Is Muhammad mentioned in the Bible?  The Quran indicates that he is.  Consider: (1) “I will show mercy… to those who follow the Apostle – the unlettered Prophet – whom they shall find described in the Torah and the Gospel” (7:156-157 cf. 48:29).  (2) “And of Jesus the Son of Mary, who said to the Israelites: ‘I am sent forth to you from God to confirm the Torah already revealed, and to give news of an apostle that will come after me whose name is Ahamad’” (61:6).  According to the Quran, the Torah and the Gospel both speak of Muhammad. 

The question to ask is: where? No specific passage is cited or referenced. 

Muslims have suggested the following passages refer to Muhammad.  Let’s consider them.

1.  Deuteronomy 18:18, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren, and I will put my words in His mouth.”    Christians believe that this prophet like Moses is Jesus.  Peter so applied the words (Acts 3:22-26).  Jesus is like Moses in His closeness to God (Deuteronomy 34:10-12 cf. John 1:18).  Jesus is like Moses in His signs and wonders (Deuteronomy 34:10-12 cf. Acts 3:22).  Jesus is like Moses in His freeing people from bondage (Exodus 3:1-10 cf. John 8:31-32).  Jesus is like Moses in that He is a law-giver (John 1:17 cf. Galatians 6:2).  Jesus is like Moses in that He ratified a covenant with blood (Exodus 24:1-8 cf. Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:16-28).     

Muslims believe that this prophet is Muhammad.  However, this does not fit very well.  Consider: (1) Moses told Israel, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren” (Deuteronomy 18:15 cf. 18:18).  Muslims point out that “brethren” is used of Edomites (Deuteronomy 2:4, 8). Therefore, it can be used of Ishmaelites. However, it is most natural to understand this to be speaking of an Israelite [Notice the word “among” and the phrase “among your brethren.” (e.g. Deuteronomy 13:1, 11, 13-14; 17:2, 7, 15; 18:1-2, 10, 18; 19:20; 21:21; 22:24; 23:16; 24:7; 26:11).  Notice also the word “midst” (e.g. Deuteronomy 11:6; 13:5; 17:20; 18:15; 23:14)].  (2) This prophet was to do signs and wonders (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 cf. 34:10-12).  Jesus did signs and wonders (Acts 2:22; Also, Quran 5:114; 19:29-f; 61:1-8).  There is no record of such for Muhammad in the Quran itself (cf. Quran 17:90-91).  The Hadiths mention such signs and wonders, but not the Quran itself. 

2.  Song of Solomon 5:16, “His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely.” 

In context, the Shulamite woman is speaking of her beloved.  Some Christians believe that this is a love story about a man and a woman.  Others believe that it is allegorical of God and Israel, or Christ and the church.

Muslims see Muhammad in this.  The Hebrew translated “altogether lovely” is Machamaddim.  It looks a bit like Muhammad.  However, this does not fit the context.  Moreover, this word appears elsewhere and clearly does not in those passages refer to the man, Muhammad (e.g. 1 Kings 20:6; 2 Chronicles 36:19; Lamentations 1:10-11; 2:4; Isaiah 64:10; Hosea 9:6, 16). 

3.  Isaiah 29:11-12, “The whole vision has become like the words of a book that is sealed, which men delivered to one who is literate, saying ‘Read this please.’  And he says, ‘I cannot for it is sealed.’  Then the book is delivered to the one who is illiterate saying, ‘Read this please.’  And he says, ‘I am not literate.’”

In context, woe has been pronounced to Ariel (hearth of God cf. Ezekiel 43:15, i.e., the city of Jerusalem) where David dwelt (Isaiah 29:1-ff).  However, the people were not listening.  Wayne Jackson comments, “These prophesied events are to them as ‘sealed’ scroll (v. 11), or like words to a man who cannot read (v. 12)” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets, p. 49).  They had a heart problem (Isaiah 29:13).

Muslims believe that the “illiterate one” is Muhammed (cf. Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, Hadith 160; Quran 7:158).  The Mormons claim that this refers to Joseph Smith (2 Nephi 27:7-ff; Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History 1:63-65).  However, neither fits the context of Isaiah.  The “illiterate” one does not go on to reveal things.

4. Isaiah 42:1, “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.”

Christians understand this to be prophecy about Jesus. Matthew applied these words to Jesus (Matthew 12:18-21). The Spirit of the LORD came upon Him (Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 3:21-22 cf. 4:18-19).

Muslims claim that the Servant is Muhammad. He is the servant of Allah (Bukhari 3:335). However, even they recognize that Muhammad is not Allah’s only servant [ e.g., In Quran 19:30 Isa (Jesus) says “”I am the servant of God”] Why should Isiah 42 be understood as a reference to Muhammad? It is claimed the Spirit refers to the Spirit (or angel Gabriel) revealing the Quran to Muhammad (Quran 16:102 cf., 2:87,97-98,253). However, the passage in Isaiah does not refer to the Spirit coming to the Servant but being upon the Servant. This sounds like what happened to Jesus. Furthermore, they argue that Kedar (Isiah 42:11 cf. 21:13-16) is in Arabia. Therefore, this must refer to Muhammad. This does not follow. The passage is not speaking of the place from which this Servant came. It is speaking of justice and light going forth to the Gentiles. Other places are also mentioned: the coastlands or islands (Isaiah 42:10, 12 cf. 11:11), possible reference to Mediterranean Sea; Sela (Isaiah 42:11 cf. 16:1; Judges 1:36; 2 Kings 14:7), a Moabite or Amorite, and Edomite town. This has nothing to do with the prophet’s origin.

5.  John 1:19-21, “Now this is the testimony of John.  When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’  And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’  ‘Are you the prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’”

There was some confusion.  (1) They knew that there was a coming Messiah (e.g. Isaiah 61:1-3).  John was not the Messiah.  (2) They knew that Elijah would come (cf. Malachi 4:5).  John came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17).  However, he was not literally Elijah.  Maybe they were asking if he was literally Elijah.  He was not.  (3) They knew that a prophet like Moses was to come (Deuteronomy 18:15-18).  Some Jews were not sure that the Messiah and the Prophet were the same (John 1:19-21 cf. 6:14; 7:40-41).  They were wrong.  The coming Messiah and the coming prophet were the same one (Acts 3:18-26).  John was not the prophet.

Muslims see Muhammad in the Prophet (see point one).  They make a similar mistake as some of the Jews did.  They believe that there are three persons in view.  Elijah according to scripture is John (Matthew 17:11-13).  They believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that Muhammad is the prophet.  However, the Messiah and the prophet are one person (Acts 3:18-26).  Moreover, review point one.

6.  John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.”  John 15:26, “But when the Helper comes, whom I send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.”  John 16:7, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” 

Muslims believe that the Helper is Muhammad.  Different arguments have been used to defend this.  (1) Some have argued that at least one manuscript, Codex Siniaticus, reads “Spirit” and not “Holy Spirit” in John 14:26.  From that, it is reasoned that “Spirit” can be used of a teacher (e.g. 1 John 4:1).  Therefore, this refers to Muhammad.  (2) Some have argued that the text has been corrupted; it should read periclytos (“praised one,” equivalent of Muhammed) instead of paraclete (Helper, Comforter).  There is no textual support for this claim.  Moreover, the context does not fit.  Jesus words were given to encourage His disciples and prepared them for the work of bearing witness of Him (John 15:26-27; 16:7-14).