The Qur’an says that Jews distorted the book of their religion, the Torah, by changing the places of its words and their meaning. That is why the signs about the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were aimed to be distorted and changed by Jews. The People of the Book, who distorted the actual meanings of the words, made it difficult to understand the signs of explanations for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The verses that indicate the issue from the Qur’an are as follows:

“Of the Jews there are those who displace words from their (right) places and say: "We hear and we disobey…” (an-Nisa, 4/46)

“They change the words from their (right) times and places; they say "If ye are given this, take it, but if not, beware…” (al-Maeda, 5/41)

Now we are going to look at the expressions of the Torah that indicate the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

1. This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land… And I will shake all nations, and the Himada of all the nations will come; and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts.” (The Old Testament Haggai 2:6-7)

The good news of his coming and the word of "Himada" in the original text of the Torah come from the same root of the name Muhammad in Arabic and the letters of the words Ahmad as “Ha, Mim and Dal” and they usually have the same meaning. So, the word which gives the meaning of the name of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is mentioned with a magnificent event that will take place in the future according to the expression of the verse.

So, what can be more magnificent than the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who spread the existence of God to billions after the Old Testament? So this verse of the Torah informs about the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Islam’s triumph over all world states, which is a magnificent and glorious event.

2. Part 42 of Isaiah of the Old Testament virtually informs about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his coming… Let us first read the related part of the Old Testament and then analyze these expressions, which are present in the Torah:

“Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations. He will not cry out or shout; he will not publicize himself in the streets. A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees. He will not grow dim or be crushed before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait in anticipation for his decrees.” This is what the true God, the Lord, says – the one who created the sky and stretched it out, the one who fashioned the earth and everything that lives on it, the one who gives breath to the people on it, and life to those who live on it: “I, the Lord, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand. I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, those who live in darkness from prisons. The Lord Intervenes I am the Lord! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols. Look, my earlier predictive oracles have come to pass; now I announce new events. Before they begin to occur, I reveal them to you.” Sing to the Lord a brand new song! Praise him from the horizon of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and everything that lives in it, you coastlands and those who live there! Let the desert and its cities shout out, the towns where the nomads of Kedar live! Let the residents of Sela shout joyfully; let them shout loudly from the mountaintops.”

There is a great conformity between the expressions that are present in Isaiah of the Old Testament part 42, and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The expression of these future events is also very important. So, this good news was not revealed in the time of Moses (AS) or much before. This will come true in the future… The good news stated here is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and let us see this by analyzing the expressions one by one:

a. “Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations.” (The Old Testament 42:1)

This sentence of the Old Testament totally indicates the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For God supported him, had consent for him and selected him among humans. Besides, God sent Him Gabriel (AS) (the Archangel) and exposed justice among nations with him. So, five qualities of the person that was given the good news in the expression exist in him. This sentence of the Torah totally gives the good news of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with all of its words.

b. “He will not cry out or shout; he will not publicize himself in the streets. A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees…” (The Old Testament 42:2-3)

These expressions, which are present in the Torah, inform about the high ethics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While the Qur’an expresses this characteristic of the prophet Muhammad with “And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character” (1), the Torah informs this as given above. So, the person about whom the good news given will have high ethics. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has such high ethics with the approval of everyone.

c. “He will not grow dim or be crushed before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait in anticipation for his decrees…” (The Old Testament 42:4)

This expression of the Torah also informs about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ruled the earth while he was still alive and secured the justice. And he never lost his courage. Even when the verse has revealed to him, “Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief)” (2), he sent the guards who were waiting in front of his tent away and told them; “Now Allah will defend me, you don’t need to wait here.” (3) The people and nations who were almost tortured with oppression waited for this person. So, this expression informs about the courage of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his securing of the justice and the waiting of the people of coastland; for this reason, it indicated and even defined the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

d. “I, the Lord, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand. I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the nations…” (The Old Testament 42:6)

The person about whom the good news was given by the Torah was said to be protected by God and for this reason, in most difficult situations and even at times when surviving is almost impossible, he was protected and reached safety as recorded in history. Even during migration, when the possibility of being captured by the polytheists was close at hand at the cave where they sheltered and while his loyal friend, Abu Bakr (RA), was weeping for him, he informed the existence of this divine protection to his loyal friend with solidity by saying “Do not fear, God is with us.” (4) In every phase of the Prophet’s (PBUH) life, this divine protection is seen. Those who know the life of the Prophet will understand this better.

Besides, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made people get on well with one another. Blood feuds came to an end  and enemies became loyal friends thanks to him … and again nations found the true path thanks to him and virtually became a source of light. So, the person about whom the good news was given has three qualities in the Torah: I. God protects him, II. He will get on well with people, III. He will become a guide for nations; they are the qualities which are known by everyone.

e. “to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, those who live in darkness from prisons…” (The Old Testament 42:7)

This expression of the Torah informs about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) too. For blunt hearts and ill minds were healed thanks to him. With the help of him, souls are freed from the captivity of the evil and those who live in the darkness of polytheism reached the light of tawhid (the oneness of God).

f. “I am the Lord! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols…” (The Old Testament 42:8)

This expression of the Torah is significant. For, with this verse, God informs that the person about whom He gave the good news would destroy polytheism. The biggest struggle of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was against the polytheists and when He conquered the city of Mecca, the first thing he did was to destroy idols.

Besides, in this verse, God says, “He will not allow praising for idols” The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed this task and with the expression “Alhamdulillah”, he informed that all praises are made for God. So the person about whom the good news is given is the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) because the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) successfully accomplished the duty of the person about whom the good news was given.

g. “Let the desert and its cities shout out, the towns where the nomads of Kedar live! Let the residents of Sela shout joyfully; let them shout loudly from the mountaintops.” (The Old Testament 42:11)

This expression of the Torah informs about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) too. Since, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a member of the community that was coming from the descendants of Kadar, who was the son of Ishmael (PBUH), the son of Abraham (AS). So this expression indicates the ancestors of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In short, these parts of the Old Testament have a complete conformity with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Besides, in the continuation of this part of the Old Testament, verse 17, the humiliation of polytheists is significant because this humiliation was performed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Yes, with a more detailed analysis, one may find many more signs in the Old Testament. So, as many sciences from embryology to astronomy, from geology to archeology approve what the Qur’an says, the signs of the Old Testament approve his (PBUH) prophethood.

3. “I will raise up a prophet like you for them from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them whatever I command.” (The Old Testament, the Book of Deuteronomy, 18:18)

4. “Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must obey him in everything he tells you. Every person who does not obey that prophet will be destroyed and thus removed from the people.’ And all the prophets, from Samuel and those who followed him, have spoken about and announced these days.” (The New Testament, Acts 3:22)

Now let us analyze these two sentences taken from the Bible:

a. The addressing of Hz. Moses (AS) as “your brothers” to the sons of Israelites, who were coming from the race of Ishaq (AS), who was the son of Hz. Abraham (AS), is sign for the descendants of Hz. Ishmael (AS) who was the brother of Hz. Ishaq (AS), that is, for the sons of Ishmael. The prophet who came from the sons of Ishmael can only be the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) because only the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came from the race of Ishmael. Hz. Joshua (AS) and Jesus (AS) did not come from the descendants of Hz. Ishmael race but from the sons of Israelites.

b. By saying “a prophet like me”, Hz. Moses (AS) implied the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For it is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who resembles to Hz. Moses by up to twenty qualities such as jihad, the laws and rules that he imposed, the punishments he established and his community’s obedience to him… but not Hz. Joshua or Jesus (AS).

c. The expression in the verse, “I will put my words in his mouth” is an implication for the illiteracy of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and though he did not know how to read and write, he memorized the word of God easily and read it to people. This news came true as exactly as it had been said.

And we want to point out to an expression that is present in the verses 18 and 19 of The Old Testament, the Book of Deuteronomy: In these sentences, it is emphasized “that prophet speaks with Lord’s name”. One of the most important characteristics of the Qur’an that was revealed to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is that, 113 surahs of 114 starts with “Basmala” that is “B-ismi-llahi r-rahmani r-rahim” ("In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful"). Besides, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started reading the verses of the Quran and everything with Basmala and advised his ummah to do so. Thus, the person about whom the good news was given in the Old Testament and was informed that he would start with God’s name is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

5. “The Lord came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them.” (The Old Testament, the Book of Deuteronomy, 33:2)

a. In this expression of the Torah: “coming from Sinai” is a sign for Hz. Moses (AS) and the revelation of divine commandments to him; on the other hand, “revealing from Seir” is a sign for Jesus (AS) and the revelation of Bible to him, and finally “the splendor at Mount Paran” is a sign for the Prophet Muhammad’s appearance in Mecca. Since Paran is pronounced as Faran in Arabic language and Faran is one of the old names of Mecca.

Besides, the sentences that Hz. Ishmael resides in the desert of Paran in Genesis in the Old Testament are also proof for this. For Hz. Ishmael (AS) used to reside in Mecca. So, Paran is Mecca with the sign of the Old Testament. With the expression of the Torahi, God informs that “this splendor is at Mount Paran”. Who can be this splendor other than the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

b. What is meant with holy ones in the expression given as “came forth with ten thousand holy ones” is Prophet Muhammad’s Ahl al-Bayt and his Companions. In a very short time, this holy community reached up to ten thousands even hundreds of thousands.

c. The expression “The fiery law on the right” stands for jihad and it is a sign that future prophets have a duty of Jihad. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his community are responsible for jihad; so, the person indicated in the related expression proves that this person is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). So, this expression of the Torah informs about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with triple signs.

6. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be upset about “the boy or your slave wife.” Do all that Sarah is telling you because through Isaac your descendants will be counted. But I will also make the son of the slave wife into a great nation, for he is your descendant too.” Early in the morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He put them on her shoulders, gave her the child, and sent her away. So she went wandering aimlessly through the wilderness of Beer Sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she shoved the child under one of the shrubs. Then she went and sat down by herself across from him at quite a distance, about a bowshot away; for she thought, “I refuse to watch the child die.” So she sat across from him and wept uncontrollably. But God heard the boy’s voice.”

“The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and asked her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the boy’s voice right where he is crying. Get up! Help the boy up and hold him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God enabled Hagar to see a well of water. She went over and filled the skin with water, and then gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer. He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother found a wife for him from the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 21, 12-21)

In this part of the Torah, it is informed that a nation will be created from Hz. Hagar’s son. This nation is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the ummah of Islam. For no other prophets came from the descendants of Hz. Ishmael except the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

7. “Verily God told Abraham that Hagar -the mother of Isma‘il- will bear children. There will emerge from her sons one whose hand will be above all, and the hands of all will be opened to him in reverence.” (The Old Testament, Genesis, 17)

These expressions of the Torah also informs about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As we have explained before, no other known and famous prophets came from the descendants of Ishmael (AS), who was the son of Hagar except the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

8. “Moses said: “O Lord! Verily I have found in the Torah the best of Communities that will emerge for the benefit of humanity, that will enjoin good and forbid wrong, and that will believe in God. Let it be my Community!” God said: “That is the Community of Muhammad…” (The Old Testament, Isaiah, 42)

The name Muhammad is mentioned as Mushaffah, Munhamanna, and Himyata, in the form of Assyrian names in Hebrew, in the heavenly books. The name Muhammad in its original form was present only in a few places. And those few occurrences were distorted by Jews. Besides, the sentences that Moses made to describe the community he saw in the Torah are very interesting.

When Moses described that community, he said, “They are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.” The same words are used in verse 110 of the chapter of Aal-i Imran in the Quran:

“Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah”

As it is seen, there is a complete conformity between the expression of Moses in the Torah and in the Quran. This conformity proves that the community that Moses saw was the ummah of Muhammad.

9. “In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; Many nations will come and walk in the name of the Lord our God… (Old Testament, Micah 4 verses 1, 2, 5)

That sentence of the Torah describes clearly the holiest mountain among the mountains, and the takbirs and worshipping of hajjis coming from all over the world; that is, “ummah of Muhammad” known as “ummah given mercy”

10. The Old Testament, Daniel, chapter 2: In this chapter, Nebuchadnezzar, who subverted the state of Assyria, who made the city of Babylon a center and who reigned for forty-three years, the dream he saw and Daniel, who interpreted his dream are mentioned. The summary of the story is as follows:

Daniel, who was in the prison of cruel Nebuchadnezzar, told the king about his dream before Nebuchadnezzar told Daniel about his dream. The king confirmed what he said in astonishment and said, “This was the dream, and now interpret it to me.” Daniel said:

“That sculpture is the dominion in the world. You are the head of it.  After you, another kingdom will rise; it is represented by silver since it is inferior to yours. Then, two more kingdoms will come and will enlarge. Another kingdom of iron will crush and break all the others. Then, it will be replaced by many kingdoms, some of which are strong and some weak; iron and clay cannot be mixed; similarly those kingdoms will not come together and unite. Then, God will demolish those kingdoms and will send a real sultan whose sultanate will continue till Doomsday; that holy person will lead people to bliss in the world an in the hereafter. This is the meaning of the enlargement of the rock that fell from the sky in your dream and broke the idol into pieces.“

Those sentences of the Torah, through which the dream that Daniel interpreted is narrated, inform us about a holy person who will continue living until Doomsday with the religion that he will bring. There is no doubt that that person is our Prophet (pbuh). For the Prophet (pbuh) broke the idols into pieces and conquered the world with his material sultanate and the hearts with his spiritual sultanate.

[1] al-Qalam, 68/4.
[2] al-Maida, 5/67.
[3] Tirmidhi, Tafsîr, 5/6.
[4] Abu Nuaym, Dalail, Vol. 2,p. 328