Question 6

According to Islam, Jesus prophesized the coming of Muhammad. Is this recorded in the Christian Bible? In other words, how do we know Qur'an is not biased?

Note: This question was answered in 2 parts.

"According to Islam, Jesus prophesized the coming of Muhammad. Is this recorded in the Christian Bible?"

Yes, Muslims believe that the coming of Prophet Muhammad was foretold by many prophets amongst the Israelites, not just Jesus a.s. We accept this as revealed by Allah. Some these verses in the Qur’an thus are:

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer) seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Towrah; and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick and it stands on its own stem (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at him. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds Forgiveness and a great Reward.

(Qur’an: Fath: 48: 29)

Say: "See ye? If (this teaching) be from Allah, and ye reject it, and a witness from among the Children of Israel testifies to its similarity (with earlier scriptures), and has believed while ye are arrogant, (how unjust ye are!) Truly, Allah guides not a people unjust."

(Qur’an: Ahqaf: 40:10)

And remember Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah (sent) to you confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving glad Tidings of an Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs they said "This is evident sorcery!"

(Qur’an: Saff: 69:6)

In these verses, Muslim believes Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. coming has been prophesised by previous prophets. As regard whether are there any explicit (clear-cut) verses in today’s’ Bible, it would be difficult to determine due to the nature of their (Biblical) textual preservation – especially the unavailability of the original text; their determination of what constitute canonical bible what is not (we are aware that there are many discovered text or manuscripts regarded as ‘apocrypha’ as in recent discoveries in Nag Hamadi, the Dead Sea scrolls, Gospels of Thomas, Barnabas, James or the recent one alleged to be of Judas, etc.).

As in almost all prophecies, even the approach by Biblical scholars, interpretations are required. It is in this manner that some Muslim scholars attempted in identifying those prophecies relating to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. You may wish to read them yourself. Here are a few:

“Muhammad in the Bible” by a former Bishop of Uramiah Rev. David Benjamin Keldani

“What the Bible says about Muhammad ” by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat

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"In other words, how do we know Qur'an is not biased?"

We Muslims are taught to ascertain any claim before accepting it (especially) in matters of belief:

“And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).”

(Qur’an: Isra’ : 17: 36)

Before judging something to be bias or not, whether reliable or unreliable etc. its veracity ought to be checked on its own, without we ourselves being bias. So, we invite you to critically assess the Qur’an on its own merit – whether you think it is revelation from God or the work of a man.

For Muslims, we have accepted it to be from God, by applying the following criteria to the Qur’an. Perhaps you may wish know we apply this, not just the Qur’an but any Book claiming to be from God, and come to the conclusion regarding its total reliability:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from Error”;

(Qur’an: Baqarah: 2: 256)

“This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah. On the contrary it is a confirmation of revelations that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the Universe”

(Surah Yunos : 37)

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