Major religions foretold Prophet's arrival

Major religions foretold Prophet's arrival
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL
Holy Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) arrival had been mentioned and foretold in many vedas and scriptures of major religions.
Hindu scriptures
"A foreign spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mohammed."
(Maharishi vyasa / bhavishya puran / prati sarg parv 111: 3,3, 5-8)
The Kuntap Sukt of Atharva Veda prophesied, among other things, the Prophet's name as Praiseworthy; his ten best companions; his 100 companions who migrated to Abyssinia; the 313 companions who fought The Battle of Badr that saved Islam; and the 10,000 companions who conquered Mecca with him. But one must know Mohammed's life story to understand the prophecies.
"The truthful, wise, powerful and generous Mamah (Mohammed) has favoured me with his words....possessing all good attributes, the mercy for the worlds has become famous with ten thousand (companions)." (Atharva veda)
Buddhist scriptures
"I am not the first Buddha who came upon the earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at its climax, and glorious at the goal. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousand, while mine number many hundred. He will be known as Maitreya...".(The gospel of Buddha by Carus)
There are many claimants to this 'maitreya : among them Shankaracharya, Jesus, and Mohammed - each proposed by his followers or admirers. Shankaracharya is hardly known outside the Hindu world. Jesus did not have that many disciples, certainly not many thousands. Mohammed was an incomparable leader of man and had many thousands of companions and disciples. Among the meanings given to Maitreya are loving, kindness, benevolence, friendliness, compassionate, merciful, forgiveness, goodness, providence etc. - precisely the same meanings for Rahmat (Arabic) which, for simplicity, is translated as mercy in the Prophet's title of "Rahmatul-lil Alamin" : mercy for all the Worlds. So Gautama Buddha was indeed talking about Mohammed.
While mankind requires true guidance and these will be provided by Almighty through His Prophet.
And Mohammed was the last of Prophets and seal of Prophets whose arrival had been continuously foretold by the major vedas.
Holy Qur'an says: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Apostle of God, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that giveth Both life and death. So believe in God and His Apostle, the unlettered Prophet, who believeth in God And His Words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided." [7:158]
Further says: "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." [34:28]
Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said, "I have been sent to perfect the generosities of morals" that is to define and demonstrate the highest form of morality. Truth, honesty, trustworthy, loyalty, Justice, sympathy, service, good fellowship, neighborhood, tolerance, harmony, co-operation in goodness and piety etc are the morals of generosities and those who attain such characters as taught by Holy Prophet (PBUH) can please man and serve in the path of Almighty.
Prophet's messages also destroyed all the differences and distinctions of race, colour and nationality as Almighty declared "O mankind! we created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (Not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)" [49:13]
Prophet in his prayer told "O God, Thou art peace and from thee is peace" and Prophet (PBUH) said "Indeed religion is well wishing" The fundamental as well as ultimate end of religion is to soothe the heart and bring peace and this is the bliss.
Peace is very essential one for the individual, society and world and it is missing somewhere nowadays. Certain people falsely think that Islam is the religion that would lead to the extinction of all other faiths.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had not brought the message to extinguish other faiths, he brought the message that enlightens every faith of others also with truth and universal values of life. Islam brought to light the concealed truths in every religion and Almighty made Islam as purified, chosen and peaceful one to all mankind.

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