This, then, is his ﷺ description—and that of his Companions—in their own scriptures, exactly as Allah has set it forth in the Noble Qur’an: “Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah. Those who are with him are stern against the disbelievers, compassionate among themselves; you see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and His pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah, while their description in the Gospel is like a seed that sends forth its shoot, then strengthens it, so it grows thick and stands straight upon its stalks, delighting the sowers—so that through them He may enrage the disbelievers. Allah has promised those of them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a magnificent reward.” ⦗al-Fatḥ 29⦘.

Allah also relates the glad tidings Jesus ﷺ gave concerning Muḥammad ﷺ: “And when Jesus son of Mary said, ‘Children of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming what is before me of the Torah and bringing good news of a Messenger who will come after me whose name is Aḥmad.’ Yet when he came to them with the clear signs, they said, ‘This is manifest sorcery.’” ⦗al-Ṣaff 6⦘.

All these proofs converge, giving the People of the Book certain knowledge of his prophethood ﷺ: “Those to whom We have given the Book recognize him just as they recognize their own children; yet those who ruin their own souls refuse to believe.” ⦗al-Anʿām 20⦘.

Still, a group among them conceals this truth—despite their sure knowledge of it—an act of flagrant denial. Concerning them Allah says: “Those to whom We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their own sons, yet a group of them knowingly conceal the truth.” ⦗al-Baqarah 146⦘.

After Allah’s testimony, no further testimony is needed; He is, exalted is He, the most truthful in speech and the best of witnesses.

These glad tidings, moreover, are corroborated by historical records.

And so that the proof may stand still more firmly against the People of the Book, we shall summon witnesses from among them—figures whose own testimonies and admissions, recorded by history, show that they were expecting a prophet