One of the clearest proofs of the Prophethood of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is that the scholars of the People of the Book — the Jews and Christians — recognized him from the descriptions recorded in their own scriptures. Yet jealousy and tribalism prevented many of them from following him. Imam Ibn al-Jawzi, rahimahullah, documents several of these remarkable accounts in his book The Illustrious Life of Muhammad, pages 47–48.
The Acknowledgement of His Prophethood By The People of The Book
Ka'b al-Ahbar, radiyAllahu anhu, said: "We find the Messenger's description in the Torah: Muhammad ibn Abdullah, My chosen servant. His birthplace is Makkah, and his migration destination is Madinah. He is neither rude, nor harsh, nor uproarious in the markets."
Abu Hurayrah, radiyAllahu anhu, conveyed that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to Bayt al-Midras — a school in Madinah where the Jews used to learn the Torah — and said: "Come out to me and I shall teach you." They called out Abdullah ibn Suria, and the Messenger of Allah had a private word with him, discussing matters of religion. He said: "Do you know that I am the Messenger of Allah?"
He said: "Yes. By Allah, I do. These people do as well — your description is clarified in the Torah, but they envy you." He said: "So why don't you follow me?" He said: "I hate to go against my people. I hope that they follow you and embrace Islam, and so shall I."
Ibn Abbas, radiyAllahu anhu, narrated that the Jews of Qurayza, Nadir, Fadak, and Khaybar had the Prophet's description in their books before his advent and knew that he would migrate to Madinah.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was born, the Jewish scholars said: "Ahmad was born tonight." When he became a Prophet, they said: "Ahmad has become a Prophet." They knew it, acknowledged it, and expressed it — but jealousy and transgression prevented them from following him.
Abdul-Hamid ibn Ja'far conveyed from his father that Al-Zubayr ibn Bata, the most knowledgeable of the Jews, used to say before the Prophet's advent: "I found a book that my father used to teach me, where it was said: Ahmad is a Prophet, whose traits are so and so." But as soon as he heard that the Prophet had emerged in Makkah, he took that book, erased it, concealed the matter of the Prophet, and said: "He is not true."
A Reflection
These accounts are a powerful reminder that knowledge of the truth and following the truth are two entirely different things. Al-Zubayr ibn Bata knew. Abdullah ibn Suria knew. The Jewish scholars of Madinah knew. But knowledge alone does not save — what saves is submission to what you know.
Allah says:
"Those to whom We gave the Scripture recognize him as they recognize their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know it." (Al-Baqarah 2:146)
About the Book
The Illustrious Life of Muhammad by Imam Ibn al-Jawzi is a rich and scholarly biography of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, drawing on classical sources. Available at The Islamic Book Cafe for $22.00.
Baarakallahu feekum — The Islamic Book Cafe | Portland, Oregon
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