(Cite: Khan, Dr. (Mufti) Imran & Hamdani, Mufti Shah Rafi Uddin. (2018), Prophecies About Prophet Muhammad
By Prophet Isaiah
, Encyclopedia of Muhammad
, Seerat Research Center, Karachi, Pakistan, Vol. 1, Pg. 162-210. )
Similar to other prophets, Prophet Isaiah
also predicted about the arrival of Muhammad
as the Messenger of Allah. His chapter, in the Bible, is the one which still carries the highest number of prophecies about the advent, imminent and personality of Holy Prophet
. Following are the prophecies of Isaiah
:
Saeed bin Hassan 1 states that Isaiah
said:
اسمعي يا سموات، وقرّي يا أرض، ولماذا تقلقي؟ سيبعث عليك نبي به ترحمي. 23
"Listen, O heavens, and the villages of my land, why worry? I would send a prophet to you because of him you would be blessed."
Allah categorically declares in the Holy Quran that Muhammad
is not only a blessing for Muslims, but for all nations, jinns, and other creatures. As the Holy Quran states:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ 1074
And We did not send you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) except as a mercy for the entire world.
Hence, the verse of the Holy Quran, whole life, and teachings of the Holy Prophet
testify the prophecy of Isaiah
for Prophet Muhammad
.
He cited another statement of Isaiah
as:
إني رافع آية للأمم، من بلد بعيد، وأصفر لهم من أقاصي الأرض صفيراً، فيأتون سراعاً عجالاً، ولا يميلون ولا يتعثرون ولا ينعسون ولا ينامون ولا يحلون مناطقهم، ولا ينقطع معقد خفافهم، سهامهم مسنونة، وقسيهم موترة، وحوافر خيلهم كالجلاميد صلابة، وعجلهم مسرعة مثل الزوابع، وزئيرهم كنهيم الليوث، وكشبل الأسد الذي يزأر وينهم للفريسة، فلا ينجو منهم ناج، ويرهقهم يومئذ مثل دوي البحر واصطكاكه، ويرمون بأبصارهم إلى الأرض فلا يرون إلا النكبات والظلمات، وينكشف النور عن عجاج جموعهم. 5
I will raise one sign for the Nations soon, from a distant country, I will call them to the corners of the earth, and they will come hastily. They will not tend towards any other direction, nor slumber, nor sleep, nor resolved in their areas, signs of their shoes will not be ended, their arrows will be sharp, their hearts will be strong and agitated, the hooves of their horses will be sold like a snowy mountain, calf speeding such as cyclones, their trumpeting will be like a tiger as a young tiger screams and screeches to hunt. No one of them will escape from him, and he will reach to them like the waves of the ocean, they will see nothing while looking on earth except troubles and darkness, a light will illuminate from the crowd of their surroundings.
This prophecy comes up with some arguments which clarify that this prophecy does not indicate Jesus
. Instead, this prophecy is directed at Prophet Muhammad
. Below are a few arguments to prove this:
because contrary to Jesus
; Prophet Muhammad
appeared as evidence and sign for other nations from very far.
to assist in his military expeditions. Angels are the beings who do not sleep nor slumber. There are several pieces of evidence in the Holy Quran and Ahadith that Prophet Muhammad
served his nights to Allah in prayers to the extent that his feet swelled.وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا 1 فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا 2 فَالْمُغِيرَاتِ صُبْحًا 36
By oath of those that sprint, breathing heavily. Striking stones with their hooves, sparking a fire. And by the oath of those who raid at dawn.
Therefore, this prophecy cannot be applied on Jesus
because it is a publicised fact of history that he had a donkey, not a horse.
This prophecy came true for the Holy Prophet
and additionally the part, “I will call them to the corners of the earth, and they will come hastily” might be indicating towards the obligatory worship of Hajj. As the Holy Quran states:
وَأَذِّنْ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ 277
“And publicly announce the pilgrimage to all people – they will come to you, on foot and on every lean she-camel, coming from every far distant journey.”
The Bible quotes the following statement of Isaiah
:
إن الأمة التي كانت في الظلمات رأت نوراً باهراً، والذين كانوا في الدجى وتحت ظلال الموت سطع عليهم الضوء، أكثرت من التبع والأحزاب، ولم تستكثر بهم، فأما هم فإنهم فرحوا بين يديك كمن يفرح يوم الحصاد، وكالذين يفرحون عند اقتسام الغنائم، لأنك فككت النير الذي كان أذلهم، والعصا التي كانت على أكتافهم، وكسرت القضيب الذي كان يستبعد بهم مثل كسرك من كسرت في يوم مدين. 8910
People who dwelled in under the darkness of ignorance have seen a great light (Muhammad), these off track men dwelled under the shadows of death; they found a doom, however. You were not got proliferation by them but they rejoice because of you as someone really cheers when he receives the happiness at the time of division of booty because you released them from humiliation and saved them from the stick (surveillance of enemies) which is on their shoulder, and you broke the vertices to whom they were servant as you broke on the day of Madian.
In this prophecy, Muhammad
is referred as the light, which was shown to people, to guide them. Prophet Muhammad
extended the boundaries of the Muslim Empire by his decisive victories and propagated Islam. He pleased them by sharing their grievances and amused them through developing brotherhood. This happened because Prophet Muhammad
broke the harness of their distress, and unburdened their shoulders from the mass of problems, and saved them from the oppressors (that had been inflicting pain to these men), as in the day of Midian.
Allah commanded the Holy Prophet
to remove the loads and the chains which were upon the people of Arabia at that time. The Holy Quran states:
وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ. 11
And he will unburden the loads and the neck chains which were upon them…
The text reflects the condition of the Arabs before the advent of Muhammad
. They were dwelling in the darkness of ignorance and polytheism. But, later on, the light of monotheism was brought, and his mission of preaching began. After helplessness, his followers increased, and Allah saved all his people from the bondage and slavery. Afterwards, their circumstances improved and they reigned over the mankind.
Isaiah
states another prophecy about Muhammad
as:
إنه ولد لنا مولود، ووهب لنا ابن سلطانه على كتفه . 1213
He bore a child for us, and gave that son: who carries His Kingdom on his shoulders.
This translation of the text is in the Syriac language. While in the Hebrew language; it is translated as, “He has the mark of prophecy upon his shoulder.”
If this text is translated into Arabic from the Hebrew, the following evidence of Muhammad
appears:
. Except for Muhammad
no other prophet came from Ishmael's race.
.
called him "counsellor". Prophet Muhammad
used to do the counselling of his companions in all their verdicts.
called him, “Prince of Peace”. History has proved that he was the one who established peace and harmony throughout the Arabia with his excellent administration.All these evidences allude to the Prophet Muhammad
because according to the Hebrew translation, Jesus
did not have a prophecy mark over his shoulders, and his name was not unusual at that time. Nor did Jesus
brought any permanent law. Moreover, his prophecy did not presage the end of prophethood, while, all these signs relate Prophet Muhammad
. Thus, he is the only actual person who possesses all the qualities that are noted above.
At another place, Bible states:
وَلكِنْ لاَ يَكُونُ ظَلاَمٌ لِلَّتِي عَلَيْهَا ضِيقٌ. كَمَا أَهَانَ الزَّمَانُ الأَوَلُ أَرْضَ زَبُولُونَ وَأَرْضَ نَفْتَالِي، يُكْرِمُ الأَخِيرُ طَرِيقَ الْبَحْرِ، عَبْرَ الأُرْدُنِّ، جَلِيلَ الأُمَمِ، اَلشَّعْبُ السَّالِكُ فِي الظُّلْمَةِ أَبْصَرَ نُورًا عَظِيمًا. الْجَالِسُونَ فِي أَرْضِ ظِلاَلِ الْمَوْتِ أَشْرَقَ عَلَيْهِمْ نُورٌ، أَكْثَرْتَ الأُمَّةَ. عَظَّمْتَ لَهَا الْفَرَحَ. يَفْرَحُونَ أَمَامَكَ كَالْفَرَحِ فِي الْحَصَادِ. كَالَّذِينَ يَبْتَهِجُونَ عِنْدَمَا يَقْتَسِمُونَ غَنِيمَةً، لأَنَّ نِيرَ ثِقْلِهِ، وَعَصَا كَتِفِهِ، وَقَضِيبَ مُسَخِّرِهِ كَسَّرْتَهُنَّ كَمَا فِي يَوْمِ مِدْيَانَ، لأَنَّ كُلَّ سِلاَحِ الْمُتَسَلِّحِ فِي الْوَغَى وَكُلَّ رِدَاءٍ مُدَحْرَجٍ فِي الدِّمَاءِ، يَكُونُ لِلْحَرِيقِ، مَأْكَلاً لِلنَّارِ، لأَنَّهُ يُولَدُ لَنَا وَلَدٌ وَنُعْطَى ابْنًا، وَتَكُونُ الرِّيَاسَةُ عَلَى كَتِفِهِ، وَيُدْعَى اسْمُهُ عَجِيبًا، مُشِيرًا، إِلهًا قَدِيرًا، أَبًا أَبَدِيًّا، رَئِيسَ السَّلاَمِ، لِنُمُوِّ رِيَاسَتِهِ، وَلِلسَّلاَمِ لاَ نِهَايَةَ عَلَى كُرْسِيِّ دَاوُدَ وَعَلَى مَمْلَكَتِهِ، لِيُثَبِّتَهَا وَيَعْضُدَهَا بِالْحَقِّ وَالْبِرِّ، مِنَ الآنَ إِلَى الأَبَدِ. غَيْرَةُ رب الْجُنُودِ تَصْنَعُ هذَا، أَرْسَلَ الرب قَوْلاً فِي يَعْقُوبَ فَوَقَعَ فِي إِسْرَائِيلَ. 14
There will be no way for them to escape from this time of trouble. The land of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali was once disgraced, but the future will bring honor to this region, from the Mediterranean eastward to the land on the other side of the Jordan, and even to Galilee itself, where the foreigners live. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now the light is shining on them. You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy. They rejoice in what you have done, as people rejoice when they harvest grain or when they divide captured wealth. For you have broken the yoke that burdened them and the rod that beat their shoulders. You have defeated the nation that oppressed and exploited your people, just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago. The boots of the invading army and all their bloodstained clothing will be destroyed by fire. A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.” His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this. The Lord will punish Israel. The Lord has pronounced judgment on the kingdom of Israel, on the descendants of Jacob.
The explanation of these words of Isaiah
is compulsory because it does not only include prophecy of the Holy Prophet
but also confers the predictions of five other things. The Zebulun and Nephthalim refer to the sons of late Jacob. In the Hebrew language, "Jalil” stands for region or land. In Hebrew, the word "Shalom" refers to the provider of peace and tranquillity which is mentioned here. The prophecy continues to include the following:
.
.The prophecy itself states that the land on which there is (now) distress, darkness shall not continue with it. History showed that Muhammad
brought contempt on the land of Zebulun and Naphtali to achieve honour in the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in the Galilee of nations.
“Other nations of the land or territory across the Jordan to the sea will give them the privilege," In this statement, Isaiah
refers to the glorious land of the Gentiles, where Jews lived in other nations. History bears witness that Jews were living with the other nations in the region of the area within Madina. When Muhammad
moved to the city of Yathrib (the place of diseases), it became Madina (The City of Prophet), and many Jews embraced Islam. Not just the destiny of Muslims and the city changed, but the destiny of the Jews living there also transformed. They acquired a share in the privilege and honour that was destined to be part of the Muslim community due to the mercy of the Holy Prophet
.
The second sign was that it was the land which was previously known as the land of darkness and had a fame that death shades the soil here. Ignorance, idolatry, and killings were the part of everyday happenings there. But, later on, history saw the brilliant light that changed the fate of the world. The light transcended from a man (Prophet Muhammad
) who was sent by Allah for this purpose.
Prophet Muhammad
emerged as the perfect light, which brought the law, religion, peace, and brotherhood in the world.
This prediction of Isaiah
reflects: Who will be bestowed with prophet hood and government?
History stands witness that Allah, the Creator gave kingdom and law of Shariat to Muhammad
which was never granted to previous prophets of Bani Israel with such privileges. Therefore, Isaiah
narrated:
"پیلے یوعیص ایل حیورابی اور سرشلوم". 15
The upcoming god (personality) is unprecedented and is an everlasting power, the father (forever).
According to this reference, Muhammad
is the utmost influential, pioneering and the one who will be the last Prophet of Allah until the end of the world. Muhammad
will be like the father of the Muslims; the mentor and the Messenger of Allah. These are the actual words of the good news of Isaiah
for Prophet Muhammad
.
This prediction is structured over the words "Prince of Peace" meaning the provider of peace and protection. By virtue, Muhammad
was the sanctuary and the central personality for spreading peace throughout the world.
The Holy Quran calls Muhammad
‘The first Muslim’. 16 The idea of Muhammad
to be the father of the Muslim community is based upon it. Since there will be no prophet after Muhammad
, he will remain the progenitor. As the Holy Quran states:
Allah declares in the Holy Quran:
مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا 4017
Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) is not the father of any man among you – but he is the Noble Messenger of Allah and the Last of the Prophets, and Allah knows all things.
Thus, Prophet Muhammad
is categorically declared as the last prophet by Allah. Hence the core belief of the Muslims also regard Prophet Muhammad
as the last prophet.

The prophecy states, “He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.”
The above prophecy refers ruling as King David
. It is a well-known fact that the throne of David
came under the governance of Muslim Ummah and will stay in its under. The word “throne” might be employed to show the glory because David
dominated by crushing the fierce opposition and enemies and became the head of the kingdom and state with the assistance and support of Allah Almighty.
Muhammad
was the one who faced aggression and rage as the members of his clan and other pagans in Makkah. The oppression and cruelty increased to such extent that Prophet Muhammad
was commanded by Allah to migrate to Madina along with his followers. Shortly after the migration, the world witnessed that Muhammad
prevailed as the victor upon his enemies whose resemblance has never found before in history, and will not be until the end. By the grace of Allah, the foundation of the Shariah and revolution that Muhammad
laid, sustained successfully till today and will continue until the end. History shows that there has never been any child or man from Bani Israel who meet the attributes described in the prophecy. Conclusively, all these characteristics centre upon the personality of the Holy Prophet
. He has undoubtedly been the successor of David’s
throne.
Indicating the further characteristics of Muhammad
, Isaiah
says:
هكذا يقول الرب إنك تأتي من جهة التيمن، من بلد بعيد، ومن أرض البادية مسرعاً، مقداً مثل الزعازع من الرياح، ورأينا منظراً رائعاً هائلاً ظالماً يظلم، ومنتهباً ينتهب ... ولتقم السادة والقادة إلى أترستهم، فيدهنوها لأن الرب قال لي: هكذا أمض فأقم الربيئة على المنظرة، ليخبر بما يرى، فكان الذي رأى راكبين: أحدهما راكب حمار، والآخر راكب جمل.. فبينما أنا كذلك إذ أقبل أحد الراكبين وهو يقول: هوت بابل وتكسرت جميع آلهتها المنجورة على الأرض، فهذا الذي سمعت من الرب إله إسرائيل العزيز قد أنبأتكم. 18
God says that you will come from very far from the right-hand side, from the countryside piercing through the air with the rapidity. We saw a different and surprising scene in which tyrant does wrong doings and usurper grabs . . . Nobles and chiefs are standing for their niches to rub fragrance on them because God said to me to walk like this and mount a seer on the top who report what he sees. Anything he saw that there were two riders, one on donkey and second was on a camel. Meanwhile, a rider step forwarded and said: Babylon has been fallen, and its self-made gods have been cut fall to the ground. What I listened from the God of Israel, I narrated to you.
This statement helps us to understand the following points about the arrival of Muhammad
:
The words, “Will come from very far from the right-hand side, from the countryside” are very definite as there is no prophet other than Muhammad
who belongs to the much far areas of Israel from the land of the countryside. Muhammad
is the only prophet who declared his prophet hood in the land of Arab.
Isaiah
says, “Babylon has been fallen, and its self-made gods have been cut fall to the ground.” History shows that before the arrival of Muhammad
, the land of Babylon was full of polytheism, but when he spread his religion there, all the false beliefs were condemned and abolished.
If the rider of the donkey was Jesus
or like Jesus
so the rider of camel must be Muhammad
or like him.
In Madarij un Nabuwwa, with reference to Ibn-e-Qutaiba (who was the outstanding scholar of his time and penned many books), Sheikh Abdul Haq associated the donkey ride to Jesus
as Christians believe the same. Thus, the ride of camels automatically alludes to Muhammad
. It is because the destructions of idols in Babylon occurred by the hands of Muhammad
not by Jesus
. People in the kingdom of Babylon had been worshipping idols since Abraham's time. It was annulled in the period of Muhammad
. 19
Describing the features of Muhammad’s
city, Isaiah
says:
لتفرح أهل البادية العطشى، ولتبتهج البراري والفلوات، ولتخرج نوراً كنور الشسلبذ، ولتستر وتزه مثل الوعل، لأنها ستعطى بأحمد محاسن لبنان، وكمثل الدساكر والرياض، وسيرون جلال اللّٰه عز وجل وبهاء إلهنا. 2021
"Thirsty people of wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; and the forests and desert shall rejoice, and the light will emerge and cover them as shelter because it will be given the beauty through Ahmad as the Lebanon Mountains are as fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon. Soon they will see Allah’s glory and beauty.
This forecast includes the future state of Muhammad’s
city and people, and his name ‘Ahmad’ describes it apparently, and history proved that all those places were given the same privileges by the blessings of his personality.
Isaiah
used symbolism and metaphors in the description of the spread of the teachings of Muhammad
and the opposition of his message by various kings and emperors:
اتف في البدو وقال: خلوا الطريق للربّ، وسهلوا لإلهنا السبيل في القفر، فستمتلئ الأودية كلها مياهاً، وتنخفض الجبال انخفاضاً، وتصير الآكام دكا دكاً، والأرض الوعرة ملساء، وتظهر كرامة الرب، ويراه كل أحد، من أجل أن الرب يقول ذلك. 22
A voice cries out in the countryside, leave the way for the Lord and easy the way in the desert for our God! Every valley will be filled; all mountains will bow down. The rugged lands will be nourished; full of water and the hard landscape will be level. The glory of Allah shall be revealed, and mankind will witness it, for it Allah promises.
Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al-Saheem writes the following about these verses:
“No community entered in Islam by its effort but either by the preaching of Muhammadhimself or by his followers. Muhammad
sent missionaries to various nations to invite people towards Islam. However, those who embraced Islam, did not accept Islam completely. They kept their local laws and culture in practice instead of following the Shariah. Mountains and valleys in the prophecy symbolized the oppressive kings of that period. Since the prediction is based upon symbolism, the crux of the prophecy could be interpreted as; similar to floods in mountains and valleys, Islam would rapidly spread across the world. Whereas, rain is the metaphor for Prophet Muhammad’s
message from Allah which nourished the world.” 23
In another prophecy about Muhammad
, Isaiah
described the nature of the conquests of Holy Prophet
. His saying was cited in the Bible as:
من الذي نبه البر من المشرق، ودعاه إلى موطئ قدمه ليسلم إليه الأمم، ويذهل عنه الملوك، ويجعل سيوفه في عدد الثرى .. وقسيه في عدد الحزم المنثورة، فهو يغلبهم ويضرب وجوههم، ثم يحدث سلماً، ولا يطأ برجله سفراً. 24
Who has informed to the people of East and called them towards him to send the greetings on him and the kings will be surprised from him, he will cover his sword from the layers of sand . . . And his strictness is in several groups. He will overcome them and will strike on their faces then peace will establish. He will not trample any signs (of God) under his feet.
Muhammed bin Abdullah Al-Saheem comments on the above prophecy that Hejaz, Iraq and all those areas which are located in their surroundings or come under the Syrian’s government (of that time) are called “East” and (من الذي نبه البر من المشرق) means that who informed the people of east about البر(faith)? As Allah states in the Holy Quran:
لَيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَنْ تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ 17725
Basic virtue is not just to turn faces to the East and the West, but true righteousness is that one must believe in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets; and out of love for Allah, to give treasured wealth to relatives and to the orphans and the needy and the traveller, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and to keep the prayer established and to pay the charity; and those who fulfil their obligations when they make an agreement; and the patient during times of calamity, in hardships and during holy war; it is they who have proved true to their word; it is they who are the pious.
The rest of the prediction is also implying towards Muhammad
, whose dominance was accepted by all nations; kings were dethroned, and their swords buried in layers of soil and Muhammad
was the only being to conquer the non-believers.
Isaiah
said:
يا آل إبراهيم خليلي الذي قويتك، ودعوتك من أقاصي الأرض، ومن نجودها وعواليها، ناديتك وقلت لك: إنك عبدي وأنا اجتبيتك، ولم أستر ذلك، فلا تخف، لأني معك، ولا ترهب فها أنا إلهك أيدتك ثم أعنتك، وبيميني العزيزة البرة مهدت لك، ولذلك يبهت ويخزي المستطيلون عليك، ويضمحل ويتلاشى الذين يمارونك ويشاقونك، ويبيد القوم المنازعون لك، وتطلبهم فلا تحس منم أثراً، لأنهم يبطلون، ويصيرون كالنسئ المنسي أمامك لأني أنا الرب قويت يمينك، وقلت لك لا تخف، فإني أنا عونك ومخلصك،هو قدوس إسرائيلل، يقول اللّٰه الرب: (أنا جاعلك مثل الجرجر الحديد الذي يدق ما يأتي عليه دقاً، ويسحقه سحقاً، وكذلك تفعل أنت أيضاً، تدوس الجبال، وتدقها، وتجعل المدائن والتلال هشيماً تذروه العواصف، وتلوى به هوج الرياح،وتبتهج أنت حينئذ وترتاح بالرب، وتكون محمداً بقدوس إسرائيل. 2627
O my friend, progeny of Abraham. To whom I empowered and called them from the corners of the earth, and called thee from its ups and downs (territory) and said that you are my servants, I have selected thee, and did not hide it. Do not be afraid because I am with you. Do not be intimidated, behold, I am your God, and then I have helped then facilitated you. I made your path clear by My hand that is why all false speakers died down with contempt, all they were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: those who fight against you, they are wiped out. They are pursued, but found nowhere because they are liars. They are made forgotten against you because I’m the Sustainer and I have given strength to your arms and said to you: do not be afraid, because I am the Lord your God will safe you. He is from Israel. Allah says: I will make you like a new sharp threshing instrument which threshes all the things and you will do the same. The tag and built mountains and hills will be crumbled like the wind will take it away. Due to it the directions of the winds will divert. You will be happy and satisfied from your Lord. And Muhammad is the Holy One of Israel.
These verses can be elaborated further by comparing them with the verses of Holy Quran. The comparison is given below:
فلا تخف لانی معک، ولا ترھب فھا انا الھک ایدتک ثم اعنتک.
Do not be afraid because I am with you. Do not be intimidated, behold, I am your God, and then I have helped then facilitated you.
The Holy Quran states:
وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ. 28
"And Allah will protect you from the people.
In this prophecy, it is said:
یبھت ویخزى المستطیلون علیک.
That is why all false speakers died down with contempt.
And the Holy Quran states:
إِنَّا كَفَيْنَاكَ الْمُسْتَهْزِئِينَ 9529
Indeed We suffice you against these mockers…
This verse can be linked to further Quranic verse:
فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ 13730
So Allah will soon suffice you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) against them; and He only is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.
After comparing the verses of the Bible and the Holy Quran, one simply concludes that both the verses refer to one individual only. i.e. Prophet Muhammad
. If someone tries to apply these prophecies on Jesus
, he would make a grave mistake because as per the Christian belief, Jesus
was crucified whereas Muhammad
died peacefully on his bed. This proves that it was Muhammad
who was divinely protected since none of his enemies (even though they were huge in number, and had all the resources) could harm him.
Secondly, The part of the prophecy, “The tag and built mountains and hills will be crumbled like the wind will take it away.” reflects a cruel king and his army who were both blown away in front of Muhammad
like dust particles.
Some critics might argue over this interpretation that Syriac word is Mahmood, not Muhammad, but those who understand Arabic can easily evaluate that these are the names of the same figure. Mahmood and Muhammad; one is personal, and the other is attributive.
Isaiah
says:
إن المساكين والضعفاء يستسقون ماء ولا ماء لهم، فقد جفت ألسنتهم من الظمأ، وأنا الرب أجيب حينئذ دعوتهم، ولن أهملهم بل أفجر لهم في الجبال والأنهار وأجري بين القفار العيون، وأحدث في البدو آجاماً، وأجري في الأرض ماء معيناً، وأنبت في القفار البلاقع والصنوبر والآس والزيتون، وأغرس في القاع الصفصف والسرو البهية، ليروها جميعاً، وليعلموا ويتدبروا ثم يفهموا معاً أن يد اللّٰه فعلت ذلك، قدوس إسرائيل ابتدعه. 3132
The poor and crushed are looking for water where no water is for them, and their tongues are dry for need of it: I the Lord will give ear to their prayer whenever will be prayed, I, the God, will not give them up. I will make rivers on the dry mountain-tops, and fountains in the valleys: I will make the waste land a pool of water and will run the springs of water on the dry land. I will put in the wasteland the palm, pine-nut, green trees and olive; and in the lowland will be planted the fir-tree, the plane, and the Cypress together: So that all may see, recognize, ponder on it and realize that it may be clear to them that the hand of the Lord has done this, and that the Holy One of Israel has made it.
The metaphoric words in these verses reflect their real meaning themselves. Observing these verses, one can determine that the crux is symbolic. Scholars argue that when prophethood was brought upon Israel, it was the time of Ishmael
, the land of Arab was barren as acknowledged by Abraham
. The area was not blessed with rivers or springs, and no olive trees grew upon the rigid infertile land. The words of Isaiah
might be metaphoric in nature emphasising that Allah showers pure 'rain' symbolising the blessing; i.e. Prophet Muhammad
, to cleanse their minds by wisdom, peace, and tranquillity in their hearts, precisely the way their father, Abraham
had prayed. Allah answered his prayers and stated in the Holy Quran:
رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ 12933
“Our Lord! And send towards them a Noble Messenger, from amongst them, to recite to them Your verses, and to instruct them in Your Book and sound wisdom, and to fully purify them; indeed You only are the Almighty, the Wise.”
Al-Sheikh Ziadah discussed a tradition regarding Isaiah’s
that there was a city where one of the descendants of Ishmael
settled. The people of the city prayed to Allah to send a prophet who would take them to the light from the darkness. The interpretation of the verse becomes easy to understand by this explanation. Here the illustrations are symbolic. Thus, the rivers, springs, development and transformation of dry land means the promotion of message and the setting up of the foundations of Islam. People, therefore, find solutions from the light that Islam has, and embrace the religion of Allah preached by the messenger; Muhammad
, wholeheartedly.
Another reason to reveal this prophecy in metaphoric language could be the scheme of Allah. Had these verses been revealed in coherent phraseology, it would have become an apparent victim of distortion and transformation by the hands of Jews and the Christians. Nevertheless, (the text being virtual or literal) the prediction is true for Muhammad
because, the mention of poor and thirsty villagers living in the hills and wasteland, alludes to the situation which was there before the advent of the Holy Prophet
. 34
A further statement of Prophet Isaiah
is cited as:
لتسبحني وتحمدني حيوانات البر من بنات آوى حتى النعائم، لأني أظهرت الماء في البدو، وأجريت الأنهار في بلد أشيمون، لتشرب منها أمتي المصطفاة فلتشرب منه أمتي التي اصطفيتها. 35
The beasts of the field will give me honour, the jackals, and the ostriches: because I send out waters in the waste land, and rivers in the dry country, to give drink to the people whom I have chosen for myself. This people I have formed for myself; they shall keep doing my praise. 216
The context of this verse is analogous to the previous prophecy. Water has been used as the symbol for Prophethood akin to the other predictions.
Isaiah
says about the establishment of Arabia’s rule and the dominance of Muhammad
that:
هكذا يقول الرب قدوس إسرائيل للذي كانت نفسه مسترذلة مهانة، ولمن كانت الأمم تستخف به، وأتباع السلطان يهينونه، ستقوم له الملوك إذا رأوه، وتسجد له السلاطين، لأن وعد اللّٰه حق، وهو قدوس إسرائيل الذي انتخبك واختارك، وهو الذي يقول أجبتك عند الرضى، وترث تواريث الخرابات، وتقول للأسرى: أخرجوا وانفكوا، وللمحبسين اظهروا وانطلقوا.. ويتوافى القوم من بلد شاسع بعيد: بعض من جهة الجريباء، وبعض من البحر، وبعض من بحر سنيم. فسبحي أيتها السماء، واهتزي أيتها الأرض فرحاً، وابتهجي أيتها الجبال بالحمد، فقد تلاقى الرب شعبه، ورحم المساكين من خلقه. 3637
The Lord says to the holy personality of Israel, who was humiliated and disgraced and nations made fun of him, and was insulted by the servants of rulers: Kings will see and get up from their places (in your respect), and chiefs will worship him: because of the promise of Lord which is true; He is the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you and He says: I have given ear to your prayer, you will receive the spoiled inheritance and you will say to the prisoners: Go forth; and be free. People will keep his promise to remote cities, some by sea, some of them from the sea of Sinim. 38 O heavens! Do pray, O earth! Bounce, up to the mountains tremble with joy and praise, Lord saw to his people and had mercy on the poor creature.
The contextual meaning of these verses are not applicable for anyone except for Muhammad
. Before the arrival of Muhammad
, it was the condition of Arabia that they were astray and dwelled in evils, dishonour, and misery. The Holy Quran describes the circumstances in the following manner:
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ 10339
And hold fast to the rope of Allah, all of you together, and do not be divided; and remember Allah’s favour on you, that when there was enmity between you, He created affection between your hearts, so due to His grace you became like brothers to each other; and you were on the edge of a pit of fire (Hell), so He saved you from it; this is how Allah explains His verses to you, so that you may be guided.
Firstly, this verse refers to the state of the Arabs on the eve of the advent of Islam. There were animosities among the tribes which regularly broke out into fighting; every now and then there was bloodshed. Things had reached a point that the entire Arabian nation seemed to be on the verge of destroying itself. It was due to the blessings of Islam alone that it was saved from being consumed by the fire to which this verse alludes. The people of Madina had embraced Islam some three or four years before these verses were revealed. They had witnessed the blessing of Islam as it unified into one brotherhood the Aws and Khazraj, two tribes which had long been sworn enemies. Moreover, both tribes treated the migrants from Makka in a spirit of sacrifice and love seldom seen even among members of the same family. 40
Secondly, The nation was without any allies. Thus, they were in the state of distress and helplessness. It was after Muhammad’s
arrival; those kings turned towards this nation, many oppressive, cruel kings lost and bowed their necks to Allah and His messenger. Hence, the rule of Arabic society was established.
The Covenant or the promise stated in the verse is mentioned in the Holy Quran as:
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ لَمَا آتَيْتُكُمْ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُصَدِّقٌ لِمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِ وَلَتَنْصُرُنَّهُ قَالَ أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكُمْ إِصْرِي قَالُوا أَقْرَرْنَا قَالَ فَاشْهَدُوا وَأَنَا مَعَكُمْ مِنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ 8141
And remember when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets; “If I give you the Book and knowledge and the (promised) Noble Messenger (Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) comes to you, confirming the Books you possess, you shall positively, definitely believe in him and you shall positively, definitely help him”; He said, “Do you agree, and accept My binding responsibility in this matter?” They all answered, “We agree”; He said, “Then bear witness amongst yourselves, and I Myself am a witness with you.”
The covenant or the promise which the prior prophets took from their people was that a noble prophet would appear in the future who would verify the books given to them. Additionally, these people were asked to believe in his prophethood and support him. History is a witness that Prophet Muhammad
was the one who appeared in the future who verified the previous prophets and the book revealed to them. It is supported by another verse of the Holy Quran:
وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا ... 42
And O dear Prophet (Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) We have sent down the true Book upon you, confirming the Books preceding it, and a protector and witness over them.
The Quran is مُهَيْمِنًا which means that it preserves all the true teachings of the earlier divine books and has secured them from loss or any other type of alterations. The Quran also confirms that the earlier books which were revealed to the previous prophets were from God. Furthermore, the Quran is a witness over the previous books in the sense that, with its help, the elements which embody true revelations from God can be distinguished from the accretions which have corrupted them.
After proving the fact that it was Muhammad
who verified the prior prophets and that was the Holy Quran which validated all the previous revealed books, the Holy Quran gives glad tidings for those who fulfilled their covenant ie. believed in the prophethood of Muhammad. As the Holy Quran states:
فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ 15743
So those who believe in him, and revere him, and help him, and follow the light which came down with him – it is they who have succeeded."
This verse states that those who fulfilled the covenant were the people who succeeded in this world and the hereafter. The verse does not only address the people of the past, but all the people who would be born till the day of judgement.
Another similarity between the Biblical verse and the verse of the Holy Quran is given below:
هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ 244
It is He Who has sent among the unlettered people a Noble Messenger from themselves, who tecôtes His verses to them and purities them, and bestows them the knowledge of the Book and wisdom and indeed before this, they were in open error.
The recent version uses the word 'sheep' (see the translation given in the reference of this prophecy) while translating the Biblical verse. This word has been used in the metaphorical sense and refers to the people of Israel who didn't know their holy book in its entirety. The people only knew those parts of the book which were taught to them by their scholars (their scholars were famous for tampering with the holy books) so resultantly, the people were misled and misguided. When the Holy Prophet
came to this world, he taught them the law of God and purified the people from the sins. Jesus had not been able to achieve it hence this prophecy refers to Prophet Muhammad
only.
The meaning of 'He will lead them to springs of water' is similar to the following verse of the Holy Quran:
اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ نُورٌ عَلَى نُورٍ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ 3545
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth; the example of His light is like a niche in which is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass; the glass is as if it were a star shining like a pearl, kindled by the blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west – it is close that the oil itself get ablaze although the fire does not touch it; light upon light; Allah guides towards His light whomever He wills; and Allah illustrates examples for mankind; and Allah knows everything.
In the past, when no compasses or any other electronic equipment existed, people used to navigate their ways through the position of the stars. In other words, the stars lead the people to their destination. Hence "He who would lead them to springs of water refers exclusively to the Holy Prophet
because God Almighty has referred to him as a 'glass as if it were a star shining' in the Holy Quran. This was later proved when he preached Islam and led the people from the abyss of darkness towards the light of guidance.
The people who benefited from his light of guidance and believed in the prophethood of Muhammad
are given the following glad tidings in the Holy Quran:
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ 5546
Allah has promised those among you who believe and do good deeds, that He will certainly give them the Caliphate in the earth the way He gave to those before them; and that He will certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and will turn their prior fear into peace; they must worship Me and not ascribe anything as a partner to Me; and whoever is ungrateful after this – it is they who are the disobedient.
These words, 'I will show you a favorand answer your cries for help' (mentioned in the translation in the reference), has a similar meaning to the words mentioned in the Quranic verse. The only problem is that the Christians believe that caliphate was given to them through Jesus
whereas the Jews believe that the caliphate would be given to them in the future. However, this prediction was fulfilled by Muhammad
since he established the caliphate which increased to around 10 million km² by his companions and other Muslim rulers.
Isaiah
gave a subtle description of Makkah city (The city of Prophet Muhammad’s birth) in the following statement:
أنا رسمتك على كفي فأسوارك أمامي في كل وقت، وسيأتيك ولدك سراعا، ويخرج عنك من أراد أن يتحيّفك ويخربك، فارفعي بصرك إلى ما فوقك، وانظري فإنهم يأتونك ويجتمعون عن آخرهم إليك يقول اللّٰه مقسماً باسمه: إني أنا الحي، لتلبسنهم مثل الحلة، ولتتزينين بالإكليل مثل العروس، ولتضيقن عنك قفارك وخراباتك، والأرض التي ألجئوك إليها، وضغطوك فيها من كثرة سكانها والراغبين فيها، وليهربن منك من كان يناويك ويهتضمك، وليقولن لك ولد عقمك: أيتها النزور الرقوب، إنه قد ضاقت بنا البلاد فتزحزحوا وانفرجوا فيها لتتسع في فيافيها، وستحدثين فتقولين: من رزقني هؤلاء كلهم، ومن تكفل لي بهم. 4748
See, your name is marked on my hands; your walls are ever before me. Your son (builder) is coming quickly; your haters and those who made you waste will go out of you. Let your eyes be lifted up round about, and see: they are all coming together to you. By my life, says the Lord, truly you will put them all on you as an ornament, and be clothed with them like a bride. For though the waste places of your land have been given to destruction, now you will not be wide enough for your people, and those who made you waste will be far away. The child to whom you gave birth infertility will say in your ears: the place is not wide enough for me, make room for me to have a resting- place. Then you will say in your heart, who has given me all these children? who took care of me by these?
This Biblical verse refers to Hagar
and Makkah. The words 'those who will build you are coming soon' refer to Ishmael
(son of Hagar
) since Ishmael
and Abraham
were the ones who rebuilt Kaaba in Makkah. The second part of the prophecy states that currently the country is ruined and desolate, but in the future, it will prosper and develop. If we compare Jerusalem (as proposed by the Christian and Jewish scholars) and Makkah, we will observe that this prophecy only holds true for Makkah since Makkah was the city which was rebuilt and prospered whereas Jerusalem has been destroyed many times and has not been able to prosper. Another important point to note is that people have gathered in Makkah whereas the same cannot be said for Jerusalem. The city of Makkah is protected because Allah had promised to protect it.
Moreover, it should be noted that Prophet Muhammad
was born in the city of Makkah and he was from the descendants of Abraham,hence this prophecy also refers tothe the Holy Prophet
.
Isaiah
says about the Ummah of Muhammad
:
هكذا يقول الرب: ها أنا رافع يدي على الأمم، وناصب لهم آية، وهي أن الناس يأتونك بأبنائك على أيديهم، ويحملون بناتك على أكتافهم وتكون الملوك ظؤوتك، وعقائل نسائهم مرضعاتك، ويخرون على وجوههم سجداً على الأرض، ويلحسون تراب أقدامك، وتعلمين حينئذ أني أنا الرب الذي لا يخزي الراجون لي لدى. 4950
This is said by the Lord, God: See, I will lift up my hand to the people, and set up my signs to the people: and they will bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters will be carried upon their shoulders. And kings will surrender to you, and their charming ladies will be your maid, they will bow down by their foreheads before you, kissing the dust of your feet; and you will realize then that I am the Lord, who never ashamed those who put their hope in me.
The King James Version translates it as:
Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
These verses categorically states that the Muslim community would gain superiority over all other nations. The part 'kings shall be thy nursing fathers and their queens thy nursing mothers' states that the descendants of these other nations would serve the Mulsim community and their women would nurse the Muslim children. This incident took place when the Muslim conquered other regions of the world. After these conquests, women from Iran, Rome, Spain, later India and Turkmenistan were married to Muslim men, which led to these women becoming mothers of the Muslim children whom they fed or their maids fed. Hence this part of the prophecy was fulfilled for the community of muhammad
.
The phrase, 'they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet was proven when imperial states such as ancient Persia and Rome surrendered to Muhammad
and agreed to pay Jizya (a yearly tarrif levied by Muslims on the non-Muslim states) as directed by the following verse of the Holy Quran:
حَتَّى يُعْطُوا الْجِزْيَةَ عَنْ يَدٍ وَهُمْ صَاغِرُونَ 2951
"Until they pay the tariff with their own hands with humiliation."
Jews and Christians, under the government of Islamic Caliphs, accepted to pay Jizya. And the caliphates granted them complete security and societal rights.
Prophet Isaiah
says about the army and soldiers of Muslim Ummah:
من الذي أقبل من أدوم؟ وثيابه أشد حمرة من البسر، وأراه بهياً في حلله ولباسه، عزيزاً لكثرة خيله وأجناده، وإني أنا الناطق بالحق والمخلص للأقوام، وإن لدينا ليوم الفتنة نكلاً، ولقد اقتربت ساعة النجاة، وحانت ساعة تخليصي، لأني نظرت فلم أجد من يعينني، وتعجبت إذ ليس من ينيب إلى رأيي، فخلصني عند ذلك ذراعي، وثبت بالغضب قدمي، ودست الأمم برجزي، وأشقيت حدودهم بغيظي واحتدامي، ودفنت عزهم تحت الأرض. 5253
Who is this who comes from Edom? With more blood-red robes than the immature date. That is glorious due to his numerous horses and army. I, whose glory is in the right, am strong for salvation. No doubt we have a day of sedition, and time of salvation is closed, my time of salvation is here because I have been alone and there was no man with me. I was surprised that no one agreed from my opinion then my arms set me free and my steps got firm and they (disbelievers) were crushed under my feet; and broken in my wrath, and I put down their strength to the earth.
This prophecy highlights certain attributes, beauty, nobility and abundance of mighty troops of Muhammad
. It is the arrival of the last Prophet Muhammad
that rid of these nations of the worshipping their false gods.
Likewise, this prediction indicates to the lives of the people before the advent of Holy Prophet
. He was sent as a blessing, but people did not listen to Allah's revelations and did not believe in the Noble Prophet
. Therefore, they became worthy of Allah's rage. Muhammad
was an emblem for the truth. He had stretched out his sword against the infidel's oppression and buried them and their erroneous glory in the land. Later people listened to him and the word of Allah.
If critics argue that the prophecy indicates, the prophet will come from Edom 54 while Muhammad
came from Hejaz. So, the prophecy is not about Muhammad
. Nevertheless, all the properties that have been brought out in the prophecy allude to the Prophet Muhammad
alone. To answer their objections, it is to state that the predictor is a prophet from Bani Israel who lived in the kingdom of Edom. Edom is a state that lies between Hejaz and Palestine. Thus, it is inevitable for anyone to go to Palestine from Hejaz without going through Edom.
It should be noted that Isaiah
discusses the 'future'. Hence; it is not believable that he would say 'who returned from Hejaz?' Because if it were so, he would be questioned "what is Hejaz?' However, since Isaiah
has discussed a prophet yet to come in a way that he could see Muhammad
coming from Palestine through Edom. Isaiah
himself, was confident about Muhammad
but presented the prophecy as a rhetorical question so that people curiously search and move towards Muhammad
.
Stating the blessed name of Muhammad
, Isaiah
says:
إني جعلت اسمك محمداً، فانظر من محالك ومساكنك يا محمد، يا قدوس...، واسمك موجود منذ الأبد. 5556
I have given you the name,”Muhammad”. So O Muhammad! have a glimpse of blessing on your stint and place. O Holy One. . .your name is there from the earliest day.
This prediction is the clearest one from the rest. As the blessed name of the Holy Prophet
is mentioned twice in this prophecy. It might be one of the claims of modern Christians and researchers that Muslims themselves make it. But, we have already stated that these verses existed in the Bible in the past. Several Muslim Scholars like Ibn-e-Qayyam also quoted them in his book with slight changes likewise Abdullah Al-Saheem and Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Sahl Rabban Al-Tabari. Nevertheless, they have been corrupted and manipulated by the Christians as they will do with the present ones in upcoming years.
Isaiah
says about the attributes of Muhammad
:
اعبروا اعبروا الباب، وردوا الطريق على الأمة، وسهلوا السبيل وذللوها، ونحوا الحجارة عن سبيلها، وارفعوا للأمة علماً ومناراً، فإن الرب أسمع نداءه من في أقطار الأرض، فقل لابنۃ صهيون إنه قد قرب مجيء من يخلصك، وأجره معه، وعمله قدامه، ويسمون شعباً طاهراً، يخلصهم الرب، وتسمين أنت أيتها القرية التي أدال اللّٰه لها من أعدائها ولم يخذلها ربها. 5758
Go through, go through the doors; make ready the way of the people; let the highway be smoothed; let the stones be taken away; let the flag and minaret be lifted up over the people. The Lord might listen to his voice from the corners of the earth. Say to his daughters that your savior is about to come; his virtue will be with him and his actions will be ahead of him. He will be named, the holy person. They will be set free by the Lord, look upon us from heaven, where you live in your holiness and glory. Where is your great concern for us? Where is your power? Where are your love and compassion? Do not ignore us. You are our father. Our ancestors, Abraham and Jacob do not acknowledge us, but you, Lord, are our father, the one who has always rescued us. God and O valley you will have pride for which its God has taken the tariff and didn’t leave it on its own.
This prophecy is related to the same meaning of the hadith of Muhammad
in which he says:
لا يبقى على ظهر الأرض بيت مدر، ولا وبر إلا أدخله اللّٰه كلمة الإسلام، بعز عزيز أو ذل ذليل، إما يعزهم اللّٰه فيجعلهم من أهلها، أو يذلهم فيدينون لها. 59
No house made up of dust or hair 60 will rest upon earth's surface without either being humiliated or honoured by embracing Islam. Either Allah will honor them by blessing them with Islam or dishonor them by following any false religion except for Islam.
However, Isaiah’s
words (فقل لابنۃ صھیون انہ قد قرب مجیء من یخلصک) prove Muhammad
to be the guide, and the rescuer as the prophecy hints the attributes of Muhammad
.
The prophecy (اجرہ معہ) mentions that Muhammad
never asked anyone for remuneration of prophethood except for Allah. Likewise, Muhammad
never asked his followers to perpetrate any task for any worldly benefit. Rather, he encouraged them to be conscious of the life hereafter. Therefore, all acts of the Holy Prophet
are lucid and just.
The daughter was freed from the slavery of Jews and Christians by Muhammad
. He was Muhammad
who adorned her with the ornament of Islam, guided her to the splendour of truth, and removed the curtains of ignorance. The characteristics of this nation are vivid in these verses (ویسمون شعبا طاھراً...وتسمین ایتھا القریۃ التی ادال اللّٰہ لھا من اعدائھ). The status of their condition, purity and safety have been mentioned as a sign of their exclusivity.
As Muhammad
says:
انتم الغرالمحجلون یوم القیامۃ من اسباغ الوضوء. 61
You will be the ones with glimmering faces and limbs on the Day of Resurrection, because of performing Wuzu correctly.
Similarly, the prophecy also hints towards the land of this nation; Makkah, which is named ام القری (The Mother of All Lands).
Makkah is the birth place of Muhammad
and the city of peace and shelter. Referring this city, Isaiah
says:
أيتها المنغمسة المتغلغلة في الهموم التي لم تنل حظوة ولا سلوا، إنی جاعل حجرك بلوراً .. ويعرفني هنالك جميع ولدك ولا ينكرونني، وأعلم أبناءك بالسلم، وتكونين مزينة بالصلاح والبر، فتنحي عن الأذى والمكارة، لأنك آمنة منها، فانحرفي عن الانكسار والانخذال فلن يقرباك، ومن انبعث من بين يدي فإليك يكون وفيك حلوله، وتصيرين وزراً وملجأً لقاطنيك وسكانك. 6263
O troubled one, storm-crushed, uncomforted (you)! I will purify your cradle . . . Then your all sons will know me and will not deny. I will know your sons by peace and justice, and you will be ornamented by virtue and favor. Get away from pain and agony because you are going to be safe from them and be separate from humility with humiliation and disgrace they are not going to stay with you. Whosoever will come from Me, he/she will come to you and you will be shelter and ultimate resort for them.
Makkah, The birth place of the Holy Prophet
is addressed in this prophecy which was made the shelter and peaceful accommodation for people by Allah Almighty. As the Holy Quran states:
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا حَرَمًا آمِنًا وَيُتَخَطَّفُ النَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِهِمْ أَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ يَكْفُرُونَ 6764
Did they not observe that We have created a refuge in the Sacred Land, and people around them are snatched away? So do they believe in falsehood and are ungrateful for the favours of Allah?
It is quite clear that the above prophecy related to Makkah because Jerusalem does not 'have foundations built on precious stones' whereas if we look at Makkah we observe that the Holy Kaaba has been built with great grandeur. It has a black stone known as Hijre Aswed (a stone brought from heaven by Gabriel
) and its doors are made of pure gold. Moreover, the mosque built with expensive stones & gold plated interior whereas jerusalem has non of these qualities.
Isaiah
describes the excellence of the Muslim nation and says:
إني أقمتك شاهداً للشعوب، ومدبراً وسلطاناً للأمم، لتدعو الأمم الذين لم تعرفهم، وتأتيك الأمم الذين لم يعرفوك هرولة وشداً، من أجل الرب إلهك قدوس إسرائيل الذي أحمدك، فاطلبوا ما عند الرب، فإذا عرفتموه فاستجيبوا له، وإذا قرب منكم فليرجع عن خطيئته، والفاجر عن سبيله، وليرجع إليّ لأرحمه، ولينب إلى إلهنا الذي عمّت رحمته وفضله. 6566
I have made you a witness to the people, a ruler and a guide to the nations. Those nations about which you had no knowledge and those who had no knowledge of you, they will come to you hastily, because of the Lord your God, and because of the Holy One of Israel. Ask the Lord whatever He has, and respond Him positively (through prayer and subservient) when you recognize Him. If someone (a wrongdoer) from you will close (to him), he will give up his wrong way and the evil-doer (will give up) his purpose: and he will come to Me (to the God) for My mercy on him; and he should return to the God, whose mercy gratefulness is common for all.
These verses are comparable to the following verses of Holy Quran:
…وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا…14367
And so it is that We have made you the best nation for you are witnesses against mankind, and the Noble Messenger is your guardian and your witness.
Similarly, Allah's decree in this verse represents the same crux:
…هَذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ…7868
So that the Noble Messenger be your guardian and witness, and you be a witness against other people.
In another verse, it is stated in the Holy Quran:
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَى هَؤُلَاءِ شَهِيدًا 4169
So how will it be when We bring a witness from each nation (religion), and We bring you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) as a witness and a watcher over them?
Isaiah’s
prophecy historically proved when Muhammad
sent letters to kings; Heraclius, Negus, Muqawqis and to other tribal leaders.
Equivalently, Isaiah’s
quote تاتیک الامم الذین لم یعرفوک ھرولۃ وشدا predicts that nations will join and will come under the shadow of his flag. Thus, this prophecy does not fit upon any prophet before Muhammad
because other Prophets invited only their nations towards One Allah and His faith. Whereas, Muhammad
preached his religion to even nations he was not in contact. The rest of the prophecy is centralised over compassion, forgiveness, and repentance, which are the intrinsic qualities of Muhammad's
personality and law (Shariah).
Isaiah
explains the condition of the world before the advent of Muhammad
and says:
إن اللّٰه نظر ولم ير عدلاً، وأنكر ذلك، ورأى أنه ليس أحد يعين على الحق، فعجب الرب منه، وبعث وليه فأنقذه بذراعه، ومهد له بفضله، فاستلأم العفاف كالدرع، ووضع على رأسه سنور الإعانة والفلح، ولبس لباس الخلاص، لينتقم من المبغضين له والمعادين، ويجازي أهل الجزائر جزاءهم أجمعين، ليتقي اسم اللّٰه في مغارب الأرض، وليخشع في مشارقها لجلاله. 7071
Indeed Allah saw and did not find justice, and refused that, He saw that there was no man to support the truth, and was surprised. So He sent His voice that provided salvation by his arm, and he made righteousness his support. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and he equipped from the weapon of salvation as a head-dress, and he put on salvation as clothing, and wrath as a robe to give a right reward of their doings and to give virtue to the ire-landers. So they will see the name of the Lord from the west, and the east may frighten from His glory.
This prophecy elucidates the situations and depicts the reality of the people before the advent of Muhammad
. The prophecy further holds hints of the authority bestowed to the Muhammad
by Allah, the attributes of Prophet Muhammad
and his Jihad against the infidels and enemies of Islam. Lastly, the successful results of his Jihad in the form of penetration of Islam through various nations from East to West appeared, and people enjoyed the system of justice and truth.
At present, the fear of Islam in the West (Islamophobia) has become the greatest distress for intellectuals, philosophers, and scholars. To overcome this 'terror' multiple NGO's have been established and a huge proportion of the state revenue has been allocated for anti-Islamic campaigns. Persistently, atrocious techniques are used as per the vendetta against Islam including the coining of new terms of Fundamentalism, Extremism, and Terrorism for us. These villainous formulations are projected as components of Islam with dexterity to exhibit a Muslim's image as a terrorist to the World and to camouflage the West's conspiracy and fear of Islam which is disturbing their peace and tranquillity.
Isaiah
addressed Hagar
and her city, Makkah:
قومي وأزهري مصباحك فقد دنا وقتك، وكرامة اللّٰه طالعة عليك، فقد تخللت الأرض الظلام، وغطي على الأمم الضباب، فالرب يشرق عليك إشراقاً، وتظهر كرامته عليك، وتسير الأمم إلى نورك، والملوك إلى ضوء طلوعك، ارفعي بصرك إلى ما حولك وتأملي، فإنهم سيجتمعون كلهم إليك ويحجونك، ويأتيك ولدك من بلد بعيد، وتحج إليك عساكر الأمم حتى تعمرك الإبل المربلة، وتضيق أرضك عن القطرات التي تجتمع إليك، ويساق إليك كباش مدين وكباش أعفا، وتأتيك أهل سبأ ويتحدثون بنعم اللّٰه ويمجدونه، وتسير إليك أغنام قيدار كلها، وتخدمك رخلات نبايوت، ويرفع إلى مذبحي ما يرضيني، وأحدث حينئذ لبيت محمدتي حمداً. 7273
Arise! Let your Candlestick be bright, your time has come, and the glory of the Lord is shining on you. For truly, the earth will no more be dark, and the peoples covert in the fog; but the Lord will lay light to you, and His glory will be seen among you. And nations will come to your light, and kings to your bright dawn. Let your eyes be lifted up. See in your surroundings and ponder on it: they all will come together to you for Hajj (pilgrimage): your son will come from far, and the armies of the nations will perform your Hajj till the heavyweight camels will stay with you and your land will be squeezed by their ques. The young camels of Midian and Ephah; will come to you, and people of Saba will come to you with the remembrance of Allah and His blessings. All the flocks of Kedar will come together to you, the sheep of Nebaioth will serve you; all the goods of my amusement will be brought in my slaughter house, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
This prediction discusses Hagar and her city, along with the explicit mention of Hajj, the delegation of pilgrims for Hajj and the market of animals for sacrifice. Likewise, the prophecy refers to clarify the names of some pilgrims from different countries for example; native of Saba and Midian. However, the reference is about nations of the descendants of Ismail
.
Isaiah
tells about the traits of the Holy Prophet’s nation and says:
سيترجاني أهل الجزائر، ومن في سفن تارسيس كما فعلوا من قبل، ويوردون عليك أبناءك من بلد بعيد ومعهم فضتهم وذهبهم، من أجل اسم الرب إلهك قدوس إسرائيل الذي أحمدك وأكرمك، ويبني أبناء الغرباء سورك، وملوكهم يخدمونك، وتفتح أبوابك في كل وقت وأوان من آناء الليل والنهار فلا تغلق، ويدخل إليك أرسال الأمم، ويقاد إليك ملوكهم أسرى، لأن كل أمة ومملكة لا تخضع لك تتبدد ستورها، وتصطلم الشعوب بالسيف اصطلاماً، وتأتيك الكرامة من صنوبر لبنان البهي، ومن أبهلها ليبخر به بيتي، ويعظم به موضع قدمي ومستقر كرامتي، وتأتيك أبناء القوم الذين كانوا يذلونك، ويقبل آثار أقدامك جميع من كان يؤذيك ويضطهدك، وأجعلك كرامة إلى الأبد، وغبطة وفرحاً إلى دهر الداهرين، وسترضعين ألبان الشعوب، وستصيبين من غنائم الملوك، وتتمززين من غاراتك عليهم ... وأجعل السالمة مدبرك، والصلاح والبر سلطانك، ويكون الرب نورك ومصباحك إلى الأبد. 7475
People of Isles and people of ships of Tarshish will request Me as they did before, so that your sons may be presented from far with gold and silver because of the name of the Lord your God, and to the Holy One of Israel and I will praise the name and respect. And men from strange countries will be building up your walls, and their kings will be your servants: Your doors will be open at all times; they will not be shut day or night; so that diplomats of the nations will come to you with the wealth of the nations, And led by their kings to you prisoners. All the nations or kingdoms which will not be your servant will come to destruction; and nations will be bowed by the swords. The glory with the pine of Lebanon will come to you and My house will be sniffed by the Abhal (a specific tree) together, to glorify the resting-place of my feet. And the sons of those who were cruel to you will come before you with bent heads, and those who made fun of you will kiss the signs of your feet; I will make you a pride forever, a joy from generation to generation. And you will receive the milk of the nations, and will receive the part of the kings’ wealth which you will suck while attacking on them. I will turn your compromises into your wisdom, virtue into your kingdom, Lord will be your light, and your candle will be everlasting.
No other nation except the nation of Muhammad
possesses these attributes. Agreeing to this prognostication, the mentioned nation will be predominant over all other countries and will enslave the kings of them as well. Whereas, those nations that would reject to follow them would not stand anymore because Allah has bestowed dominance, power, and control to this nation till the Day of Judgment. The Holy Quran states:
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا... 5576
Allah has promised those among you who believe and do good deeds, that He will certainly give them the Caliphate in the earth the way He gave to those before them; and that He will certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and will turn their prior fear into peace.
This verse shows that it was the nation of Muhammad
who got that status and fulfilled the above prophecy of Isaiah
.
Isaiah
discusses the Mount of Madina:
لترفع البرية ومدنها صوتها، والديار التي سكنها قيدار، ولتترنم سالع من رؤوس الجبال، ليهتفوا ليعطوا مجداً، ويخبروا بتسبيحه في الجزائر الرب كالجبار، يخرج كرجل حروب ينهض غيرته، يهتف ويصرخ على أعدائه. 7778
Let the dwellers of the jungles and cities, and the place of inhabitance of Kedar thereof lift up their voice; let the people of the Sela’ 79 mountains from the top of the mountains, call: to give them glory, And declare His praise in isles like the Lord will go out as a man of war, and will shout and scream on his enemies.
This prophecy hints to the son of Prophet Ishmael, Kedar, from Arab. The prophecy mentions the name of the mountain of Madina, Sela’ which symbolises that they would come with love. Whereas the speed alludes to the rush for Hajj and they would walk together proudly during the Tawaf, calling out “Labbaik" (Here I am at Thy service). The people referred in the prophecy is the Arabs because the consensus is that the name of Ishmael's son was Kedar. Thus, the prophecy does not settle to the attributes of anyone else except Muhammad
.
Explaining the details about the progeny of Ishmael
, Isaiah
says:
وَيَخْرُجُ قَضِيبٌ مِنْ جِذْعِ يَسَّى، وَيَنْبُتُ غُصْنٌ مِنْ أُصُولِهِ، وَيَحُلُّ عَلَيْهِ رُوحُ ٱلرَّبِّ، رُوحُ ٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْفَهْمِ، رُوحُ ٱلْمَشُورَةِ وَٱلْقُوَّةِ، رُوحُ ٱلْمَعْرِفَةِ وَمَخَافَةِ ٱلرَّبِّ. وَلَذَّتُهُ تَكُونُ فِي مَخَافَةِ ٱلرَّبِّ، فَلَا يَقْضِي بِحَسَبِ نَظَرِ عَيْنَيْهِ، وَلَا يَحْكُمُ بِحَسَبِ سَمْعِ أُذُنَيْهِ، بَلْ يَقْضِي بِٱلْعَدْلِ لِلْمَسَاكِينِ، وَيَحْكُمُ بِٱلْإِنْصَافِ لِبَائِسِي ٱلْأَرْضِ، وَيَضْرِبُ ٱلْأَرْضَ بِقَضِيبِ فَمِهِ، وَيُمِيتُ ٱلْمُنَافِقَ بِنَفْخَةِ شَفَتَيْهِ. َيَكُونُ ٱلْبِرُّ مِنْطَقَهَ مَتْنَيْهِ، وَٱلْأَمَانَةُ مِنْطَقَةَ حَقْوَيْهِ. فَيَسْكُنُ ٱلذِّئْبُ مَعَ ٱلْخَرُوفِ، وَيَرْبُضُ ٱلنَّمِرُ مَعَ ٱلْجَدْيِ، وَٱلْعِجْلُ وَٱلشِّبْلُ وَٱلْمُسَمَّنُ مَعًا، وَصَبِيٌّ صَغِيرٌ يَسُوقُهَا. وَٱلْبَقَرَةُ وَٱلدُّبَّةُ تَرْعَيَانِ. تَرْبُضُ أَوْلَادُهُمَا مَعًا، وَٱلْأَسَدُ كَٱلْبَقَرِ يَأْكُلُ تِبْنًا. 80
The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump so that a new king will arise from among David's descendants. The spirit of the Lord will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the Lord's will and honor him and find pleasure in obeying him. He will not judge by appearance or hearsay; he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command, the people will be punished, and evil persons will die. He will rule his people with justice and integrity. Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed together, and little children will take care of them. Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do. 81
The word 828384‘يَسَّى’ is used in the prophecy in Arabic text. Thus, Jews and Christians persistently embezzle the prophecies for their prophets. Jewish scholars claim that the appointee of David
must be from Jesse's (یشی) descendants. Jesse was the name of David’s
father, and according to the above prophecy, Jews claim that such a branch has not yet erupted. Jews scholars further elaborate that, Jesse had one son; David
, thus the promised prophet must be a successor of David
.
Nevertheless, it can be validated from Samuel 1 that, other than David
, Jesse had seven sons and daughters. 85 One of these daughters, Abigail was married to Jether, a successor of Ishmael
. Abigail bore Amasa. Hence, he was the descendant of Ishmael
. Thus, the branch of Jesse refers to his daughter’s son, an Ishmaelite and from his race, Muhammad
was born.
If the arguments of the Jews are valid, that Jesse was the father of David
, it would imply that the words of this prophecy are altered because he had eight children. If he had eight children and that branch is referred to Jesse - David’s
father, it concludes that David
is not related to the branch or the prophecy. Rather the prediction calls Jesse's daughter, Abigail, who later gave birth to the successors of Ishmael
.
Hence, the prophecy does not call upon Jesse, David’s
father at all. According to our research, the word is used for Ishmael
, whose name is shortened as يَسَّى. It is a well-known practice that long names are shortened in the Hebrew Bible. Thus, يَسَّى is the acronym for the name, Ishmael (Arabic: إِسْمَٰعِيْل). Explanations of these abbreviations have been provided in the Biblical Encyclopedia in these words:
“Other abbreviations have the ending “I or ai” the first part of the name being sometimes more violently contracted.” 86
Conclusively, words that end on "i" or "ai" are often abbreviated words. The portion of the Encyclopaedia that discusses names gives the following description:
“Jesse is contracted from yesmail.”
In consonance to the Biblical Encyclopedia, the original prediction would be:
“A branch would erupt from the stem of Ishmael (Arabic: إِسْمَٰعِيْل).” Thus, the prophecy is about Muhammad
because he was the only offspring of Ishmael’s
generation who declared his prophethood. If we observe the life of the Holy Prophet
, the following words of the prediction came true exactly for him:
.The above attributes all came true one by one in the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
. It is a known fact that after Isaiah
and Muhammad
no such person in the entire world was born (nor will be born till the Day of Judgment) who was conferred with such law and government. The door of prophethood is closed after him forever.
Hence, even the most powerful ruler or politician now cannot claim to be a prophet or the messenger of Allah. As far as the false claimants of Prophethood are concerned, they were the manipulators who wished to make their political power eternal. Therefore, they were taken down by their governments and followers. These false prophets were unsuccessful in establishing 'peace' rather, distorted the harmony, causing unrest and hostility between their nations and the worldwide community.
Isaiah
stated this prophecy seven hundred and forty years (740) before Jesus’s
arrival, which includes the mentioning of one flag for all nations and the city of Prophet Muhammad
. Isaiah
says:
وَيَكُونُ فِي ذلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَنَّ أَصْلَ يَسَّى الْقَائِمَ رَايَةً لِلشُّعُوبِ، إِيَّاهُ تَطْلُبُ الأُمَمُ، وَيَكُونُ مَحَلُّهُ مَجْدًا، وَيَكُونُ فِي ذلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَنَّ السَّيِّدَ يُعِيدُ يَدَهُ ثَانِيَةً لِيَقْتَنِيَ بَقِيَّةَ شَعْبِهِ، الَّتِي بَقِيَتْ، مِنْ أَشُّورَ، وَمِنْ مِصْرَ، وَمِنْ فَتْرُوسَ، وَمِنْ كُوشَ، وَمِنْ عِيلاَمَ، وَمِنْ شِنْعَارَ، وَمِنْ حَمَاةَ، وَمِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ، وَيَرْفَعُ رَايَةً لِلأُمَمِ، وَيَجْمَعُ مَنْفِيِّي إِسْرَائِيلَ، وَيَضُمُّ مُشَتَّتِي يَهُوذَا مِنْ أَربعَةِ أَطْرَافِ الأَرْضِ . 87
A day is coming when the new king from the royal line of David 88 will be a symbol to the nations. They will gather in his royal city and give him honor. When that day comes, the Lord will once again use his power and bring back home those of his people who are left in Assyria and Egypt, in the lands of Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Babylonia, and Hamath, and in the coastlands and on the islands of the sea. The Lord will raise a signal flag to show the nations that he is gathering together again the scattered people of Israel and Judah and bringing them back from the four corners of the earth.
Isaiah
stated about Jesse's branch (discussed in the previous prophecy) that it would gather the nations at one place under a single flag and all nations would call him for their help. His lodging will be glorious, and his city would be the abode of all. It is evident from history that it is Muhammad's
flag under which all global communities had adjoined, and with the Grace of Allah this phenomenon will continue until the Day of Judgment.
Islam is the only religious belief on earth, which has received tributes and tariffs from other faiths and religious leaders/students. The glory of Muhammad's
residence was supreme to the extent that all the enemies used to be scared when they came near to it during his lifetime, and still today no one, no creature can be louder nearby the surrounding of his tomb. Anyone who visists the Masjid Al Nabvi (Prophet Muhammad’s
Mosque in Madina, the place where Prophet Muhammad
is resting) can see this glory and greatness himself. This is because Allah Himself has forbidden to raise voices in the company (today at the shrine and during his citation) of Muhammad
. This respect and reverence are commanded to humans, within the hearts of animals and other beings as well. Allah has ordered deep compliance and honour for Himself and His beloved
in the Holy Quran. It is stated:
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلَا تَجْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَنْ تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ 289
O People who believe! Do not raise your voices higher than the voice of the Prophet, nor speak to him loudly the way you shout to one another, lest your deeds go to waste whilst you are unaware.
For Muslims, this command does not restrict itself to the life of Muhammad
; rather this will last forever. Hence, the above prophecy is exclusively allocated to Muhammad
because history is the witness that the 'glory of the shrine' has only been a tradition of the tomb of Muhammad
. The silence, majesty, glory, and fear are the distinct features of the Muhammad's
shrine. Such silence, majesty, glory, and fear are not characteristics of the shrines, graves, and temples of even the greatest emperors. It is the Majesty and Glory of Muhammad's
shrine that every Muslim who visits the shrine, believes that they have had a great privilege. Similarly, pilgrims who come for performing Hajj and Umrah while Tawaf and visiting the Kaaba always wish and necessarily visit the celebrated shrine of the Holy Prophet
.
Isaiah
further says, "When that day comes, the Lord will once again, use his power and bring back home those of his people who are left in Assyria and Egypt, in the lands of Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Babylonia, and Hamath, and in the coastlands and on the islands of the sea. The Lord will raise a signal flag to show the nations that He is gathering the scattered people of Israel and Judah again and bringing them back from the four corners of the earth.”
with these words:وَقُلْنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اسْكُنُوا الْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ الْآخِرَةِ جِئْنَا بِكُمْ لَفِيفًا 10490
And after him, We said to the Descendants of Israel, “Reside in this land – then when the promise of the Hereafter comes, We will bring you all huddled together.”
The evidence of the above verses being about Muhammad
can be proven from the study of Islamic history. This is because, the last Israeli's lived in exile in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Pathos and several of them embraced Islam under Muhammad's
flag.
Isaiah
discusses five major points and says:
وَحْيٌ مِنْ جِهَةِ بِلاَدِ الْعرب: فِي الْوَعْرِ فِي بِلاَدِ الْعرب تَبِيتِينَ، يَا قَوَافِلَ الدَّدَانِيِّينَ،هَاتُوا مَاءً لِمُلاَقَاةِ الْعَطْشَانِ، يَا سُكَّانَ أَرْضِ تَيْمَاءَ. وَافُوا الْهَارب بِخُبْزِهِ، فَإِنَّهُمْ مِنْ أَمَامِ السُّيُوفِ قَدْ هَربوا. مِنْ أَمَامِ السَّيْفِ الْمَسْلُولِ، وَمِنْ أَمَامِ الْقَوْسِ الْمَشْدُودَةِ، وَمِنْ أَمَامِ شِدَّةِ الْحَرب، فَإِنَّهُ هكَذَا قَالَ لِيَ السَّيِّدُ: فِي مُدَّةِ سَنَةٍ كَسَنَةِ الأَجِيرِ يَفْنَى كُلُّ مَجْدِ قِيدَارَ، وَبَقِيَّةُ عَدَدِ قِسِيِّ أَبْطَالِ بَنِي قِيدَارَ تَقِلُّ، لأَنَّ الرب إِلهَ إِسْرَائِيلَ قَدْ تَكَلَّم . 91
This is a message about Arabia. People of Dedan, you whose caravans camp in the barren country of Arabia, give water to the thirsty people who come to you. You people of the land of Tema, give food to the refugees. People are fleeing to escape from swords that are ready to kill them, from bows that are ready to shoot, from all the dangers of war. Then the Lord said to me, “In exactly one year the greatness of the tribes of Kedar will be at an end. The archers are the bravest warriors of Kedar, but few of them will be left. I, the Lord God of Israel, have spoken.”
This prophecy discusses the following five major points:
The prediction highlights the migration of Muhammad
and his followers to Madina explicitly. Moreover, these verses reflect the exceptional religious revolution and other events that occurred in Arabia. Thus, we can title this content as the inspirational words for the Arab society. Additionally, their prophet had already been informed about the upcoming of Prophet Muhammad
, and the very events took place after his advent, but due to their ignorance, vanity, and prejudice, the Israelites did not believe in the verses and predictions of their prophet nor on the Holy Prophet
.
The prophecy mentions the words, “People of Dedan, you whose caravans camp in the barren country of Arabia” by which the audience and readers are left to wonder about the meaning of it. The reality is that Dedan, was from the successors
of Ham, Noah's
son as it is mentioned in the family tree and his progeny settled on the continent of Arabia, the barren country. The family tree can be seen below:
“You people of the land of Tema, give food to the refugees."
In this news, Tema’s residents are ordered to welcome the arrival of the Makkan refugees. Tema was the name of one of Ishmael's
sons. His descendants lived in the northern suburbs of Madina or northern Hejaz.
Therefore, the region came to be known as Tema. The literal meaning of Tema is “south,” or “the right-hand country.” When Muhammad
migrated to Tema (Yasrib), the city was renamed to Madina. The prediction commands the inhabitants of Tema (Yasrib or the new name, Madina) to provide bread and water for the refugees.
History provides evidence for the fact that when Muhammad
reached Madina from Makkah, the residents of Tema (Yasrib) welcomed him with bread and water. Islamic history shows that no other prophet had migrated to Madina or was well received by the inhabitants in a similar style. Isaiah’s
prediction, which was made seven hundred and forty years (740) before Jesus
, came true for the Holy Prophet
only.
“People are fleeing to escape from swords that are ready to kill them, from bows that are ready to shoot, from all the dangers of war."
In-depth analysis of these verses reveals that the refugees were not oppressors rather the oppressed ones. When the extent of persecution reached the heights that; the enemy had drawn their swords to kill them, they were forced to flee and escape from their birthplace, the city they had resided in the generation after generation, to save their lives and religion, leaving all their belongings and links behind. Here the beauty of the prediction emerges that long before this event of migration, Allah had commanded the children of Israel through His messenger, Isaiah
, to be humble and sympathetic towards the refugees.
The irony of the situation is that the infidels and enemies of Islam called Muhammad
'Sadiq' and 'Amin' (The truthful, The trustworthy). The prophet who was guiding them away from anarchism, brutality, murder, adultery and other heinous sins yet, they were determined to kill him. When the persecution and cruelty became unbearable, Prophet Muhammad
and his followers migrated to Madina following the command of Allah.
Allah had already informed the residents of Madina through previous prophets and scriptures to be humble and righteous with Muhammad
. Thus, the inhabitants of Madina had no difficulty in recognising Prophet Muhammad
. Allah states in the Holy Quran:
وَإِنْ كَادُوا لَيَسْتَفِزُّونَكَ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ لِيُخْرِجُوكَ مِنْهَا وَإِذًا لَا يَلْبَثُونَ خِلَافَكَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا 7692
And indeed it was close that they frighten you in the land for them to oust you from it – and if it were, they would not have stayed after you, but a little.
The fifth key element of Isaiah’s
prediction is:
Then the Lord said to me, “In exactly one year the greatness of the tribes of Kedar will be at an end. The archers are the bravest warriors of Kedar, but few of them will be left. I, the Lord God of Israel, have spoken.”
The significant part of these verses is that Israel's Holy God, who commands others to love and show sympathy with the victims, receive them with hospitality for there is no better charitable deed than this, how can he stay silent for the oppressed. Allah explicitly declared that His wrath shall be inflicted upon these wrongdoers and oppressors after His beloved’s migration. Due to His wrath, all the glory of Kedar will end just like the wages of a labourer run out at the end of the year.
Kedar is the name of Ishmael's son whose successors inhabited in Hejaz. These people were the worst enemies of Islam and Muhammad
. Thus, Allah declared that all their splendour, pomp, and glory shall crumble a year after the migration.
History has witnessed that a year after Muslims had migrated to Madina from Makkah under the leadership of Muhammad
, they defeated the children of Kedar at the battle of Badr, with sheer superiority, power, and intelligence that the pump glory of the enemies was destroyed. Renowned leader, archers and sword fighter of Quraish were killed, including; Abu Jahl, Utbah, and Shaibah.
The event that is discussed in Isaiah’s
prediction can only be linked to the Battle of Badr, which occurred exactly a year and a couple of months after the migration of Muslims to Madina. It is only during the Battle of Badr that the false glory and oppressive kingdom of the descendants of Kedar fell.
After all the evidence have been put into the light. Respective accurate accounts have been taken from history, if the critics still deny that Muhammad
is not the promised prophet and protector of the strayed nations, or does not accept the facts taken from Islamic history as truth, then they should ask the God to show them the right path through His special blessings.