angels who descended from the heavens. This is also mentioned in the Qur’an in: Surah Ale- Imran chapter 3 verse 123-125 and Surah Al- Anfal chapter 8 verses 8 & 9
Remember that there is no prophets or avatar to come in this modern world with sword and horse to teach the wrong people.
2. IN BUDDHISM
Unlike Hindu Scriptures that directly hint to Mohammed
(PBUH) and his life, Buddhist scriptures hardly do so. Yet, Gautama Buddha’s
prophecies are much stronger than ones of other non-Semitic religions. This is
because he continuously speaks about appearance of other Buddhas before and
after him, thus suggesting that he might have been one of the prophets to
Indian continent with the logic of Semitic religions. It’s really very
interesting. Let us take a look.
“It is said that I am not an only Buddha upon whom the leadership and order is dependent. After me another Buddha Maitreya of such and such virtues will come. I am now the leader of hundreds; he will be the leader of thousands.”[Sacred Books of the East, Volume 35, Pg.225]
“Ananda said to the Blessed One, “Who shall teach us when thou art gone?” And the Blessed one replied, ‘I am not the first Buddha who came upon the earth nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths, which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands while mine number many hundreds’.”[Gospel of Buddha by Carus pg. 217 and 218]
Now the word used for the upcoming Buddha is “Maitreya”. There are two meanings of this word. The first meaning of this word is “Benevolent” i.e. kind and merciful. The Quran calls Mohammed (PBUH) as the ‘Mercy for all creatures’. The second meaning (which I think is more of a derivation from the whole verse) is “Future Buddha”. So that makes it more general.
Yet again, like in the Hindu Scriptures, we see a mention of
“disciples” in these prophecies a number of times. These again point to the
companions of Mohammed (PBUH).
Gautama Buddha clearly says that he is neither the first Buddha nor the last one to have come on earth. If you think of all these Buddhas as prophets, it is no different than the Semitic religions. Also Gautama Buddha says that Buddha is only a preacher.
“The Jathagatas (Buddhas) are only Preachers.” [Dhammapada, Sacred Books of East volume 10 Pg. 67]
This is exactly what Semitic religions say about their Prophets. They were all just messengers of the same God.
Now Gautama Buddha also gave a few criteria to recognize a
true Buddha.
“The Blessed one said, “There are two occasions on which a Tathagata’s appearance becomes clear and exceedingly bright. In the night Ananda, in which a Tathagata attains to the supreme and perfect insight, and in the night in which he passes finally away in that ultra passing which leaves nothing whatever of his earthly existence to remain’.”[Gospel of Buddha by Carus, Pg. 214]
We can conclude a few things from these lines.
– Buddha attains supreme and perfect spiritual insight (i.e. gets his prophethood) at night time.
– He appears exceedingly bright on that occasion.
– He dies a natural death.
– He dies at night time
– He also appears bright in the night that he passes away.
– He ceases to exist on earth after his death.
Does Mohammed (PBUH) clear these tests? Let’s see. (I’m not trying Mohammed (PBUH) against Buddhist prophecies. I’m doing the reverse now; I’m trying Buddhist prophecies, because I already have enough proofs to accept Mohammed (PBUH) as the true prophet anyway.)
Mohammed (PBUH) received his prophethood at night. The first revelation did come at night time. In fact, Ibn Kathir, a well known writer on Semitic History, quotes from the book of Abu Naim that Alqamah ibn Qays (a companion of Mohammed (PBUH)) had said, “The first revelations come to the prophets in their sleep until their hearts are reassured. Thereafter, revelation comes any time of the day or night”.
[Note: I could not verify this from any Authentic Hadith. But if the words are indeed true, then that will be another hint that Gautama Buddha was a prophet just like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, etc (Peace be upon all of them).]
Moving to the next point, the Buddha appears exceedingly bright on that occasion. Now there is no way to verify this, as Mohammed (PBUH) was alone in the cave of Hira when he was bestowed with prophethood. What we do know from history is that he got really scared. He ran from the cave towards his home to his wife. But we have just no way to determine if he looked bright on that occasion.
Next, Mohammed (PBUH) died a natural death. It was nothing supernatural. So point no.3 is done too.
Now, Buddha dies at night time. Even this is true for Mohammed (PBUH). This can be verified from an authentic Hadith that when he was dying there was no oil in the lamp and his wife Ayesha (RA) had to borrow oil for the lamp.
Buddha appears bright in the night he passes away. This is verified by his companion and servitor, Anas (RA), who said that Mohammed (PBUH) looked exceedingly bright in the night of his death.
And last but not the least, Mohammed (PBUH) was never seen again after his burial.
So, there has to be no hesitation for the Buddhist to accept
Mohammed (PBUH) as a true Buddha or true Prophet. (Buddha or prophet, whatever
you call it, it doesn’t really matter me.)
3. IN ZOROASTRIANISM
Here again we have the work of Dr.Vidyarthi. There is relation
between Vedas, Puranas and Zoroastrian Scriptures which most people don’t know.
The earliest part of Zoroaster’s teachings is known Gathas. We find a mention
of Gathas in Vedas as well.(Artharva Veda, Book 15: 6-12.) But there is no
mention of the Vedas and other Hindu books in Zoroastrian scriptures.
Similarly, in the Vedas there is a reference to “Puranam Yajusha Sah”. (Atharva
Veda, Book 11: 7-24.) It means, “Yajush comes with Puran,” which is ‘Yajush Ha
Puranam’ or ‘Yajush Ha Puran’. ‘Yajush Ha’ is a part of the Parsi scripture
Zend Avesta. Historically, Zorashtrian scriptures are older than Vedas, while
Vedas are older than Puranas. But ‘Purana Yajush Ha’ does exist in Zend Avesta.
If this is not all, a part of Zoroastrian scriptures also
goes well with the Bible and Quran. Like, for example, they all speak about
creation of universe in 6 parts. Even the story of Noah (PBUH) is almost the
same in Zoroastrian scriptures (The name used is however ‘Yim’ instead of
‘Noah’ in Bible and ‘Nooh’ in Quran.)
Anyway, we are interested in prophecies of Mohammed (PBUH) in Zoroastrian scriptures. But it is difficult to study things here. Zoroastrians have given up practicing their religion seriously long back. They’ve given up the monotheistic concept and worship the fire now, which was supposed to be just a symbol of faith. The scriptures are in a real bad shape too, most of them edited and lost. What is worse that no Zoroastrian is ready to share his scriptures with you. It’s their personal religion. They are divided as to which of the two, i.e. Dasatir or Zend Avesta is more reliable. To make it simple, this is what people say about this religion,
“As the Parsis are a ruin of a people so are their sacred books the ruins of a religion.” [Sacred Books of the East, Volume 4]
Still, let us see if there is anything interesting left
behind.
In Zend Avesta, Farvardin Yasht, Chapter 8, Verse 17, God
addresses Zoroaster i.e. the prophet of Zoroastrianism, and informs about the
appearance of prophet called as ‘Soeshyant’ and his companions. Later it is
made more explicit.
“Whose name will be, the Victorious, ‘Soeshyant’ and whose name will be ‘Astvat-ereta.’ He will be Soeshyant because he will benefit the whole bodily world. He will be Astvat-ereta because as a bodily creature and as a living being he will stand against the destruction of the bodily being to withstand the idolaters and the like and the errors of the Mazdaynians.” [Zend Avesta, Farvardin Yasht 28:129]
The word ‘Soeshyant’ means ‘the praised one’ according to Haisting’s Encyclopedia. As you know, this is the meaning of the word ‘Mohammed’. Even the word ‘Astvat-erata’ comes from ‘Astu’ which in Zend means ‘to praise’. Its infinitive ‘Sitaudan’ can also be derived from the word ‘Istadan’ i.e. ‘one who makes things to rise up’. So ‘Astvat-erata’ means ‘the praised one’. These names i.e. ‘Soeshyanth’ and ‘Astvat-erata’ repeat in a number of prophecies.
Secondly, destruction of Idol worshipping can be attributed
to no other prophet better than Mohammed (PBUH). He had turned the
idol-worshipping city of Mecca into a city worshipping One-God.
Again, like in Hindu and Buddhist scriptures, we find
special mentions of the companions of the prophet in Zoroastrian scriptures
too.
“AND there shall his friends come forward, the friends of Astvat-ereta, who are fiend-smitting, well-thinking, well-speaking, well-doing, following the good law and whose tongues have never uttered a word of falsehood” [Zend Avesta,Zamyad Yasht 95]
Zend Avesta is full of prophecies of Soeshyanth and his companions. As for the other sect who believes in Dasatir being more authentic than Zend Avesta, there’s a surprise package. See the verse below from Dasatir.
“When the Persians should sink so low in morality, a man will be born in Arabia, whose followers will upset their thrones, religion, and everything. The mighty stiff necked ones of Persia will be overpowered. The House which was built and in which many idols have place will be purged of idols and the people will offer their prayers facing it. His followers will capture the towns of the Parsis Tus and other large places around these. People will embroll with one another. The wise men of Persia and others will join his followers.” [Dasatir, Epistile of Sasan 1]
This is the clearest prophecy you will ever come across.
Mohammed (PBUH) is clearly prophesized here as ‘a man born in Arabia’. His
followers did conquer Persia. The house built by Abraham (PBUH) i.e. Kaba, was
full of idols before the conquest of Mecca. After the conquest, the first thing
that was done was to purify if by removing all idols from it. And it is the
central point towards which all Muslims around the world face during their
prayers. AND, the WISE MEN are supposed to join his followers. Get it dear Zoroastrians?
Are you wise or not?
Before the advent of Mohammed (PBUH), the Zoroastrians had lost most of their scriptures. They were deteriorated both in morality and religion, and all these facts are clearly recorded in the epistle of Sasan. This was the first sign of the appearance of the reformer. The prophecy of his advent was so well-known to the Parsis and Magians and they were so anxious about the appearance of their redeemer that they flocked with their presents to any place where they heard a reformer had appeared.
There is no other alternative for the Parsis today; either
they should believe in Mohammed (PBUH) and take him to be ‘Astvat-ereta’ (the
praised one), or should point out any other man on whom these descriptions
could apply, who would have exterminated idol-worship, produced truthful and
saintly followers, and according to Avesta, must have corrected Mazdaynians as
well as idol-worshippers, and who would have become the master of the Persian
religion, crown and kingdom.
4. IN OLD TESTAMENT (Jewish + Christian Scriptures)
There are many lines in the Old Testament of the Bible that my Christian friends claim to be prophecies of Jesus. I can’t say how many of them are true; because I have already spent a lot of pages discussing the authenticity of Bible. Its current form is obviously not the ‘Word of God’, and is being scandalously edited and re-edited under the cover of being “made easy to understand”. I’m very sorry to say but the fact is that every generation of a Christian family reads an entirely different Bible. They think that by reframing the sentences they are making it easy to understand. But in the process they are adding their own inferences to it. Do you really think you have the right to change or interpolate things in what you claim to be the ‘Words of God’?
Now out of hundreds and thousands of prophecies that Christians claim to be pointing to Jesus (PBUH), some Muslims debate as to whom they fit better; Jesus or Mohammed (PBUT). My dear Muslims, you really don’t need to do this. If at all you want to say something to a Christian, just ask him if he really believes his Bible that he holds under his arm is really God’s word or not. That would be much better for you.
Still, there might be some lines left behind that point to the coming prophets like Jesus and Mohammed (Peace Be upon Them). As I’ve told earlier, these lines hold no importance to me. If they are truly ‘Word of God’, they just reaffirm the truth; otherwise, I don’t care anyway. Here, I’m not going to put down the entire list, but just the few that really make your mind think.
The first one is from Deuteronomy. Rather than just quoting the verse, I’ll like you to look at the entire chapter. The first 8 verses speak about Levites being of higher position and that they shall have a share in whatever sacrifices the Israelites make (like meat of Bulls and sheep). Now this looks like an interpolation to me, because anyway I don’t believe that God favors some people over others. Secondly these 8 lines have nothing to do with what follows.
Verses 9-11 condemn divination, sorcery, witchcraft, etc. Fine enough.
Then we have the prophetic verses. Let me note the verses completely. I would have loved to quote from the King James Version, but since most of my Christian friends use the New International Version, I’ll use the NIV.
14-The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.
15-The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me (Moses) from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.
16-For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.”
17-The LORD said to me: “What they say is good.
18-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.
19-If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.
20-But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.”
21-You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?”
22-If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
[Bible, Deuteronomy 18:14-22]
The verses clearly say that the Israelites i.e. followers of Moses (PBUH) didn’t want to hear the voice of their Lord nor see the great fire. So God agrees and it is decided that they will have a prophet from amongst their brothers. Note that in all other verses and in all other versions, whenever the Jews are referred to, the words are ‘you’, ‘they’, ‘we’, ‘us’, etc. It is only to the coming prophet that is referred as from amongst their brothers. He could have very well been mentioned as ‘amongst themselves’ or ‘amongst the Children of Israel’ as they are commonly referred throughout the Old Testament. But this is what the Israelites had prayed against. They didn’t want to hear from their Lord. So God told them they’ll have a prophet from amongst their brethren and they must listen to him then.
Now it is not difficult for any Jew, Christian or Muslim to decide who the BROTHERS of Israelites are. Israel was another name of Isaac (PBUH) the son of Abraham (PBUH). Isaac (PBUH) had an elder brother named Ishmael (PBUH). Now I know the Jews and Christians will debate me saying that Ishmael (PBUH) was the son of Hagar and Israel (PBUH) was the son of Sarah. They say that Hagar was not Abraham’s (PBUH) wife, but a keep. I know Hagar was a slave offered to Sarah. But even your Bible says that Abraham (PBUH) had married Hagar [The Bible, Genesis 16:3]. So if both wives are legal, so are their children. And hence, Isaac (PBUH) and Ishmael (PBUH) were brothers; although from different mothers. The children of Isaac (PBUH) are the Israelites, while the children of Ishmael are the Arabs. And they are BROTHERS to one another. In case you think I’m twisting the words too much, I have the Bible itself to attest this. ‘AND HE (ISHMAEL) SHALL DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL HIS BRETHREN.’ (Genesis 16:12). ‘AND HE (ISHMAEL) DIED IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL HIS BRETHREN.’ (Genesis 25:18).
The prophecy also says that the promised prophet will be like Moses (PBUH). Do my Christian friends really think Jesus (PBUH) was like Moses (PBUH)? The only two similarities that can be pointed are:
– Both were Jews.
– Both were Prophets.
That’s it! Can anyone point me any more similarities? Now let me show similarities between Mohammed (PBUH) and Moses (PBUH) comparing them to Jesus (PBUH)
– Both Moses and Mohammed (PBUH) had a mother and a father. Jesus had no father. His birth was miraculous.
– Both Moses and Mohammed (PBUH) got married. Did Jesus get married?
– Both Moses and Mohammed (PBUH) had followers who accepted them as prophets during their lifetime. Jesus was rejected by his own people.
– Both Moses and Mohammed (PBUH) went on to become Kings, i.e. they could implement the LAWS. Jesus could not.
– Both Moses and Mohammed (PBUH) came in with a set of Laws. Jesus just attested the old Law of Moses.
– Both Moses and Mohammed (PBUH) had a natural death. Jesus did not.
Now this can go on and on. So, when it is said that the prophet will be like Moses (PBUH) it certainly cannot mean Jesus (PBUH) but could very well apply to Mohammed (PBUH).
The prophecy doesn’t end there. God goes on to say that the prophet will “speak in my name”. I know my Muslim readers will be smiling by now. This is because all Muslims know that every chapter of the Quran (except Chapter 9) starts with the words “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”. Not only that, but a Muslim is advised to begin everything in the name of God. Now my dear Christian friends let me remind you how you begin the same things. You say, “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”, isn’t it?
And now that we are here on this verse, let me take the opportunity to show you how the Bible gets edited. As we have seen, the KJV uses the words ‘among their brethren’ and the NIV uses the words ‘among their brothers’. But the New American Standard Bible uses the words ‘among their countrymen’. If that is not all, the GOD’S WORD TRANSLATION uses the words ‘an Israelite’. See how God’s words get changed from ‘brethren’ to ‘countrymen’ to ‘Israelite’. I’m sure Hebrew has three different words for all these. Do these people think that God cannot frame sentences properly, so that they make changes here and there to make them easily understandable? Why don’t you just let those words be as they are in Hebrew? Why do you keep interpolating and changing words?
Muhammad (Pbuh) is mentioned by name in the Hebrew Bible
חכו ממתקים וכלו מחמדים זה דודי וזה רעי בנות ירושלם׃
His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely(Muhammadim). This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song of Solomon 5:16)
The original Hebrew Bible has “Muhammadim” in the place of “altogether lovely”, but the translators rendered it “altogether lovely”. where maḥămaddîm is translated as "[is] lovely". But normally, in Hebrew, when the suffix "im" is added to a word, it's the use of majestic plural, that is giving respect to the entity referred to by the set of characters preceding "im". Just like "Eloh-im" (giving respect to Eloah). So the 'im' is used to represent a name, But the translators knowingly changed the name into other words.
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| Google translator |
There are still many more verses in the Old Testament that Muslims claim point to Mohammed (PBUH). But I don’t want to go into them. It is because once I inspect them, I start reading the verses around them and I get even more evidences of Bible not being God’s words, and I just get stuck in a dilemma as to whether all this is of any use or not. There is a very clear difference between Quran and other religious scriptures. Try it yourself. All I can say about the Bible is that it is a very good book from the historical point of view, because it gives you some idea about it. But this history just cannot be confirmed and we can have an entire thick book on the topic of “History of Bible”. Whatever it is, it is NOT God’s word completely. Some part of it might have been preserved, but most of it is corrupt.
5. IN NEW TESTAMENT (2nd division of the Christian Bible)
Now before we start this, let me remind you that before Jesus Christ (PBUH), everyone in Israel was a Jew. It was the Jews who accepted Jesus as the Messiah and became Christians. So let us take a look as to what prophecies these Jews (who turned Christians later on) were waiting to be fulfilled.
The Jews had a prophecy that before the coming of the Messiah i.e. Jesus Christ, Elias must come. Jesus himself confirms this in the following verses.
“The disciples asked him, ‘Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?’
Jesus replied, ‘To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.’
Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”
[Bible, Mathews 17:10-13]
But that is not all. There is very clear evidence that they were waiting for another prophet after Jesus (PBUH) too. That means they were first waiting for Elias, then Jesus and then ANOTHER PROPHET. Let me prove it from the Bible itself.
As it is clear from the verses quoted above that the Jews understood that Jesus was pointing towards John, The Baptist (PBUH) as Elias. So they sent priests and Levites to John (PBUH) to ask him the truth. And this is what happened there.
“And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.”
“And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.”
[Bible, John 1:20, 21]
I’m purposely quoting from the KJV because the NIV has changed the words from “that prophet” to “the prophet”. It is very clear that the Jews of that time were waiting for 3 different people; Elias, Jesus and THAT PROPHET. If you are still in doubts as to whether they were three different people, then the verses that follows clears it. Take a look.
“And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.”
“And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?”
[Bible, John 1:24, 25]
Who is this prophet? The answer lies in the prophecy that speaks about THAT prophet. And I think Deuteronomy 18:18 is that prophecy; because it applies to someone other than Jesus (PBUH); and very well to Mohammed (PBUH).
So when a Christian actually accepts Jesus (PBUH) as the Christ, he also agrees that Elias did come before him. So when it was supposed to be first Elias, then Jesus and then THAT prophet, where did that prophet go? You might jump on your feet now and say, “Hey, he’s yet to come”. But is any Christian waiting? And why wait? First examine the one who claims to be that prophet; Mohammed (PBUH).
Now let us examine some very direct prophecies in the New Testament. These are the verses where Jesus (PBUH) clearly speaks of the last and final prophet who will guide everyone after he is gone. These are all concentrated in chapters 14, 15 & 16 of John’s Gospel. I’ll first quote all those verses here and then explain the point.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
[Bible, John 14:16, 17]
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
[Bible, John 15:26, 27]
“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going? Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
“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 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 bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”
[Bible, John 16:5-15]
Now, let us go deep into this; because although it looks pretty simple to a normal reader, a Christian reader or someone who understands these things needs clarification on a few points. I’ll go one step at a time.
Is Jesus Speaking about himself i.e. his ‘second coming’?
Well, it doesn’t seem so. Verse 14:16 of John clearly says that it will be ANOTHER counselor. So it cannot be Jesus at all. It has to be someone other than Jesus himself. As for the words, “be with you forever”, it doesn’t mean that he will be immortal. All it means is that his teachings or commands will be there with you forever. In other words, he will be the last prophet; because all other messengers came with expiry dates to their teachings.
Is it the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost?
Well, it might be. But it is not really the Spirit i.e. one of the trinity which a normal Christian believes in. Here we are dealing with something else, or rather someone else. Let me clarify. The same John who is supposed to have written this Gospel, is also supposed to have penned down three Epistles which are also the part of the Christian Bible. And interestingly, he uses the same word ‘spirit’ for ‘prophets’. Take a look.
“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. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”
[Bible, 1st Epistle of John 4:1-3]
Do I need to explain? So if the ‘Spirit’ in the prophecy is taken as ‘prophet’, then it means Jesus is pointing towards the last and final messenger who is yet to come, i.e. Mohammed (PBUH). Also the prophecy says that the comforter will testify Jesus. Even the verses right above say that the way to test a true spirit or true prophet is that “he will acknowledge that Jesus had come in flesh and is from God”. Well, you my friends have complete right to know what Mohammed (PBUH) said about Jesus (PBUH). He acknowledged that Jesus was a true prophet and also attested his miraculous birth along with miracles like healing leprosy and bringing dead to life with God’s permission. There is an entire chapter in Quran on ‘Mary, the Mother of Jesus’ and she is regarded the ‘greatest women of all times and worlds’. Jesus (PBUH) is mentioned many times in Quran. I’ll just quote one of the many.
“O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and The Hereafter and of (the Company of) those nearest to God.”[Quran 3:45]
And the spirit here just cannot be the Holy Spirit of the trinity. This is because in the prophecy the coming of the spirit is conditional. It clearly says that “Unless Jesus goes away, the Counselor will not come”.
However there is no such condition on the Holy Spirit. It has been coming in again and again throughout the Bible; not just in Jesus’ life but also before him. Let me prove it.
Before Jesus (PBUH):
“for he (John, the Baptist) will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.”
[Bible, Luke 1:15]
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
[Bible, Luke 1:41]
“His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:”
[Bible, Luke 1:67]
In Jesus’ (PBUH) life:
“and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
[Bible, Luke 3:22]
“But if I (Jesus) drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
[Bible, Mathew 12:28]
“It had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
[Bible, Luke 2:26]
“And with that he (Jesus) breathed on them (his disciples) and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
[Bible, John 20:22]
Now tell me, if the Holy Spirit was with Jesus, Zachariah, Simeon, Elizabeth and also the disciples already, then why does Jesus (PBUH) say, “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you”? The answer is that he was not speaking about the Holy Spirit at all. He was pointing to his successor, Mohammed (PBUH).
The word ‘You’ in the prophecy
This is one argument that I wasn’t really going to write about. But why leave this pebble unturned? Well, the argument is that Jesus (PBUH) is speaking to his disciples and saying, “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you”. So the prophecy was to be fulfilled in the time of his disciples, right before them.
Let me put it back on the arguers. They have no problems in taking the prophecy of Deuteronomy’s Chapter 18 Verse 15 as referring to Jesus (PBUH). Even that prophecy uses words ‘YOU’ when Moses (PBUH) prophesized another messenger saying, ”The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him”.
So if they have no problems with the prophecy of the Old
testament, then why here in the Gospel?
6. CONCLUSION TO PROPHECIES
So that was a quick look at some of the prophecies of
Mohammed (PBUH) in other religious scriptures. I would like to mention yet
again that these prophetic lines may or may not be true. Although they are
pretty significant, they are not really the reason of believing in Islam as the
true religion. They only reaffirm the truth if they are themselves true.
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