Session 5 – Jesus and Muhammad

In this session we will look at two different topics, we will compared what the Qur’an

says about Jesus to what the Bible says about Him

And we will look at the claims of many Muslims that Muhammad is prophesied

within the Bible itself

Who is Jesus in the Qur’an?

Better known as Isa ibn Mariam in the Qur’an (Isa (Jesus) son of Mariam)

Muslims claim to be the second largest world religion that tells people to love Jesus

For a Muslim, he must believe that Jesus was a Virgin-born, miracle-working

prophet of the first century sent by Allah

The name Isa is found in the Qur’an twenty five times, most of the time in the format of

Isa ibn Mariam

Some suggest the constant use of “Son of Mariam” is to counter the idea of

Christians that Jesus is the Son of God

Other times Isa isn’t used, and the term Messiah is used to address Jesus

Surah 19 is named after Jesus' mother, but the author seems confused between

Mary (mother of Jesus) and Miriam (brother of Moses)

We will read a portion of the text that seems to make this errors, the context is

talking about the birth of Jesus

In case you don’t know… they’re different people

Surah 19:27-29: “At length she brought him [the infant] to her people carrying him. They

said: “O Mary! Truly a villainous thing you have done!” “O sister of Aaron! Your father

was not a wicked man, nor was your mother unchaste.” She made a sign, pointing to him.

They replied: “How can we speak with he who is in the cradle, a babe?”

Notice the “brother of Aaron”? But it get’s worse

Surah 29: 30-33: “[Whereupon] He [the infant] spoke out: “I am indeed a servant of

Allah. He has given me the Book and has appointed me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wheresoever I may be and has

commanded me to pray and to give charity to the poor as long as I live. And [He] has made me dutiful to my mother and has not made

me oppressive, wicked. So peace be upon me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the

day that I shall be raised up to life [again].”

The Qur’an teaches a Virgin birth

It teaches Jesus talked from his cradle as an infant

They believe or mistake Mary mother of Jesus for Miriam sister of Moses

Most please Jesus speaks with a type of disembodied voice, but here we know

where he is! His Candle!

The Qur’an also teaches the second coming of Jesus in Surah 43:61

“And [the second coming of Jesus shall be] a sign of the Hour, therefore, do not have

any doubt about it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.”

Remember, tradition says they have an empty grave by Muhammad ready for

Christ’s return and eventual death

According to Islam, Jesus returns (as a Muslim of course) and prays

for the Muslim armies

According to the Hadith, he does the following when he comes back:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “BY Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary (Jesus) will shortly descend amongst

you people (Muslims)…

as a just ruler and will break the cross and kill the pig and abolish the jizya (a tax taken

from the non-Muslims who are in the protection of the Muslim government). Then

there will be abundance of money and nobody will accept charitable gifts.”

Notice he breaks the cross… which goes with the accusation that Christians worship the cross

Why do Muslims call Jesus the word of Allah? Sounds Biblical?

Surah 3:45-47: [And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives

you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this

world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ]….

He will speak to mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.”

She said: “My Lord! How can I have a child, when no man has touched me?” He replied: “Such is the will of Allah. He creates what He will. When he decrees a thing He only says:

“Be!” and it is.”

Allah spoke the word “Be!” and Jesus was. Hence he is the word of God

Surah 3:48-49: “And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the

Gospel. And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say],

'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you

from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah . And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to

the dead - by permission of Allah…

And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is

a sign for you, if you are believers.”

Notice that Jesus ministry is ONLY to Israel, and he is called a messenger,

not savior, or lord, or anything besides a messenger

According to the Qur’an, Jesus disciples were Muslims

Surah 3:52-53: “But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he

said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah ?" The disciples said," We are

supporters for Allah . We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims

[submitting to Him]. Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have

followed the messenger Jesus, so register us among the witnesses [to truth]."

The Qur’an records events/miracles that have no historical foundation

Surah 5:112-115: “[And remember] when the disciples said, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, can your

Lord send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven? [Jesus] said," Fear

Allah , if you should be believers.“They said, "We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be

reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses…

“Said Jesus, the son of Mary, "O Allah , our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with

food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of

providers.“Allah said, "Indeed, I will sent it down to you, but whoever disbelieves

afterwards from among you - then indeed will I punish him with a punishment by which I have

not punished anyone among the worlds."

This story has absolutely no connection to the historical gospels and sources by eye

witnesses of Jesus’ time

Which is a constant problem throughout the Qur’an, it attributes words and events to Jesus that are not substantiated by any

source at the time

And it often disagrees with the sources that we do have from the time

The vital issue of intercession

The Bible presents us with a Holy God and a sinful people in need of redemption

Jesus Christ is the mediator by which we can have fellowship with God once again

God’s wrath and holiness meet His mercy and grace in Jesus Christ

Muhammad did not understand this concept and rejected it… So what

happened then?

Muhammad steps in to fill the void that remains once you take Jesus out

of the picture

This aspect does resemble the idea the catholic church has created with Mary of

being a mediator between us and God

We will read a length portion of the Hadith in order to understand what Muslims believe

Hadith Qudsi, considered one of the most reliable hadiths by Muslims

Narrated Abu Huraira: Some (cooked) meat was brought to Allah Apostle and the meat of a

forearm was presented to him as he used to like it. He ate a morsel of it and said. "I will be the

chief of all the people on the Day of Resurrection. Do you know the reason for it?

Allah will gather all the human being of early generations as well as late generation on one

plain so that the announcer will be able to make them all-hear his voice and the watcher

will be able to see all of them. The sun will come so close to the people that they will

suffer such distress and trouble as they will not be able to bear or stand. Then the people will

say. 'Don't you see to what state you have reached? Won't you look for someone who can intercede for you with your Lord' Some people

will say to some others.

'Go to Adam.' So they will go to Adam and say to him. 'You are the father of mankind; Allah

created you with His Own Hand and breathed into you of His Spirit (meaning the spirit which he created for you); and ordered the angels to prostrate before you; so (please) intercede for us with your Lord. Don't you see in what state we are? Don't you see what condition we have

reached?' Adam will say. 'Today my Lord has become angry as He has never become before

nor will ever become thereafter.

He forbade me (to eat of the fruit of) the tree but I disobeyed Him . Myself! Myself! Myself!

(has more need for intercession). Go to someone else; go to Noah.' So they will go to Noah and say (to him). 'O Noah! You are the first (of Allah's Messengers) to the people of

the earth and Allah has named you a thankful slave; please intercede for us with your Lord. Don't you see in what state we are?' He will

say.' Today my Lord has become angry as He has never become nor will ever

become thereafter.

I had (in the world) the right to make one definitely accepted invocation and I made it

against my nation. Myself! Myself! Myself! Go to someone else; go to Abraham.' They will go to Abraham and say. 'O Abraham! You are Allah's

Apostle and His Khalil from among the people of the earth; so please intercede for us with your Lord. Don't you see in what state we are?' He will say to them. 'My Lord has today become

angry as He has never become before nor will ever become thereafter.

I had told three lies (Abu Haiyan (the sub-narrator) mentioned them in the Hadith)

Myself! Myself! Myself! Go to someone else; go to Moses.' The people will then go to Moses and say. 'O Moses! You art Allah's Apostle and

Allah gave you superiority above the others with this message and with His direct Talk to you; (please) intercede for us with your Lord Don't you see in what state we are?' Moses will say. 'My Lord has today become angry

as He has never become before nor will become thereafter.

I killed a person whom I had not been ordered to kill. Myself! Myself! Myself! Go to someone else; go to Jesus.' So they will go to Jesus and say. 'O Jesus! You are Allah's Apostle and His

Word which He sent to Mary and a superior soul created by Him and you talked to the people

while still young in the cradle. Please intercede for us with your Lord. Don't you see in what

state we are?' Jesus will say. 'My Lord has today become angry as He has never become before

nor will ever become thereafter.

Jesus will not mention any sin but will say. 'Myself! Myself! Myself! Go to someone else; go to Muhammad.' So they will come to me and say. 'O Muhammad ! You are Allah's Apostle and the last of the prophets and Allah forgave your early and late sins. (Please) intercede for us with your Lord. Don't you see in what state we are?" The Prophet added. "Then I will go beneath Allah's

Throne and fall in prostration before my Lord. And then Allah will guide me to such praises and glorification to Him as He has never guided

anybody else before me. Then it will be said.

'O Muhammad Raise your head. Ask and it will be granted. Intercede It (your

intercession) will be accepted.' So I will raise my head and Say. 'My followers. O my

Lord! My followers. O my Lord'. It will be said. 'O Muhammad! Let those of your followers who have no accounts enter

through such a gate of the gates of Paradise as lies on the right; and they will share the other gates with the people." The Prophet

further said.

"By Him in Whose Hand my soul is the distance between every two gate-posts of

Paradise is like the distance between Mecca and Busra (in Sham)." Volume 6. Book 60.

Number 236

It’s interesting to notice Jesus is the only one who doesn’t have sins (Muhammad did)

The Qur’an is directly opposed to the Bible, which says Jesus makes intercession for us

Prophecies of Muhammad in the Bible

One of the most stunning claims made by the Qur’an is that the Bible has prophecies

of Muhammad (some by name)

If that’s not true, that means the Qur’an is false and cannot be the truth

Liberal Muslims tend not to identify the prophecies and just say they are there, while conservatives try to identify them

Surah 7:157: “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom

they find described in their Torah and Gospel – he will enjoin on them good and forbid

them evil, he will make lawful for them all good things a prohibit for them what is foul, and he will relieve them of their burden and

the fetters that were upon them…”

Notice the phrase “Whom they find described in their Torah and Gospel”

We know from the Qur’an (and Muslims won’t disagree) that Muhammad is the “Unlettered prophet) Surah 7:158 says:

Say [O Muhammad]: “O Mankind! Truly I am the Messenger of Allah to you all; [the Messenger of] Him to whom belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no god save Him. He gives life and

He gives death…

This takes place in the 7th century, and the Qur’an says they find the prophet in their

scriptures! well we know exactly what their scriptures said in the 7th century, and it’s no

different from today

“…So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet who believes in

Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be rightly guided.”

The Qur’an also says that the Christians after Jesus were looking for another prophet that

would come named Ahmad (Surah 61:6)

There is no evidence from the time that the followers of Jesus were looking for another prophet, all we know is they were looking

for Christ to return

The Qur’an says for Muhammad to ask Christians if he doubts he prophesied

Surah 10:94: “So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have

revealed to you (that his named is written in the Torah and the Gospels), then ask those

who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to

you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters.?

Let’s look at the examples they try to give of Muhammad in the Bible

Most popular text cited: Deut 18:15-19

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, according to

all you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying,

‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, nor let me see this great fire

anymore, lest I die.’ “And the LORD said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good.

I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words,

which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.”

Millions of Muslims see this prophecy fulfilled in Muhammad, not Jesus

They contrast Jesus to Moses, saying for Jesus to be like Moses he’d have to be a

military leader or government leader (which he wasn’t) but Muhammad was!

They claim that Muhammad and Moses are “brothers” going back to Abraham with

Ishmael and Isaac

Unfortunately (or fortunately) there is no way Muhammad can fulfill this text in context

While one can try to say “brother” (Hebrew achi) can be extended to nations related to the Jewish people, this context won’t allow it

Deuteronomy 18:1-2: “The priests, the Levites—all the tribe of Levi—shall have no part nor

inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and His

portion.2 Therefore they shall have no inheritance among their brethren; the LORD is

their inheritance, as He said to them.”

We know this chapter has established the word to mean brothers (fellow Jews) verse 5

makes it even more clear

Deuteronomy 18:5: ”For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to

stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons forever.”

Brethren refers to the twelve tribes (the Jews) and cannot be a reference to the

descendants of Ishmael

The previous chapter gives the same context

Deuteronomy 17:15: “you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God

chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.”

Not only is it clear from the Jewish texts themselves that Muhammad cannot fulfill,

we have a very early understand in Christianity that Jesus fulfills this

Acts 3:22-24: ”For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren.

Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul

who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the

people.’ Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as

have spoken, have also foretold these days.”

We find that Jesus fulfills this prophecy perfectly in the way the prophecy says he will: “I [The Lord] will put My words in his

mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” Jesus did just that

John 14:24: “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word

which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.”

Is Muhammad the “Exalted One” of John 14 through 16?

The next most popular belief is that Muhammad is referred to when it talks

about the Advocate or Helper, which traditionally has been seen as the Holy Spirit

Many believe the term Helper should be applied to Muhammad because Ahmed can

mean “Exalted one” and they believe the text of John has been altered since written

They believe paracletos (the Paraclete, Helper, or Advocate) was not the original word, and periklutos (which means the

exalted or honored one) was the original.

If we allow John’s gospel to speak for itself, and all the earliest manuscripts we have

(and don’t assume something that has no evidence backing it) there is no support

for their claim

John 14:16: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He

may abide with you forever”

What are other obvious problems?

With them forever? Obviously Muhammad cannot fulfill and did not fulfill what was said

The promise is also for the immediate disciples who he is talking to… Muhammad

came 600 years later

The Helper is identified as the spirit of truth whom will abide with the disciples and be in them (obviously Muhammad didn’t do that)

Speaking of the spirit of truth/helper, the world does no see Him nor know Him,

obviously the world saw Muhammad and knows about him from history

John 14:26 says the Helper will teach us all things… Muhammad didn’t do that

John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the

Father, He will testify of Me.”

The Helper is sent by Jesus, and according to Islam only God can send a prophet… If this refers to Muhammad, and Jesus sent

him, therefore Jesus is God?

The last one we will discuss claims the very name of Muhammad is found in the Bible

Where you might ask? Song of Solomon

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!”

“Most sweet” is the word mam’takkim, she then says he is altogether lovely

“machamaddim”

Machamaddim is from chamad, which means “desire, desirable thing”, “precious object”,

and “what is pleasing to the eye”

What does any of this have to do with Muhammad? Well logically, linguistically,

and historically, nothing at all. But to Muslims, many believe this mentions

Muhammad’s name

How do they come to that conclusion?

By ignoring the problems that arise when moving from one language to another (even if they are both Semitic languages, they still

have different grammar and syntactical structures) Muslims moved from

machamaddim to machamad (singular) to Muhammad, finally showing that

Muhammad’s name is found in scripture!

If that is true, let’s be consistent

That means Muhammad is taken away from a house in 1 Kings 20:6

It would mean Muhammad is destroyed by fire in 2 Chronicles 36:19

It would also mean Muhammad becomes a ruin in Isaiah 64:10

Most people do not require further explanation of the problems associated

with this type of claim

Memory Verse

John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you

from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He

will testify of Me.”