Published in the Egyptian Gazette on 3\11\2006

A prophet like Moses

The Holy Qur'an has many verses confirming that, God's prophets had prophesized this coming of the Prophet. He is described in the old scriptures, as one who would be known as they know their own children “The people of the Book know this as they know their own sons; but some of them conceal the truth which they themselves know.” (Al-Baqarah 2:146). The same meaning is in Al-An’am 5:20.

In the Old and New Testament there are prophecies by one or two prophets. Some times these prophecies are bundled together. This is because the Jews rejected the idea of a prophet coming from among the descendants of Ishmael. They altered the texts to support this belief.

Although Ishmael's name was not mentioned in the story about the son who was to be sacrificed, the verse makes it clear that one of the rewards of Abraham for fulfilling the vision was the good news of Isaac, showing Ishmael with the words: a boy ready to suffer and forbear. In the Qur'an Saffat 37: 101- 112 we read "So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear. Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now see what is thy view!" (the son) said: "O my father! do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills, one practicing Patience and Constancy! So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), We called out to him, "O Abraham! Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial, And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: "Peace and salutation to Abraham!" Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For he was one of Our believing Servants. And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet - one of the Righteous. We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls."

While the Jews deny that this prophet or prophets came, Christians claim that the prophet referred to was Jesus Christ.

In Deuteronomy 18: 18, 19 “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. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.”

Deuteronomy is said to be words spoken by Moses. If the verse means that this Prophet is from the descendants of Jacob (Israel) he would have said "from you" since he is addressing Israel's descendants; however it says “from among their brethren", which means that it speaks about someone who is not from Israel; but from their brothers (descendants of Ishmael).

The prophecy says “like unto thee”, i.e. Moses. It cannot be Jesus. Jesus was born without a father, while Mohammad is like Moses born from father and mother. If Jesus was a Lord or God he is not like Moses and Mohammad. No one claimed that both Mohammad and Moses are gods. If Jesus had died to bear the griefs and sorrows of people as in Isaiah 53, he is not like Moses and Mohammad.

However Mohammad will release them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them, through intercession “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures) - in the Law and the Gospel - for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him, it is they who will prosper.” (Quran Al-A'araf 7:157).

Both Mohammad & Moses married; but Jesus had not married, so he is different, and they are like each other. Jesus had not fought for God as Mohammad and Moses who fought those who worshiped the Gold Calf. Jesus is not the prophesized prophet; but Mohammad may be him. Mohammad & Moses made many commandments they are alike, while Jesus had made very few commandments. Moses & Mohammad died of old age; but Jesus as the Christian believe, was crucified, so he is different. So Mohammad is like Moses much, while Jesus differs a lot.

But there are differences between Mohammad & Moses. While commandments were written for Moses, it was said that Mohammad “will put my words in his mouth”. The word Qur'an is extracted from the word "Qara" which means read. Gabriel used to recite God's word to Mohammad to read it, exactly as the prophecy says “and will put my words in his mouth”. All words of Qu'ran are God's words, while the Old and New Testament include prophets' history, and the events that took place in their life times. The verse “my words which he shall speak in my name” is exactly what the Qur'an says. All the Chapters (Suwar) of the Quran, except one, begin with the sentence "Bismillah Ar-rahman ar-raheem" which means: “In the name of Gracious Merciful God”. When Muslims read any verse from Qur'an they begin with that formula.

In Deuteronomy 33: 2 “And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them." It is well known that Paran is the old name of Mecca or Bakkah. In Geneses 21:21 it is established that it was the residence of Ishmael, it never happened that any of Israel's prophets lived or his prophecy revealed in Paran. It was never mentioned that even any one of them visited it except Moses and his people as Shown in Numbers 10: 12, Numbers 12: 6, Numbers 13:3, 26.

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