Prophecies of the Prophets: Evidence of Muhammad's ﷺ Prophethood

Introduction

As part of our series exploring the evidence of prophethood, we begin with one of the most compelling proofs: the prophecies about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ found in previous scriptures. These prophecies are clear and definitive signs that provide irrefutable evidence of the final prophet’s mission.

Allah references in the Qur’an that Muhammad ﷺ is mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel, stating:

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel

Al-A'raf: 157

.This Qur’anic verse reveals the depth and essence of this evidence, affirming that Muhammad ﷺ was foretold in earlier divine scriptures.

The readers of this article may belong to one of three groups:

1. Muslims who already believe in Muhammad ﷺ.
2. Believers in earlier prophets but who deny Muhammad ﷺ.
3. Non-believers in prophets altogether.

Each group can derive significant benefit from this article:

• Muslims will find these prophecies a confirmation of their faith and an enhancement of their certainty.
• Believers in earlier prophets will see these prophecies as a compelling argument, obligating them to believe in Muhammad ﷺ just as they believe in the prophets who foretold his coming.
• Non-believers in prophets will encounter an extraordinary phenomenon: ancient scriptures written centuries or millennia ago predicted the coming of Muhammad ﷺ, something explainable only by the fact that these earlier prophets were divinely inspired. This serves as evidence of their prophethood and of the truth of Muhammad’s ﷺ mission.

This introduction sets the stage for delving into the specific arguments that affirm the presence of prophecies about Muhammad ﷺ in previous scriptures, highlighting the importance of this proof in establishing his prophethood to anyone sincerely seeking the truth with an open mind.

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Alteration of Previous Scriptures

It is important to note that the earlier revealed scriptures we have today, such as the Torah and the Gospel, have undergone changes and alterations over time. The Qur’an affirms this reality, stating:

They distort words from their [proper] usages

Al-Nisa: 46

. This verse highlights that the Torah and the Gospel have been subject to textual distortions and modifications, with certain passages altered or replaced.

This claim is not solely Islamic; it is widely acknowledged among scholars of biblical criticism. This academic discipline encompasses two main branches:

1. Textual Criticism: This branch focuses on examining ancient manuscripts of the Bible to identify the original texts and uncover changes or alterations that occurred throughout history.
2. Source Criticism: This field studies the sources used in composing the sacred texts. Scholars seek to determine the original sources and understand how the texts were compiled and edited over time. This analysis sheds light on various influences and alterations that may have affected the current texts.

Research in these areas corroborates the Islamic assertion of textual corruption while acknowledging that some original parts remain intact within the scriptures. Despite the challenges, these studies help uncover the original messages and identify texts that contain prophecies about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Even with the alterations, the existing scriptures still contain enough evidence to serve as proof for followers of these books and others.

Prophecies About Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Previous Scriptures

The earlier scriptures contain clear signs and explicit references to the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ, making these prophecies one of the strongest proofs of his truthfulness. Let us examine some of these prophecies.

The First Prophecy: In the Torah – The Prophecy of Moses

In the Torah, there is a clear reference to a prophet who will come from among the brethren of the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 18:18, God says to Moses: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him."

The Hebrew text of this verse is:

"נָבִיא אָקִים לָהֶם מִקֶּרֶב אֲחֵיהֶם כָּמוֹךָ, וְנָתַתִּי דְּבָרַי בְּפִיו, וְדִבֶּר אֲלֵיהֶם אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוֶּנּוּ."

The term "אֲחֵיהֶם" (their brethren) clearly indicates that the prophet will come from a lineage other than that of the Israelites—specifically, from the descendants of their brethren, the Ishmaelites. The Israelites are the descendants of Isaac, while the Ishmaelites are the descendants of Ishmael, Isaac’s brother. All the prophets mentioned in the Bible after this prophecy were from the lineage of the Israelites. So who is the prophet from the brethren of the Israelites?

This prophecy is compelling because Moses specifies that the promised prophet will be "like him," meaning he will bring a great monotheistic message and lead his people in a significant way.

Just as Moses was a great leader who freed the Israelites from the bondage of Pharaoh and led them to freedom, the promised prophet would carry out a similarly monumental mission. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ liberated people from the bondage of idolatry and established a society based on monotheism and justice.

The words "I will put my words in his mouth" indicate that this prophet will receive divine revelation directly from God. This perfectly aligns with Muhammad ﷺ, who received the Qur’an, memorized it, and conveyed it to the people.

All these descriptions unequivocally apply to one individual: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Second Prophecy: In the Gospel – The Prophecy of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him)

In the Gospel, Jesus (peace be upon him) explicitly foretells the coming of a prophet after him. In John 14:16, Jesus says to his disciples: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, to be with you forever."

The Greek term used here is παράκλητος (Parakletos), often translated as "Comforter." This word refers to the prophet who would come after Jesus to complete the divine message.

The Greek text of this verse contains strong indications pointing to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The word παράκλητος means "Comforter," "Advocate," or "Helper," all of which accurately describe Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who came after Jesus as a mercy to the worlds, providing spiritual guidance and solace to humanity.

The text also mentions that this "Comforter" will remain with the believers forever, aligning with the enduring nature of the message of Islam, which serves as the final and complete divine guidance for all of humanity.

The Third Prophecy: In the Torah – The Prophecy of Isaiah (Peace Be Upon Him)

In the Book of Isaiah (42:1-4), we find a detailed description of a prophet who will be a light to the nations. The text states: "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen one, in whom my soul delights. I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise his voice, nor make his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice."

The Hebrew text of these verses is:

"הִנֵּה עַבְדִּי אֶתְמָךְ־בּוֹ בְּחִירִי רָצְתָה נַפְשִׁי נָתַתִּי רוּחִי עָלָיו מִשְׁפָּט לַגּוֹיִם יוֹצִיא. לֹא יִצְעַק וְלֹא יִשָּׂא וְלֹא יַשְׁמִיעַ בַּחוּץ קוֹלוֹ. קָנֶה רָצוּץ לֹא יִשְׁבּוֹר וּפִשְׁתָּה כֵּהָה לֹא יְכַבֶּה לֶאֱמֶת יוֹצִיא מִשְׁפָּט."

This passage highlights several distinctive qualities that align closely with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

1. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen one, in whom my soul delights": This phrase indicates that the promised prophet will be chosen and beloved by God. One of the titles of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is "Al-Mustafa," meaning "the chosen one."
2. "I have put my spirit upon him": This signifies that the prophet will be supported by the Spirit of God, which refers to divine revelation delivered by Angel Gabriel. When Gabriel first brought revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his wife Khadijah took him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a scholar of previous scriptures. Waraqah immediately recognized the event, saying: "This is the Namus [the divine secret] that was sent to Moses." [Bukhārī: 3, Muslim: 160].
3. "He will bring forth justice to the nations": This prophecy describes the prophet's mission to deliver justice universally. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fulfilled this by spreading the message of Islam, which promotes justice and equity for all humanity.
4. "He will not cry out or raise his voice, nor make his voice heard in the street": This refers to the humility and gentleness of the prophet. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was known for his quiet demeanor and his avoidance of shouting or raising his voice. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described him, saying: "He was not obscene or indecent, nor was he loud in the markets. He did not respond to evil with evil but pardoned and overlooked." [Tirmidhi: 2016].
5. "A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench": This symbolizes the prophet's compassion and gentleness, particularly toward the weak and vulnerable. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was renowned for his mercy, especially toward the poor and needy. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I served the Prophet ﷺ for ten years, and not once did he say to me, 'Uff!' nor did he ever say to me for anything I did, 'Why did you do that?' or for anything I did not do, 'Why didn’t you do that?'" [Sahih Adab Al-Mufrad: 211].
6. "He will faithfully bring forth justice": This indicates that the prophet will establish justice and security, which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ achieved by creating a society founded on equity and fairness. His governance brought peace and stability to his community and beyond.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored three significant prophecies from earlier scriptures that point to the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ. The prophecy in Deuteronomy speaks of a prophet from the brethren of the Israelites, clearly fulfilled by Muhammad ﷺ, a descendant of Ishmael. The prophecy in the Gospel of John mentions the "Comforter," which aptly describes Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Finally, the prophecy in Isaiah portrays a servant who brings justice and mercy to the nations, a role embodied by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

These prophecies are not mere coincidences but compelling evidence of Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood. They demonstrate the continuity of divine messages and affirm that his mission was a fulfillment of God’s plan for guiding humanity. These clear signs strengthen the faith of believers and serve as a powerful argument for truth seekers, offering undeniable proof of Muhammad’s ﷺ authenticity as the final prophet.

https://gamma.app/docs/Prophecies-of-the-Prophets-Evidence-of-Muhammads-Prophethood-p3k97rj8vu8u2np