In the previous chapter we encountered an allegation against some of the People of the Book, this time Jewish and Christian scholars, who, we are told, knew that Muhammad was the true Messenger. It was written in their Books, but they deny it (2:146).
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This allegation is made repeatedly in the Quran. Let me take you on a side trip to explore this topic.
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Rabbis, Monks and Soothsayers Have Known All Along
Here is what Ibn Ishaq tells us about the subject (Sira:130-132):
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“Jewish rabbis, Christian monks and Arab soothsayers had spoken about the apostle of Allah before his mission, when his time drew near. As to the rabbis and monks, it was … in their scriptures and what their prophets enjoined upon them.”
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It seems that it is an Islamic doctrine that not only the Jewish and Christian scholars had clear indications in their scripture announcing the coming of Muhammad, but they also discussed the matter among themselves.
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That there is no record of such discussions in Jewish writings I don’t have to tell you. If it had been discussed, it would have appeared in the Mishnah or in the Midrash. It does not. The only mention of the future coming of a messenger of God that these Jewish documents contain is that of the Messiah.
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I cannot say the same about Christian writings, as I lack the relevant knowledge, but it would be safe to assume that they too did not mention or provide any clue regarding Muhammad.
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So, if Jewish and Christian scholars deny this allegation, can Muslim scholars provide proof to support it? The answer is: they try to. Muslim scholars do point out a small number of references in the Bible which they claim predict the arrival of Muhammad and his appointment as a prophet.
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I will give you the most often quoted reference. There are a few more, but they are as unfounded as this one, and are not worth wasting any time on.
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Searching the Scriptures for Proof
The Book of Deuteronomy 18:18 says: “I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
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Islamic commentators interpret the word “brethren” in the verse as an indication that this prophet would be from the Ishmaelites, who are considered cousins to the Jews, and Muhammad is a descendant of Biblical Ishmael.
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The fact that the word used is “brethren” and not “cousins” does not seem to faze these commentators.
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The correct interpretation of course is “from your own people”, or as verse 15 of this chapter says:
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“A prophet will the LORD thy God raise up unto thee, from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.”
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It says “From the midst of thee”, not “from the midst of thy cousins”. Now you see why the Islamic commentators chose verse 18 and not verse 15, even though verse 15 is more appropriate.
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This passage (18:15-22) deals with the distinction between true and false prophets. It does not come to announce the appointment of any individual prophet. There is nothing in this verse or other verses in the chapter that can be used to identify Muhammad in any way.
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If this is the strongest piece of evidence to prove that the Bible predicts Muhammad’s mission, you can imagine how feeble the others are.
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The Soothsayers Heard it From the Jinn
Ibn Ishaq continues: “As to the Arab soothsayers, they had been visited by satans from the Jinn with reports which they has secretly overheard before they were prevented from hearing by being pelted with stars”
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Remember the chapter about the devil and the Jinn, where some of them used to sneak up to the lower Heaven and eavesdrop, and were pelted by the shooting stars that were affixed to the lower heaven as a defensive shield against them? These little devils heard the heavenly reports about the appointment of Muhammad as Allah’s final Messenger.
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“Male and female soothsayers continued to let fall mention …” But “the Arabs paid no attention, until Allah sent him, and these things which had been mentioned happened and they recognised him.”
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Ibn Ishaq proceeds to relate in detail what the Jinn heard and how true it was, although some of the foolish among them did not believe. These circumstances gave rise to the verses in the beginning of surah 72. Here are verses 1 and 2:
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“Say: ‘It has been revealed to me that a company of the Jinn gave ear, then they said, “We have indeed heard a Quran wonderful, which guides unto righteousness, so we believe in it and we ascribe no partner unto our Lord.” This verse is also repeated in 46:29, which I quoted before.
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The Jinn could not go past the lower heavens, but Muhammad could. This is the other expedient used in the Quran and Islamic tradition to promote Muhammad as a front row, bona fide prophet, who belongs with the big guys of the Scriptures, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
