Prophet Muhammad in the Bible and Other Scriptures
Prophet Muhammad in the Bible and Other Scriptures
Introduction
Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the final messenger of God, foretold by earlier prophets in previous scriptures. While the original forms of these scriptures have undergone changes over time, many references and hints remain about the coming of a prophet after Jesus (peace be upon him) and other messengers. These prophecies appear in the Bible, as well as in other religious texts such as the Torah, Hindu scriptures, and Buddhist writings.
1. Muhammad in the Bible
a) In the Old Testament
One of the most direct references is found in the Book of Deuteronomy:
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.”
(Deuteronomy 18:18)
Key Points:
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“From among their brethren” refers to the brethren of the Israelites — the Ishmaelites (descendants of Ishmael, the brother of Isaac).
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Muhammad ﷺ is a descendant of Ishmael.
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“Put My words in his mouth” matches the way Muhammad ﷺ received revelation — he recited exactly what was revealed to him.
b) In the Song of Solomon
The Song of Solomon 5:16 says in Hebrew:
“His mouth is most sweet, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”
In Hebrew, the phrase “altogether lovely” is Machmadim, which closely resembles Muhammad in meaning and sound.
c) In the Gospel of John
Jesus (peace be upon him) spoke of the coming of another helper or comforter after him:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever.”
(John 14:16)
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.”
(John 15:26)
Key Points:
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The original Greek word Parakletos means “one who is praised” or “advocate” — qualities that align with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
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Christians often interpret this as the Holy Spirit, but the description matches a human prophet who speaks God’s words.
2. Muhammad in Other Scriptures
a) Hindu Scriptures
Some scholars believe that the Hindu texts refer to Muhammad ﷺ in:
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Bhavishya Purana, which mentions the coming of a “malecha” (foreigner) teacher from Arabia with a large following, who will be a guide to truth.
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Atharva Veda, which speaks of a “praised one” (Narashansah), a term meaning “the one praised,” similar to the meaning of Muhammad.
b) Buddhist Scriptures
In Buddhist tradition, there is mention of Maitreya, the future enlightened one, who will come to restore the truth. The qualities attributed to Maitreya — compassion, leadership, and guidance — match those of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and many Muslim scholars see this as a prophecy about him.
c) Zoroastrian Scriptures
Some Zoroastrian texts speak of a final prophet who will restore righteousness before the end of time, which some researchers link to Muhammad ﷺ.
3. Why This Matters
The appearance of Muhammad ﷺ in multiple religious traditions shows:
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Continuity of God’s message through history.
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Unity between the Abrahamic faiths and other world religions.
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Confirmation that Muhammad ﷺ was not only for the Arabs, but for all humanity.
Conclusion
The prophecies in the Bible, Hindu, Buddhist, and other scriptures provide strong evidence that Muhammad ﷺ was foretold by earlier prophets. These signs invite followers of all religions to examine the life and message of Muhammad ﷺ with an open heart.
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel — he enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong…”
(Surah Al-A‘raf 7:157)
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