Question
The holy prophet Mosses (pbuh) used God powers to free the Jews from suffering by God permission in the same way holy prophet Jesus (pbuh) used God powers by his permission at various occasions. I have 4 questions relating to the above statement:
-
Where in the Bible (Old and New Testament) the above (powers used by Mosses and Jesus) is mentioned?
-
Did biblical personages who came after Mosses like Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, and Malachi, John the Baptist etc. Also used God powers by God’s permission?
-
In the following verse I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” deut.18:18. My question is relating to like unto thee, I was explaining to a Christian that Jesus is not like Mosses but Muhammad (pbuh) is like Mosses. He answered “in the first place Mosses was a Jew and Jesus was also a Jew; secondly, Mosses was a prophet and Jesus was also a prophet; thirdly Mosses used God’s power so did Jesus – therefore Jesus is like Mosses and that is exactly what God had foretold Mosses – ” like unto thee”. I answered “if these are the only criteria for discovering a candidate for this prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:18, then in that case the criteria could fit any one of the following biblical personages after Mosses:- Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist etc., because they were also all Jews as well as prophets. Why should we not apply this prophecy to any one of these prophets, and why only to Jesus?” I gave him 7 reasons how Muhammad is like Mosses and Jesus is not like Mosses: 1. Father and mother 2. Miraculous birth 3. Marriage ties 4. Rejected by his people 5. Prophets as well as kings 6. No new laws 7. How they departed the Christian answered: Mosses and Jesus used God’s power at various times where as Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist etc did not… – my question is to you that “is it true???????????” did the biblical personages after Mosses:- Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist etc and any prophets which Christians believe in used power of God like Mosses and Jesus or not? – how can I prove my point that Christian criteria to judge similarity between Mosses and Jesus in the sense of using God’s power is wrong i.e. “like unto thee” also can u plz recommend any authentic site where I can get more information relating to my question i.e. powers of prophets.
-
When and how did Muhammad (pbuh) used God powers?
Answer
Before I answer your questions in specific I would like for you to keep some things in mind. First, it should be appreciated that miracles are generally not for the purpose of convincing the non-believers to change their minds and accept faith in God. Rather it is a blessing bestowed upon the faithful believers for various reasons and circumstances. The other point that needs to be stressed is that various prophets came to different groups of people. Each society had situations that were specific to them. Therefore, the miracles were geared to best accomplish the prophet’s mission within that particular society. Lastly, all prophets within the pages of the Bible and the Qur’an professed that the miracles they performed were not theirs and the only reason they were able to perform them is because God enabled them to do so.
-
Both Moses and Jesus performed miracles to benefit the believers. I have chosen the more familiar miracles performed by each prophet respectively.
Moses parts the sea:
And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (Exodus 14:15-16)
Jesus heals the blind:
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. (Matthew 9:27-30)
-
Yes.
Elisha resuscitates the dead:
And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. (2 Kings 4:32-34)
Solomon is given authority over the wind and Jinn:
And to Solomon (We made) the Wind (obedient): Its early morning (stride) was a month’s (journey), and its evening (stride) was a month’s (journey); and We made a Font of molten brass to flow for him; and there were Jinns that worked in front of him, by the leave of his Lord, and if any of them turned aside from our command, We made him taste of the Penalty of the Blazing Fire. (Saba 34:12)
-
First I would like to point out that in your argument you have chosen to discuss the less profound similarities between the prophets Moses and Muhammad. I suggest that you refer to “Why Islam – after Judaism & Christianity?“ This should give you a more substantive dialog with your friend. As for Jesus’ miracles, then I would have to disagree with your friend. Other prophets before him in fact performed almost all the miracles performed by Jesus. I apologize for not being able to provide you with a website that deals with the prophet’s powers. This will have to take some research on your part; Bible reading, Qur’an reading, Internet, etc…
-
God guided Muhammad throughout his entire mission. The very developments of the Prophet’s circumstances and accomplishments attest to God’s presence on this journey to reveal Islam. The miracle of Muhammad, as authorized by God, was indeed the Holy Qur’an.
I hope I have clarified the issue.
God knows best.