and the name of his homeland, and the like. This accords with what Allah has related—through the tongues of some of His prophets—in the Noble Quran by way of glad tidings concerning Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Examples of both kinds will be presented, Allah willing.

3 – Some followers of earlier scriptures contend that they were awaiting no prophet beyond Jesus and Elijah. They therefore claim that the prophecies cannot apply to Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—because, in their view, Jesus is the Seal of the Prophets.

This contention is false and without foundation. In truth, they were expecting another prophet besides those two. Evidence for this appears in the Gospel of John: “And 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.’ They asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’” ⦗1⦘

Thus the Jewish scholars contemporary with Jesus—peace be upon him—first asked John—peace be upon him—“Are you the Messiah?” When he denied it, they asked, “Are you Elijah?” When he denied that as well, they asked, “Are you the Prophet?”—meaning the well-known prophet foretold by Moses. It is therefore clear that this prophet was expected before the Messiah and Elijah, and was so famous that no name needed to be specified; a simple reference sufficed.

If, then, they were awaiting a prophet other than Jesus and Elijah, it follows with certainty