The Bible itself provides the framework for recognizing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Starting with the story of Abraham — the patriarch honored by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike — the scriptures trace a prophetic lineage that leads not only through Isaac and the Children of Israel, but also through Ishmael and his descendants. When we examine Deuteronomy 18:18 carefully, the prophet described there matches Muhammad in ways that Jesus simply does not.
The Promise to Abraham and Ishmael
In Genesis 12 and 21, God promises to bless both of Abraham’s sons. While Isaac’s lineage produced the Israelite prophets, God also promises to make Ishmael into a great nation. Muhammad (peace be upon him) descended directly from Ishmael through his son Kedar, fulfilling this covenant. The Jews of Medina were well aware of this — they had settled in Arabia specifically because their scriptures indicated a prophet would arise there.
“I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto Moses, and will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” — Deuteronomy 18:18
Muhammad Is “Like Unto Moses” — Not Jesus
- Natural birth — Both Moses and Muhammad had natural fathers; Jesus was born miraculously without a father
- Brought a new law — Both Moses and Muhammad delivered comprehensive legal systems; Jesus followed the Mosaic law
- Were leaders and prophets — Both led their people politically and spiritually; Jesus’s mission was primarily spiritual
- Were orphaned young — Both lost parental figures in early childhood
- Were expelled and returned — Moses fled Egypt and returned; Muhammad was driven from Makkah and returned as its conqueror
- Taught pure monotheism — Both preached worship of one God alone under divinely revealed law
The Witness of the Rabbis of Medina
“We knew your name, and we knew the time and the place of your coming.” — Abdullah ibn Salam, the chief rabbi of Medina, upon accepting Islam
When Abdullah ibn Salam, the most learned rabbi of Medina, embraced Islam, the Prophet tested the Jewish community by asking what they thought of him. They praised him as “the best of us, the most knowledgeable, and the wisest.” The moment his conversion was announced, they reversed their position entirely, calling him the most ignorant and worst among them. This reaction reveals that the issue was never about evidence — it was about the willingness to follow the truth wherever it leads, even when it contradicts inherited loyalties.
