as delicate as a frail reed; rather, he strengthens the truly truthful, is the pillar of the humble, and is the light of Allah that can never be extinguished. The mark of his authority rests upon his shoulders.”

These qualities apply exactly to Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—and to his nation; they are among the noblest glad tidings with which the former prophets heralded him.

It is already known that the word “Torah” can serve as a generic label for the entire body of scriptures acknowledged by the People of the Book. In that broad sense it embraces the Psalms, the prophecy of Isaiah, and the rest of the prophetic writings apart from the Gospel.

If this is what the Quran intends by “Torah” and “Gospel,” then the Prophet’s mention in the Torah is indeed abundant and multifaceted.

The second avenue of response is to demonstrate that the prophets before him foretold his coming. This stands as an independent proof of his prophethood and a mighty sign of his mission. At the same time, it also confirms the prophethood of the announcing prophet himself, for he conveyed news of the unseen while laying claim—