Did Every Religion Predict Prophet Muhammad? A Deep Dive Into the Prophecies Across World Scriptures

One of the most fascinating - and hotly debated - questions in comparative religion is whether the major world faiths predicted the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). From the Hebrew Bible to the Hindu Vedas, from Buddhist texts to the Gospels of Jesus, there are passages that Muslim scholars have pointed to for centuries as evidence of a unified prophetic thread. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, the sheer volume of these references deserves a serious, open-minded exploration.

This is not about forcing one faith upon another. It is about looking at the scriptures with fresh eyes and asking a bold question: Could these ancient texts, written thousands of years apart in vastly different civilizations, all be pointing to the same person?

Let's unpack the evidence - religion by religion, scripture by scripture.

Prophet Muhammad in Judaism: The Old Testament Connection

The relationship between Islam and Judaism runs deeper than most people realize. Both traditions share a lineage going back to Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim). And it is within the Jewish scriptures - the Old Testament - that some of the most compelling prophecies about Muhammad can be found.

Isaiah 42: The Lord's Chosen Servant

The Book of Isaiah, Chapter 42, is titled "The Lord's Chosen Servant" in many Bible editions. It describes a special figure whom God will send to "bring justice to the nations". The chapter reads:[1][2]

"Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." - Isaiah 42:1

Muslim scholars argue this cannot refer to Jesus (peace be upon him) because Jesus himself stated in Matthew 15:24, "I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel," meaning his mission was primarily directed at the Israelites - not the Gentiles. Muhammad, on the other hand, was sent as a messenger to all of humanity.[1]

The prophecy becomes even more geographically specific. Isaiah 42:11 says:

"Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the top of the mountains."

According to Genesis 25:13, Kedar was the second son of Ishmael - the ancestor of the Arab people and, by extension, Prophet Muhammad. The reference to Sela is equally striking. Biblical scholars and Islamic researchers have identified Sela as a mountain located in the city of Medina - the very city where Prophet Muhammad established the Islamic community after his migration from Mecca.[2][3][4][5]

This geographical precision is exactly why, in the 6th century, Jewish communities traveled to the Arabian Peninsula. They had read enough in their scriptures to pinpoint where this awaited prophet would appear. The Quran itself references this recognition:

"Those We have given the Scripture recognize this Prophet as they recognize their own children. Yet a group of them hides the truth knowingly." - Quran 2:146[6][7]

One of the most famous Jewish converts to Islam was Abdullah ibn Salam, a prominent rabbi in Medina who recognized Muhammad as the prophesied figure described in the Torah.

Song of Solomon 5:16 - Muhammad by Name?

Perhaps the most provocative claim is that Muhammad's name literally appears in the Hebrew Bible. In the Song of Solomon 5:16, the English translation reads:

"His mouth is most sweet; yea, he is altogether lovely."

However, the original Hebrew text uses the word "Machamadim" (מַחֲמַדִּים). Muslim scholars argue that this is the Hebrew form of the name Muhammad, with the suffix "-im" serving as a plural of respect - a grammatical feature well-documented in Hebrew, similar to the word "Elohim" used for God in Genesis.[8][9]

Critics counter that the word simply means "lovely" or "desirable" in Hebrew and is being taken out of context. The debate remains one of the most passionately contested topics in interfaith dialogue, with both sides presenting detailed linguistic arguments.[10]

Prophet Muhammad in Hinduism: Ancient Prophecies From the East

If finding Muhammad's name in the Old Testament is surprising, discovering references to him in Hindu scriptures - written thousands of years before Islam - is truly remarkable.

The Bhavishya Purana: Muhammad Mentioned by Name

The Bhavishya Purana, one of the eighteen major Hindu Puranas, is essentially a book of prophecies. In Prati Sarag Parv III, Khand 3, Adhyay 3, Shlokas 5-8, it makes an extraordinary statement:[11][12]

"A malecha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking a foreign language) spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Muhammad."

The prophecy goes further in Shlokas 10-27, describing this figure's followers in striking detail:[12][11]

• They will be circumcised
• They will be without a tail on their head (no traditional Hindu shikha)
• They will keep beards
• They will create a revolution
• They will announce the Adhan (the Muslim call to prayer)
• They will eat all lawful things but not eat swine
• They will not seek purification from holy shrubs but will be purified through warfare against irreligious nations
• They will be known as Musalmaan (Muslims)

The level of detail is astonishing. Every single one of these descriptions matches the practices and characteristics of Prophet Muhammad and his followers. The text even states, "I shall be the originator of this religion of the meat-eating nations".[12]

Some scholars have raised questions about the Bhavishya Purana's dating and authenticity, noting that portions may have been composed or edited after Muhammad's lifetime, making them vaticinium ex eventu - prophecies written after the fact. However, defenders of the text argue that the Purana's prophetic tradition is well-established and that dismissing these passages requires dismissing the entire text.[13]

The Vedas: Narashansa and the Praiseworthy One

The Vedas - among the oldest scriptures in human history, dating back 3,000-4,000 years - contain references to a figure called "Narashansa".[14][15]

In Sanskrit, "Narashansa" is derived from two words: "Nara" (meaning human or man) and "Shansa" (meaning praised). Together, Narashansa literally means "the one who is praised by human beings" - which is the exact Arabic translation of the name Muhammad (the praiseworthy).[15][14]

Narashansa appears in all four Vedas - the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda. Hindu scholars like Dr. Ved Prakash Upadhyay of Prayag University have extensively researched these connections and concluded that the Vedic Narashansa corresponds to Prophet Muhammad.[15]

In the Atharva Veda, Book 20, the text describes a figure referred to as "Ahamiddhi" who will defeat 60,090 enemies and 20 chiefs. The Sanskrit word used, like "Narashansa," also means "praiseworthy." From Islamic history, Muhammad's conquest of Mecca involved approximately 20 chiefs of the Quraysh, and the estimated population of Mecca at that time was around 60,000 - remarkably close to the Vedic numbers.[16]

The Atharva Veda also describes the prophesied figure as a camel rider - noteworthy because Indian prophets and avatars were traditionally forbidden from riding camels. Muhammad, of course, was well known for his camel journeys across the Arabian desert.[16]

Prophet Muhammad in Buddhism: The Coming of Maitreya

Buddhist scriptures contain prophecies about a future Buddha called Maitreya - "the benevolent one" or "the merciful one." Muslim scholars draw compelling parallels between this prophesied figure and Prophet Muhammad.

The Gospel of Buddha

According to the Gospel of Buddha by Carus (pages 217-218), based on Ceylon sources, a critical dialogue takes place between Buddha and his disciple Ananda:[17][18]

Ananda: "Who shall teach us when thou art gone?"

Buddha: "I am not the first Buddha who came upon the earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals."

When Ananda asked, "How shall we know him?", the text provides six criteria for identifying this future Buddha:[19][20]

These criteria pointedly do not fit Jesus (peace be upon him), particularly the third point - the majority of Christians believe Jesus was crucified, which is not a natural death.[20]

Maitreya and Rahma

The word "Maitreya" itself means "the merciful" or "the compassionate one." The equivalent Arabic word is "Rahma" (mercy). The Quran describes Muhammad using this exact attribute:[21]

"We have not sent you [O Muhammad] except as a mercy to all the worlds." - Quran 21:107[21]

Furthermore, the Buddhist prophecy states that Maitreya will be a leader of thousands, while Gautama Buddha was a leader of hundreds. This aligns perfectly with Muhammad, who unified the entire Arabian Peninsula under Islam and whose followers today number over 1.8 billion worldwide.[17][21]

Prophet Muhammad in Christianity: The Comforter Promised by Jesus

The New Testament contains some of the most debated prophecies in this discussion. In the Gospel of John, Jesus (peace be upon him) speaks about a coming figure he calls "the Comforter" - a helper who would arrive after his departure.

The Paraclete in the Gospel of John

Three passages from the Gospel of John form the core of this argument:[22][23]

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter." - John 14:16

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." - John 15:26

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." - John 16:7

The word "Comforter" is translated from the Greek "Parakletos" (παράκλητος), which can mean advocate, helper, or intercessor.[23][22]

Why the Comforter Cannot Be the Holy Spirit

Muslim scholars raise an important logical point: Jesus explicitly says, "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." This means Jesus' departure is a necessary condition for the Comforter's arrival.[24]

However, according to the Bible itself, the Holy Spirit was already present long before Jesus departed:

• The Holy Spirit was present at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16)
• The Holy Spirit was present in the womb of Elizabeth (Luke 1:41)
• The Holy Spirit filled various Old Testament prophets

If the Holy Spirit was already active, why would Jesus say the Comforter "will not come" unless he departs? This contradiction, Muslim scholars argue, suggests the Comforter is not the Holy Spirit but rather a future human prophet.[25][24]

Parakletos vs. Periklytos

Some Muslim scholars go further, suggesting that the original Greek word may have been "Periklytos" (Περικλυτός), meaning "the praised one" or "the praiseworthy" - which is, once again, the exact meaning of the name Muhammad and Ahmad. The Quran itself references this:[22][23]

"And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.'" - Quran 61:6

Whether translated as "Comforter," "Advocate," or "Praiseworthy," Muslim scholars argue that no historical figure fits the description of this prophesied helper more precisely than Prophet Muhammad - a man who testified to Jesus' prophethood, honored his mission, and made belief in Jesus an essential pillar of Islamic faith.

Why Would Multiple Religions Point to One Prophet?

This brings us to the central question: Why would the scriptures of entirely different faiths - Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism - all seem to describe the same person?

From the Islamic perspective, the answer is rooted in a core belief: that God has sent over 124,000 prophets throughout human history, beginning with Adam and ending with Muhammad. Each prophet carried the same fundamental message - the worship of One God - tailored to their specific time and people. Prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and many others all preached monotheism and, according to Islamic tradition, foretold the coming of the final messenger.[7]

The Quran articulates this beautifully:

"Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whose description they find in their Torah and the Gospel." - Quran 7:157

This verse suggests that the prophecies about Muhammad were deliberately placed in earlier scriptures by God Himself as a sign for humanity - fragments of a larger unified truth, spread across civilizations and millennia, all pointing to one final prophet who would bring God's message in its complete and final form.

What This Means for Seekers of Truth

Whether one accepts these prophecies as referring to Muhammad or views them through the lens of their own faith tradition, the sheer breadth of these references is thought-provoking. The fact that texts from four major world religions - written across different continents, in different languages, separated by thousands of years - contain descriptions that align with one historical figure is, at minimum, a remarkable coincidence.

For believers, these prophecies serve as a powerful confirmation. For seekers, they are an invitation to dig deeper - to read the original sources, study the languages, and draw independent conclusions.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said: "Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China." In that spirit, these prophecies - whether from Jerusalem, India, Southeast Asia, or Arabia - remind us that truth has always been accessible to those willing to search for it.

The path to understanding begins with an open heart, a curious mind, and the willingness to follow the evidence wherever it leads. And as the Quran reminds us: "God is One, and only One. He has no image, and you should not worship an idol."

For more in-depth exploration of these prophecies, the following resources are recommended:

1. Isaiah 42 - Prophet Muhammad in the Bible - Detailed analysis of Isaiah 42 as a prophecy about Muhammad​
2. Prophet Muhammad in Hindu Scriptures - Quran Project - Overview of references to Muhammad in the Vedas and Puranas​
3. Prophet Muhammad in Hindu Scriptures - IslamOnline - Additional scholarly analysis of Hindu scripture prophecies​
4. Muhammad in Buddhist Scriptures - IslamAwareness - Exploration of the Maitreya prophecy and its connection to Muhammad​
5. Six Criteria for Identifying a Buddha - IslamAwareness - The six-point criteria from the Gospel of Buddha applied to Muhammad​
6. The Paraclete - Study Islam - Analysis of the "Comforter" prophecy in the Gospel of John​
7. What is Narashansa in Hindu Literature? - Makashfa - Explanation of the Sanskrit term Narashansa and its link to Muhammad​
8. Isaiah 42:11 - Kedar and Sela - BibleHub - Biblical commentary on the significance of Kedar and Sela in Isaiah 42​
9. Tafsir Surah Al-Baqarah 2:146 - Quran.com - Quranic commentary on the verse about People of the Book recognizing Muhammad​
10. Muhammad in Hindu Scriptures - IRFI - Comprehensive article on Hindu scripture references​
11. Muhammad in the Bhavishya Purana - WikiIslam - Critical examination of the Bhavishya Purana passages​
12. Rational Believer YouTube Channel - The source video transcript used as a foundation for this blog