Who Is the Prophet?

God promised "The Prophet" to the Israelites: In Deuteronomy, 18: 18-19, Moses said that God told him: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from amongst their brothers; I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to My words that "the prophet" speaks in My name, I Myself will call him to account" (The NIV Study Bible, New International Version) In the gospel of John, the Jews posed 3 questions to John the Baptist: "Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah? " He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." (John 1:19-21) In Isaiah, 42:1-3 "He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law, the islands will put their hope." Next, verse 11 connects this person (he) as being the descendants of Kedar, who is the second son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13) Also:Psalm: 118:22-23, Hab 3:3-4, Matthew 21-42-43 ********************************* The two sons of Abraham are Isaac and Ishmael. Ishmael, the son of Hajar was brought to the valley of Bakka (Makka/Mecca) where he married the Yemeni tribes who travel in caravans across the "island" of the Arabian peninsula. Over time, this tribe grew into several Arab tribes - one of which is dominant in its role as the caretaker of the Holy House, the Ka'ba. This tribe is the Quraiysh tribe that Muhammad sprang from. The Arab tribes were polytheists. because over time, they'd left the religion of Abraham and his son Ishmael. They placed statues all around the cubic structure of the Ka'ba that Abraham built and hosted other tribes from across Arabia and parts of Africa in their annual pilgrimage to the house of God. In addition, the pagan Arabs were mostly illiterate and barbaric in their treatments of women and the weak. However, they are admired for their high oratorial skills and their generosity and hospitality. It is amongst these folks, that Muhammad was born - and he grew up repulsed by certain things in his culture. He himself was not a poet, not an literate. He was simply an orphan, shepherd, and later a merchant - who is embraced and loved by all for his wisdom and truthfulness. Yet, he kept silent about his dislike of his people's habit and went soul searching for the Creator - by secluding himself in the cave at the outskirt of Makka(Bakka/Mecca). And the first revelation came: "Read!" said Angel Gabriel. "I am illiterate" said Muhammad. "Read!" urged the angel, embracing him tightly. "I cannot read." After uttering so three times, the angel Gabriel insisted that he follows the recitation: "Read in the name of your Lord who created. He has created man from a clot of blood." (Koran, The Clot of Blood,96) After his experience, Muhammad went home scared and unsure of his own mental state. If not for a special woman, his wife Khadijah, who confirmed his trustworthiness and deserving of Prophethood. God Most High revealed in the Koran: "Those who follow the Messenger the Unlettered Prophet, of whom they find notice in their own writings, in the Torah and the Gospel, he directs them to what is fair and restrains them from iniquity and he makes good things lawful to them, and prohibits what is bad. And he relieves them of their burden. And the yokes that were upon them so those who have faith in him, and who honor and assist him and who follow the light sent down with him-those are the happy, successful ones. (Koran,The Heights, v157) All Guidance is from God Most High. "O God, guide me to the Truth. Allow me to enter Your Paradise to dwell close to your beloved: Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, Ishmael, Isaac, Abraham, Noah, Adam etc. and their beautiful female companions Mary, Khadijah, Fatima, A'isha, Hannah, Asiya, Sheba, Eve etc. and their offsprings. Amin.