Question: Does Islam and its Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessing of God be upon him) have any historical links with the Bible (Gospel and the Old Testament)?(All quotations are from the New King James Version.)Yes, indeed there are many links. We quote as follows:
- In the Old Testament, Genesis, 21:21 it is said: “He (Prophet Ishmael) dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his Mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.”
- Psalm 83: 4-6 talks about the enemies of among others Ishmaelites, and Hagrites (Hagar being the mother of Prophet Ishmael).
- Psalm 84: 4-6 “4. Blessed are those who dwell in your House; They will still be praising You. 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on the pilgrimage. 6. As they pass through the valley of Baca. They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.”
There are several interesting points in the above verses. The name Baca could be Hebrew whereas the word Makkah is Arabic. Added to this the fact that there is a designated House of God built by Abraham,
peace be upon him, in Makkah where yearly pilgrimage was performed from the time of Abraham and Ishmael, peace be upon them both, even to this day.
The valley of Baca could indeed be the same as the valley of Makkah. The above verses seem to place Hagar, Ishmael and their children in the valley of Makkah where Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing of God be upon him, was born.
- Isaiah, 21:12-17 mentions “12 … In the forest in Arabia you will lodge … 15 For they fled from the swords , from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the distress of war.” (Probable connection with the enemies mentioned in Psalm 83: 4-6 quoted above;
- also settlement in Arabia is confirmed; the verse 16 which follows, also confirms these verses are about Ishmaelites, Kedar being the 2nd son of Prophet Ishmael).
- “16. For thus the Lord … all the glory of Kedar will fall. 17. And the remainder … people of Kedar will be diminished … “
