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The Holy Quran refers to the presence of the name and signs of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Torah and the Gospel, stating: “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel…” (Surah Al-A’raf, Ayah 157).
In another verse, the Quran emphasizes that the scholars among the People of the Book were well aware of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “Those to whom We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their own sons” (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 146).
The Names of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Divine Scriptures
Imam Baqir (AS) stated: “The name of the Prophet in the scriptures of Abraham is Mahi (the effacer), in the Torah it is Hadd (the one who stands against the enemies of God), in the Gospel it is Ahmad (the praised one), and in the Quran it is Muhammad (the one who is praised by God, angels, and the prophets).” These names each hold specific meanings: Mahi refers to the one who erases idolatry, Hadd signifies the one who opposes the enemies of God, Ahmad means the praised one, and Muhammad refers to the one praised by God, angels, and all the prophets. (Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, Vol. 4, p. 177-178)
The Glad Tidings of Jesus (AS) about the Coming of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Throughout history, prophets have foretold the coming of future prophets, especially Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran quotes Jesus (AS) saying: “O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of God to you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad” (Surah As-Saff, Ayah 6).
Prophecies of the Final Messenger in the Torah and the Gospel
1. The Torah
Although the current versions of the Torah and the Gospel have undergone alterations, there still exist prophecies within these scriptures that point to the prophethood of the final messenger. For example, in Deuteronomy, the Torah mentions the farewell speech of Moses (AS) before his passing: “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran…” This passage refers to the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran respectively, as Sinai is where Moses (AS) received his prophethood, Seir is associated with the mission of Jesus (AS), and Paran (Mecca) is where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent. (The Holy Bible, Old Testament, Deuteronomy, Chapter 33)
2. The Gospel of John
In the Gospel of John, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is referred to as “Paraclete,” which in Arabic translates to “Ahmad” and in english to “the praised one.” In some Arabic translations of the Gospel of John, the appearance of the Paraclete and the everlasting nature of his religion are mentioned, while in the english translations of the Gospel of John, the correct translation of Paraclete has been replaced with “comforter” to obscure the glad tidings given by Jesus (AS) about the coming of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
3. The Gospel of Barnabas
In the Gospel of Barnabas, there are numerous prophecies concerning the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For instance, in the story of Adam (AS) being expelled from paradise, it is mentioned that above the gate of paradise was written: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger” (Gospel of Barnabas, Chapter 41, Verses 33-34).
4. The Book of Isaiah
In the 42nd chapter of the Book of Isaiah, descriptions are given about the Sharia (law) of the final messenger (PBUH), including that “His law will be widespread, He will have specific rulings, and His teachings will reach the ends of the earth.”
The characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his government were so clearly mentioned in the previous scriptures that the Jews migrated to Medina before his appearance in anticipation of his arrival. Around a thousand years before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Tubba’ I, the king of Yemen, attacked Medina, became acquainted with the Jews, and believed in the final prophet. He settled the tribes of Aws and Khazraj in Medina so that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would be sent, they would support him.
Moreover, some scholars of previous religions recognized the signs of prophethood in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) even during his childhood and youth and accepted his message. Stories like the meeting of the monk Bahira with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during a trade journey to Syria, where he observed the signs of prophethood in him, are examples of this preparatory acknowledgment by Jesus (AS) for the advent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Indeed, if these prophecies did not exist, the enemies of Islam would have easily sought to destroy it. Therefore, it must be said that the opposition of the Jews and Christians to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not due to a lack of alignment between the prophecies and him, but rather, it was done with full knowledge and certainty of his legitimacy.