'Muhammad' in World Scriptures: Notable References to Prophet Muhammad’s Advent in Arabia

By Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, New Age Islam 16 September 2024 In Our Times, Roman Catholic Nun, Noted Writer And Christian Woman Mystic, Karen Armstrong, Wrote One Of The Best Books On The Life Of The Prophet (Pbuh) “Muhammad: A Prophet For Our Time”. Main Points: 1. Meelad conferences must also highlight the significance of Sacred Scriptures of the previous prophets which prophesied the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). 2. Waraqa Bin Nawfal, a didactic Christian theologian who lived in the 6th century Arabia was the first to confirm and verify the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad from the holy scriptures. 3. The world scriptures’ references to Prophet Muhamad (pbuh) are open to debate among scholars, with varying interpretations and perspectives, but they cannot be rejected outright. 4. Scholars and theologians must discuss and debate these references, emphasizing the importance of nuanced understanding and respect for diverse perspectives. ----- Eid Milad-un-Nabi —celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) — falls on September 16 this year in the Indian subcontinent, which is known as the 12th Rabi’ ul-Awwal according to the Sunni Hijri calendar. Shia Muslims, who equally venerate and celebrate the holy Prophet’s birthday, celebrate it on the 17th Rabi’ ul-Awwal. Significantly, this occasion is marked by dissemination of the true, essential and universal teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Besides taking out the Julus processions and parades consisting of large crowds all day long, Muslims in India organise gatherings which they call “Milad Shareef”. The traditional reciters of Milad, popularly known as Milad Khwans, elaborate on the Sirah (lifetime and message) of the Prophet (pbuh). They recount moving moral and ethical stories from the Prophet’s life which stress his noblest personality traits such as being truthful (al-Sadiq), trustworthy (al-Amin) and generous (al-Sakhi). The most remarkable Prophetic character in which he is personified as “Rahmatul lil A’lamin” (mercy for all worlds) becomes the theme of most Meelad discourses. However, what is often overlooked or curiously ignored in the Meelad conferences and Mehflis is the significance of Sacred Books and Scriptures of the previous prophets which prophesied the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). When Gabriel (the angel of revelation) brought down the first revelation to the Prophet, he began trembling with great fright and worries. He wondered what was going to happen next. At this critical juncture, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) resorted to his beloved wife, Khadijah Bint Khuwailid. He implored: "Cover me, cover me." She covered him and he restored calm and tranquillity. He then enumerated everything that occurred in the cave of Hira to Khadijah. He said he faced a sudden intense feeling of fear. Khadija, then, began to calm and pacify him: "God will never disgrace you, because you do good to the kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute [bear the burden of the weak]; you speak the truth, serve your guest generously and you assist those stricken with calamities." (Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadith Number 111). Khadija reassured her husband on the divine revelation that was his first exposure to the source of Risalat—Prophethood. Khadija then took the Prophet (pbuh) to her first cousin, a didactic Christian priest of the Pre-lslamic Arabia, Waraqa bin Nawfal. Khadija said (to Waraqa), "O my cousin! Listen to what your nephew says." Waraqa said, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Prophet then described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same Angel (Gabriel) who was sent to Moses.” Thus, it was Waraqa Bin Nawfal who is considered to be a Christian Haneef (who believed in One God) who first verified the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Waraqa carefully listened to Prophet Muhammad's account and recognized the similarities between his experience and the biblical prophets. He confirmed Prophet Muhammad's Nabuwwah (prophethood) by identifying the angel Gabriel as the same messenger who appeared to Moses and Jesus. He also warned the Prophet of the consequent persecution he would face. His verification provided crucial support to the Prophetic mission of Muhammad (pbuh). But Waraqa died before even Prophet Muhammad began his prophetic preaching in public. However, his legacy as a witness to Prophet Muhammad's prophethood remains significant in Islamic tradition. Ibn Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah" (Biography of the Prophet Muhammad) and Ibn Sa'd's "Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra" (The Great Classes) and early Islamic historical texts have mentioned his name and prophecies in detail. Thus, the story of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) starts off with a Christian priest confirming his prophethood. The Prophet had his vital scriptural support in propagating a new faith tradition which was vehemently opposed to the Jahiliyya culture and Bedouin society of the Meccan pagans. Therefore, we need to explore references to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in earlier scriptures and revealed texts from various world religions. Not only the Biblical references from Christian scriptures (e.g., Gospel of John, Revelation) and Jewish scriptures (e.g., Torah, Talmud) mentioned these prophecies, Hindu scriptures (e.g., Bhavishya Purana, Atharva Veda) and Buddhist scriptures (e.g., Kalachakra Tantra) have also prophesied the prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Even Zoroastrian scriptures (e.g., Zend Avesta) which were divinely inspired, according to Islamic historiographer Abdul Karim Al-Shahristani (Kitab al–Milal wa al-Nihal; lit. The Book of Religions and Creeds) also contain such references. Christian Scripture Gospel of John mentioned the "Paraclete" or "Comforter" (John 14:16, 26; 16:7), interpreted as a reference to Prophet Muhammad. The holy Bible describes a figure called the "Spirit of Truth" (Revelation 19:10). Jewish Scripture “Torah” which is equally venerable in Islam suggests that Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 refers to Prophet Muhammad. It mentions a prophet named "Mahmad" or "Muhammad" as mentioned in Talmud. Zoroastrian Scripture “Zend Avesta” contains a reference to a prophet named "Mahmad" or "Muhammad". Hindu Scripture Bhavishya Purana described a prophet named "Mahamad" who will appear in Arabia. Atharva Veda mentioned a "Mahamati" (meaning: Muhammad) as a divine messenger. Buddhist Scriptures Kalachakra Tantra refers to a prophet named "Madhumati" or "Muhammad". The mention of "Mahamad" or "Muhammad" in Hindu scriptures is a topic of keen interest and debate among Comparative Religion scholars. Here's a brief overview: The Bhavishya Purana, a Hindu scripture compiled around 500-1000 CE, contains a passage in the Prati Sarg Parv, Ch. 3, Verses 1-5, which describes a prophet named "Mahamad". The text states: "Mahamad, the messenger of God, will appear in Arabia... He will have ten thousand followers and will vanquish the wicked... He will establish a new faith..." Several interpretations suggest this passage predicts the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Significantly, the Atharva Veda, an ancient Hindu scripture (estimated 1000-500 BCE), contains a mantra (20.126) that mentions "Mahamati". The verse reads: "Indra will glorify Mahamati, the destroyer of enemies..." Some scholars argue this refers to Prophet Muhammad, while others interpret "Mahamati" as a title for Lord Vishnu or another deity. The Kalki Purana, another Hindu scripture, describes the arrival of Kalki Avatar, the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There are interpretations which suggest that Kalki Avatar's characteristics match those of Prophet Muhammad but there are also significant inferences which state that these signs refer to the Imam Mahdi in Islam, in the lineage of Imam Ali (AS), the cousin and caliph of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The significance of these non-Islamic references lies in their potential to demonstrate a scriptural dialogue which can foster a genuine understanding and unity among Muslims and non-Muslims, without resorting to religious supremacy. Showing that Hindu scriptures acknowledge Prophet Muhammad's arrival in Arabia should also assert the point that Vedas and Upanishads are divine revelations. It should highlight shared cultural and spiritual heritage promoting an understanding and respect between Islamic and other scriptures. However, debates surrounding supremacy and an ‘exclusive authenticity’ lead to inter-religious skirmishes and cross-scriptural conflicts. Some Islamic preachers extensively quote the Hindu, Christian and Jewish scriptures to prove their Islamic beliefs but at the same time they question the authenticity of these non-Islamic scriptures, suggesting later interpolations. Different interpretations of the religious texts lead to varying conclusions. Understanding the historical and cultural context of these scriptures is vitally important. Scholars and theologians must continue to discuss and debate these references, emphasizing the importance of nuanced understanding and respect for diverse perspectives. Therefore, the world scriptures’ references to Prophet Muhammad as mentioned above are open to debate among scholars, with varying interpretations and perspectives, but they cannot be rejected outright. In our times, a Roman Catholic nun, noted writer and Christian woman mystic, Karen Armstrong, wrote one of the best books on the life of the Prophet (pbuh) “Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time”. She avers that Prophet Muhammad’s actual teachings are more relevant today than ever before, because “they offer crucial insight into the true origins of the misinterpreted and increasingly radicalised version of Islam”. Countering those who wrongly attribute to the Prophet (pbuh) a fanatical, retrogressive, misogynist and violent narrative of the faith, Ms Armstrong offered a moderate portrait of the Prophet (pbuh) and describes him as a “compassionate messenger” who lived a wholly merciful life. On the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, we need to revisit the true prophetic personality traits that we often overlook. We should particularly recall the Prophet’s mercifulness for all mankind, besides his truthfulness, forgiveness, generosity and magnanimity. The Meelad Khwans must also dwell on how gently the Prophet (pbuh) treated people of other faith-traditions on different historical occasions, especially with the pagans of the Makkah during the Hudaybiya peace treaty, the Jews of Madina, Christians of Najran and Habsha (Avicenna), and even those who professed no conventional belief. One of those moving moments was when the Prophet (pbuh) was sitting with a group of his companions and a Jewish funeral passed by. He stood up in respect of the deceased soul. But some of his companions, who had recently embraced Islam, asked him: “O Messenger of Allah, why did you stand up for the funeral of a Jew who used to live in denial of your message?” The Prophet replied: “Wasn’t he a human soul?” With his mercy and magnanimity for all people of religions, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) rejuvenated the compassionate messages of all previous prophets of God, and therefore, he is called “Rahmatul lil A’lamin” (mercy for all the worlds). Popularly known in Arabia as “Al-Ameen” (trustworthy) and Al-Sadiq (truthful), the Prophet (pbuh) was best described by his wife, Khadijah, as a person is best known to his wife. “You assist those stricken with”, she said. Tellingly, the two most significant attributes which Hazrat Khadija used for his husband are: Haqq (truthfulness) and Nawa’ib (calamities or vicissitudes). According to the interpretation of Imam Al-Qastalani—14th century Qur’an exegete and prominent Islamic theologian, while Haqq connotes a meaning similar to Khair (righteousness), Nawa’ib implies that the Prophet assisted both the righteous and the un-righteous, because the vicissitudes affect both of them. In fact, this was the mystical inclination from which his four personality traits—morality, reliability, sociability and truthfulness—were borne. -------- A Regular Columnist with Newageislam.com, Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi is an Indo-Islamic scholar, Sufi poet and English-Arabic-Urdu-Hindi writer with a background in a leading Sufi Islamic seminary in India. He is currently serving as Head of International Affairs at Voice for Peace & Justice, Jammu & Kashmir. 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