The Annunciation of Mu ammads and the Gospel

The Quran states in a number of its verses that Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) announced the good tidings of the prophethood of Mul:lammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) and that this annunciation was mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel. God, the Exalted, says in regard to this:

I shall prescribe it [my mercy] for those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they will find written down with them in the Torah and the Gospel, enjoining on them that which is right and forbidding them that which is wrong (Q. ٧:١٥٧). And ... Jesus, son of Mary, said, "٠, Children of Israel, lo! I am themes‌ senger of God to you, confirming that which was [revealed] before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who comes after me, whose name is AI:Jmad"٤ (Q. ٦١:٦).

Hence, many Jews and Christians, during and after Mul:lammads lifetime, believed in his prophethood. This is conclusive evidence that this annunciation still existed in the texts of the two ancient scriptures at the time of his message. Had they not been there, the Jews and Christians would have possessed sufficient proof to deny the Qurans claim and to reject the Prophets call, and they would have rejected him vehemently. The fact that so many of them embraced Islam and believed the Prophets call, during and after his time, is indisputable evidence that the text of the annuncia‌ tion was still preserved at that time. Accordingly, faith in Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) necessitated faith in Mul:lammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), without requiring any miracle to establish his veracity.
However, a miracle was necessary [to establish his veracity] for other communi‌ ties that did not believe in Moses and Jesus and their revelations. It has been estab‌ lished earlier that the Noble Quran is the lasting miracle and the divine proof of the truthfulness of the Prophet and the veracity of his mission. Moreover, his numerous other miracles, which have been related by uninterrupted transmission, are more worthy of belief than the miracles performed by the other prophets who preceded him.

NOTES

l. Hashim b. Sulayman al-Bai:Jrani, Kitab al-Burhanfi tafsir al-Quran, ed. Mahmad b. Jafar al-Masawi al-Zarandi, ٤ vols. (Tehran: Chapkhane Aftab, n.d.) vol. ٢, p. ٤٢٤.
٢. Tabari, tafsir, vol. ١٥, p. ٧٤.
٣. The word aya serves both meanings.-Trans.
٤. AI:Jmad (the Most Praised One) is an alternative name for the Prophet Mui:Jammad.‌
Trans.
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