INTRODUCTION
In this series
of articles, we are analyzing similarities and common grounds between two major
religions of the world: Hinduism and Islam. In the previous article we examined
and highlighted similarities between the concept of prophethood, and the
attributes of God, in Islam and in Hinduism as mentioned in their respective
scriptures. In this month’s article, we shall study the various prophecies in
Hindu scriptures of the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
MUHAMMAD (PBUH) PROPHESIED IN HINDU SCRIPTURES:
According to
Bhavishya Purana in the Prati Sarag Parv III, Khand 3, Adhyay 3, Shalokas 5 to 8
“A Malechha
(belonging to a foreign country and speaking a foreign language) spiritual
teacher will appear with his companions, His name will be Mohammad. Raja (Bhoj)
after giving this Maha Dev Arab (of angelic disposition) a bath in the
‘panchgavya’ and the Ganges water (i.e. purging him of all sins) offered him the
presents of his sincere devotion and showing him all reverence said, “I make
obeisance to thee, ‘O ye! The pride of mankind, the dweller in Arabia, ye have
collected a great force to kill the devil and you yourself have been protected
from the malechha opponents”.
The Prophecy clearly states
(i) The
name of the Prophet as Muhammad.
(ii) He will belong to Arabia; the Sanskrit
word Marusthal means a sandy track of land or a desert.
(iii) Special mention is made of the
companions of the prophet i.e. the Sahabas. No other Prophet had as many
companions as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
(iv) He is referred as the pride of mankind (Parbatis
nath).
The Glorious Qur’an reconfirms:
“And thou (standest)
on an exalted standard of character”
(Al
Qur’an 68:4)
‘Ye have indeed
in the Messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern (of conduct)’
(Al Qur’an
33:21)
(v) He will
kill the devil i.e. abolish idol worship and all sorts of vices.
(vi) The
prophet will be protected against his enemies.
Some people may
argue that Raja Bhoj mentioned in the prophecy lived in the 11th
century C.E.
i.e. 500 years after the advent of
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and that he was the descendant of the 10th
generation of Raja Shalivahan. These people fail to realize that there was not
only one Raja of the name Bhoj. The Egyptian Monarchs were called as Pharaohs
and the Roman Kings were known as Caesars. Similarly Indian Rajas were given the
title of Bhoj. There were several Raja Bhojs who came before the one in 11th
Century C.E.
The prophet did
not physically take a bath in Panch gavya and the water of Ganges. Since the
water of Ganges is considered holy, taking bath in the Ganges is an idiom
meaning washing away or making immune from all sorts of sins. Here the prophecy
implies that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was sinless i.e. ‘maasoom’.
b.
Muhammad (pbuh) prophesied in Bhavishya Purana:
According to
Bhavishya Purana in the Pratisarag Parv III, Khand 3, Adhyay 3 Shalokas 10 to 27
Maharishi Vyas has prophesied:
“The Malechha
have spoiled the well-known land of the Arabs. Arya Dharma is not to be found in
the country. Before also there appeared a misguided fiend whom I had killed; he
has now again appeared being sent by a powerful enemy. To show these enemies the
right path and to give them guidance the well-known Mohamad (Mohammad) who has
been given by me, the epithet of Brahma, is busy in bringing the ‘Pishachas’ to
the right path. O Raja, you need not go to the land of the foolish Pishachas,
you will be purified through my kindness even where you are. At night, he of the
angelic disposition, the shrewd man, in the guise of a pischacha said to Raja
Bhoj, O Raja! Your Arya Dharma has been made to prevail over all religions, but
according to the commandments of Ishwar Parmatama, I shall enforce the strong
creed of the meat eaters. My followers will be men circumcised, without a tail
(on his head), keeping beard, creating a revolution announcing Adhan (call for
prayer) and will be eating all lawful things. He will eat all sorts of animals
except swine. They will not seek purification from the holy shrubs, but will be
purified through warfare. On account of their fighting the irreligious nations,
they will be known as Musalmaans. I shall be the originator of this religion of
the meat-eating nation.”
The Prophecy
states that
(i) The
evildoers have corrupted the Arab land.
(ii) Arya
Dharma is not found in that land.
(iii) The
present enemies will be destroyed just as the previous enemies like Abraha had
perished. The Qur’an speaks about these sorts of previous enemies in Surah Al
Fil:
“Seest thou not
how thy lord dealt with the
Companions of
the elephant?
Did He not make
their treacherous plan go astray?
And He sent
against them flights of Birds
Striking them
with stones of baked clay
Then did he make
them like an empty field
Of stalk and
straw, (of which the corn) has been eaten up.
(Al
Qur’an 105:1-5)
(iv)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been given the title Brahma to guide the opponents
of truth.
(vi) The
Indian Raja need not go to Arab land since his purification will take place in
India after the Musalmaan will arise in India.
(vi) The
coming Prophet will attest the truth of the Aryan faith i.e. Monotheism and will
reform the misguided people.
(vii) The
Prophet’s followers will be circumcised. They will be without a tale on their
heads, they will keep beards and they will create a great revolution.
(viii) They
will announce the adhan i.e. ‘call for prayer’.
(ix) He
will only eat lawful things and animals, but will not eat pork. The Qur’an
confirms this in no less than 4 different places:
In Surah Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verse 173
In Surah Al-Maidah chapter 5
verse 3
In Surah Al-Anam chapter 6
verse 145
In Surah Al-Nahl Chapter 16 verse 115
“Forbidden for you for food are dead meat, blood, flesh of swine and that on
which had been invoked the name of other than Allah.
(x) They
will not purify with grass like the Hindus, but by means of sword they will
fight the evil-doers.
(xi) They
will be called Musalmaan.
(xii) They
will be a meat-eating nation.
The Qur’an
permits humans to eat herbivorous animals in Surah Maidah chapter 5 verse no. 1
and in Surah Mu’minoon chapter 23 verse 21
(xiii)
Commentary
According to
Bhavishya Purana Part – III, khand 1, Adhyay 3, shlokas 21-23
Corruption and
persecution are in seven sacred cities of Kashi etc. India is inhabited by
Rakshas, Shabar, Bhil and other foolish people. In the land of ‘Malechhas’ the
followers of the ‘Malechah dharma’ (Islam) are wise and brave people. All good
qualities are found in Musalmaans and all sorts of vices have accumulated in the
land of the Aryas. Islam will rule in India and its island. Having known these
facts O Meeni, glorify the name of the Lord”.
The Qur’an
confirms:
“It is He who
hath sent His messenger with guidance and
the Religion of
Truth, to proclaim it over all religion,
even though the
pagans may detest (it).
(Al
Qur’an 9:33 and 61:9)
and a similar
verse ends with:
‘And
enough is Allah for a witness”.
(Al
Qur’an 48:28)
c.
Prophet Muhammad prophesied
in Atharva Veda
In the 20th
book of Atharva Veda Hymn-127, some Suktas (chapters) are known as ‘kuntap sukt’.
‘Kuntap’ means ‘the consumer of misery and troubles', thus meaning ‘the message
of peace and safety’. This translated in Arabic means Islam.
‘Kuntap’ also
means hidden glands in the abdomen. These mantras are probably called so because
their true meaning was hidden and was to be revealed in future. Its hidden
meaning is also connected with the naval or the middle point of the earth.
Makkah is called the ‘ummul Qura’, or ‘the mother of the towns’ or ‘the naval of
the earth’ in many revealed books. It was the first house of worship of the One
God where Almighty God gave spiritual nourishment to the world. The Glorious
Qur’an says:
“The first House
(of worship) appointed for men
was that at
Bakka (Makkah) full of blessing
and of guidance
for all kinds of beings.”
(Al
Qur’an 3:96)
Another name for
Makkah is Becca. Thus ‘kuntap’ stands for Makkah or Becca.
Several people
like M. Bloom Field, Prof Ralph Griffith, Pandit Rajaram, Pandit Khem Karan and
others have translated these kuntap suktas. The main points mentioned in the
kuntap suktas in Atharvaved book XX Hymn 127 verses 1-13 are:
Mantra 1
He is
narashansah or the praised one (Mohammad).
He is Kaurama
the prince of peace or the emigrant, who is safe even amongst a host of 60,090
enemies.
Mantra 2.
He is a
camel-riding Rishi, whose chariot touches the heaven.
Mantra 3.
He is Mamah
Rishi.
Mantra 4
Vachyesv rebh
‘Oh! Ye who glorifies.’
Mantra 14
We glorify or
praise the great hero with a song of praise and a prayer. Please accept this
praise so that evil may not befall us.
(i) The Sanskrit
word ‘Narashansah’ means ‘the praised one’ which is the literal translation of
the Arabic word Muhammad (pbuh).
The Sanskrit
word ‘Kaurama’ means ‘one who spreads and promotes peace’. The holy Prophet was
the ‘prince of peace’ and he preached equality of human kind and universal
brotherhood. ‘Kaurama’ also means ‘an emigrant’. The Prophet migrated from
Makkah to Madeenah and was thus an emigrant.
(ii) He will be
protected from 60,090 enemies, which was the population of Makkah. The prophet
would ride a camel. This clearly indicates that, it cannot be an Indian Rishi
since it is forbidden for a Brahman to ride a camel. According to Manu Smriti
chapter 11 verse 202 sacred books of the east, volume 25, Laws of Manu pg. 472
“A Brahman is prohibited from riding a camel or an ass and to bathe naked. He
should purify himself by suppressing his breath”.
(iii) This
mantra gave the Rishi name as Mamah. No Rishi in India or any other prophet had
this name. ‘Mamah’ is derived from ‘Mah’ which means to esteem highly, or to
revere, and to exalt. Some Sanskrit books give the prophet’s name as ‘Mahamad’
but this word according to Sanskrit grammer can also be used in the bad sense.
It is incorrect to apply grammar to an Arabic word. Actually Mamah has the same
meaning and somewhat similar pronunciation as the word Muhammad (pbuh).
d.
Battle of the Allies described in the Vedas.
It is mentioned
is Atharvaveda Book XX hymn 21, verse 6: “O Lord of the truthful! These
liberators
drinks, these feats of bravery and the inspiring
songs gladdened thee in the field of battle. When thou renderst vanquished
without fight the ten thousand opponents of the praying one, the adoring one.”
(i) This Prophecy of the Veda describes the
well-known battle of Ahzab or the battle of the Allies during the time of
Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). The Prophet was victorious without an actual conflict,
which is mentioned in the Qur’an:
“When the
believers saw the confederate forces they said:
This is what
Allah and his Messenger had promised us,
and Allah and
His Messenger told us what was true.”
And it only
added to their faith and their zeal in obedience.
(Al
Qur’an 33:22)
(ii) The
Sanskrit word ‘karo’ in the Mantra means the ‘Praising one’ which when
translated into Arabic means Ahmed, the second name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
(iii) The 10,000
opponents mentioned in the mantra were the enemies of the prophet and the
Muslims were only 3000 in number.
(iv) The last
words of the Mantra ‘aprati ni bashayah’ means the defeat was given to the
enemies without an actual fight.
e. The
enemies defeat in the conquest of Makkah.
It is mentioned
in Atharva Veda book 20 Hymn 21 verse no. 9.
“You have O
Indira overthrown 20 kings and 60,099 men with an outstripping chariot wheel who
came to fight the praised one or far famed (Muhammad) Orphan”
(i) The
population of Makkah at the time of Prophet’s advent was nearly 60,000.
(ii) There
were several clans in Makkah each having its own chief. Totally there were about
20 chiefs to rule the population of Makkah.
(iii) An
‘Abandhu’ meaning a ‘helpless man’ who was far famed and ‘Praised one’ [Muhammad
(pbuh)] overcame his enemies with the help of God.
f.
A similar prophecy is also found in Rigveda Book
I, Hymn 53 verse 9.
The Sanskrit
word used is ‘Sushrama’ which means praiseworthy or well praised which in Arabic
means Muhammad (pbuh).
g.
Muhammad (pbuh) did not drink his mother’s milk.
It is mentioned
in
(i)
Samveda Agni, mantra 64 (S.V. m-64)
(ii) Samveda
Book 1 chapter 2, decade 2, verse 2 (S.V. 1:2:2:2)
The habits of
this child are very strange. He does not go to his mother for milk, his mother
does not feed him milk and yet as soon as he is born he takes up the noble
assignment of prophet hood”.
Muhammad (pbuh)
was an orphan and thus none of the wet nurses were interested in taking care of
him. On the other hand, no mother was willing to give her child to Lady Halima
because she did not seem to have enough milk. Thus Lady Halima took Muhammad (pbuh)
home for breast-feeding, and as soon as she began to breast-feed Muhammad (pbuh),
there was a surge of milk in her breasts.
h.
Muhammad (pbuh)
prophesied
by name as Ahmed
(i) Samveda
Uttararchika, mantra 1500
(Samveda
Part 2 Book 7 chapter 1 section 5 verse 1) and
(ii)
Samveda Indra chapter 2 mantra 152
(Samveda Book 2 chapter 2 decade 1 verse 8)
Similarly he has been prophesied by name as Ahmed in
(iii)
Yajurveda chapter 31 verse 18
(iv) Rigveda
Book 8 hymn 6 verse 10
(v)
Atharvaveda Book 8 chapter 5 verse 16
(vi) Atharvaveda Book 20 chapter 126 verse 14
Muhammad (pbuh)
has prophesied by name as Ahmed also in Samveda Uttararchik mantra 1500 Part II
Book VII chapter 1 section 5 verse 1 and Samved Indra chapter 2 mantra 152
Book 2 chapter 2 decade 1 verse 8)
“Ahmed acquired
from his Lord the knowledge of eternal law. I received light from him just as
from the sun”. The Prophecy confirms –
(i) The name of
the Prophet as Ahmed. Since Ahmed is an Arabic name, many translators
misunderstood it to be Ahm at hi and translated the mantra as I alone
have acquired the real wisdom of my father.
(ii) The Prophet
was given eternal law i.e. Shari’ah.
(iii) The Rishi
was enlightened by the Shari’ah of Prophet Muhammad. The Glorious Qur’an says in
Surah Saba:
“We have not
sent thee but as a universal
(Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings
and warning them
(against sin), but most men
understand not.”
(Al Qur’an 34:28)
i.
Muhammad (Pbuh) Prophesized as Narashangsa.
The word
‘Narashangsa’ is the combination of ‘Nar’ and ‘Aashangsa’ – Nar – means man and
‘Aashangsa’ means ‘praised’, therefore ‘Narashangsa’ means ‘the praised man’.
Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) is mentioned as ‘Narashangsa’ in the Hindu scriptures in several places
including:
-
Rigveda Book 1 hymn 13 verse 3
-
Rigveda Book 1 hymn 18 verse 9
-
Rigveda Book 1 hymn 106 verse 4
-
Rigveda Book 1 hymn 142 verse 3
-
Rigveda Book 2 hymn 3 verse 2
-
Rigveda Book 3 hymn 29 verse 11
-
Rigveda Book 5 hymn 5 verse 2
-
Rigveda Book 7 hymn 2 verse 2
-
Rigveda Book 10 hymn 64 verse 3
-
Rigveda Book 10 hymn 182 verse 2
-
Samveda Uttararchik mantra 1349
-
Yajurved chapter 29 verse 27
-
Yajurved Book 1 chapter 6 verse 4
-
Yajurved Book 1 chapter 7 verse 4
-
Yajurved chapter 20 verse 37
-
Yajurved chapter 20 verse 57
-
Yajurved chapter 21 verse 31
-
Yajurved chapter 21 verse 55
-
Yajurved chapter 28 verse 2
-
Yajurved chapter 28 verse 19
-
Yajurved chapter 28 verse 42
j.
Kalki Avatar
It is mentioned
in Bhagvata Purana Khand 12 Adhyay 2 shlokas 18-20:
“It is in the
house of Vishnuyash, the noble soul Brahmana chief of the village called
sambhala that Lord Kalki will be incarnated”.
“The Lord of the
universe, endowed with eight spiritual powers and excellence was unsurpassed in
splendour and glory. Riding on a fleet horse given to him by angels, and with a
sword in his hand, the saviour of the world will subdue all the miscreants”.
It is mentioned
in
Bhagwat Purana Khand 1 Adhyay 3 Shloka
25:
“Then in the
twilight of the Kali age, when kings will be as good as robbers, this protector
of the world will be born of Vishnuyasa under the name Kalki“. The description
of the Kalki Avatar i.e. the final Avatar is given in the verses Kalki Purana
chapter 2 verses 4, 5, 7, 11 & 15.
1.
Mother’s name Sumati
i.e. Aaminah
The name of his
mother will be Sumati (K.P.2: 4 & 11), which means gentle and thoughtful,
Prophet Muhammad’s mother’s name was Aaminah, which means peaceful and gentle.
2.
Father’s name Vishnuyash i.e.
Abdullah.
His father’s
name will be ‘Vishnuyash’ which means ‘worshipper of Vishnu’ i.e. ‘worshipper of
God’. Muhammad’s father’s name was Abdullah which means ‘obedient worshipper of
Allah i.e. God’.
3.
Born in Sambhala i.e. Makkah
He will be born
in a village called ‘Sambhala’ which means house of peace and security. Makkah
is known as Darul Aman, which means house of peace and security.
4.
Born in house of Chief Priest.
He will be born
in the house of chief of the village Sambhala. Muhammad (pbuh) was born in the
house of the chief of the Kaaba.
5.
Born on the 12th day
of Madhav i.e. Rabi-ul-Awwal.
It is prophesied
that Kalki Avtar will be born on the 12th day of the bright (first)
half of the month of Madhav. It is a historical fact Muhammad (pbuh) was born on
the 12th day of the bright half of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
6.
He will be the Antim or final
Avatar
He has been
described as the ‘Antim’ i.e. ‘the last and final’ of all the Avatars. The
Qur’an also mentions:
Muhammad is not
The Father of
any
Of your men, but
(he is)
The Messenger of
Allah,
And the seal
(the last and final)
of the Prophets,
And Allah has
full knowledge
Of all things
(Al
Qur’an 33:40)
Thus the Qur’an
states that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Seal, i.e. last and final Prophet of
Allah.
7.
Will receive knowledge on the
mountain from the
Lord and then go towards North and come back.
Kalki Avatar
will go to the mountains and receive knowledge from Parsuram, then go towards
the north and come back. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did go to Jable-Noor i.e. the
Mountain of Light, where he received the first Revelation from Archangel
Gabriel. Later he went north to Madeenah and later made a victorious return to
Makkah.
8.
He will have the most graceful personality.
Kalki Avatar
will have unparalleled grace.
Qur’an
mentions in Surah Al-Qalam chapter 68 verse 4:
And thou (standest)
on an exalted standard of character.
9.
Endowed with eight special qualities
Kalki Avatar
will be endowed with eight special qualities. These qualities are wisdom,
respectable lineage, self-control, revealed knowledge, valour, measured speech,
utmost charity and gratitude. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had all these eight
special qualities.
a) Wisdom
– He was very wise. It is no wonder that several people approached him for
guidance, even before he claimed to be a prophet.
b)
Respectable lineage – He belonged to the noble tribe of Quraysh who were the
caretakers of the sacred Kaaba.
c)
Self-control – He was the best example of self-control. From history, we
learn that his enemies on many occasions tried to instigate him. However, he was
always patient and responded wisely.
d) Revealed
knowledge – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the last and final revelation
of God, which is the Glorious Qur’an through Archangel Gabriel.
e) Valour –
Muhammad (pbuh) possessed great physical strength and courage. He took active
part in the battles against his enemies and most of such battles were fought in
self-defence against aggression by the other party.
f) Measured
speech – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) spoke with emphasis and deliberation that
people could not forget what he said. In his intercourse with others he would
sit silent among his companions for long time but when he spoke his speech was
eloquent and full of meaning and advise.
g) Utmost
charity – Muhammad (pbuh) was very charitable and never disappointed anyone
who asked for help even in situations when he himself was in financial
difficulties. Many poor people lived only on his generosity.
h)
Gratefulness – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was known for his gratefulness He
showed immense gratitude to the Ansaars i.e. the helpers from the city of
Madeenah.
10. Teacher
of the World.
The Kalki Avatar
will be the saviour of the world i.e. he will guide and teach the world. Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) did not only guide and save the Arabs but the whole humankind.
The Qur’an mentions:
We have not sent thee
But as a
universal Messenger
To men, giving
them
Glad tidings,
and warning them
(Against sin),
but most men
Understand not.
(Al
Qur’an 34:28)
11.
Shiva will present a steed to
Kalki avatar.
It is prophesied
that Shiva will present an extraordinary steed to the Kalki Avatar. Muhammad (pbuh)
received a steed from Almighty God, which was known as ‘Buraq’ and whose speed
transcended.
12.
He will ride a horse and carry a sword.
Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) received a heavenly steed from Almighty God called ‘Buraq’ on which he
made his heavenly journey known as ‘Miraaj’ or the ‘Ascension to the heavens’.
Moreover, we
also learn from the history of the Prophet that he himself took part in battles,
most of which were fought in self-defence, and on many such occasions, he rode a
horse and carried a sword in his hand.
13.
He will subdue the wicked
It is mentioned
that Kalki Avatar will subdue the wicked. It was prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who
purified (transformed) bandits and miscreants and established them on the path
of truth. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came at a time, which was known as ‘Yaumul-Jahiliyah’,
which means the “age or era of ignorance”. People indulged in various types of
vices. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) brought them from darkness to light.
14. He will
overpower the Devil with four companions
It is prophesied
that Kalki Avatar, with four of his companions, will disarm Kali i.e. the devil.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), with his four most trusted companions,
fought against the mischief and the evil of the devil. These four companions
were Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them all). These
four companions later became the first four Khalifas and spread the religion of
Islam. In Islamic parlance these four are referred to as ‘the rightly guided
Caliphs’.
15.
He will be assisted by angels.
The Kalki Avatar
will be assisted by angels in the battlefield. In the battle of Badr, Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) was assisted by angels who descended from the heavens. This is
also mentioned in the Qur’an in:
Surah
Ale- Imran chapter 3 verse 123-125
Surah Al- Anfal
chapter 8 verses 8 & 9
Footnote:
English
translation of verses of the Glorious Qur’an is taken from Abdullah Yusuf Ali
In the subsequent
articles in the present series, we shall InshaAllah study the similarities
between the concept of life after death, fate & destiny, worship and other
teachings in Islam and in Hinduism.
And all praises
are for the One and Only God and Creator Allah, who alone is worthy of devotion,
complete submission and worship.
-Dr.Zakir Naik