format_quote Originally Posted by czgibson
Greetings, Khattab,
Thank you for your kind words. I seem to be saying that a lot lately - there is a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere here on the forum!
A very good question. I'm not familiar with the references in Christian and Jewish holy books to be honest, although I've heard this claim quite a lot, and have no reason to doubt it. Can anyone provide the references?
I think Muhammad's (pbuh) aim was to re-establish the pure monotheism that he felt had been distorted or corrupted by previous faiths. He wanted to abolish idolatry, and to deliver God's final revelation, which updated and superseded all previous revelations. In doing this he was much more successful than any previous prophet, because he attained spiritual and political authority within his lifetime.
This question gets right to the heart of the matter. I don't think he was crazy or a liar. He clearly believed what he was doing was right, and as I've said, any arguments to suggest he was acting from selfish motives are unconvincing to say the least. However, I do have difficulties in accepting that divine revelation can occur. This obviously rules out, for me, perhaps
the fundamental tenet of Islam, namely that the Qur'an is a divine revelation. As is clear, I do not believe in god, so divine revelation is difficult for me to accept.
Thank you. Let me say in return that the welcome I have received on this forum has surpassed my expectations hugely. This is, I must admit, is due to a flawed understanding of Islam within me. It is too easy for us in the West to forget that Islam is a tradition of tolerance, debate and generosity (among many other things). In the news we are presented with images and associations that prevent that tradition from being fully recognised. I hope that more Westerners can get involved with the Muslim community, to try and understand the true history and culture of Islam. Of course, the cultural exchange needs to work both ways, but I can only speak for one side of the debate.
Peace
Hi Callum,
And thank you for your kind words for all on the forum
Regarding Muhammed (SWH) in the Bible, this was a good article posted a while back by the Admin Kadafi:
There are many prophecies of the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Bible; both in the book of the Old Testament and the book of the New Testament. The Qur’an tells us about this fact in surat As-Saff. Almighty Allah says: [And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel ! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when be hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic.] (As-Saff 61: 6)
“There are many citations in the Bible prophesying the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). All of Isaiah chapter 42 stands out as an obvious reference to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as a Messenger of Allah. This chapter describes him as a "light to the Gentiles." While Jesus repeatedly says, "I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel " (See Matthew 15:24 , 5:17 -18, and 10:5-6) It is only Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon both of him) that was sent as a Messenger for all of mankind (Jews and Gentiles).
Isaiah 42 makes a reference to this "servant of the Lord" as coming from the land of Kedar . It is important to note that Kedar was the second son of Ishmael, a forefather of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). One of the most striking prophecies of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stand clear in Isaiah 21: ‘“An oracle concerning Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia , bring water to the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives. They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle. This is what the Lord says to me: "Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar will come to an end. The survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar will be few.’ The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.” (Isaiah 21:13-17)
This prophecy takes place in Arabia, the land of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The "fugitives" in this case are the Prophet and his faithful Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). They fled from Makkah, leaving when Muhammad’s house was surrounded by the Quraish, drawn swords in hand. He fled to Madinah, peacefully acquired converts numbering upwards of ten thousand. Muhammad returned to fight the great Battle of Badr, in which the idolatrous Quraish, "the pomp of Kedar", suffered a crushing defeat. To this day, no Christian or Jewish Biblical scholar can generate an historic event that fits this prophecy.
Yet another prophecy of Muhammad, similar to this one, occurs in Deuteronomy 33:1-2: “And this is the blessing, where Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, the Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Se’ir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran , and he came with ten thousand saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.”
The Lord coming from Sinai alludes to Moses and "[rising] up from Se’ir" refers to Jesus (peace be upon both of them), as the place of his birth was called Se’ir. The prophet who "shined forth from mount Paran " can be none other than Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Paran is the ancient name of the region of Arabia where the children of Ishmael settled. In Arabic, Paran is "Farran", which actually refers to Makkah and literally means "two refugees." It appears as though this took its name from Hagar and Ishmael (peace be upon them both) who went to this region as refugees when Ishmael was still young. And of course, coming with ten thousand saints, or holy men, descending upon Makkah, bearing a fiery law (the Glorious Qur’an) is an unmistakable reference to Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Another reference to the Prophet is given by Jesus, where Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is referred to as the "Counselor" and the "Spirit of Truth". Jesus says: “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.” (John 16:7)
“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 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.” (John 16:12-14)
Since Jesus (peace be upon him) indicates that the Counselor will not come unless Jesus himself, leaves, it is virtually impossible for the Counselor to be the Holy Ghost, as some Christian scholars contend. The Holy Ghost occurs in Scripture before, during, and after Jesus’ life, so it cannot be that Jesus must leave for the Holy Ghost to arrive. It is already there. Similar to the "prophet like Moses" in Deuteronomy 18, this Counselor "will speak only what he hears." Through the Qur’an, the final revelation of Allah, and through the Sunnah, Muhammad is the one to guide us "into all truth." And both the Qur’an and Hadith tell us "what is yet to come." As for glorifying Jesus, Allah tells us in 3:56 that the Qur’an clears Jesus of the lies and speculation surrounding his life and his death.
There are a number of remaining references to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Bible, one where he is even mentioned by name in the original Hebrew (Song of Songs 5:9-16)! "Cheeko mame tah kim, vechulo Mohamadim." This means "His language is most sweet, and he is Muhammad." In the English translations of the Bible, Muhammad's name is translated as "altogether lovely".
It was discussed here http://www.islamicboard.com/showthre...ght=Muhammadim
But claiming prophethood to lead many people astray, causing father to fight son, friend to fight friend. If someone claims prophethood and is not genuine in there claim then surely this befits a liar, no?
Why would a man who was known among his people before his claim of prophethood as ‘al-Ameen’ (The Trustworthy), cause such hardships in his life just to bring back the belief in one God, to me that doesnt add up. The claim could come that it was for power but that is shot down, when as we know he was offered to give up his belief in the One God and become the king of Mekkah desiring whatever he wished, or being offered that the pagans of the time would worship there gods one year and then the following year everyone would worship one God, and so on.
As the Qu'ran says:
Who can be more wicked than one who inventeth a lie against Allah, or saith, "I have received inspiration," when he hath received none, or (again) who saith, "I can reveal the like of what Allah hath revealed"? If thou couldst but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! - the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying),"Yield up your souls: this day shall ye receive your reward,- a penalty of shame, for that ye used to tell lies against Allah, and scornfully to reject of His signs!" (6:93)
Who was giving him the Qu'ranic Texts, that even the most learned of poets had never seen before, one of the companions (may Allah be pleased with them), jewish/christian scholars?. Or was it he who could write? As one prophecy in the Bible says, that is exactly the way Prophet Muhammed (SWH) received his first revelation.
"And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned." (Isaiah 29:12)
Peace
PS I read you are an english teacher, that was my favourite subject when I was at school
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