Chapter on the Description of the Messenger of Allah in the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, and other Scriptures, and the Description of his Community

God, Almighty and Glorious, said what He informed that He spoke to Moses, peace be upon him: "My mercy encompasses all things, so I will decree it for those who are conscious of God and give the alms and those who believe in Our signs. Those who follow the Messenger, the Ummi Prophet, whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Gospel, he commands them to righteousness, forbids them from evil, allows for them all good things, prohibits for them foul things, and relieves them of their burdens and shackles that were on them. So those who believe in him, honor him, support him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him, they are the successful."

God, Almighty and Glorious, said, "And when Isa 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 news of a Messenger to come after me whose name will be Ahmad.'

Narrated by Muhammad bin Al-Husayn bin Muhammad bin Al-Fadl al-Qattan in Baghdad.

The Description of the Prophet Muhammad in the Torah

Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas said: I met Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas and asked him about the description of the Prophet in the Torah. He said, "Yes, by Allah, he is described in the Torah with some of his qualities in the Quran: 'O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness, a bringer of good tidings and a warner, and a protector for the unlettered people. You are My servant and My Messenger. I have named you the Trustworthy one. He is not coarse, nor is he rude, nor does he shout in the markets. He does not respond to evil with evil, but forgives and overlooks. I will not take his soul until I establish through him a crooked nation saying 'There is no god but Allah' and I open blind eyes, deaf ears, and sealed hearts.'"

Ataa bin Yasar added: Then I met Ka'b Al-Ahbar and asked him, and they did not disagree except in one word, as Ka'b said: 'blind eyes, deaf ears, and sealed hearts'.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Hadith Narration

It was narrated by Al-Bukhari in Sahih from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Fuleih ibn Sulaiman.

Chain of Narrators

Abu Al-Hasan informed us: Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abdan said: Ahmad ibn Ubayd Al-Saffar told us; Hisham ibn Ali narrated to us; Abdullah ibn Raja narrated to us; Abdullah narrated to us on the authority of Abdul Aziz; from Hilal ibn Abi Hilal; from Ata ibn Yasar; from Abdullah ibn Amr, who said:

Explanation of the Verse

He used to say, "This verse in the Quran: 'O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner' [33:45], is in the Torah: 'O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner and a protector for the unlettered. You are My servant and My Messenger. I named you the Trustworthy. You are not harsh or severe or loud-voiced in the markets. You do not retaliate evil with evil, but you pardon and forgive. We will not take you until we establish by you the crooked community until they say: There is no deity except Allah, then eyes will be opened blind, ears deaf, and hearts sealed.'"

Authenticity

Al-Bukhari narrated it in Sahih from Abdullah without attribution, on the authority of Abdul Aziz ibn Abi Salama. Some said it is Ibn Raja, and others said it is Ibn Saleh, but it is more likely to be Ibn Raja. Allah knows best.

Notes

Verse 33:45 from Surah Al-Ahzab. The Hadith quoted in different variations. Al-Bukhari's narration differs slightly.

In different versions it is mentioned as 'You pardon and forgive, and We will not take you until we establish by you'. Some variations include 'until it comes on them' and 'so that Allah opens'.

This is a narration from Al-Bukhari in the Book of Tafsir. Fath al-Bari mentions the difference in attribution of Abdullah in certain narrations.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Hadith on the Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Imam Al-Bukhari narrated that Sa'id reported from Hilal, from 'Ata' from Ibn Salam. Abu Al-Husayn ibn Al-Fadl Al-Qattan said that Abdullah ibn Ja'far informed him that Ya'qub ibn Sufyan told him that Abu Salih said that Al-Layth informed him that Khalid ibn Yazid reported from Sa'id ibn Abi Hilal, from Hilal ibn Usama, from 'Ata' ibn Yasar, from Ibn Salam, that he used to say: "We find in the description of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), 'We have sent you as a witness, a bearer of good news, a warner, and a protector for the unlettered people. You are My servant and My Messenger. I have named you Al-Mutawakkil (The Trusted). You are not harsh, nor severe, nor a brawler in the markets. You do not repay evil with evil, but you pardon and forgive, and overlook. I will not take you back until you establish the corrupt religion by testifying that there is no deity except Allah, opening blind eyes, deaf ears, and sealed hearts."

'Ata' ibn Yasar said that Al-Layth also informed him that he heard Ka'b Al-Ahbar say the same things that Ibn Salam said. Abu 'Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported that Abu Al-'Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub informed him that Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Jabbar told them that Yunus ibn Bukayr mentioned Ibn Ishaq, who narrated to him that Muhammad ibn Thabit ibn Shurahbil reported from Umm al-Darda' saying:

"He informed us."

Reflections on the Prophet Muhammad in the Torah

I asked Ka'b al-Habr, "How do you find the description of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in the Torah?"

Ka'b replied, "We find him as Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, whose name is 'Al-Mutawakkil'. He is neither harsh nor impolite, nor does he shout in the markets. He was given the keys to let Allah [ exalted be He] see through his eyes that are veiled, hear through his ears that are closed, and speak through his tongues that are curved until he testifies that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner. He helps the oppressed and prevents injustice."

It was narrated that Allah said to Muhammad in the Torah: "My chosen servant, Al-Mutawakkil, is neither harsh nor impolite, nor does he shout in the markets. He does not retaliate with evil, but rather pardons and forgives."

It is also reported that in the Gospel, it is written about the Prophet Muhammad: "He is neither harsh nor impolite, nor does he shout."

Sources: Ibn Asakir's History (1:343) and Ibn Saad's Tabaqat (1:360)

The Revelation of Jesus to Mughira bin Hayyan

Source: Sahih Bukhari and Ibn Kathir's "Al-Bidaya wa'n-Nihaya"

In the marketplace, one should not repay evil with evil, but rather forgive and turn away. Narrated by Abu al-Husayn bin al-Fadl, who narrated from Abdullah bin Ja'far, who narrated from Ya'qub bin Sufyan, who narrated from Fayd al-Bajali who narrated from Sallam bin Miskin, who narrated from Muqatil bin Hayyan:

God, the Almighty, inspired Jesus, son of Mary, saying: Be serious in my commands, and listen and obey, O son of the pure, the chaste virgin. I created you without a father and made you a sign for the worlds. So worship Me and rely on Me. Explain to the people of Damascus in their language, convey to those before you: I am the Ever Living, the Sustainer of existence.

Believe in the Prophet, the illiterate, Arabic, riding a camel with a shield and turban - the crown, the two sandals, the whip - with curly hair, connected eyebrows, parted eyebrows, elongated eyes, long eyelashes, prominent nose, clear forehead. A dense beard, pearls emanate from his face, musk fragrances from him, as if his neck is a silver jug, gold flows in his temples. Hairs from his armpits to his navel flow like a comb. There is no hair on his chest or stomach except his. Broad palms and soles, when walking among people, he surpasses them, when he walks, as if he is detaching from a rock and descending in a waterfall, of noble lineage.

The hadith is mentioned in Bukhari, Ibn Kathir in "Al-Bidaya wa'n-Nihaya" (6:61).

In (H) and (H): "elongated".

In (M) and (S): "hairs".

Reported by Ibn Asakir in his history (1:344).

The Supplication of the Prophet Moses (PBUH) for Different Nations

Prophet Moses recalls the Nations in the Torah

Prophet Moses approached near to God and said: "O Lord, in the Torah I find a nation, the best of nations, that you sent for mankind. They enjoin what is good, forbid what is wrong, and believe in You, so make them my nation." God replied: "They are the nation of Ahmad (PBUH)." Moses then said: "O Lord, in the Torah I find another nation, who are the foremost among the nations on the Day of Resurrection, so make them my nation." God replied: "They are the nation of Muhammad (PBUH)." Moses continued: "O Lord, in the Torah I find a nation whose gospel is in their hearts and they read it, but they do not memorize it. Make them my nation." God replied: "They are the nation of Ahmad (PBUH)." Moses further inquired: "O Lord, in the Torah I find a nation who believe in the earlier and later scriptures and they fight against the leaders of misguidance until they fight against the one-eyed liar. Make them my nation." God replied: "They are the nation of Muhammad (PBUH)." Moses prayed: "O Lord, in the Torah I find a nation who consume their charities falsely and in their bellies. In the past, when one would give charity and if it was not accepted, God sent fire upon it and consumed it. So make them my nation." God replied: "They are the nation of Ahmad (PBUH)." Moses then said: "O Lord, in the Torah I find a nation that when one intends to commit an evil deed but does not do it, it is not recorded for them. If they commit a good deed, even if they do not act upon it, it is written for them and if they do it, it is recorded for them as ten to a hundred good deeds or even more."

Prophetic Tradition Regarding the Nation of Muhammad

The Conversation of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with his Lord:

Prophet Muhammad said to his Lord: "Make them my nation." The Lord replied: "They are the nation of Ahmad." Prophet Muhammad then said: "O Lord, in the Torah I find a nation who are the responders and to whom prayers are answered. Make them my nation." The Lord said: "They are the nation of Ahmad."

Prophetic Revelation to Prophet David:

It was mentioned in the story of Prophet David that he received revelation in the Zabur saying: 'O David, after you there will come a Prophet named Ahmad and Muhammad, truthful and noble. I will never be angry with him, and he will never anger me. I have forgiven his past and future sins. His nation will be merciful, I have granted them voluntary acts of worship like I granted the prophets. I have mandated upon them the obligations as I mandated upon the prophets and messengers until they come to me on the Day of Judgment with their light shining as bright as the prophets. I commanded them to purify themselves for every prayer as I commanded the prophets before them. I ordered them to perform the ritual bath from impurity as I ordered the prophets before them. I commanded them to perform Hajj as I ordered the prophets before them. And I commanded them to perform Jihad as I commanded the messengers before them."

Divine Preference for Prophet Muhammad and His Nation:

It was said to David: "I have favored Muhammad and his nation over all other nations. I gave them six qualities which I did not give to others: I do not hold them accountable for mistakes and forgetfulness, and every sin they commit unintentionally, if they seek forgiveness from me, I will forgive them. Whatever good deeds they perform for their hereafter, I will multiply it for them many times over. For them, there will be abundant rewards in the Hereafter with more and better. I granted them, in the face of trials and calamities, if they endure patiently and say: 'To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return' - then prayers, mercy, and guidance to the gardens of Paradise."

The Divine Rewards and Punishments

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. I respond to the call of those who call upon Me. Whether they see the response in this world immediately, or I divert evil from them, or I reserve it for them in the Hereafter.

Oh David, whoever meets Me from the nation of Muhammad and testifies that there is no god but Me alone, without partners, I will grant them entry into My Paradise and My honor. But whoever meets Me having denied Muhammad, disbelieved in what he brought, and mocked My scripture, I will pour upon them a punishment in their grave, and the angels will strike their faces and backs at their burial, then they shall be cast into the lowest levels of Hell.

It was narrated that Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported to us, narrated by Abu Al-Walid Al-Faqih, from Al-Hasan ibn Sufyan Al-Shaybanī who reported from Uqba ibn Mukram Al-Dabbi, that said: Abu Qatan reported from Amru ibn Al-Haytham ibn Qatan ibn Ka'b, who reported from Hamza Al-Zayyat, from Suleiman Al-A'mash, from Ali ibn Mudrik, from Abu Zur'ah, from Abu Huraira, that, "When you are called in the direction of Mount Sinai, I respond to you before you even call upon Me, and I grant you what you seek before you even ask Me."

It was narrated that Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported to us, narrated by Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, that said: Ahmad ibn Abdul Jabbar reported to us, from Yunus ibn Bukayr, from Abu Khalidah Khalid ibn Dinar, who reported from Abu Al-A'la that when they opened "Tustar," they found in the treasury of the "Hormuzan," a dead man with a Quran at his head. So they took the Quran and carried it to Umar ibn Al-Khattab.

The Burial of Daniel by the Arabs

Narrated by Ka'b, he supplicated for him in Arabic and said, "I am the first man from the Arabs to read and understand this." He was asked about its contents, to which he replied: your history, affairs, religion, eloquence in speech, and what will happen after. They dug thirteen separate graves during the day, and in the night, they buried him and leveled all the graves so that his location would remain unknown. When asked about their expectations, they mentioned that during times of drought, they would pray at his resting place to receive rain. They identified him as Daniel, buried for over three hundred years, with no signs of decay except for some hair. For the flesh of prophets does not decompose. It was related by Abu Abdillah Muhammad al-Hafith that some of his ancestors had inherited a parchment in the pre-Islamic era, until it reached...

Translation of a Classical Arabic Text

Key Points:

• Allah - Exalted be He - in Islam according to them.
• When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, arrived in Al-Madinah, they mentioned to him and brought him a parchment on which was written: The name of Allah, His true saying, and the saying of the unjust in a valley.
• This mention is for a nation that will emerge at the end of time, spreading their edges, amassing in their centers, crossing the seas towards their enemies.
• Among them is a prayer that if it had been in the people of Noah, they would not have perished by the flood, and in 'Ad, they would not have perished by the wind, and in Thamud, they would not have perished by the shout.
• In the name of Allah, His true saying, and the saying of the unjust in a valley.

Translation:

Upon entering Al-Madinah, the people mentioned to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, a parchment inscribed with the name of Allah, His true saying, and the words of the unjust in a valley. This reference pertains to a nation that will appear in the last days, spreading their extremities, amassing in their midst, and traversing the seas to face their enemies. Among them is a supplication so potent that had it been in the people of Noah, they would not have been destroyed by the flood, in 'Ad they would not have perished by the wind, and in Thamud they would not have met their end through the shout. In the name of Allah, His true saying, and the words of the unjust in a valley.

It is as if he faced another story. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, marveled when it was recited to him what was in it.