Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 20:2 (Summer 2016)
Article: Does The Bible Predict The Coming Of Muhammad?
Author: Tony Costa

SBJT 20:2 (Summer 2016) p. 59

Does The Bible Predict The Coming Of Muhammad?

Tony Costa

Tony Costa teaches apologetics at the Toronto Baptist Seminary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and also serves as adjunct professor with Heritage College and Seminary, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, and Providence Theological Seminary in Franklin, Tennessee. He earned his PhD in theology and New Testament studies from Radboud University in the Netherlands. He also holds a BA and MA in religious, biblical, and philosophical studies from the University of Toronto.

In Islamic apologetics one inevitably comes across Muslims who, in their interaction with Jews and with Christians in particular, argue that the Bible mentions and prophesied the Islamic prophet Muhammad. This argument usually comes as a surprise to Christians and Jews, and those who are familiar with their Scriptures who will often reply that they have never seen any such references to Muhammad. Many prominent Muslim apologists have written and argued for the biblical support of Muhammad, most notably was the Muslim apologist Ahmed Deedat. Deedat’s work has a wide influence on many aspiring Muslim apologists. One of Deedat’s books argued that Muhammad was prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments.1

Christians need to be aware of some of the texts Muslims cite in support of the claim that Muhammad is prophesied in the Bible.2 What is the justification for the claim that Muhammad is found in the Bible?

Texts In The Qur’an

The claim itself comes from the Qur’an3 which asserts that Muhammad’s coming is described in the Scriptures of the ahl al-kitab, i.e., the People of the Book, a title given to Jews and Christians in the Qur’an. This claim

SBJT 20:2 (Summer 2016) p. 60

appears in at least two significant passages, “Those who follow the messenger [Muhammad], the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them” (Q 7:157; italics mine). In the Qur’an, Jesus actually predicts the coming of Muhammad,

And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad4 (Yusuf Ali translation).

The first important thing to note is that the Qur’an claims in 7:157 that the Torah and the Gospel are “with them,” i.e., the Scriptures o...