Prophecies of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Torah and Gospel

Introduction

One of the most profound and beautiful truths revealed in the Qur'an is that the coming of the final Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), was not a new concept introduced only to the Arabs of the 7th century. Rather, it was a continuation of a long chain of prophecies and divine guidance sent through previous messengers. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:157), Allah Most High says:

"Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel..."

This verse asserts that the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was foretold in the earlier scriptures – the Torah revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Gospel given to Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them both. This is not a claim based on conjecture or sentiment; it is a divine truth. When examined with sincerity, one can find powerful echoes of his coming in the remnants of the previous revelations, even after the distortions and alterations they have undergone over time.

The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the most significant passages in the Bible that Muslim scholars have historically understood as prophecies pointing to the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him). These references are not meant to validate the Bible as an uncorrupted divine source in its current form, but to show that the Qur’an's statement is indeed true: the Prophet was foretold in the scriptures that preceded it.

Biblical Prophecies of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

1. Deuteronomy 18:18

“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.”
(Old Testament – Torah)

✅ Why this refers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

• God is addressing Moses, and the Prophet to come will be “like you” – meaning a prophet with similar life, mission, and impact.

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, like Moses, was:

  • A lawgiver who brought a new Shari‘ah

  • A leader of a community

  • Engaged in warfare, state-building, and migration

  • Born of natural parents, lived a full life, and passed away naturally

• “From among their brethren” – This clearly refers to the Ishmaelites, cousins of the Israelites, from whom the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ descended.

• “Put My words in his mouth” – This matches exactly the revelation of the Qur’an, which was recited verbatim by the Prophet ﷺ though he was unlettered.

2. Isaiah 29:12

“Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, ‘Read this, please.’ And he says, ‘I am not learned.’”
(Old Testament – Prophets)

✅ Why this refers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

• The Prophet ﷺ was illiterate, as confirmed by both the Qur’an and Hadith.

• This verse mirrors the event of the first revelation in the cave of Ḥirā’, when Jibreel (Gabriel) said “Read”, and the Prophet ﷺ responded, “I am not one who reads.” (Sahih Bukhari)

• The phrase “book is delivered” refers to revelation, and this fulfillment is uniquely seen in the experience of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — and in no other prophet.

3. Song of Solomon 5:16

“His mouth is most sweet: yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”
(Old Testament – Wisdom)

✅ Why this refers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

• In the original Hebrew:
  “...מַחֲמַדִּים – Mahmadim...” — This word shares the root ḥ-m-d (ḥamd), the same as Muhammad.

• Some scholars consider this not just descriptive but linguistically connected to the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

• The description “altogether lovely” also mirrors the Prophet’s beautiful character, his gentleness, and perfection in speech and manners.

4. John 14:16

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
(New Testament – Gospel of John)

✅ Why this refers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

• The “Comforter” or Parakletos in Greek is understood by many to be either:

  • A reference to a consoling, guiding prophet, or

  • A mistranslation of Periklutos (meaning “The Praised One” – Ahmad)

• The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fits this role perfectly:

  • He was called Ahmad, as mentioned in Surah As-Saff (61:6)

  • He brought a final, enduring message that abides forever through the Qur’an

  • He was a mercy to the worlds, just as the Comforter was foretold to be

5. John 16:12–13

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth...”
(New Testament – Gospel of John)

✅ Why this refers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

• Jesus foretells someone after him, who will speak not of himself but what he hears — similar to how the Prophet ﷺ recited only what was revealed to him.

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was known as Al-Amīn (The Trustworthy) even before revelation.

• He completed the message of previous prophets, clarified the truth, and corrected distortions.

• The Qur’an is often described as the complete truth and final guidance.

6. Isaiah 42:1–11

“Behold! My servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one, in whom My soul delights... He will bring justice to the nations... He will not falter or be discouraged... Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.”
(Old Testament – Prophets)

✅ Why this refers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

• The chapter speaks of a “Servant of God” who brings a new law and justice to the nations — traits fulfilled by no one more perfectly than the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

• The mention of Kedar (second son of Ismail عليه السلام) directly ties this prophecy to the Arab lineage, specifically in the region of Makkah and Medina.

• The mention of singing a new song is interpreted as referring to the Qur’an, a new divine revelation recited by Muslims daily.

• This “servant” brings universal guidance, not limited to Israel — a unique feature of Islam and the final prophet.

Conclusion: Clarification and Purpose

While we have presented these powerful references from the Bible to demonstrate the truth of what Allah has revealed in the Qur’an – that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was foretold in earlier scriptures – it is crucial to understand the intention behind doing so.

As Muslims, we believe that the original revelations given to previous prophets – the Torah of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus – were from Allah. However, over time, these scriptures were subject to distortions, alterations, and human additions. The Bible as it exists today is a mixture of divine truth and human changes.

Therefore, we do not follow or encourage others to follow the Bible as a religious source of guidance. We do not claim that it remains in its original form, nor do we believe that it is equal to or compatible with the Qur’an in authority or authenticity. Rather, our aim here is simply to highlight the remnants of truth that still exist within those scriptures — echoes that align with the final revelation — and thus support the truthfulness of the Qur’an’s statement.

The Qur’an is the Furqan (criterion) – it confirms the truth and exposes the falsehood in previous scriptures.

These biblical references are signs of Allah, not proofs of the Bible’s authority. They are reflections of the divine promise that all prophets foretold the coming of the final messenger. And this truth, we hope, will open minds and hearts to the light of Islam — the final and preserved guidance for all humanity.

“Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most upright...” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:9)

May Allah guide all sincere seekers of truth to recognize the signs, reflect deeply, and embrace the final revelation with full conviction and open hearts.

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