|
(I)
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM:
Judaism is one of the important Semitic religions. Its
followers are known as Jews and they believe in the prophetic
mission of Prophet Moses (pbuh).
(II)
CONCEPT OF GOD IN JUDAISM:
(i)
The following verse from the book of Deuteronomy contains an
exhortation from Moses (pbuh):
"Shama
Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad"
It
is a Hebrew quotation which means:
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord"
[The Bible, Deuteronomy 6:4]
The following verses are from the Book of Isaiah:
(ii) "I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no
saviour."
[The Bible, Isaiah 43:11]
(iii) "I am Lord, and there is none else There is no God
besides me."
[The Bible, Isaiah 45 : 5]
(iv) "I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is
none like me."
[The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]
(v) Judaism condemns idol worship in the following verses:
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any
likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in
the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for
I the Lord thy God am a jealous God."
[The Bible, Exodus 20:3-5]
(iv) A similar message is repeated in the book of Deuteronomy:
"Thou shalt have none other gods before me."
"Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water beneath the earth."
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them;
for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God."
[The Bible, Deuteronomy 5:7-9]
In
Judaism too, we find the same thread of monotheism, that is
seen in other religions.
(III)
MUHAMMAD IN JEWISH SCRIPTURES (THE OLD TESTAMENT):
1)
Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised in the book of Deuteronomy:
a)
God Almighty speaks to Moses in Book of Deuteronomy chapter 18
verse 18:
"I
will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like
unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall
speak unto them all that I shall command him."
B)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is like Moses (pbuh):
i)
Both had a father and a mother.
ii) Both were married and had children.
iii) Both were accepted as Prophets by their people in their
lifetime.
iv) Both besides being Prophets were also kings i.e. they
could inflict capital punishment.
v)
Both brought new laws and new regulations for their people.
vi) Both died a natural death.
e)
Muhammad (pbuh) is from among the brethren of Moses (pbuh).
Arabs are brethren of Jews. Abraham (pbuh) had two sons:
Ishmail and Isaac. The Arabs are the descendants of Ishmail (pbuh)
and the Jews are the descendants of Isaac (pbuh).
f)
Words in the mouth:
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unlettered and whatever
revelations he received from God Almighty he repeated it
verbatim.
Deuteronomy (18:18):
"I
will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like
unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall
speak unto them all that I shall command him."
2)
Muhammad (pbuh) is prophesised in the book of Isaiah:
It
is mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12:
"And the book is delivered to him that is not learned saying,
‘Read this, I pray thee’; and he saith, ‘I am not learned’.
"When Archangel Gabriel commanded Muhammad (pbuh) by saying ‘Iqra’,
he replied "I am not learned".
3)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned by name in the Song of
Solomon
chapter 5 verse 16:
"Hikko
Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehrace Bayna
Jerusalem."
"His mouth is most sweet: ye, he is altogether lovely. This is
my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughter of Jerusalem."
All the prophecies mentioned in the Old Testament regarding
Muhammad (pbuh) besides applying to the Jews also hold good
for the Christians (H Q. 61:6).
Article taken (with Thanks) from Islamic Research Foundation |
