HISTORY OF MESSENGERS-2

1
THE BIRTH OF HIS MOTHER, MARY

One of the latest prophets among Israelites was Prophet Zachary. His father was Berhiya,
a descendant of Prophet Solomon. We don't know much about Messenger Zachary's birth
and youth. He married to Fakur's (or Fakud) daughter, Isya. He was the priest of The Holy
House, but also a carpenter to earn his living. Fakur's other daughter, Hanna, married to
Imran bin Masan who was the son of a well-known family (3:33). Hanna is also
mentioned in the Holy Book with her supplication and the acceptance of her supplication
(3:37). These definitely show the importance of this family and this woman. There is no
doubt that God was pleased with her and her family.
Both daughters of Fakur had been married for years but did not have any children.
Imran's wife, Hanna, was once sitting under a tree, and saw a bird nest on the tree. A
mother bird was nursing her baby. Hanna was moved by this picture of love and
compassion between the mother and her child. In excitement, she prayed asking for a
child from God.
God fulfilled the wish of Hanna. After a while she became pregnant. She was happy and
thankful to God (3:35). Not long after this, the father of the child passed away. She
prayed to God again. 'When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! Behold! I am
delivered of a female child!" - And God knew best what she brought forth - "And nowise is
the male like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to
Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected.' (3:36)
This sincere praying was accepted by God, who knows what is in our hearts. The newborn
baby, Mary, was protected by God. God tells us about this event in the Holy Book 'Right
graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty: to the care of
Zachary was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found
her supplied with sustenance. He said: " O Mary! Whence (comes) this to you?" She said:
from God: for God provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.' (3:37)
Hanna took little Mary to the clergy of The Holy House. She told them about her vow. One
of these people was her brother-in-law Zachary. She asked them to take Mary and
educate her to be a servant of the house of God.
It was the first time that such an offer was made to The Holy House. A girl was being
given to the place. They talked it over, and accepted her later. Little Mary was taken from
her mother. But, who was going to take care of her?
The argument was going on and on, and no one was listening to another. Zachary's
situation was special and he reminded that to the others. "Mary's aunt is my wife.
Therefore you should leave her with me." But this was not acceptable. The debate could
not continue like this. No one was willing to let her stay with someone else. Then came
another offer: Let God be the judge among us. Everybody took a pen. They all went to a
riverbank. It has been said that this was the Jordan river. They were going to throw their
pens into the river. Whomsoever had a pen, which didn. t sink, was going to be the
caretaker of the child. They said:"O God, you be the judge among us. You decide on the
best person to take care of Mary."
They then threw their pens to the water one by one. Zachary's pen did not sink but
floated on the water when it was his turn. Thus, everybody accepted Zachary as her
caretaker. He took Mary. Zachary found a wet-nurse for her. Mary stayed with her aunt
for a while, later she was given a room, which is called mihrab in The Holy House, by
Zachary. She lived and worshipped in that room.
Zachary was responsible for Mary's care and was also a Messenger at the same time. He
was finding food with Mary, whenever he visited her room. This food was special and was
not of the kind that could be found easily.

2
Zachary was surprised every time he went into the room. He knew that nobody was
entering that room but he. Mary was not leaving the room either. Then he asked Mary: "O
Mary. Where is this food coming from?"
She replied calmly: "From God.."
There is no doubt that God gives food as much as He wants to anybody He pleases with.
Zachary was very excited when he heard this.

THE BIRTH OF JOHN the BAPTIST

Zachary prayed to his Lord saying:

"O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure; for Thou art He that
heareth prayer!"(3:38).
Zachary knew that he could not possibly have a child since he was very old and his wife
was barren. After leaving Mary, he went to a quiet place and did his supplication: "O my
Lord! Infirm indeed are my bones and the hair of my head doth glisten with gray: but
never am I unblest O my Lord in my prayer to Thee! Now I fear (what) my relatives (and
colleagues) (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself.
(One that) will (truly) represent me and represent the posterity of Jacob; and make him O
my Lord! One with whom Thou art well-pleased!"(19:4-6).
This supplication was presented to The Lord with the deepest of sincerity.
"God doth give thee glad tidings of John the Baptist witnessing the truth of a Word from
God and (besides) noble chaste and a Messenger of the (goodly) company of the
righteous"(3:39).
"O Zachary! We give thee good news of a son: his name shall be John the Baptist: on
none by that name have We conferred distinction before"(19:7).
After receiving these joyful tidings, Zachary said:
"O my Lord! How shall I have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?" (3:40)
The answer through revelation was:
"'Thus' was the answer 'doth God accomplish what He willeth.'" (3:40)
Another verse gives these details:
"So (it will be): thy Lord saith 'That is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before when
thou hadst been nothing!'"
"O my Lord! Give me a Sign."
"'Thy Sign' was the answer 'shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights
although thou art not dumb.'"(8:10). "Thou shalt speak to no man for three days but with
signals. Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord again and again and glorify Him in the
evening and in the morning"(3:41).
One day, Zachary went out his temple. He wanted to tell something to his people. But he
could not say anything, even a word. He was unable to articulate words. He understood
that it was the time that God mentioned. He felt deepest thankfulness. He was going to be
the father of one whom was praised by Him, and whose name was given by God Himself.
Henceforth, his duty was to praise and glorify Him. He told his people by signs to
celebrate God's praises in the morning and in the evening (19:11).
After three quiet and full of praise days passed, he was able to speak. People were
puzzled:
"O Zachary! What happened to you? Could you tell us why you were speaking with signals
for three days?" Zachary told them about his prayer, good tidings of angels, and reason
behind not being able to speak for three days.
John was born, and Zachary was full of appreciation for his beloved son.
It is related that John the Baptist was wise even when he was a child. One time one of his
peers said, "let's play!" He replied "We are created not for play." Until Gospel was
revealed he was busy learning and preaching Torah, and lived a very decent life.
3
THE BIRTH OF JESUS

One day Mary received a revelation from God Almighty: "O Mary! God hath chosen thee
and purified thee; chosen thee above the women of all nations. O Mary! Worship thy Lord
devoutly; prostrate thyself and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."(3:42-
43).
One day she left her family, and went to the east side of the Bethlehem. She started to
pray after putting a curtain between her and people for privacy. However, she suddenly
shivered. Because she saw a man, a very handsome man, standing in front of her. She
didn't know how he got inside. She said:
"I take refuge to All-Merciful God. If you are respectful to God, leave here, do not disturb
me!"
The man intended not to go away immediately. However, God would not be consented of
her being disturbed.
"Nay I am only a messenger from thy Lord (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy
son."(19:19)
He, Archangel Gabriel, continued: - "O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from
Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in honor in this world and the
Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in
childhood and in maturity and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."(3:45-46).
Mary understood, again by an inspiration from God, that he is an angle from Him. She did
not ask for proof. She said:
"How shall I have a son seeing that no man has touched me and I am not unchaste?"
Archangel Gabriel - The Trustworthy- said:
"So (it will be): thy Lord saith 'That is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a
Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': it is a matter (so) decreed."
He continued:
"Even so: God createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it
`Be' and it is! And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom the Law and the Gospel. And
(appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel (with this message): I have come to
you with a sign from your Lord in that I make for you out of clay as it were the figure of a
bird and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave; and I heal those born blind
and the lepers and I quicken the dead by God's leave; and I declare to you what ye eat
and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe. (I
have come to you) to attest the Law which was before me and to make lawful to you part
of what was (before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So
fear God and obey me. It is God who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is
a way that is straight." (3:47-51).
"After saying all these he breathed into her (body) of Our spirit."(66:12)
She conceived one of the five Greatest Messengers (The other four are Noah, Abraham,
Moses, and Muhammad). His name was given by God Himself before he was born. Mary,
as time passes, was concerned; she knew she couldn't deliver in Bethlehem where might
be people around.
So she retired with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the
trunk of a palm-tree: she cried (in her anguish): "Ah! Would that I had died before this!
Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!" (19:23)
But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the palm-tree:
"Grieve not! For thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee; And shake towards thyself
the trunk of the palm-tree: it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. So eat and drink and
cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man say `I have vowed a fast to (God) Most
Gracious and this day will I enter into no talk with any human being."(19:24-26).

4
She looked down, but saw nobody. But there was a sparklingly flowing little brook which
was not there before. She extended her hand towards the brook, and held a dead date
branch, and started shaking it. Suddenly fresh dates started to fall. There was not any
dates, or even any leaves, on this branch before she shook it. She drank from that water
and cleaned herself with it. She ate from the dates. The water and dates gave her
strength. She was convinced wholeheartedly that the Lord of the Heavens and Earth
would not abandon her. Once again, Almighty God had come to her call for help on this
winter day, in such a difficult time.
Mary embraced her child and headed towards Jerusalem. People were bewildered seeing
her with a child. The woman who is known for her chastity and purity until that day had
come with a child in her arms. They asked: "O Mary! Whose child is this?"
She pointed the baby with her finger implying that he belonged to her. They were
shocked! This was not a case, which could easily be solved.
"At length she brought the (baby) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said 'O
Mary! Truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a
man of evil, nor thy mother a women unchaste!"(19:27-28).
They insisted: "Speak to us O Mary! Tell us what happened?"
Mary, again, using signs, implied that she vowed to Almighty God that she would not
speak for a while. This was the last straw that broke the back of the camel. They went
crazy. Some of them even grabbed some stones, aiming to stone her to death without a
delay. One of them, with an angry voice, said:
"O Mary! This is more important than your vow. Speak to us and answer our question.
Whose child is this? With whom did you have this child?"
Mary pointed the child again. She was trying to say that the child would answer their
question. They looked at each other with an angry face. Was she crazy or what? May be
she was joking with them.
"But she pointed to the babe. They said: 'How can we talk to one who is a child in the
cradle?' "(19:29).
Suddenly, they became frozen. The child was speaking! He uttered the following words:
"Verily God is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a way that is
straight."(19:36)
The men were puzzled. They had never seen or heard of such a thing before. But, now
they were convinced that she was not trying to deceive them. They decided that no one
should accuse her of anything anymore. This little baby had spoken with a fluent diction
and told many truths in front of many!
"We will let you live as the way you wish, and pray like you used to do." they
said. She was set free. Then, she resumed her former life style. Jesus lived like any other
child from then on. He started speaking again at the normal speaking age for a child. It
had not been very long since the baby spoke miraculously; the same mischief that had
been spoken for Moses ever since he got out of Egypt was now being spoken for Zachary.
They accused him: "You seduced Mary! You impregnated her!"
They attacked him to kill. Zachary kept saying to them that he did not. Yet, all efforts
were in vain, they would not listen to him. Zachary was killed in their hands at the age of
one hundred.
Mary went to Egypt after staying in the Holy House for a while. Then, Jesus and his
immaculate mother Mary returned to Damascus from Egypt. They settled in a village
called Nazareth. Jesus lived in this village up to the age of thirty.Jesus Preaching the
Disciples
At the age of thirty, God Almighty sent the messenger Archangel Gabriel - The
Trustworthy- to him. He was chosen as a Messenger. God commanded him to convey the
Divine message. He was informed that he was bestowed with the glad tidings about which
his mother was told by Archangel Gabriel before.
5
One day, Jesus attended an invitation by the Ruler of the land at the time. The invitation
was attended by many people. Everyone set on the table. The food in the dish from which
Jesus was eating was not lessening. The Ruler, who was sitting near him, noticed this. He
asked: "Who are you?"
He replied: "Jesus, the son of Mary"
The Ruler gave up his throne and joined the apostles of Jesus. In another tradition, it was
related that these apostles were the painter and his friends, who were mentioned above.
In another tradition, it was related that these apostles were a group of hunter or dress
cleaner/painter, working on a ship.
We know that there were twelve apostles of Jesus. When they become hungry or thirsty,
they would say: "O Spirit from God, we are hungry and thirsty"
Then, Jesus would slap on the ground, a couple loafs of bread for each man and the drinks
would come out.
One day, they asked him: "Are there more virtuous ones than us? You feed us and
quench our thirst whenever we ask for!"
Considering the bounties they were given, they were thinking that they must have been
the most honorable ones in the eye of God. Jesus said to them the following blessed
words: "Those who eat what they earn with their own hands are more virtuous
than you."
This influenced the apostles very much. They began washing clothes and eating what they
earned this way.
In Jesus' time medical sciences were very much favored and respected. That is why, the
miracles given to him were related to medicine. As a miracle, he could revive the death.
One of those who was revived was his friend Lazarus. When he was sick, his sister called
Jesus to see her brother before he died. There was a three day distance between them.
When Jesus arrived there, his friend had died three days before. Jesus went to his grave
and called his friend. He returned to life. Later he even had a son. Jesus revived another
woman and she later gave birth to a baby.
One day he was with his disciples. He was talking about the flood of Noah. They said:
"We wish that you revived one who died in the flood."
He came to a hill and said: "Here is the grave of Shem, Noah's son."
Then he prayed to God. Shem stood up. He said: "Is this the day of judgment? Are
we raised for that?"
Jesus answered: "No, but I prayed to God and He gave you life."
Then the disciples asked questions to Shem and he replied. When the questions and
answers were over, Shem fell down dead. Some of those who saw this miracle came to
believe in Jesus. Some said it was magic.
One day some Jews threatened him to revive Ezra or else they would burn him. Jesus
prayed to God and He gave life to Ezra. Jews asked to Ezra: "What do you think about this
man?"
He answered: "I bear witness that he is a servant and messenger of God."
Jesus' reviving the death was not sufficient for the Jews. One day they gathered around
Jesus and said: "We need other miracles than reviving the death!"
They meant to say 'Don't you know anything else but reviving the death?'"What do you
want?" he answered."Tell us what we ate and drank, and what we have in our homes for
tomorrow?"
Jesus started telling each of them about what he ate and what was being prepared for the
day after. None of them could say, "You are wrong! I ate this, not that." Then Jesus
blew on mud, which he shaped as a bird, and it became a bird and flew away before their
eyes.
Then they asked him to make a bat. According to them, bats were the perfect birds
among others. They thought Jesus would be impotent in doing that. He took a handful of
6
mud from the ground, shaped it as a bat and puffed on it. It became a real bat and flew
away before their eyes. Here, shaping the mud and puffing on it was Jesus' duty and It
was God who gave life to the mud.
One day God inspired the disciples of Jesus with faith in Him and His messenger (5:114).
God either inspired each of the 12 disciples separately or He inspired Jesus with this
message and he announced it to them. The disciples replied to this message: "We have
faith, and you bear witness that we bow to God as Muslims (the one who submit to will of
God)." (5:114)
One day Jesus was faced with an unexpected offer. The disciples said: "O Jesus the son of
Mary! Can your Lord send down to us a table set (with viands) from heaven?"
Jesus said: "Fear God, if you have faith" (5:115).
Such offers were a sign of doubt. Doubt and faith can not coexist. But the most valuable
people to Jesus were this group of twelve people, the disciples. If they have doubts and
ask for miracles, the consequences could be terrible.
One of the disciples spoke for all: "We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and
to know that you have indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses
to the miracle."(5:116)
Then he completed his words: "or else it is not because we do not believe. " Jesus raised
his hands and prayed: "O God, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands),
that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a solemn festival and a sign
from You; and provide for our sustenance, for You are the best Sustainer (of our needs)"
(5:117).
Shortly after, he was inspired by God. He announced God's answer to his disciples: "I will
send it down unto you; but if any of you after that resists faith, I will punish him with a
chastisement such as I have not inflicted on any one among all the peoples" (5:118).
The immoralities and the oppression of Jews caused some otherwise good foods to have
been unlawful to them. The Holy Book commands about it:
"For the iniquity of the Jews We made unlawful for them certain (foods) good and
wholesome which had been lawful for them; - and that they hindered many from God's
way; - that they took usury, though they were forbidden; and they devoured men's
wealth wrongfully; - we have prepared for these among them who reject faith a grievous
chastisement" (4:160-161).
"For those who followed the Jewish law, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof,
and we forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep, except what adheres to their backs
or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone: this is recompense for their willful
disobedience; for We are true (in or ordinances)" (6:146).
Jesus brought God's mercy to the children of Israel. He was going to make once unlawful
but good foods lawful to them again. He would provide them with a more comfortable life.
But the children of Israel were required to believe in his prophecy. On the contrary, they
were still speaking of the old stories; they were not even thinking of becoming honest
people. They did not respect such a messenger, who was their last chance, who healed
the blind before their eyes, and who even revived the death; but they applied the same
politics of both exploiting his bounties and betraying him as they did to Moses.
One day Jesus came to a group of Jews and said:"O Children of Israel! I am a messenger
of God (sent) to you, confirming the Torah (which came) before me, and giving glad
tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." (61:6)
Ahmad is another name for Muhammad. Jesus was not the first messenger to give these
glad tidings. The Messengers who came before informed their followers about the last and
the greatest of the Messengers. They advised those who could reach his time to believe in
him. Just as, the Word (Book) of God says on this issue:
"Behold! God took the covenant of the Messengers, saying: 'I give you a Book and
Wisdom; then comes to you an Apostle, confirming what is with you; do ye believe in him
7
and render him help.' God said: 'Do you agree, and take this my Covenant as binding on
you?' They said: 'We agree.' He said: 'Then bear witness, and I am with you among the
witnesses."(3:81)
As this verse declares, every Messenger had confirmed the Messengers preceded him and
prepared his people for those Messengers to come. In this way, he was establishing his
place in the chain of Messengers from Adam, the first Messenger, to the Seal of
Messengers, Muhammad. The chain of Messengers, where all confirm each other and the
preceding one maintains the connection by taking promise from his people for the
following one. In any one of these Messengers' time one who obeyed and did not leave
Him would directly reach God, who would then be pleased with him. Jesus, who preceded
Muhammad, too, confirmed the Messengers who came before him and then gave the good
news about the Seal of the Messengers, Muhammad. Thus, he kept his promise to God the
perfect way.

CRUCIFIXION
The religion sent through Jesus has abolished some of the rules of the Mosaic (Judaic)
law. One of the abolished laws was the permission to marry one's own niece.
When Jesus became a Messengerhood John the Baptist was the first to believe in him.
Essentially, when his honorable father, Zachary, was giving the good news about his son,
he also mentioned that John the Baptist would confirm Jesus, who a 'Word of God'.
(3:58)
Herod, the ruler of that time, fell in love with his niece and she loved him, too. According
to the Mosaic Law, they took the initiative to get married. The great priest of the Holy
House, John the Baptist, was called for this purpose. He told them that by the coming of
Jesus such marriages had been abolished and was considered unlawful. The ruler did not
like the answer. Although John the Baptist was pressured to do it according to the Mosaic
Law, he refused to obey.
"Don't you accept Moses as a Messenger?"
"Yes, Moses was a Messenger of God. It was God's order to accept his religion and law.
But this time, God has abolished some of the laws given to Moses through the Messenger
He has sent (Jesus) and the book (The Gospel) given to him. This religion and these books
all belong to God. Messengers only deliver God's commands and the terms He is pleased
with. I am a Messenger of God, too. It is not possible for me to decide in another way."
The girl and her mother were still insisting on the marriage or else John the Baptist should
be killed. So, He was called to the palace and forced for a last time to change his decision,
but he was firm about it. The ruler commanded his head to be cut off. Soon he was
martyred by cutting his holy head off. Thus, John the Baptist sacrificed himself on the way
of God, as did his valuable father Zachary.
This way, Jews were like inviting the wrath and curse of God. They would be mentioned
with curses till the Dooms Day and anyone who knows and loves his/her Lord would curse
them. On this subject God Almighty said:
"They have incurred divine displeasure: in that they broke their Covenant; that they
rejected the Signs of God; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they
said, 'Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve God's Word; we need no more)'; -
nay, God hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe;
- that they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary, a grave false charge; that they
said (in boast), 'we killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the apostle of God'; - But they
killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who
differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow,
for a surety they killed him not -"(4:155-157)
"God did aforetime take a Covenant from the children of Israel, and We appointed twelve
captains among them. And God said: 'I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular Prayers,
8
practice regular Charity, believe in My apostles, honor and assist them, and loan to God a
beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to Gardens with
rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered
from the path of rectitude."'(5:13)
"Christ the son of Mary was no more than an Apostle; many were the apostles that passed
away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily)
food. See how God doth make His Signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are
deluded away from the truth."(5:78)

JESUS' ASCENSION TO HEAVENS

Jesus was sent with the support of the Holy Spirit, Angel Gabriel, or the Trustworthy and
with many miracles (2:87). He was given the Gospel. After he became a Messenger at
the age of 30, he struggled very hard for three years. Despite all his efforts to deliver the
Book and Law of God among the Jews, he couldn't manage to bring them back to the right
path. As one of the five great Messengers who brought the mercy and the guidance of
God, the more Jesus put effort to guide the Jews to the truth, the more they opposed to
him. Jews did everything they could to overlook the miracles they have witnessed to
remain in misguidance, and to be subject to God's wrath and curse.
After John the Baptist was martyred, then it was Jesus' turn. Thus, by martyring three
Messengers Zachary, John the Baptist and Jesus, who lived in the same period of time,
they would get what they were after. The campaign against Jesus was rapidly spreading.
Finally, Jesus very well realized that the Jews wouldn't accept the truth and would unjustly
kill him as they did to John the Baptist. Then, he asked his disciples:
"When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said: 'who will be my helpers to (the work of)
God? ' Said the disciples: 'we are God's helpers: we believe in God, and do thou bear
witness that we are Muslims (One who submits to God's will). Our Lord! We believe in
what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Apostle; then write us down among those
who bear witness.'"(3:52-53)
In the meantime, Jesus received the following response to his supplication to his Lord:
"Behold! God said: ' O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of
the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow you superior to
those reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: then shall ye all return unto me, and I will
judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. ..."(3:55)
While Jews were incessantly looking for Jesus, a hypocrite among the disciples (Judas
Priest) made agreement with them. He would show them where Jesus was and get paid
for it. He led the Jews to the house where Jesus was staying. He first checked the house
for Jesus. Seeing that he was there, he opened the door and let the Jews in.
Right at this time, the Angel Gabriel, the Trustworthy took Jesus up to a high station God
had destined for him. He was settled in a holy place in the heavens, which was reserved
for him. Those who came into the house ran around, entered to the room where Jesus
was in. While looking for Jesus, suddenly someone among people saw that hypocrite,
Judas Priest, who brought them there, and he screamed:"Here he is whom You are
looking for."
They looked, he was right; It was Jesus, standing right there. In fact, he was not just
standing there but just like them, he was also looking for Jesus. They thought this was the
end of the deceit. That was it; one of them grabbed him.
He was screaming so loudly as if his voice could be heard from the heavens, and trying to
explain that he was an enemy of Jesus. But, it was not like Jesus was not known to them.
Many people knew him for so many years. They would not need someone else to identify
Jesus. And, they ignored his appeals. None of them could think that: 'Jesus was not so
vociferous. Even if he was about to be killed, he would die honorably with dignity. He
9
would not scream. At least he would not disown his identity and he would not say that he
was not Jesus. There was another important fact: If he had seen himself in the mirror, he
would have understood that there was no use in crying. In fact he would have been so
much stunned that he would have thought, 'I am Jesus indeed. These people are right.'
Then, he was dragged in front of a cross. His feet were tied and he was asked to say his
last prayer. Instead of last prayer, he kept saying he was not Jesus. He was as sincere,
when he was saying he was not Jesus, as Jesus when he was preaching people for years.
However, the children of Israel had been making fun of Jesus for three years, when they
had listened to him. Similarly, they listened to this man and made fun of him by
saying:"When it comes to life and death matter, he is not only denying his
Messengerhood, but he is denying that he is Jesus. I wish we had done this earlier."
With these and similar statements of mockery, he was killed. He then took his last breath
and became motionless. They watched him with joy for a while. They watched him all
night. But those who looked at him carefully realized that this was not the person who
was hanged a minute ago. They looked again. He was not Jesus, definitely Jesus. This
person was not Jesus as definite as the person who was hanged a minute ago was Jesus.
Whoever looked at him, at the first look, had to say:"There is no similarity between this
and Jesus."
He, on the other hand, was punished because of his betrayal, and paid this with his life.
Even saying 'I am not Jesus. The money you gave me is in my pocket.' could not saved
him from the rope. He was taken down and his pocket was checked. The reward money in
fact was still in his pocket. Then they felt really sorry. They felt guilty, because they killed
someone innocent and who deserved the reward money. They did not catch the man who
was supposed to be killed.
God Almighty, when explaining their cursed attempt, says that:
"And (the unbelievers) plotted and planned, and God too planned, and the best of
planners is God."(3:54)
The hypocrite who led these cursed people to Jesus was given the biggest reward. In fact
he sold his life for this reward money. And this is a punishment given to him in this world.
He failed at the first round; a more pitiful punishment would be given to him in the
Hereafter.
The Children of Israel could never solve this problem. They would not find him anywhere,
even if they look for him till the Last day. They did not know that everything would end
according to God Almighty's will, Who has control over all things and Whose power is
unlimited. They continued searching all over again and again. The fact was to be known
six hundred years later by a verse revealed to the Seal of Messengers by God Almighty:
(3:54)
In this verse God Almighty, in relation to this subject, says:
"We, cursed the children of Israel (Who say We killed God's Messenger Jesus, son of
Mary). They did neither kill him nor hang him. But Someone was shown to them (look)
like him. Those Who are in doubt about Jesus' Messengerhood are in doubt about this
killing. They do not have any knowledge except for assumption. When they were killing,
They did not kill with certainty that 'This is certainly Jesus'. The truth is God has raised
him to Himself. God is superior over everything and wise." (4:156)
Like everybody else, Jesus will also die after returning to the world for a mission, to kill
The Anti-Christ. Until that time Jesus will stay where he has been raised to by the Grace
of God.
Jesus left only twelve disciples behind, who helped in spreading the word of God. Among
the children of Israel, nobody believed him except these twelve people.

The Prophet Muhammad

10
The Prophet Muhammad was born on 20 April 571, on a Monday, in Mecca. The Hashim
family he was born into was a branch of the noble and powerful Quraysh tribe. His father,
Abd Allah, was a tradesman, and he died before he was born. His mother, Amina, lived
until he was six. The orphan Muhammad was taken care of first by his grandfather Abd al-
Muttalib for two years, and later by his uncle Abu Talib upon the grandfather's will.

The last Prophet was the fruit of Prophet Abraham's prayer, Jesus' glad tidings, and his
mother Amina's dream. After building the Ka'ba, the Prophet Abraham prayed to God "Our
Lord! Raise up among that community a Messenger of their own, reciting to them Your
Revelations, and instructing them in the Book (You will send to him) and the Wisdom, and
purifying them (of false beliefs and doctrines, and sins, and all kinds of filth.) Surely, You
are the All-Honored with irresistible might, the All-Wise" (Baqara 2:129). Jesus told those
around him of the Prophet who would follow him called "Ahmad." Muhammad's mother,
Amina, had a dream in which she was told the following:

"You carry in your womb the lord of this people; and when he is born say: 'I place him
beneath the protection of the One, from the evil of every envier'; then name him
Muhammad."

The Prophet's birth was a sign of the acceptance of this prayer, the manifestation of these
glad tidings, and the realization of this dream.

The Prophet's father, before the Prophet had even come into the world, had departed for
another city for reasons of trade, became ill and died, and was buried in Medina. Thus, the
Prophet Muhammad never saw his father. From the time of his birth until he was four
years old, he stayed with his wet-nurse, Halima. He then stayed for another two years
with his mother Amina. When he was six, his mother took him to Medina to meet his
relatives and to visit his father's grave. Because Salma, the mother of the Prophet's
grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, was from Medina, they had relatives in this city. The grave
of the Prophet Muhammad's father was in the garden of his uncles' house in Nabiga.
Amina visited the grave of her husband, Abdullah, and the Prophet became acquainted
with his relatives from the Najjar tribe. On the return journey, Amina became ill and died
in a place called Abwa. She was buried there. Umm Ayman brought the Prophet to Mecca
and gave him into his grandfather's care. He stayed with his grandfather from the age of
six until he was eight. When the Prophet's grandfather died, according to his will,
Muhammad went to stay with his paternal uncle, Abu Talib. Abu Talib was a respected
person in Mecca, and he was known as the most esteemed of Abd al-Muttalib's sons.

The Prophet Muhammad experienced all this loss when he was a child. Yet it did not
destroy his fortitude. He herded his uncle's sheep to pasture in Mecca. He carried every
task at home with great joy and contributed to the family budget. His aunt, Fatima,
treated him as her own and he never upset her. In those years, wherever the Prophet was
living, even the house of his wet-nurse, found itself in plenty. As a matter of fact,
although Abu Talib was not a wealthy person in those years, after the Prophet came to
stay, it became apparent that he was a source of blessings for the household.

When he turned 13 he began to work, joining his uncles in trade. He was involved in trade
for many years, and became known for his honesty and principles. When he was only 20,
he joined an institution called Hilf al-Fudl (the alliance of the virtuous) set up by some
Meccan people to combat thieves, robbers, brigands, oppression, and injustice; he was a
very effective member. When he was 25, he married Khadija. Khadija was forty at that

11
time and her decision to marry him was influenced primarily by his reputation as "al-
Amin" (the trustworthy, the honest). When he was 35, he arbitrated in the reconstruction
of the Ka'ba; there was a disagreement when it came time to place the Black Stone ( Hajar
al-Aswad) back in the Ka'ba, concerning which tribe should have the honor of performing
this task. The Prophet put the stone on a ground cloth and had each tribe hold one corner,
thus preventing certain conflict from arising among the tribes.

When the Prophet approached the age of forty, he experienced a desire to distance
himself from people and to go out into the country to seek seclusion and to contemplate
nature. He had lived an untainted childhood and youth. Now, looking back, he was deeply
saddened by the corruption and amorality in the lives of the people around him. Because
of this, he began to stay for certain periods in a cave called Hira on Mount Nur, near
Mecca. He would stay for a while and then return to the city. Once, on the return journey,
he heard a voice call out "O, Muhammad!" from among the rocks and trees. It was
subsequent to this that he started to have dreams that would be realized the next day.

When he was 40, in 610, during the month of Ramadan, the Archangel Gabriel came to
him and the period of his revelations began. The first revelation was the verse that begins
"Read, in the name of the Creator, God…" This is how Almighty God gave the duty of
Prophethood to Muhammad.

The first people to accept the Prophet's invitation to Islam were Khadija, Ali, Zayd ibn
Haritha and Abu Bakr. They were followed by Uthman, Abdurrahman ibn Awf, Sa'd ibn Abi
Waqqas, Talha and Zubayr. Those first Muslims, in particular the Prophet, underwent
great torment at the hands of the idol worshippers. In fact, many Muslims, like Yasir and
his wife, Sumayya, were murdered after unbearable tortures. Bilal al-Habashi, Abu
Fukayha, Habbab ibn Arat, and Umm Abis, Nahdiyya and Zinnira also underwent great
torment. These were people who were held in low esteem by the idolaters; even the
slaves and servants of these Muslims underwent many hardships.

The resistance of these first Muslims greatly affected the spread of Islam. As a matter of
fact, during the first six years of the Prophethood, strong and brave men like Hamza and
Umar embraced Islam and found their place among the Companions of the Prophet. As
the number of those who believed in Islam increased, so did the number of obstacles
placed by the idolaters to prevent the spread of this new faith. In the fifth and sixth year
of the Prophethood, some Muslims were forced by the situation to attain permission from
the Prophet to emigrate to Abyssinia. In the seventh year the unbelievers isolated the
Muslims in one area and boycotted them. They were banned from trade, travel, and
interrelations with other people. This situation lasted for three years. In the tenth year of
the Prophethood, with the successive deaths of Khadija and Abu Talib, the torment and
suffering caused by the enemies of Islam increased yet again. Khadija and Abu Talib were
respected people in the community and this respect had, to some extent, provided a
degree of protection for the Prophet. At this time, the Prophet Muhammad went to Taif to
try to gain some outside support. But the people of Taif not only did not accept Islam or
give support to the Prophet, they stoned him, and he was only able to save himself by
sheltering in an orchard outside Taif, covered in his own blood. In his supplication after
having undergone this horrible treatment, the Prophet said that if he were truly fulfilling
his mission then such torture meant nothing to him. It is without a doubt that he acted
correctly and that he fulfilled his responsibilities.

12
At this time, those who ruled Mecca reached a decision that he should not be allowed back
into the city. For this reason, he turned to Mut'im ibn Adiyy to attain protection to enter
Mecca. It was a commonly observed tradition at those times among the prominent people
of the Quraysh tribe that one could ensure security by attaining their protection.

While these successive torments were raining down on his head, the Prophet Muhammad
was taken by God on the heavenly journey, Mi'raj; this took him to the presence of
Almighty God and he was blessed to receive divine commandments without a mediator. It
was on this night that the Prophet brought down many of the rules that are found in sura
Isra, the seventeenth chapter of the Qur'an; 12 of the commandments found between the
22 and 39 verses of sura Isra were revealed on this night. It is possible to list them below
in the following way:

1. Be a servant to no one but God.

2. Treat your parents well.
3. Ensure the rights of your relatives, the poor, and travelers.
4. Be neither mean nor wasteful.
5. Do not kill your children due to a fear of poverty.
6. Do not approach adultery or fornication.
7. Do not kill.
8. Do not abuse the property of orphans (do not use it in an incorrect manner).
9. Keep your promises.
10. Take care to use correct measurements and weights.
11. Do not pursue things of which you have no knowledge.
12. Avoid pride and conceit.

The bestowal of such a wonderful miracle through the Prophet Muhammad was a sign
that, sooner or later, Islam would flourish.

Despite all the difficulties, the Prophet Muhammad's efforts to spread the message of
Islam continued. He intensified most of his efforts on the crossroads where travelers from
outside the city might pass. Finally, a group of six people who had come from Medina
(then Yathrib) for pilgrimage testified the truth of the message he brought and promised
to fulfill the conditions of Islam. The following year, five of this group came together with
seven other people from Medina and gave their pledge to the Prophet at Aqaba. A second
pledge took place with seventy-five people the next year, who promised to protect the
Prophet as they protected their women and children. In the time that followed this, with
the permission of Allah and that of the Prophet, the Muslims who were suffering in Mecca
emigrated to Medina. This is known as the Hijra in Islamic literature. The last to emigrate
were the Prophet and Abu Bakr. This was a very difficult emigration, with the idolators of
Mecca chasing them from the Thawr caves to the south of Mecca, and continuing pursuit
until they had almost reached Medina. The Prophet and Abu Bakr traveled in great
danger, but in the end, they managed to reach Medina. The Medinan people, in contrast
to the Meccans, took the Prophet to their bosoms. They united around him. The people of
Medina supported those who had abandoned their homes in Mecca for the glory of God. It
is for this reason that Almighty God calls the people of Medina the Ansar (the helpers) in
the Qur'an. As a matter of fact, brother and sisterhood was established between the
emigrants and the Ansar immediately after the emigration of the Prophet. In this way, the
action of helping people gained a spiritual dimension. This support helped to waylay
psychological problems. The emigrants found the opportunity to share their experience of
Islam with the people of Medina. The emigrants established shops and markets, and they

13
were able to support themselves in a very short time. In this way, the Muslims benefited
the economic life of the city.

All of these events frightened the idolators in Mecca. They wanted to destroy the Muslims
before they became any stronger. The result was battles between the Muslims and the
idolaters, like Badr, Uhud, the Battle of the Trench, and Muraysi. In the year 630, Mecca
was conquered. The Prophet returned in triumph to the city from which he had been
driven. The purpose behind this return was to cleanse the Ka'ba from idols, and to revert
the Ka'ba, built by Prophet Abraham, and the surrounding areas, to as it was intended to
be. The Prophet did not act in revenge; he did not act with resentment. Rather, he issued
a general pardon. He showed his greatness by forgiving when he was strong. He was
planning unification, a celebration, and he had no time to waste on trivial matters. As a
matter of fact, the muezzin of the Prophet, Bilal al-Habashi, by calling noon prayer from
the roof of the Ka'ba, announced the superiority of unity and of one God to the skies of
Mecca.
The proud and haughty tribe of Hawazin, who could not stomach these new
developments, laid plans to prevent the development of the Muslims; these plans were
unsuccessful. They were defeated in their war against the Muslims. As a result, Islam
resounded throughout the region, starting from the Hijaz region, and stretching
throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Within one year after the Prophet had returned to
Medina he hosted the representatives from hundreds of tribes.

In 632, during the time of the Hajj, the Prophet spoke before more than one hundred
thousand Muslims. Known as the Farewell Sermon, this speech was a summary of Islamic
thought and presented the most perfect principles in human rights.

The beloved Prophet, who was able to communicate the message entrusted to him thanks
to his patience, determination, and bravery, closed his eyes to this world on June 8, 632,
a Monday.

The period in which the Prophet lived is known as the Age of Happiness, and the Blessed
Era. During this Blessed Era, a generation known as the Companions came into being,
made up, for the most part, of Emigrants (muhajirun) and the Helpers (ansar). This
generation was made up of people who were firm in their faith, knowledgeable, well-
mannered, masterful, hardworking, patient, and skilled, and they became role models to
guide future generations.

Muhammad was the humblest at the zenith of his achievements

1. If a man's world-admired accomplishments or the wealth and fame he has gained do

not change him, if he can remain as humble as he was at the beginning of his career, this
shows that person's strength of character, morality and virtue. Despite his unparalleled
achievements, which force even his enemies to place him at the top of the greatest men
of human history, the Messenger Muhammad was poorer and more humble when he
entered Mecca a victoriously than he was at the beginning of his mission.

Those who saw the Messenger would say: 'One with such a face cannot lie.'

2. One's face reveals one's inner world and character. Those who saw the Messenger
Muhammad could not help but admire his appearance and, if they were unprejudiced,
acknowledge his truthfulness. For example, 'Abd Allah ibn Salam, the most renowned

14
Jewish scholar of the time, believed in him at his first sight of him, saying: 'One with such
a face cannot lie.'

3. If a firefly claimed that it is the sun, its lie could last only until the sun rises. Turkish
people say that a liar's candle only burns till bedtime, meaning that a lie has only a very
short life. So, a deceitful one pretending Messengerhood will soon be discovered and no
one will accept him as a true Messenger.

Muhammad's utmost conviction of his cause, together with his sincerity and
solemnity prove his Messengerhood

4. Even an insignificant man of small standing, in a small group in a disputed matter of

little importance, cannot tell a small but shameful lie openly and comfortably without
displaying such anxiety and uneasiness as will make his enemies aware of his deception.
Since the Messenger Muhammad challenged everybody to come until the Last Day and
uttered many important speeches in a large community concerning a great cause, with
great ease and freedom, without hesitation or anxiety, with pure sincerity and great
solemnity, and in an intense and elevated manner that provoked his enemies, it means
that he was certainly a Messenger speaking whatever God revealed to him.

Despite being unlettered, the Messenger Muhammad spoke on every issue and
has not been contradicted ever since

5. It is impossible for an unlettered one to speak on a matter requiring expert knowledge,

especially before those with specialized knowledge of that matter. However, despite being
unlettered, the Messenger Muhammad spoke on every issue from theology and
metaphysics to medicine, history, physics and biology and has not been contradicted ever
since. Besides, when he was raised up as a Messenger, the arts of literature, eloquence
and oratory were at their peak and the Quran he received from God challenged all of its
opponents to bring the like of a single chapter of its but no one has ever been able to do
that. This, again, clearly shows that Muhammad is a Messenger of God.

Muhammad had to confront all kinds of hardships and persecutions after

Messengerhood and spent for his cause whatever he had

6. For the sake of a deception no one risks his life, wealth and reputation and bears great
hardships and persecutions unless he has great aspirations to more wealth and great
worldly positions. Before claiming Messengerhood, the Messenger Muhammad was well off
and had a respected place among his community. However, he had to confront all kinds of
hardships and persecutions after Messengerhood and spent for his cause whatever he
had. His enemies slandered him, mocked him, beat him, expelled him from his homeland
and waged war on him. He bore all such cruel treatments and hostilities without complaint
and asked God Almighty for the forgiveness of even his enemies. The only cause he
pursued was to see everybody believing in and worshipping the One God exclusively and
thereby prosperous in both worlds and saved from the torments of Hell.

Messenger Muhammad practiced with utmost sincerity and honesty what he

communicated to others

7. History has witnessed many leading persons who, since they themselves did not
practice what they preached or propagated, did not have a large devoted following. Their

15
ideas did not have an enduring effect on people and the systems they established did not
last long. However, the Messenger Muhammad practiced with utmost sincerity and
honesty what he communicated to others and was always the first and foremost in
obedience to the religion he brought, in worship to the Creator and in avoidance of the
religious prohibitions. This shows his full conviction of his cause and that he is a
Messenger of God, Who sent him to humanity to guide them to the True Path.

For what reason other than conveying God's Message to people must he have endured all
kinds of hardships and persecutions, such as sleeping on earth, suffering hunger for
several consecutive days, spending a considerable part of his life on battlefields and
military campaigns, being expelled from his homeland, becoming subject to mockeries
and insults, etc.?

8. Man acquires an established character until he is thirty and especially after thirty a
man's character does not change. Particularly, it is very difficult for one to change his
temper and disposition after he is forty. If. God forbid such a thought!. there had been
any imperfection and blemish in the character of Muhammad it would certainly have
appeared before his Messengerhood. Therefore, no one with a bit of intelligence and
fairness, unless he is prejudiced, can accept that one who was never heard tell a lie and
witnessed deceive until one was forty, would appear as the worst, meanest trickster of
human history after forty.

9. A lying, deceitful one cannot have a large, dedicated following who are ready to
sacrifice themselves for him. Despite being among the five greatest Messengers, Moses
and Jesus did not have followers as devoted as Muhammad's Companions. The followers
of Moses betrayed him when he left them for forty days to receive the Torah on Mount
Sinai, and began to worship a golden calf which Samarian made for them. Even after so
many years of intellectual and spiritual training in the desert, except for two God-fearing
men, they did not obey his order to fight against the Malachite, the people of Goliath. As
for Jesus one of his most devoted twelve followers betrayed him and attempted to submit
him to his enemies. But the followers of Muhammad known, as the Companions were so
devoted to him that they sacrificed for him their lives and properties and their families and
tribes. Although brought up among a primitive people and in a climate of ignorance,
devoid of any positive notions of social life and administration, without a Scripture and
immersed in the darkness of the uncivilized era after the Messengers, in a very short
period, they became in the footsteps of their exalted leader, the Messenger Muhammad,
the masters, guides and just rulers of the most civilized and socially and politically
advanced peoples and states, and ruled the world from east to west in a world-admired
fashion.

Also, innumerable exacting and profound scholars and world-famous scientists and pure,
spiritual masters were brought up among the succeeding generations following the
Companions. The civilization they established was the most magnificent one history has
ever known. Is it conceivable, then, that all those most shining stars of human history
followed a lying, deceitful one? God forbid such a thought!

The Messenger Muhammad was the most famous of humanity for high moral
conduct and virtue

10. The Messenger Muhammad was the most famous of humanity for high moral conduct
and virtue. He appeared in the heart of a desert which was almost the most uncivilized

16
part of the then inhabited world and where people were immersed in the worst kinds of
immorality. Then, who do you think brought him up as the most virtuous one with the
highest morality and best conduct? He had lost his father while he was yet in the womb of
his mother. When his mother died, he was only six years old. It was impossible for his
grandfather and uncle to bring him up as the most virtuous of all times, as they
themselves did not have all of the good moral qualities Muhammad had and in the same
degree as he had. His teacher was God, as he himself said: "My Lord educated me and
taught me good manners, and how well he educated me and how beautifully He taught
me good manners!"

No one in human history has ever been able to combine in himself all of the
virtues and good qualities as perfectly as the Messenger Muhammad

11. Human history has seen many virtuous persons. However, no one has ever been able
to combine in himself all of the virtues and good qualities as perfectly as the Messenger
Muhammad. There have been many generous people but they have not been able to show
enough courage when and where necessary. Likewise, there have been many courageous
people, who have not been able to be lenient and generous at the same degree. But the
Messenger Muhammad combined in his person all the virtues and laudable qualities at the
highest level.

Virtue and good morality also require balance. For example, if generosity exceeds its
limits, it changes into extravagance. Similarly, if thrift cannot be kept within moderate
limits, it changes into miserliness. Courage is usually confused with rashness and
dialectics or demagogy is sometimes taken for being intelligent. In addition, virtue also
requires knowing how to act in certain conditions. For instance, the self-respect, which a
weak man should wear before a powerful one becomes, if the powerful one assumes it,
self-conceit. The humility which a powerful man should wear before a weak one becomes,
if assumed by a weak man, self-abasement. Forbearance and sacrifice (of one's rights) on
one's own account is good and a virtue; but when done on behalf of others, it is bad and
treason. An individual may bear patiently with whatever is done to him personally; but it
is impermissible for him to, on behalf of the nation, bear patiently what is being done to
the nation. Whereas pride and indignation on behalf of the nation are commendable, on
one's own behalf they are not.

The Messenger Muhammad was perfectly balanced in his virtues and good moral
qualities.

The Messenger Muhammad was perfectly balanced in his virtues and good moral qualities.
He was perfectly courageous where to show courage was necessary, while he was
perfectly mild, forgiving and humble among people. He was perfectly dignified but also
very gracious. There was no one more generous than him but he was also thrifty and
condemned extravagance. In short, all virtues and good qualities existed in him in a well-
balanced combination.

Messenger Muhammad had all of the essential attributes pertaining to

Messengers

12. According to theologians, there are six essentials of Messengerhood common to all of
the Messengers. They are truthfulness, trustworthiness, and communication of God's
commands, intelligence, infallibility and being free from all kinds of bodily and mental

17
defects. History is a witness that the Messenger Muhammad had all of these six essential
attributes in a most perfect fashion.

Muhammad's achievements are unparalleled in history

13. A man encounters in his life many situations where he must make decisions with no
delay and hesitation. Many decisions made in such situations may cause him great
difficulties. The Messenger Muhammad made so great achievements in so short a time as
23 years that they are unparalleled in human history. He never faltered and all of his
decisions proved to be true.

More than that, whatever he did and whatever he said did not concern only his own time
but he addressed all times and places and all peoples and levels throughout the world to
come until the Last Day. As none of his sayings have not been contradicted so far, no one
has ever been able to criticize him for any of his actions, sayings and decisions. Is it
possible for one who is not a Messenger taught by God, the All-Knowing, to have such
intelligence, foresight, sagacity, insight, sound reasoning and prudence?

Almost all the previous Prophets predicted the Messenger Muhammad. We can
find indications to his coming in the Torah, Psalms and the Gospels.

A Prophet from among the brothers of the Israelites who resembles

Moses

For example, the following verses of the Torah promise the coming of the Messenger
Muhammad:

The Lord said to me [Moses]: 'What they say is good. I will raise up for them
a Prophet like you among their brothers; I will put My words in his mouth,
and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to
My words that the Prophet speaks in My Name, I will Myself call him to
account (Deuteronomy, 18:17-9).'

It is clear from these verses that what is meant by 'a Prophet like you among their
brothers' is a Prophet who will come from the line of Ishmael, since Ishmael is the brother
of Isaac, who is the forefather of Moses' people, the Children of Israel. The only Prophet
who came from the line of Ishmael after Moses and resembled him in many ways, for
example, in the bringing of a new law and waging of war on his enemies, is the Prophet
Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings. Also, the following verse of the Bible in
Deuteronomy, 34.12 (Istanbul 1885), and clearly states that no Prophet like Moses did
ever appear among the Israelites:

With respect to his virtues and awesome deeds, no Prophet like Moses, whom the Lord
knows face to face, no longer appeared among Israel.

The Quran points to the same fact:

"We have sent to you a Messenger as a witness over you, even as We sent to Pharaoh a
Messenger (73:15)."

18
The sentence, I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I
command him, in the verse in question, means that the promised Prophet will be
unlettered and speak whatever is revealed to him. God reiterates the same fact in the
Quran:

"He does not speak out of [his own] desire. It is but a Revelation revealed (53:3-4)."

The Prophet who shone forth from Mount Paran

The following verse,

"The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount
Paran (Deuteromony, 33:2)."

refers to the Prophethood of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad respectively. Sinai is the place
where the Prophet Moses spoke to God and received the Torah. Seir, a place in Palestine,
is where the Prophet Jesus received Divine Revelation. Paran is where God manifested
Himself to mankind for the last time through His Revelation to the Prophet Muhammad.

Paran is a mountain range in Mecca. It is mentioned in the Torah (Genesis, 21:19-21) as

the area in the desert where Hagar was left by her husband Abraham to live with her son,
Ishmael. The well of Zamzam appeared in it. As is stated explicitly in the Quran (14:35.
7), Abraham left Hagar and Ishmael in the valley of Mecca, which was then an
uninhabited place within the mountain ranges of Paran.

The verse in Deuteromony, according to the Arabic version published in London in 1944
and the Ottoman Turkish version published in Istanbul in 1885), continues:

"He came with myriads of holy ones; in his right hand appeared to them the fire of the
Laws."

This verse refers to the promised Prophet, Muhammad, who would have numerous
Companions of the highest degree of sainthood. The fire of the Laws alludes to the fact
that the promised Prophet would be allowed, and even ordered, to fight against his
enemies.

The Capstone in the Gospel of Matthew

Jesus said:

"Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'the stone the builders rejected has become the
capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore I tell you that
the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce
its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be
crushed' (Matthew, 21:42-4)."

The 'capstone' mentioned in the verses couldn't be the Prophet Jesus for the verses refer
to the crushing victories that the followers of the 'capstone' will win against their enemies.
No people were ever broken to pieces or crushed because they resisted Christianity.
Christianity gained ground against the Roman Empire only after it had lost its original
identity and been reconciled with Roman paganism. The Western dominion over the world
19
came after scientific thought's triumph over a corrupted Christian view of nature and was
realized in the form of a ruthless colonialism. Islam, which is on the rise as both a pure,
authentic religion and as a way of life, and which is the hope of salvation for humanity.
More than that, the Prophet Jesus himself alludes to this fact by stating explicitly that the
kingdom of God will be taken away from his followers and given to a people who will
produce its fruit.

Second, in a telling detail recorded in a Saying in the Sahih of al-Bukhari and that of
Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad describes himself as the 'capstone' completing the
building of Prophethood.

Paraklit, the Spirit of Truth

In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises the advent of the Last Prophet using a variety of
names:

"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the
Paraklit will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will
convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (16:7-8)."

In these verses, the Prophet Muhammad is referred to as Paraklit. Paraklit is a Greek word
meaning the Distinguisher between Truth and Falsehood. Although Christian interpreters
have given this word different meanings such as Counselor (Gideon's International) or
Helper (American Bible Society) or Comforter (the Company of the Holy Bible), and
claimed that it refers to the Holy Spirit, it is impossible even for Christians to establish
whether the Holy Spirit has come down after Jesus and done what Jesus foretold he would
do.

If, according to Christians, the Holy Spirit is the Archangel Gabriel, he came many times
to the Prophet Muhammad to bring Divine Revelations. Further, Jesus mentioned and
predicted Paraklit with other different names, but always with the same function, as is
seen in the following verses:

"When Paraklit comes 'the Spirit of Truth' who comes from the Father, he will testify about
me (John, 15:26)."

"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of
Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak
only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by
taking what is mine and making it known to you (John, 16:12-4)."

These are only a few of the allusions the Bible makes to the Prophet Muhammad.

20