Sîrah Series : Signs of Muhammad’s Prophethood & The Jews and Christians Knowing of his coming

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Ibn Ishâq said: “The Arab soothsayers, Jewish rabbis and Christian monks spoke about the emergence of the Messenger of Allâh صلى الله عليه وسلم a short time before his Prophetic mission. The Jewish rabbis and Christian monks took their news from what is mentioned in their Scriptures, and the covenants taken from them by their Prophets (to belive him him once he emerged). The Arab soothsayers took theirs from their companions of the Jinn and Devils who used to hear stealthily of the news of the heavens, before they were prevented and thrown by the flaming fires.” (Sîrah Ibn Hishâm pg. 99)

Allâh says:

ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓۙ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) whom they find written with them in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) – he commands them for Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Tayyibât (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allâh’s Covenant with the children of Israel), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’ân) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful. (Sûrah Al-‘Arâf 7:157)

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The du’â of Ibrâhîm & glad tidings of ‘Îsâ

Abû Umâmah said, “I said, `O Allâh’s Messenger! What was the first good news of your coming’ The prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: I am the invocation made to Allâh from my father Ibrâhîm and the glad tidings ‘Îsâ delivered. When my mother was pregnant with me, she had a dream in which she saw a light emanating from her that radiated the palaces of Busrâ in Ash-Shâm -(Syria).’ (At-Tabâranî, Musnad of Imâm Ahmad. Declared authentic by Ibn Kathîr in his Tafsîr & Al-Albânî in Sahîh As-Sîrah)

Shaykh Al-Albânî said: This hadîth contains glad tidings for Busrâ for it was the first piece of land to which the light of Prophethood arrived, all praise belongs to Allâh. This is why Busrâ was the first city of Syria that was conquered peacefully during Abû Bakr’s caliphate (Sahîh as-Sîrah)

Allâh says: (Ibrâhîm supplication for the people of Makkah)

رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allâh answered their invocation by sending Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur’ân) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islâmic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood), and purify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” (Sûrah al-Baqarah 2:129)

Allâh says:

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُۖ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

And (remember) when ‘Îsâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allâh unto you, confirming the Taurât [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad. But when he (Ahmad i.e. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.” (Sûrah As-Saf 61:6)

The prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: I have names. I am Muhammad, and I am Ahmad. I am Al-Mâhî through whom Allâh will eliminate disbelief. I am Al-Hâshir who will be the first to be resurrected, with the people being resurrected Hereafter. I am also Al-‘Âqib (i.e., there will be no Prophet after me).”) (Sahîh Muslim)

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The Angel’s knowing before Âdam was created

The Messenger of Allâh صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “I was with Allâh as the Seal of the Prophets when Âdam was still in the form of mud – between spirit and body – on the ground.

In another narration : Abû Hurayrah asked the Messenger of Allâh صلى الله عليه وسلم : “When was the prophethood established for you?” He replied: “Between the creation of Âdam and the spirit being breathed into him.”

(Musnad Imâm Ahmad 16623, 17150, Ibn Hibbân, At-Tirmidhî. Declared Sahîh by Al-Albânî)

It is mentioned in the Gospel of Barnabas: ‘Then God gave his soul to man, while all the holy angels sang: “Blessed be your holy name, O God our Lord.” “Adam, having sprung upon his feet, saw in the air a writing that shone like the sun;, which said: “There is none worthy of worship but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” (Chapter 39)

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The appearance of a star

Hassan ibn Thâbit narrated: “By Allâh, I was about seven or eight years old, I had not reached maturity but I could perceive and understand the things that I heard and saw. One morning a Jewish man was running crying out on in Atmah (a place) in Yathrib (Medînah) ‘O gathering of Jews!’ Jews gathered around the man saying ‘What is it? Why are you shouting?’ The man was crying out: ‘Let me give this news to you, Ahmad’s star has appeared tonight. Ahmad was born tonight.” (Ibn Ishâq. Declared Hasan by Al-Albânî)

Abû Nu’aim and Muhammad Ibn Hibbân reported on the authority of Usâmah ibn Zayd that Zayd ibn ‘Amr ibn Nufayl said: “A rabbi from the rabbis of Syria informed me:’ A prophet has emerged or will emerge from your country, as the star indicating his emergence has appeared. So return to your land and believe in him and follow him.'” (Declared Hasan by Al-Albânî)

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‘Prophethood is not with the Israelites anymore‘

Ibn al-Sa’d regarding the issue:

“There was a Jewish man living in Mecca. In the morning after the night the Messenger of God was born, he went and stood in front of the people of Quraish and asked: “Was a baby boy born tonight in your tribe?” People of Quraish answered: We do not know. Upon this answer, he continued his speech: “Go, search and seek; the prophet of this nation was born tonight. He has got a sign on his back (between his shoulders) with some hairs resembling horse hair. He will not breastfeed for two consecutive nights because an Ifrît will place his finger in his mouth to prevent him.” People of Quraish were astonished, and then they went and made a search. They came to the Jewish man and gave the news: “Abdullâh had a son tonight; he has got a sign on his back.” The Jewish man went and saw the seal of prophethood on his back which resembles a small egg. The Jew then fell unconscious. After he came around, he cried out as if he had lost his mind:“Prophethood is not with Israelites anymore. Are you happy with this o gathering of Quraish? The people of Quraish will be bestowed with such a great fame that it will be heard everywhere from east to west.” (Ibn Ishâq)

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The Jew from the tribe of ‘Abd al-Ashhal

It is narrated on the authority of Salamah Ibn Salâmah Ibn Waqsh, who participated in the battle of Badr, that he said: We had a Jewish neighbour from Banu ‘Abd al-Ashhal, who came out to us one day from his house. At that time, I was one of the youngest in my people and I was lying on a gown of mine in my family’s courtyard. The Jew spoke of the Resurrection, reckoning, balance of deeds, Paradise and Hell. When he spoke about these things to the polytheists who thought there could be no resurrection after death, they said to him: “O man, do you really think such things could take place? Do you think that men could be raised from dead to a place where there is Paradise and Hell in which they will be recompensed for their deeds?” He said: “Yes!, by Him whom one swears by, I believe that my share of that Fire will be like the hottest oven in your house. It will be heated up and I will be cast into it and the next day I will be delivered from that Fire.” When they asked for a sign of his claims, he pointed towards Makkah and Yemen saying “A prophet will be sent from the direction of this land.” When they asked him when he would appear, he looked at me, the youngest person and said “This boy, if he lives his natural term we will see him.” By Allâh, only days and nights passed before Allâh sent His Messenger and he lived amongst us. We believed in him, but that man denied him out of animosity and wickedness. We said to him after this: “What is the matter with you! Woe to you! Are you not the one who said such and such to us about him what you said?” He said: “Certainly, but this is not him.” (Imâm Ahmads Musnad 3:467. Declared Hasan by Al-Albânî)

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The story of Sawâd Ibn Qârib Al-Azadî/Al-Sadûsî

Narrated by ‘Abdullâh ibn’ Umar:

I never heard ‘Umar saying about something that he thought it would be so-and-so, but he was quite right. Once, while `Umar was sitting, a handsome man passed by him, `Umar said, “If I am not mistaken, this person is still on his religion of the pre-lslamic period of ignorance or he was their soothsayer. Call the man to me.” When the man was called to him, he told him of his thought. The man said, “I have never seen such a day on which a Muslim is faced with such an accusation.” `Umar said, “I am determined that you should tell me the truth.” He said, “I was a soothsayer in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance.” Then `Umar said, “Tell me the most astonishing thing your female Jinn has told you of.” He said, “One-day while I was in the market, she came to me scared and said, ‘Haven’t you seen the Jinns and their despair and they were overthrown after their defeat (and prevented from listening to the news of the heaven) so that they (stopped going to the sky and) kept following camel-riders (i.e. ‘Arabs)?” `Umar said, “He is right.” and added, “One day while I was near their idols, there came a man with a calf and slaughtered it as a sacrifice (for the idols) [and we were waiting till it would be divided and distributed amongst us]. An (unseen) creature shouted at him, and I have never heard harsher than his voice. He was crying, ‘O you Najîh (tribe)! A matter of success! An eloquent man who will say: None has the right to be worshipped except O Allah. ‘ On that the people fled, but I said, ‘I shall not go away till I know what is behind this.’ Then the cry came again: ‘O you Najîh! A matter of success! An eloquent man who will say: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah.’ I then went away and a few days later it was said, “A prophet has appeared.” (Sahîh al-Bukhârî 3866)

Shaykh Al-Albânî said:

The person’s name was Sawaad Ibn Qârib al-Azadî, and some said he is Sawâd Ibn Qârib al-Sadûsî, from the people of al-Sarâh, from the mountains of al-Balqâ’, and he was one of the Companions (Sahîh As-Sîrah).

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Bâhîrah the monk

Abû Mûsa Al-Ash’ari:”Abû Tâlib departed to Ash-Shâm, and the Prophet (ﷺ) left with him, along with some older men from the Quraish. When they came across the monk – Bahîrah – they stopped there and began setting up their camp, and the monk came out to them. Before that they used to pass by him and he wouldn’t come out nor pay attention to them.” He said: “They were setting up their camp when the monk was walking amidst them, until he came and took the hand of the Messenger of Allâh (ﷺ). Then he said: ‘This is the master of the men and jinn, this is the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds. Allâh will raise him as a mercy to the men and jinn.’ So some of the older people from the Quraish said: ‘What do you know?’ He said: ‘When you people came along from the road, not a rock nor a tree was left, except that it prostrated, and they do not prostrate except for a Prophet. And I can recognize him by the seal of the Prophethood which is below his shoulder blade, like an apple.’ Then he went back, and made them some food, and when he brought it to them, he [the Prophet (ﷺ)] was tending to the camels. So he said: ‘Send for him.’ So he came, and there was a cloud over him that was shading him. When he came close to the people, he found that they had beaten him to the tree’s shade. So when he sat down, the shade of the tree leaned towards him. He (the monk) said: ‘Look at the shade of the tree leaning towards him.'” He said: “So while he was standing over them, telling them not to take him to Rome with him – because if the Romans were to see him, they would recognize him by his description, and they would kill him – he turned, and there were seven people who had come from Rome. So he faced them and said: ‘Why have you come?’ They said: ‘We came because this Prophet is going to appear during this month, and there isn’t a road left except that people have been sent to it, and we have been informed of him, and we have been send to this road of yours.’ So he said: ‘Is there anyone better than you behind you?’ They said: ‘We only have news of him from this road of yours.’ He said: ‘Do you think that if there is a matter which Allâh wishes to bring about, there is anyone among the people who can turn it away?’ They said: ‘No.'” He said: “So they gave him their pledge, and they stayed with him. And he said: ‘I ask you by Allâh, which of you is his guardian?’ They said: ‘Abu Talib.’ So he kept adjuring him until Abu Talib returned him (back to Makkah) and he sent Abu Bakr and Bilal with him. And the monk gave him provisions of Ka’k (a type of bread) and olive oil.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhî 3620. Declared Sahîh by Al-Albânî, but the mention of Bilâl mentioned is rejected as he was not born yet)

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The woman from Madînah and her jinn

Al-Hâfidh Abû Nu’aim reported from Jâbir ibn ‘Abdullâh: The first news that arrived Al-Madînah about the advent of the Prophet (ﷺ) was as follows: A certain woman in Al-Madînah had an assistant from the Jinn. He (the Jinn) came (to her) in the form of a white bird and landed on the wall. She said to him: “Will you not come down to us and speak to us and we speak to you, and you inform us and we inform you?”

He (the Jinn) said: “A Prophet has been sent in Makkah, who has prohibited illegal sexual intercourse, and taken away our tranquillity (and prevented from listening to the news of the heaven).” (Abû Nu’aim Dalâil al-Nubuwwah 56. Declared Hasan by Al-Albânî)

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The polytheists vs the people of the book

‘Âsim Ibn Umar narrated from a group of men from his people: From the things that guided us to Islâm in addition to mercy and guidance from Allâh, was what we had learnt from the Jews. We were polytheists, and they were people of the Scripture, and had knowledge which we did not possess. Whenever there were disputes between us and they received from us such of harm as they disliked,they would say to us: ” We are close in time to the emergence of a Prophet to be sent by Allâh and we, along with him, would kill you in the same manner as both ‘Âd and Iram were killed.” We used to hear that from them regularly.

When Allâh sent His Messenger with Islâm, we responded to him once he called us to Allâh and knew the reality of that which they threatened us with, thereupon we preceded them to it. Thus we believed in him, whereas they disbelieved in him.

It was for this reason Allâh revealed Sûrah Baqarah 89. (Ibn Ishâq, Sirah of Ibn Hisham, Tafsir Ibn Kathîr, Declared Sahih by Al-Albani)

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The mention of Ibn al-Haybân

‘Âsim Ibn Umar Ibn Qatâdah narrated that an old man from Banu Quraythah said to him: “Do you know how Tha’labah Ibn Sa’yah, Usayd Ibn Sa’yah and Asad Ibn’ Ubayd from Banu Quraythah embraced Islâm? They were brothers of Banu Quraythah, they were ordinary people from Banu Hadl and later became leaders in Islâm.” I then said I do not know. He responded:” There was a Jew from Shâm called Ibn al-Haybân who came to us and lived in Medinah some years before the advent of Islâm. “

He continued : “We did not see a man that did not pray the 5 daily prayers better than him. At that time we experienced a drought so we would ask him to come out and pray for rain for us. He declined to do so unless we gave him a sa’ of dates or two mudd of barley in charity. On doing so, he would go outside our Harrah and pray for rain for us. By Allâh, hardly had he left his place before clouds passed over us and rained. He did this not once, twice or thrice (but many times). When he was about to die while he was amongst us, he said:”O Jews, what do you think made me leave the land of bread and wine to come to the land of hardship and hunger?” They said:”You know better.” He said:” I have come to this territory expecting to see the emergence of a prophet whose time is at hand. This is the town where he would migrate and I hoped that he would be sent so that I could follow him. His time has drawn near so, let none follow him before you, for he will be sent to shed the blood of those who oppose him and capture their women and children. Let not that keep you back from believing in him.” Thus, when the Messenger of Allâh was sent and besieged Banu Quraythah, those young men said: ‘This is the Prophet to whom Ibn al-Haybân referred.” Some of them said that this is not true, but the others asserted that he is really the Prophet as described. Accordingly they came down the fortress and embraced Islâm. In this way saved their lives, property and families.” (Al-Bayhaqi 2:80. Declared Sahîh by Al-Albânî)

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The story of Salmân al-Fârisî

https://fawaaids.com/2020/08/28/salman-al-farisi-searches-for-the-truth/

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Appendix: Mention of the Prophet in the Tawrâh & Injîl

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنْجِيلِ

“Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad) whom they find written with them in the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)… (Sûrah al-A’râf 7:157)

The Jews immigration to Saudi Arabia dates back to the destruction of the first temple by the Romans. After the 2nd Century, immigration began earnest until by the 6th/7th Century, there was a considerable Jewish population in Hijâz (mostly in Medinah).

It is evident from the above narrations and history that the Jews migrated to Arabia expecting a prophet based on biblical testimony. Some texts will be mentioned below:

הֵן עַבְדִּי אֶתְמָךְ-בּוֹ, בְּחִירִי רָצְתָה נַפְשִׁי; נָתַתִּי רוּחִי עָלָיו, מִשְׁפָּט לַגּוֹיִם יוֹצִיא…. יִשְׂאוּ מִדְבָּר וְעָרָיו, חֲצֵרִים תֵּשֵׁב קֵדָר; יָרֹנּוּ יֹשְׁבֵי סֶלַע, מֵרֹאשׁ הָרִים יִצְוָחוּ

1) Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My spirit upon him, he shall make the right to go forth to the nations….He will sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the Earth and all who live in them… Let the wilderness and the towns thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar do inhabit; let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the top of the mountains. (Isiah 42:1-11)

A few points:

– This verse includes a prophecy of a prophet whom Allâh is well pleased with. He will be chosen, selected and supported by Allâh. He will be commanded to propagate his call to the entire world (different nations). (The prophet said: “Allâh has given me that which he did not give to any other prophet… He has sent me as a messenger to all mankind” Sahîh Muslim 523)

– It is well known that ‘Abdullâh’ (The servant of Allâh) is a reference to Muhammad. Allâh says: “Yet when the servant of Allâh (Abdullâh ref to Muhammad) stood up supplicating…”(Qur’ân 72:19). Likewise ‘Al-Mustafâ’ (The chosen one) is a reference to Muhammad (See Qur’ân 6:124)

– The verse then mentions certain characteristics which this prophet will possess such as not raising his voice in the streets and not growing weak nor being discouraged to establish justice on Earth.

Anyone who is familiar with the Prophet Muhammads صلى الله عليه وسلم characteristics is fully aware that he possessed the best of manners. Allâh says: “And verily, you O Muhammad are on an exalted standard of character.” (Qur’ân 68:4). Similarly, Allâh says: “And by the Mercy of Allâh, you (Muhammad) dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh – hearted they would have broken away from you.” (Qur’ân 3:159).

Anas said regarding the Prophet “He was the most handsome, the most generous and the bravest of all people…” (Muslim 2307).

– We then have a mention of the Prophet singing a ‘new song’. Prophet Muhammad came with a new Islâm (in a specific sense) and law of Qur’ân. And the praise of Allâh (by way of this religion) should be followed and accepted by all. The prophet said: “This religion will certainly reach every place touched by night and day, Allâh will not leave a house or residence but Allâh will cause this religion to enter it.. (Musnad Imâm Ahmad 16957).

– Following this, there is an indication of the place the Prophet and this new religion will emerge from and gain strength – Arabia, more specifically Medînah.

Kedar or قيدار : is the name of the second son of Ismâ’îl and sometimes a reference to the tribes of Kedar – inhabitants of Northern-Western Arabian Peninsula.

Mount Sela or سلع: a mountain situated in the Medinah Municipality in Saudi Arabia.

Albert Barnes (d. 1870) said: “… It is a call upon Arabia in general to rejoice in the mercy of God, and to give glory to him for providing a plan of redemption – an intimation that to the descendants of Ishmael the blessings of the gospel would be extended” (Isiah 42:11 commentary).

Further, the people of the book – particularly the Jews – knew of the exact location and its descriptions. In the previous narrations, it has been mentioned that the Prophet would appear somewhere between two rocky scorched plains, with date palms (i.e reference to Medînah).

2) The disciples answered, “O Master, who shall that man be of whom you speak, who shall come into the world?” Jesus answered with joy of heart: ‘He is Muhammad;, Messenger of God, and when he comes into the world, even as the rain makes the earth to bear fruit when for a long time it has not rained, even so shall he be occasion of good works among men, through the abundant mercy which he shall bring. For he is a white cloud full of the mercy of God, which mercy God shall sprinkle upon the faithful like rain.’ (The Gospel of Barnabas Chapter 163)

3) ετι πολλα εχω ϋμιν λεγειν · αλλ ου δυναϲθαι βαϲτα ζειν · οταν δε ελθη εκεινοϲ · το πνα  τηϲ αληθιαϲ · οδη γηϲει ϋμαϲ εν τη  αληθεια · ου γαρ λα ληϲει αφ εαυτου · αλλʼ οϲἁ ακουει λα ληϲει . και τα ερχομενα αναγγελλει ημιν : εκεινοϲ εμε δοξαϲει · οτι εκ του εμου λημψεται · κ(αι) αναγγελλει ϋμιν (Codex Syriacus)

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the comforter/spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me… (John 16 12-15).

A few points:

– The Greek word paravklhtoß, ho parakletos, has been translated as ‘Comforter.’  Parakletos more precisely means ‘one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor.’  The ho parakletos is a person in the Greek language, not an incorporeal entity.  In the Greek language, every noun possesses gender; that is, it is masculine, feminine or neutral.

– The one being referred to in this text is not ‘the holy ghost/spirit’ as ‘the holy spirit’ was present during the life of Jesus (see Luke 1:35 and Matthew 3:16). Thus, the one being referenced in the text will not appear or come until Jesus leaves Earth. Similarly, it is evident the one being referenced in this text is human due to the usage of the words ‘he’ and not ‘it’, and the words ‘speak’, ‘hear’.

– The characteristics of this person fit the description of the Prophet ….

• Allah says (which means) ”Nor does he (Muhammad) speak of (his own) desire. It is a revelation which has been revealed to him” (Surah An-Najm 53:3-4).
• The Messenger of Allah has explained things to come (i.e unseen events) so much so that we cannot enumerate them. He has mentioned things that have occurred (i.e the large fire in Medinah in 654 AH, Islam spreading beyond the Arabian Peninsula, Muslims fighting the Turks/Tartars), things that have occurred and are ongoing (i.e Arabs competing for tall buildings, spread of tribulations, people longing for death, spread of killing & fornication & musical instruments & female singers & alcohol-consumption, women dressing up clothed yet naked, appointment of unqualified people to positions of authority, the police oppressing the people, trust and honesty being lost, Saudi Arabia turning green, River Euphrates drying up), and things which are yet to occur (i.e animals & inanimate objects speaking to humans, the appearance of the Mahdi and other major signs).
• ‘He will glorify me…’ No doubt for Muslims to believe in Jesus is a requirement of faith. We hold Jesus to be from the Ulool-‘Azm (The Messengers of Strong Will 46:35). The prophet also said about Jesus ” I am the closest of the people to Jesus son of Mary in this life and in the Hereafter. The prophets have one religion and there was no other prophet between us” (Sahih Muslim 2365). The Qur’an glorifies Jesus, Allah says (meaning) ”(Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” – and he was! i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.” Likewise Allah mentions many virtues in the Qur’an regarding Jesus, such as miracles that he performed that even the Bible has no account of (see 3:48-51). Similarly, the Messenger has mentioned regarding Jesus, ”No one spoke in the cradle but three persons, Jesus son of Mary…(Bukhari and Muslim).

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