Page 16 - Demo

Muhammad in the Bible David Benjamin KeldaniEdited & Annotated by: Prof. Dawud M. R. Alhanbali & Prof, Dr. Kaseb A. Albadran ( 16 )ing” and the “Birthright” it meant only somematerial possessions and power, the dispute would be settled as it has been settled by sword and the accomplished fact of the Arab occupation of the promised lands. Nay, there is a fundamental point of dispute between the two nations now existing for nearly four thousand years; and that point is the question of the Messiah and Muhammad (pbuh). The Jews do notsee the fulfilment of the so-called Messianic prophecies either in the person of Christ or in that of Muhammad (pbuh). The Jews have always been jealous of Ishmael (pbuh) because they know very well that in him, the Covenant was made and with his circumcision, it was concluded and sealed. It is out of this rancour that their scribes or doctors of law have corrupted and interpolated many passages in their Scriptures. To efface the name “Ishmael (pbuh)” from the second, sixth, and seventh verse of the twenty-second chapter of the Book of Genesis and to insert in its place “Isaac (pbuh),” and to leave the descriptive epithet “thy only begotten son” is to deny the existence of the former and to violate the Covenant made between God and Ishmael (pbuh). It is expressly said in this chapter by God: “Because thou didst not spare thy only begotten son, I will increase and multiply the posterity like the stars and the sands on the seashore,” which word “multiply” was used by the Angel to Hagarin the Wilderness: I will multiply thy offspring to an innumerable multitude, and that Ishmael (pbuh) “shall become a fruitful man” (Gen. xvi. 12). Now the Christians have translated the same Hebrew word, which means “fruitful” of “plentiful” from the verb para —identical with the Arabic wefera— in their versions “a wild ass”! Is it not a shame and impiety to call Ishmael (pbuh) “a wild ass” whom God styles “Fruitful” or “Plentiful”? Itis very remarkable that Christ himself, as reported in the Gospel of St. Barnabas, reprimanded the Jews who said thattheGreat Messenger whom they call “Messiah” would come down