A question asked by many honest researchers, Muslims and Christians alike.
We read in the Holy Quran:“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written among them in the Torah and the Gospel.”[Al-A’raf: 157].
If so, where do we find these prophecies in the Bible? Does it really refer to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him?
In this article, we honestly and calmly review the most famous texts cited, and examine their context in the Bible, so that together we can reach a clearer understanding.
First: The prophecy of the “prophet similar to Moses” in the Book of Deuteronomy
Among the most frequently referred to texts are:
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers, and I will put my words in his mouth…”(Deuteronomy 18:18)
🔹 Why is it understood that this prophecy is about Muhammad?
- Muhammad, peace be upon him, came from the “brothers” of the Children of Israel (the Arab Ismailis).
- He was a prophet, politician, and leader, similar to Moses, peace be upon him.
- He came centuries after Moses, which applies to the sequence of prophecy.
🔹 How do Christians understand this text?
- The immediate context in Deuteronomy refers toA series of prophetsWhom God will raise up for the children of Israel (verse 15: “A prophet from among you, from your brothers, like me, to whom you will listen”).
- In the New Testament, the apostles apply this prophecy toJesus ChristBecause:
- He came from the children of Israel (descendants of David).
- He was the mediator of a new covenant just as Moses was the mediator of the old covenant.
- Speak to people directly by God’s inspiration, not through an angel.
“For Moses said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you one of your brothers a prophet like me.’ To him you will listen…”(Acts 3:22)
🔹 Point to think:
Does “their brothers” necessarily mean Arabs? Or does the biblical context show that the prophecy was directed first to the children of Israel, and then Abraham’s blessing extended to all nations?
Second: The prophecy of the “unlettered prophet” in Isaiah 29
This verse is sometimes cited:
“The word is given to someone who does not know how to write… and he says, ‘I do not know how to write.’”(Isaiah 29:12)
🔹 Similarities:
- The description of the Prophet as “not knowing how to write” is consistent with the Qur’an’s description of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, as “an illiterate prophet.”
🔹 Written context:
- This verse is part of a prophecy aboutFormal religionPrevalent in the time of Isaiah, where people read the words with their lips but their hearts were far away.
- The “book” here refers to a sealed scroll, not to someone who cannot read.
- There is no reference in the context to the coming of a new prophet from outside Israel.
🔹Important note:
The Bible does not belittle the illiterate prophet, but rather praises simplicity and humility. But applying this verse to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, requires stronger contextual evidence.
Third: “Pharaclete” in the Gospel of John: Is he Muhammad?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises his disciples:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth…”(John 14:16-17)
The original Greek word is **Παράκλητος **(Parakletos), meaning “comforter,” “intercessor,” “helper.”
🔹 Why is this linked to Muhammad?
- Some researchers believe that “Ahmed” or “Muhammad” may be a translation or distortion of the Greek word “Periklutos,” which means “the praised one.”
- The description of the Spirit as “guiding you into all truth” (John 16:13) is consistent with the guiding role of the prophet.
🔹 How is the text understood in its context?
- Jesus makes it clear that this is the “Comforter.”“Spirit of truth”(John 14:17), not a human being.
- He says:“He will stay with you forever”– This applies to the Holy Spirit who descended on the disciples on the day of Pentecost, and not to a prophet who would come centuries later.
- In the same chapter, Jesus explicitly links the “Holy Spirit” and the “Comforter” (John 14:26).
🔹 Question for reflection:
If Jesus promised his disciples a Comforter who would come “in a short time” (Acts 1:4-5), does this apply to the coming of Muhammad, peace be upon him, 600 years later? Or was the promise made to the generation of disciples themselves?
Fourth: What do the books really predict about the future?
Instead of looking for names, let’s see what the Bible clearly says about the Savior’s coming:
🔹Torah: Prophecies about “the seed of the woman” who will crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), and about “Shiloh,” to whom the peoples will obey (Genesis 49:10).
🔹PsalmsPsalm 22 describes the suffering of the crucified one in amazing detail centuries before the crucifixion.
🔹Isaiah 53: Describes a “servant of the Lord” who suffers for the sins of his people — a text that Christians see as perfectly applicable to Jesus.
🔹New Testament: confirms that“The sum of the word is the truth.”(Psalm 119:160), and that Jesus is“The purpose of the law”(Romans 10:4).
Fifth: An important point of agreement: The Bible calls for discrimination
Both books – the Qur’an and the Bible – call for verification and not to accept any claim without proof:
- The Qur’an says:“O you who have believed, if a sinner comes to you with news, then investigate.”[Chambers: 6]
- The New Testament says:“But put all things to the test; hold fast what is good.”(1 Thessalonians 5:21)
So, there is nothing wrong with looking honestly: Are these prophecies literally applied to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him? Or does it have a deeper meaning in the context of biblical revelation?
A summary of personal reflection
| The claim | Cited text | Biblical context | A question for reflection |
|---|---|---|---|
| A prophet like Moses | Deuteronomy 18:18 | Series of Prophets for Israel | Does “brothers” mean Arabs or Israelites? |
| The illiterate prophet | Isaiah 29:12 | A prophecy about a formal religion | Is the context talking about a person or a spiritual condition? |
| Al-Farqalit | John 14-16 | Promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples | Does “he will abide with you forever” apply to a human prophet? |
A final invitation: search for the truth with an open heart
Dear researcher,
Whether you are a Muslim looking for confirmation of your faith, a Christian wanting to understand another point of view, or a neutral seeker — God sees your heart.
“And you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:13)
We do not want to prove the “authenticity” of one book over another through argument, but rather to help you:
- Read texts in their original context.
- Understand how each religion interprets its prophecies.
- Make a personal decision based on knowledge, not tradition.
If you want to start your reading journey, we suggest:
- Reading the Gospel of John (a short book that focuses on the identity of Christ).
- Compare the verses of Deuteronomy 18 with Acts 3 to understand the Christian interpretation.
- Praying sincerely: “O God, show me the truth and enable me to follow it.”
“The truth will know you, and the truth will set you free.”(John 8:32)